The Willows Hotel
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The Willows Hotel 1
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Axel’s take

A friendly Lakeview base that delivers on location, not modern polish.

Read Axel’s full review

Axel’s rating: 8.1/10 · A small, traditional 3-star neighborhood hotel in Lakeview East

The Willows is a small, traditional 3-star in Lakeview East, and it's a strong pick for travelers who prefer neighborhood restaurants and lakefront walks to a downtown address. Recent Tripadvisor and Expedia guests repeatedly praise the helpful staff, comfortable beds and cleanliness. Complimentary lobby coffee and afternoon cookies add a welcoming touch without pretending this is a full-service hotel.

The trade-off is condition: several recent guests describe dated rooms and bathrooms, with occasional musty smells, although positive reports still dominate. Queen rooms can be compact; check the hotel's own room descriptions rather than assuming generous space. Breakfast isn't served, and parking is paid and off-site. We'd skip it if you want contemporary finishes, extensive facilities or accessible accommodation—the hotel explicitly says it has no accessible guest rooms.

Rooms
Traditional and sometimes worn; the hotel's Standard Queen is just 170 square feet.
Cleanliness
Recent reviews are predominantly positive, despite occasional mustiness and condition complaints.
Service
Friendly, helpful staff are a consistent strength across Tripadvisor and Expedia.
Amenities
Free Wi-Fi, lobby coffee and cookies, plus off-site gym passes; no pool, breakfast or room service.
Fees and surprises
No mandatory resort fee; incidental deposit required, and nearby paid parking excludes in/out privileges.

Axel’s opinion, from the hotel’s website and guest reviews, scored for what the hotel is. Sources: Hotel website · Tripadvisor · Expedia · Booking.com. Reviewed Oct 10, 2026.

The location

555 W Surf St, Chicago

Walkable Lakeview East, close to restaurants and the lakefront; Diversey station is about an 11-minute walk.

Amenities and check-in

Free Wi-Fi, lobby coffee and cookies, plus off-site gym passes; no pool, breakfast or room service.

Check-in

after 3:00 PM

Check-out

before 11:00 AM

  • Parking
  • Wi-Fi (free)
Additional hotel policies
  • Hotel policies: Parking (off site): $26 per car per night; Deposit: $100 per room per stay
AI-readable version · facts, comparisons and links

The Willows Hotel: from $197 for Nov 21–22, 2026, 2 adults (1 night)

From $197 total for Nov 21–22, 2026, 2 adults at The Willows Hotel on Axel (1 night), checked Nov 1, 2026.

The Willows Hotel is a small, traditional 3-star neighborhood hotel in Lakeview East in Chicago, United States.

Address: 555 W Surf St, Chicago. Property ID: 1255911. Canonical property page: https://helloaxel.com/en/hotels/chicago/the-willows-hotel-1255911

Source: https://helloaxel.com/en/hotels/chicago/the-willows-hotel-1255911/2026-11-21/2-adults

Axel vs Expedia and Booking.com

Same hotel, same dates, 2 adults, 1 room, USD stay totals. Axel's total is this page's price for those dates; the other total is what that site listed for the same stay on the day shown.

StayAxel totalExpedia or Booking.comDifferenceSeenLinks
Dec 4 to Dec 6, 2026 · 2 nights$442$571 on Expedia$129 less (23%)Nov 2Select · Share this stay · Check guest price
Dec 15 to Dec 17, 2026 · 2 nights$185$239 on Expedia$54 less (23%)Nov 2Select · Share this stay · Check guest price
Dec 22 to Dec 24, 2026 · 2 nights$205$267 on Expedia$62 less (23%)Nov 5Select · Share this stay · Check guest price
Jan 1 to Jan 3, 2027 · 2 nights$279$351 on Expedia$72 less (21%)Nov 2Select · Share this stay · Check guest price

Prices change daily; the Select link opens The Willows Hotel with those dates and guests and shows the current rooms.

Axel private rates — common stay lengths

Based on recent rates. Prices refresh when you view rooms.

1 night

Total price: $197 USD

2026-11-21 to 2026-11-22 · 1 night · 2 adults · 1 room.

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2 nights

Total price: $303 USD

2026-11-21 to 2026-11-23 · 2 nights · 2 adults · 1 room.

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3 nights

Total price: $411 USD

2026-11-21 to 2026-11-24 · 3 nights · 2 adults · 1 room.

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4 nights

Total price: $560 USD

2026-11-21 to 2026-11-25 · 4 nights · 2 adults · 1 room.

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5 nights

Total price: $741 USD

2026-11-21 to 2026-11-26 · 5 nights · 2 adults · 1 room.

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6 nights

Total price: $1,044 USD

2026-11-21 to 2026-11-27 · 6 nights · 2 adults · 1 room.

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7 nights

Total price: $1,300 USD

2026-11-21 to 2026-11-28 · 7 nights · 2 adults · 1 room.

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8 nights

Total price: $1,475 USD

2026-11-21 to 2026-11-29 · 8 nights · 2 adults · 1 room.

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9 nights

Total price: $1,579 USD

2026-11-21 to 2026-11-30 · 9 nights · 2 adults · 1 room.

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10 nights

Total price: $1,672 USD

2026-11-21 to 2026-12-01 · 10 nights · 2 adults · 1 room.

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11 nights

Total price: $1,763 USD

2026-11-21 to 2026-12-02 · 11 nights · 2 adults · 1 room.

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12 nights

Total price: $1,860 USD

2026-11-21 to 2026-12-03 · 12 nights · 2 adults · 1 room.

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13 nights

Total price: $1,951 USD

2026-11-21 to 2026-12-04 · 13 nights · 2 adults · 1 room.

