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
Lobby sitting area
Lobby
Dining
Front of property

Reviews

8.4 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

Map
555 W Surf St, Chicago, IL, 60657
  • Lincoln Park Zoo
    ‪19 min walk‬
  • Wrigley Field
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Michigan Avenue
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Chicago, IL (ORD-O'Hare Intl.)
    ‪23 min drive‬

Room options

Room, 1 Queen Bed (Small)

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Deluxe Room, 2 Queen Beds

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Executive Room, 1 King Bed

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Junior Suite, 1 King Bed

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

You may also like

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. Lincoln Park and Briar Street Theatre are also within half a mile (1 km).

What's nearby

  • DePaul University-Lincoln Park - 16 min walk - 0.9 miles
  • Lincoln Park Zoo - 19 min walk - 1.0 mile
  • Wrigley Field - 3 min drive - 1.8 miles
  • Michigan Avenue - 5 min drive - 2.9 miles
  • Navy Pier - 9 min drive - 4.6 miles

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪Starbucks - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Cesar's Killer Margaritas - Broadway - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Chipotle Mexican Grill - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Tuk Tuk Thai Isan Street Food - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Galway Bay - ‬4 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.

Languages

English, Romanian, Spanish

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 25 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

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 25 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 Jun 2, 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Willows Hotel on Jun 4, 2025 start from $169.0, 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 1005 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 271 out of 1005 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 117 out of 1005 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 65 out of 1005 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 34 out of 1005 reviews

8.6/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Staff & service

7.6/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Sheryl

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Quiet, had what we needed.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

Maria, INDIANAPOLIS

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Aimee

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

2/10 Terrible

Melissa

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Mary Jo

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

John

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Check in took much too long. The two credit card readers were both malfunctioning so much that I got a fraud alert while standing there. Our room overlooked the back alley and at 7:40 a.m. (a Wednesday) we were awakened by a trash truck for 10 minutes of emptying dumpsters. The radiator heat was hard to control so the room was very hot. Other than all of that, it's a nice, clean, old hotel.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sain

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Elizabeth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christopher

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great place
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Howard

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
A lot to do
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Beth, Peoria

Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

6/10 Okay

Anna

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Amenities
Absolutely fine, normal hotel stay. The grounds were safe, quiet and close to public transportation. The staff was very helpful and professional. Hot water was not great. And the heater started whistling at about 230AM. I would stay again though- it was a beautiful neighborhood and a great value.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Anthony, ORLANDO

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Would stay there again.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Kimberly

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

Stay at the Willows

The Willows is a small hotel located in a great area full of wonderful restaurants and shopping. It’s very cozy and the fireplace is a great, especially in the winter. The lobby area is very welcoming
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Scott

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great Hotel

Old time hotel, great location and very nice!
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveler

Business traveler
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Deposit rip off

I was charged 100 as a deposit and despite only using a towel and washcloth to take a shower my deposit was not returned. This ia a ripoff
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Peter

Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

4/10 Poor

Kristie

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

6/10 Okay

Ali

Traveled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Great location. Asked front desk about updates to room. Stated that they are working on it starting front the fourth floor down. Was on 2, paint chip, peeling wall paper.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Julius

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Liked it alot
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

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

good location in Lincoln Park

The rooms were a nice size. The location was great for our needs. The hotel can realy use an update/refresh. We have no issue with it being an older hotel, but this one is looking run down. We had 2 rooms for our family. We had to change 1 room bc the heat was not working and then in the new room, the toilet did not work well. It did not fill. Even after speaking to the front desk the toilet was"iffy". Our kids came to our room to use the toilet rather than clog their toilet. There are old fashion steam radiators which can be briefly noisy at times when they fill. Unfortunately, that often happened in the middle of the night. At about 3am both rooms' radiators filled. They were not controlled by a thermostat but by the hotel overall. In addition, there was a little spot wall heater and a seperate AC unit. Rooms (our 2 rooms were on opposite side of the hall) over looked alleys, common for city hotels. But for one room... a spot light shined directly into the room at the bed 24/7. So the shade had to be pulled. Front desk staff was very casual... no uniform or more fomal dress. We did not recognize the staff when we went to check out on Sunday am. She was dressed in sweats. They were friendly enough. The location was really good for us in Lincoln Park. Easily walkable to family that live in tha area. You do not have much choice g for hotels in that area.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

kevin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

SAUL

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

8/10 Good

Gregory

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

8/10 Good

Jeffrey, Grand Rapids

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I liked the area and there was plenty of food choices. The people working the front desk were all amazing.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025