Members-only rates
3.6 / 5 Great

Freehand Chicago

Freehand Chicago
Freehand Chicago – Chicago, IL
Freehand Chicago – Chicago, IL
Check in 3:00 PM
Check out 12:00 PM

About Freehand Chicago

Featuring a restaurant, Freehand Chicago is located in Chicago's River North neighborhood. Free WiFi access is available. Both the John Hancock Observatory and Millennium Park are within 0.6 mi of the hotel. Offering both private and shared rooms, the property provides a seating area, desk and air conditioning. Linen and towels are provided as well. Select rooms include a flat-screen TV. A 24-hour front desk welcomes guests to Freehand Chicago, which includes a shared lounge. Other amenities offered include lockers and luggage storage. The Broken Shaker offers up signature cocktails and small bites in a relaxing and unique space. Cafe Integral serves Nicaraguan gourmet coffee and creative breakfast dishes. The hotel is a 2-minute walk away from the Magnificent Mile and a 10-minute walk from Water Tower Chicago. Chicago O'Hare International Airport is 16 mi away.

Amenities

  • On-site parking
  • 24-hour front desk
  • Meeting space
  • Fitness center
  • On-site dining
  • Bar / lounge
  • Café / coffee shop
  • Express check-in / check-out
  • Concierge
  • Dry cleaning
  • Self-service laundry
  • Luggage storage
  • Multilingual staff
  • Full kitchen / kitchenette
  • In-room refrigerator
  • Spa / sauna
  • Pet friendly
  • Family friendly
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Public transit access
  • Smoke-free property
  • Air conditioning
  • Elevator
  • In-room safe

Reviews

3.6 / 5
Great 4460 reviews
  • Engine customer Jun 2026

    Nice vibes, private quad was nice for my group. Water was hot n stayed hot. In DT so if you're a light sleeper it probably isn't the best but if you're a heavy sleeper like me it's fine.

  • Engine customer Jun 2026

    This is an old hotel in Chicago. Not fancy but really hip. It's a hostel style, but I had a single room. Walked in and was greeted by friendly, helpful assistance. The place is all dark wood and dimly lit with some whimsy. They seemed to have a happening lounge. I just peeked in as I was headed out for the evening to see Weird Al. I thought it was a pretty cool hotel. I liked the ghost sign that said Tokyo Hotel underneath the Freehand sign. Bally's casino is right across the street. You won't be bored in this location. I'd stay here again.

  • Engine customer Jun 2026

    The cutest stay ever!

  • Engine customer Jun 2026

    1. Bath gel was completely empty upon arrival 2. On checkout on a Sunday morning, we were told that luggage storage was already at capacity so we were stuck holding our luggage for the afternoon. Front desk staff provided no alternatives or when storage would be available. 3. The cook had to leave and close the restaurant so there was no food available after 11:30 am. Again, nowhere to go since we couldn’t store our luggage anywhere.

  • Engine customer Jun 2026

    Curtain, seats were dirty. No response to message before stay.

  • Engine customer Jun 2026

    Very nice looking and different than any other regular hotel! Small rooms but comfortable! Kind of Vintage looking but the best is the location! Some many places to eat, shop and walk around! It is closed to almost everything you want to visit in Chicago! Food and drinks are excellent!

  • Engine customer Jun 2026

    Not the cleanest, bed sheets were unclean, no hand towels, no amenities, the faucet leaked. Nice front desk staff. 3/10

  • Engine customer Jun 2026

    The shower liner had mold, should be changed and the A/C was not working well.

  • Engine customer Jun 2026

    Very outdated property but decent price for the location

  • Engine customer Jun 2026

    Our stay was great, we had a minor maintenance issue and hotel staff was on it and fixed it immediately. Overall great value for the money.

  • Engine customer Jun 2026

    Me pareció linda y amena

  • Engine customer Jun 2026

    The building, including the rooms was clean, although there was no fridge available. The lobby bar had great cocktails ,it was a fun place to chill outside of the room.

