The Willows Hotel

3.0 star property
3-star boutique hotel near Lake Michigan

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for The Willows Hotel

Premium bedding, minibar, desk, blackout drapes
Dining
Lobby sitting area
Lobby
Front of property

Reviews

8.4 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • 24/7 front desk

Explore the area

View in a map
555 W Surf St, Chicago, IL, 60657
  • Place, Lincoln Park
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, DePaul University-Lincoln Park
    ‪16 min walk‬
  • Place, Wrigley Field
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Airport, Chicago, IL (ORD-O'Hare Intl.)
    ‪24 min drive‬

Room options

Deluxe Room, 2 Queen Beds

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(8 reviews)
  • 325 sq ft
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Executive Room, 1 King Bed

  • 350 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Junior Suite, 1 King Bed

  • 400 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Room, 1 Queen Bed (Small)

7.8 out of 10
Good
(6 reviews)
  • 250 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed

8.4 out of 10
Very good
(5 reviews)
  • 300 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

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About the neighborhood

Chicago

Lakeview stay.Your stay at this Lakeview hotel places you within 2 miles (3 km) of Lake Michigan and Wrigley Field. Also, Lincoln Park is within half a mile (1 km) and Vic Theatre is within 2 miles (3 km).

What's nearby

  • Lincoln Park - 5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Vic Theatre - 14 min walk - 0.8 miles
  • DePaul University-Lincoln Park - 16 min walk - 0.9 miles
  • Lincoln Park Zoo - 19 min walk - 1.0 mile
  • Wrigley Field - 3 min drive - 1.4 miles

Getting around

  • Chicago Clybourn Station - 4 min drive
  • Diversy Station - 11 min walk
  • Chicago O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) - 37 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Duke Of Perth - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Chipotle Mexican Grill - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Cesar's Killer Margaritas - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪The Crepe Shop - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Le Petit Marcel - ‬2 min walk

About this property

The Willows Hotel

3-star boutique hotel near Lake Michigan
As a guest of The Willows Hotel, you'll find a vending machine, coffee/tea in a common area, and concierge services. WiFi is free in public spaces. The boutique The Willows Hotel also features a fireplace in the lobby, complimentary use of a nearby fitness facility, and a front-desk safe.

This 3-star Chicago hotel is smoke free.

  • 1 building
  • 55 guestrooms or units
  • 4 levels
  • Built in 1906
  • Coffee in lobby
  • Front desk (24 hours)
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Front-desk safe
  • Concierge
  • Fireplace in lobby
  • Elevator
  • No smoking on site
The Willows Hotel offers 55 accommodations with minibars and bathrobes. Beds feature premium bedding. Flat-screen televisions come with cable channels. Bathrooms include shower/tub combinations, complimentary toiletries, and hair dryers.

Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access (speed: 25+ Mbps). Business-friendly amenities include desks and phones; free local calls are provided (restrictions may apply). Additionally, rooms include irons/ironing boards and blackout drapes/curtains. Housekeeping is provided on request.

Similar properties

Property amenities

Family friendly

  • In-room refrigerator

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 25+ Mbps
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Offsite parking available (USD 26 per day)

Food and drink

  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Accessibility

  • Elevator

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV with cable channels

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Bathrobes
  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower/bathtub combination
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Minibar
  • Refrigerator

More

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Desk
  • Free local calls
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cribs (infant beds) are not available.

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Nearby parking fee: USD 26 per day (300 ft away)

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a smoke detector and a first aid kit
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, and JCB International. Cash is not accepted. For guests' safety, the property includes a smoke detector and a first aid kit in each accommodation.

Property is also known as

Hotel Willows
Willows Chicago
Willows Hotel
Willows Hotel Chicago
The Willows Hotel Hotel
The Willows Hotel Chicago
The Willows Hotel Hotel Chicago

Frequently asked questions

How close is The Willows Hotel to the airport?

The Willows Hotel is 16.5 mi (36-min drive) away from the Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

How much does it cost to stay at The Willows Hotel?

