Freehand Chicago

On a day when—aside from the cleaning staff—no one else entered my room, my valuables were stolen by hotel employees who broke the lock on my wardrobe. The owner refused to acknowledge this, and after we argued, he called the police and had me evicted from the hotel. The police, in turn, sided with their fellow citizen.

Usually a great property but the person at front desk was extremely rude

I've stayed here a few different times now but honestly will not ever again. It is getting to be really run down; The bathroom was disgusting in the mixed dorm and my bed had multiple long hairs in it, one even on top of the folded up duvet. I didn't even get a towel so I had to go down to the front desk the next morning after I realized. When I first stayed in this hostel a couple years ago it was $35 a night, but at $80 now I just cannot justify how awful this place is.

This hostel sucks. Carpets and furniture are dirty. My bed looked like someone had already been sleeping in it. They also STOLE my deposit and charged me extra. Staff has a nasty attitude. Will never be staying anything freehand affiliated again. 👎👎👎👎👎👎👎

Staff were pretty rude with some other tourists. There room was kinda dirty, the air conditioner worked, but I couldn’t change the tempature. Bathroom was ok.

No dejan toallas suficientes. La limpieza es deficiente por no decir que mala. No colocan bolsas a las canecas de basura. Las alcobas no cuentan con nevera ni microondas. Las habitaciones y el hotel en general es nuy oscuro. El valor total cobrado por la habitacion fue superior al valor total que inicialmente se habia aprobado por parte nia. En general el hotel es malo. No lo recomiebdo.

I've traveled the world and stayed in over 100 hostels, & this is the most putrid "hostel" I've ever stayed in. Filthy, tiny dorm rooms. I stayed for a week & it was never cleaned. I had to take out the trash every day & get toilet paper for the room that I shared with 3 strangers, 2 of whom live there permanently in their own squaller. No communal areas or kitchen, so they eat on their beds & there is old rotting food in packets around the room. I complained to the front desk & they shrugged.

The hostel management failed to disclose the hidden charges (urban fee) and charged my card without any prior notice—even before I arrived at the hostel! First, I paid US$16.19 when I booked a bed. Then, on the day of arrival, I was supposed to pay US$117.54 at the property. However, they instead charged US$135.23. When I asked about it, the manager replied the following: "Since you booked through Hostelworld, they do not include our Chicago taxes which is our "Urban Fee"." I found this t...

Très sal et peu secure

The hostel was not worth money I have paid and they overcharged me than the actual amount.

lights in the room were a bit flickery, but other than that - exceptional people, vibes, cafe and bar. prime location to nearby nightlife spots :)

The best place in Chicago, you won't find a better location.

Best atmosphere in Chicago, easy check in and friendly staff, for shared dorm the en-suite bathroom is a plus. No kitchen available for guest but the bar downstairs is magical.

Wonderful as a frequent vagabond. Worth every dollar over other "options," if you could even call them that, in the Chicago hostel circuit. Looking at you, Wrigley.

On a day when—aside from the cleaning staff—no one else entered my room, my valuables were stolen by hotel employees who broke the lock on my wardrobe. The owner refused to acknowledge this, and after we argued, he called the police and had me evicted from the hotel. The police, in turn, sided with their fellow citizen.

Expect about a $40-50 increase for taxes from price shown. Other than that, you can’t get a better location in Chicago. Very clean. Nice bar.

The fan/cooling unit in the room did not work, so myself and the other roommates were sweating all night, and made it a point to not hang out in the room during the day. I wish it were cleaner, there were little stains on the curtains on the bunks and the wall plugs were very loose. The cage was also closed so we couldn’t get coffee in the morning.

The hostel is downtown. But up to freehand standards I was expecting a clean room, with curtains that allows to have complete privacy when inside your bed. But curtains where super short (they bought the ones they could find but come in, is an investment just make some custom for the entire hotel it will cost you the same amount). My locker was broken 17th floor 07 room (fix it) the floor is dirty (the restroom was okay clean) the couch never got cleaned (if you’re professional buy a cleaning ...

I enjoyed my stay at the Free Hand. The hostel is a hotel/hostel hybrid in the newly renovated Tokyo hotel, which has a deep history in Chicago. When you walk in, you're hit by music playing, a warm and atmospherically lit (dim) lobby and common area.The elevator security is good, requiring a room key along with your dorm key. I feel like it's cliche to rave a out the down town location, but this is in the heart of downtown Chicago, which is far more safer than other parts.

My go to spot in River North for layovers or short stays. Comfy beds and nice bar.

The location is perfect and super accessible by bus or train to anywhere we wanted to go! Just beware of the resort and service fees which are buried in the facility description — was kind of a nasty surprise. Otherwise, rooms were clean and well-organized with a beautiful en suite shower.

great location, atmosphere, and cleanliness

If the heat worked in the room, late night front desk person had been more pleasant, and the TV found signal better (not the biggest concern since we got in late and went to bed) then this would have been a higher rating. I do want to commend the daytime front desk staff because they seemed shocked by the two primary complaints that I listed. I got a partial refund. Wanted to stay again a day or so later. Called to see about guaranteed heat but was told that it couldn't be guaranteed.

Amazing bang-for-buck hostel that could not be better located in downtown Chicago

Pros: location, location, price, cool bar/club, classic feeling of building Cons: not very clean, no classic hostel vibe, front desk wasn’t very friendly/helpful, broken elevator so often had to wait for the working one which was slow, weird older guy in my room was super sick and coughing all night

In general, this is a pretty good place. I did not like being surprised by the extra $10/night that they charge for "resort fees" for no reason, but it does list that in the details, so it's not necessarily deceptive. I also regretted not having a kitchen and fridge, but again, as long as you know going in, then you know.

Salle de bain très crade (douche entartrée, moisissures sur le rideau de douche), les rideaux des lits ne serve à rien tellement la lumière rentre en plus d’être sale (tache). Et une odeurs d’humidité/moisi dans toute la chambre malgré la fenêtre ouverte 24h/24. À part l’emplacement de l’auberge je ne la conseille pas du tout !!!

very hotel like, no kitchen, but a bathroom in the room was nice.

Great central location, easy for walking or public transport, and affordable. The room was small, just bed and bathroom. In February it was cold, with only a small plug-in heater, and the hot water took some figuring out. They stored our luggage for free after check-out, which was convenient. Overall, it’s simple but fine if you just need a place to sleep after a day out. Not luxurious, but okay for friends or a partner; families may want another option.

Oh my Jesus Chicago Chicago Chicago the talk of the town is when you walk in managing team great you with a smile and warm cozy atmosphere lobby to my top floor old building nice everything Our sleep bunk like no other I’ve ever seen Extra bed space oh my goodness and mercy still follow me all the day left here on earth Free hand is here in New York but not the same same hostel operation head quarters must be notified at once what’s good for Chicago talk of the town so should New York