What a difference a year makes. I've stayed at this hostel many many times over the years. I have experienced it's slow decline from an excellent well-kept and well-run establishment to the "almost ghetto" condition that it is in now. Last year, the change was noticeable but I thought it was perhaps a fluke. WRONG. This time from the moment... more

We arrived at the hostel after a 31 hours train journey so we were looking forward to a lay down before exploring the city, but when we arrived we were told our room wasn't even ready and still occupied. Hearing this we were not pleased, they offered to give us a room to keep our bags untill the room was... more

I stayed here for 4 nights last October, and out of the 10 cities I stayed in, this hostel was the most badly run. I was lucky during my stay, everything was fine, no major problems but the other people in our room weren't so lucky. The management was awful. During my stay, a member of staff walked out leaving... more

No bed bugs for me. I stayed in the 8 person dorm. Well, you get what you pay for. I found the place nice and clean. There are only 4 parking spots out back, so if you plan to park overnight, better get there early and take the tram for touring. The front desk doesn't know the area at all.... more

So this was my second stay at the Chicago International Hostel. I didn't make any reservations, just showed up and the front desk guys remembered me from my visit in May. That was a pleasant surprise. This stay wasn't as much fun mainly because the other folks staying there were a little stand-offish. I think the fun of the place... more

No keys for room. Open 24 hours and no security cameras. Bed bugs and this has been a noted before by others. Got about 40 bites. Record! TV but doesnt work. Big kitchen. No drinking alcohol in the hostel and so revert to drinkin your beer in rooms or pouring it into a McD's cup. Vibe of the place is... more

This place was a nightmare. The sheets in the rooms were dirty and not changed from the previous occupant. There was no hot water, the bathroom window would not close letting in -15oC air during a bitterly cold night. The locale is about a 30-min train journey from the Loop. There are infinitely better places to stay that are closer... more

Our first night was paid for by my company. We chose an awesome location and four stars. We paid $345 for what amounted to a crappy hotel in a great location. That room MIGHT have been $45 in Atlanta. Once on our own dime, we chose to stay at the Chicago International Hostel. For what we saved a night, it... more

Stayed here two nights ago with a friend while on a short trip to Chicago. We had no reservation but got a good deal (20$ a night). As a place to sleep, this hostel worked but did not offer much more. Some of the staff was friendly and others were rude, but everyone was well below average in service and... more