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14 nights

Total price: $2,136 USD

2026-11-21 to 2026-12-05 · 14 nights · 2 adults · 1 room.

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Choose other dates

#3 of 7 hotels in Lakeview & Wrigleyville by Axel's take. Lakeview & Wrigleyville is #8 of 10 places to stay in Chicago. The best hotels in Lakeview & Wrigleyville, ranked · Where to stay in Chicago

Axel's take: 8.1/10

A friendly Lakeview base that delivers on location, not modern polish. A small, traditional 3-star neighborhood hotel in Lakeview East, scored for what it is.

The Willows is a small, traditional 3-star in Lakeview East, and it's a strong pick for travelers who prefer neighborhood restaurants and lakefront walks to a downtown address. Recent Tripadvisor and Expedia guests repeatedly praise the helpful staff, comfortable beds and cleanliness. Complimentary lobby coffee and afternoon cookies add a welcoming touch without pretending this is a full-service hotel.

The trade-off is condition: several recent guests describe dated rooms and bathrooms, with occasional musty smells, although positive reports still dominate. Queen rooms can be compact; check the hotel's own room descriptions rather than assuming generous space. Breakfast isn't served, and parking is paid and off-site. We'd skip it if you want contemporary finishes, extensive facilities or accessible accommodation—the hotel explicitly says it has no accessible guest rooms.

  • Best for: Couples exploring Lakeview and Lincoln Park; Solo travelers seeking a neighborhood base; Visitors prioritizing friendly service

  • Watch out for: Compact rooms and dated finishes; No breakfast; paid off-site parking; No accessible guest rooms

  • Location: Walkable Lakeview East, close to restaurants and the lakefront; Diversey station is about an 11-minute walk.

  • Rooms: Traditional and sometimes worn; the hotel's Standard Queen is just 170 square feet.

  • Cleanliness: Recent reviews are predominantly positive, despite occasional mustiness and condition complaints.

  • Service: Friendly, helpful staff are a consistent strength across Tripadvisor and Expedia.

  • Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, lobby coffee and cookies, plus off-site gym passes; no pool, breakfast or room service.

  • Fees and surprises: No mandatory resort fee; incidental deposit required, and nearby paid parking excludes in/out privileges.

Axel's opinion of The Willows Hotel, from the hotel's website and recent guest reviews. Sources: Hotel website · Tripadvisor · Expedia · Booking.com. Reviewed Oct 10, 2026.

About The Willows Hotel

  • Property type: Hotel
  • 3-star hotel
  • 555 W Surf St, Chicago
  • Guest rating: 4.2/5 on Google from 778 reviews (location 4.0/5)
  • Getting around (travel times from Google's hotel listing): Navy Pier: 11 min by taxi · Chicago O'Hare International Airport: 31 min by taxi · Chicago Midway International Airport: 33 min by taxi · Lincoln Park Zoo: 5 min by taxi · Chicago History Museum: 8 min by taxi · Museum Of Contemporary Art Chicago: 9 min by taxi
  • Hotel policies: Parking (off site): $26 per car per night; Deposit: $100 per room per stay
  • Amenities: Parking, Wi-Fi (free)
  • Check-in from: 15:00
  • Check-out by: 11:00
  • City page: Hotels in Chicago

Room types

Room types and selected features reported for this hotel. Check your dates for availability.

Source: ETG room descriptions.

Bed in Dorm (shared bathroom)

Bed in Dorm (shared bathroom) (full double bed)

Economy room

Economy Single room

Economy Triple room

Economy Double room (full double bed)

Economy Twin room (twin beds)

Economy Quadruple room

Standard room

Standard Duplex room

Standard Single room

Standard Triple room

Standard Triple room with sea view

Standard Quadruple room

Standard Quadruple room with sea view

Standard Quintuple room

Standard Family room

Standard Single room (single bed)

Standard Double room (full double bed)

Standard Double room with sea view (full double bed)

Standard Double Family room (full double bed)

Standard Twin room (twin beds)

Standard Triple room

Standard Quadruple room

Standard Quintuple room

Business room

  • Bathroom: Private bathroom

Business Double room (full double bed)

  • Beds: full double bed
  • Bathroom: Private bathroom

Superior room

Superior Double room (full double bed)

Deluxe room

Deluxe Single room

Deluxe Quadruple room

Deluxe Family room

Deluxe Double room (full double bed)

Deluxe Twin room (twin beds)

Deluxe Quadruple room

Deluxe Sextuple room

Deluxe room (sofa)

Executive room

Executive Single room

Executive Single Club room

Executive Double room (full double bed)

Executive Twin room (twin beds)

Executive Triple room

Executive Quadruple room

Executive Sextuple room

Executive room (sofa)

Classic room

  • Bathroom: Private bathroom

Classic Single room

  • Bathroom: Private bathroom

Classic Double room (full double bed)

  • Beds: full double bed
  • Bathroom: Private bathroom

Grand room

  • Bathroom: Private bathroom

Luxury room

Luxury Single room

Luxury Quadruple room

Luxury Double room (full double bed)

Luxury Quadruple room

Junior Suite

Double Junior Suite (full double bed)

Standard Junior Suite

  • Bathroom: Private bathroom

Suite

Double Suite (full double bed)

Standard Suite

  • Bathroom: Private bathroom

Apartment

1 Bedroom Apartment

2 Bedrooms Apartment

3 Bedrooms Apartment

Studio

Double Studio (full double bed)

Economy Studio

  • Bathroom: Private bathroom

Standard Studio

  • Bathroom: Private bathroom

Grand Studio

  • Bathroom: Private bathroom

Villa

Cottage

Deluxe Cottage

  • Bathroom: Private bathroom

Bungalow

Chalet

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