As of Dec 27, 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Willows Hotel on Jan 27, 2026 start from $82.16, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Does The Willows Hotel have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at The Willows Hotel.

How close is The Willows Hotel to the beach?

This hotel is 2.8 mi (10-min drive) from Montrose Beach and 2.8 mi (8-min drive) from North Avenue Beach. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does The Willows Hotel offer free breakfast?

The Willows Hotel does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at The Willows Hotel?

No, there is no casino at this hotel, but Bally's Casino Chicago (5-min drive) and Rivers Casino (19-min drive) are nearby.

What time is check-in at The Willows Hotel?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime.

Is there free parking at The Willows Hotel?

Free parking is not available at this hotel.

Does The Willows Hotel have a pool?

The Willows Hotel does not have a pool.

Does The Willows Hotel have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this hotel.

How close is The Willows Hotel to downtown Chicago?

The Willows Hotel is 3.9 mi away from Chicago.

The Willows Hotel Reviews

Reviews

8.4

Very Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 518 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 260 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 130 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 66 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 27 out of 1001 reviews

8.6/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Staff & service

7.4/10

Amenities

7.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

John, WESTERN SPRINGS

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The hotel was nice. The parking was safe and just across the street and very easy to navigate. There were plenty of eating options in the surrounding areas.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Lori

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Quiet and safe neighborhood.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Qin

Traveled with family and small children
Liked: Staff & service, amenities
Rooms can be cleaner.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Kyle

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

4/10 Poor

James

Traveled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The bed was horrible - sheets and mattress cover did not fit- too small! Bed was queen sheets and mattress cover appeared to be a full size. Mattress and pillows old and lumpy. You will wake up with back issues. Hallway and room rugs dirty. Desk clerks didn’t look up or acknowledge when we arrived or departed for day ( except today when we checked out at 6 am on 9/25.) 4 nites booked - really wanted to leave after 1 but we prepaid. Bathroom absolutely no place to hang clothes or put toiletries. We love the location but …Did I mention they have coffee in lobby - but it was put out at different times - one day 6:30 another day 6…
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

2/10 Terrible

Chandrea

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was my first time visiting Chicago, and unfortunately, my stay at The Willows Hotel was a horrible experience. When I arrived to check in, the man at the front desk didn’t even greet me. He never introduced himself, didn’t offer any information about where my room was located, and overall made me feel completely unwelcome. First impressions matter, and this one set the tone for the rest of my stay. The only positive note came at checkout. The gentleman working the desk that morning (a white male, unfortunately I don’t remember his name) was polite, helpful, and professional. If I had been greeted by him when I first arrived, my experience could have been completely different. Sadly, because of the lack of hospitality at check-in, I will never stay at this hotel again. Chicago is a great city, but The Willows Hotel was not the right choice for me.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

2/10 Terrible

Anna

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Stephen, Ottawa Hills

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Nice room. Great location.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Peter

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Room was nicely sized and very clean. Staff was attentive and friendly. Check in and out was simple. Would stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Matthew

Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Jacqueline

Traveled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Clean room and walkable location with many options of food, shops and coffee shops. This hotel is old so the toilet is not in the best shape, need to hold the flushing for 5 minutes but still toilet papers not going down so you will need to stand there and wait for the tank to refill water and flush again! Air conditioning is an older model so not much options to adjust the temperature…. It’s either low or high No parking unless you prepaid for overnight parking which is very close to the hotel
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
staff was welcoming and accommodating.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Marie

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Beautiful!

Beautiful hotel in the middle of a residential neighborhood. Vintage charm. Very safe neighborhood. We will be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bernice

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Bret

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
I would not recommend this hotel.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Griselda

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Rafael, DALLAS

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lisa M

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was clean and quiet.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Robert

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice Stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cody

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Paul

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

My stay in Lakeview East

Hotel located in a wonderful area with lots of restaurants from which to choose. Immediate area is easily walkable
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Karen

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Jamie

Traveled with family
Neighborhood had unique buildings
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025