Freehand Chicago

The hostel has a nice vibe and a great location, but it doesn’t make up for the problems. There’s no kitchen for making your own food, so expect to eat out for every meal. The room was okay, but the heat didn’t work. They had a small bathroom-sized space heater that couldn’t keep up with the cold outside, so the room stayed chilly and you nearly had to sleep in a coat or jacket. I also learned when someone left that the cleaners don’t replace the sheets or comforter. That’s disgusting. The front desk person was very rude. I was charged a different price when I arrived and questioned it. She said that was the price, too bad I’d booked at the wrong one. When I asked them to honor the amount I’d been quoted, she said no and made it clear I could pay her price or leave. She seemed not to care at all. And the “resort” tax is a joke, this place is nothing like any resort I’ve been to. Truly nasty. Stay somewhere else!

We stayed the night of 29th November in a private quad, which was perfect for friends to crash together. The room had a nice view, and the hotel has a cute vintage look. The first-floor bar and lounge were super cute too. A special mention for the receptionist, an African American dude whose name I forgot to ask. He was the best, and the staff showed amazing hospitality.

I stayed four nights in extremely cold weather, and the heater in my room didn’t work. I contacted the front desk and manager every day. They kept saying someone would come, but nobody did. They moved me to another room, where the heater still didn’t work properly and wasn’t enough for the cold. The room was dusty, a problem for me because I have a dust allergy, and when I raised it they showed no concern or responsibility. I felt unsafe because the door wouldn’t lock properly and kept getting stuck. The room was very dark, with almost no natural light, and there was just one outlet near the bed, with no proper place to charge devices. I had to charge my phone in the bathroom, which is unacceptable. Housekeeping was another struggle. I had to call every day to get anyone to come, and the service was slow, disorganized, and unreliable. The front desk manager and staff were rude and unwelcoming. They ignored complaints, gave empty answers, and didn’t fix anything. I still haven’t received my refund. For the price and reputation, this experience is unbelievable. I don’t recommend this hotel to anyone. Avoid it.

There are lots of younger people staying here. The lobby is comfy and swank, and there are two bars, though drinks are expensive. A vodka soda was $20.00, so you’re better off going to pizza Uno, which has a nice bar and great pizza. My room was small but nice, and good value for the price.