  • Engine customer Jun 2026

    Room was not clean - surfaces were dusty and sticky. Bathroom had no soap or bodywash. The front desk said the hotel was completely out upon requesting one or the other. Outlets did not work at all. Lighting in the room was very dim - almost like candlelight...maybe to get away with not cleaning properly? Requested different room - the staff said that they would just offer a refund, and I could find something nearby. They must have known that all hotels in the area were completely booked due to multiple large conventions in the city. After searching for an alternative place to stay for literally hours, went back at the end of the night and requested to have the room back and that there were no alternatives. First, they said they could re-book at a 400% increase. What?!?! Then when I pushed back that I had to go charge my devices elsewhere and just needed a place to sleep after searching for hotels all night, they just said no - the room has been pulled from inventory and is no longer available. Asked to speak with a manager, whom the front desk called. He refused to help and said that I could send an email. Couldn't be more horrible customer service. This hotel turned out to be a nightmare. Stay clear.

  • Engine customer Jun 2026

    The overall condition of the property was also disappointing. The hallways and common areas were very dimly lit, creating an unwelcoming atmosphere, unlike most hotels that are brightly and comfortably illuminated. The carpets throughout the property appeared very old, worn, and dusty, giving the hotel a poorly maintained feel. Additionally, the toilet in my room was not functioning properly. I reported the issue to the front desk upon arrival and was told that someone would come to repair it. Unfortunately, the problem was never resolved during my stay, forcing me to use the restroom in the common area instead of the one in my room. Overall, the unexpected dormitory-style room, poor maintenance, dim lighting, worn carpets, and unresolved plumbing issue made for a disappointing stay. I would recommend future guests carefully review the room type and amenities before booking.

  • Engine customer Jun 2026

    Nasty. Every surface of the room was dusty and visibly dirty. I guess you get what you pay for. The only positive was the location.

  • Engine customer Jun 2026

    The lobby and lounge area are nice but my room had dirty walls, large reddish stains on the curtains, stains on the floor and a nasty shower curtain. Freshly painted or cleaned walls and new curtains would have brought the rating of the room up greatly. For the price point I felt like we should have at least gotten a clean room.

  • Engine customer Jun 2026

    The surfaces in our room were dusty. They do not provide shampoo, conditioner, or body wash/soap. Only hand soap. Our room was also freezing.

  • Engine customer Jun 2026

    My room was incredibly dirty and the lights kept blinking. The staff at the front desk and the back bar was nice but the bartender at the front bar was rude and took 5+ minutes to acknowledge me because she was talking to another staff member about all the guys hitting on her. The bar was empty.

  • Engine customer Jun 2026

    The rooms were clean, the hotel was well maintained, and it had a character that’s hard to find in chain hotels. I especially loved the eclectic vibe, Art Deco details, and the way they’ve preserved many of the building’s original features; from the beautiful woodwork and fixtures to the old mail chute. This is definitely a place for travelers who enjoy experiences that are a little off the beaten path. It’s unique, stylish, and full of personality while still being comfortable and practical. A great spot to explore Chicago during the day and rest your head comfortably at night.

  • Engine customer Jun 2026

    Property and rooms desperately need a refresh. Rooms are smelly, toilet constantly self flushing, broken AC, bad lighting, and lack of outlets made this an awful stay.

Frequently asked questions about Freehand Chicago

Does Freehand Chicago have free Wi-Fi?
Yes, Freehand Chicago offers free Wi-Fi for all guests.
Does Freehand Chicago offer parking?
Yes, paid self-parking is available on-site at Freehand Chicago.
Does Freehand Chicago have meeting spaces, conference centers, or conference rooms?
Yes. Freehand Chicago offers meeting spaces for business and group use.
Does Freehand Chicago have a fitness center?
Yes, Freehand Chicago features an on-site fitness center for guests. Additional wellness amenities include spa.
Where is Freehand Chicago located, and how walkable is the area?
Freehand Chicago is located at 19 East Ohio Street, Chicago, IL 60611. With a Walk Score of 99, the area is rated Walker's Paradise. Most daily errands can be done on foot — ideal for travelers without a car.

What's nearby

Map of points of interest near Freehand Chicago
  • Trump International Hotel and Tower 0.2 mi
  • Chicago Merchandise Mart 0.5 mi
  • 875 North Michigan Avenue 0.5 mi
  • Aon Center 0.6 mi
  • Art Institute of Chicago 0.9 mi
  • Haymarket affair 1.0 mi
  • Willis Tower 1.0 mi

Why no public rates?

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