Hilton Chicago O’Hare Airport

The sheer size of this hotel may be its most eye-catching aspect, as the gigantic facade -- a neat grid of seemingly endless windows -- gives off an imposing, no-nonsense vibe. Inside, some effort has been made to make the massive and well-worn space a bit cheerier, with bright lighting and geometric patterned carpeting in the lobby. However, the carpet is impractical for rolling luggage, and the lack of proper seating in the reception area can be inconvenient, especially given the high volume of flight crew and business travelers who seek a place to lounge while in transit. Noise levels can also get high in the common areas. Still, most guests are drawn here by the Hilton's convenient location, attached to the airport, and its generous list of on-site features.

As the only Chicago O’Hare hotel on airport grounds (and in a no-fly zone) within Terminal 2, this Hilton is unbeatable as far as the convenience factor goes for guests in transit. Using indoor walkways, travelers can reach domestic terminals within seven minutes on foot. An on-site shuttle station to other terminals is located a three-minute walk from the lobby. On the flip side, the hotel’s surrounding area doesn’t offer much by way of atmosphere or entertainment. 

The Blue Line train station is an easy one-minute walk from the lobby using indoor walkways, and the train provides access to downtown Chicago. However, most of the city’s main tourist attractions, including Millennium Park, Wrigley Field, Navy Pier, and the Field Museum are easily 50 minutes to an hour away by public transport.   

Rooms at the Hilton Chicago O’Hare Airport have a cohesive but predictable chain-hotel look, with tan carpeting, wood desks, crisp white bedding, and blackout drapes in earthy tones. Several rooms have views that look out on O’Hare’s runway for takeoffs and landings. Thankfully, the soundproofed windows are effective at blocking out airplane noise. The white-tiled bathrooms are reasonably sized with spacious sinks. Bathrooms include hairdryers, Peter Thomas Roth toiletries, and shower/tub combos with fixed showerheads.

Standard rooms come with one double bed, one king bed, or two doubles, and Allergy Friendly alternatives are also offered that include hypoallergenic bedding, air purifiers, and hardwood floors instead of carpets. The higher-category, King Bedroom with Separate Parlor Room includes a separate living and meeting area. Family Suites include king beds and pull-out sofa beds with spacious sitting areas. Separate, Accessible Rooms are also available. Day-use rooms are especially convenient for travelers with long layovers who just need a shower and a nap.

All standard rooms come with 42-inch HDTVs, safes, coffeemakers, refreshment areas or minibars, air-conditioning, and ironing equipment. Guests in Business Class Rooms or those willing to join Hilton's free loyalty program can avoid paying the extra fee for in-room Wi-Fi.

This airport hotel is loaded with features, and unfortunately, fees. There are four on-site dining options, with the bar and restaurant both undergoing renovations as of November 2016. Andiamo Restaurant serves three meals a day with Italian-focused cuisine and offers comfy booths. Note that breakfast isn't automatically included in room rates. The casual Sports Edition Bar, lined with huge flat-screen TVs, offers drinks and casual snacks. The Gaslight Club features a fine-dining look and menu with live music and a speakeasy theme -- it's a pleasant surprise for an airport hotel. For a faster option, Caffe Mercato provides grab-and-go sandwiches and salads. Room service is available 24 hours a day, a convenient perk for travelers coming in at odd hours. 

The on-site pool and sauna is small and without much surrounding seating. The fitness center, on the other hand, is rather large and well-equipped with Life Fitness equipment, but access comes with a daily fee. Fees also apply for valet parking, which can be frustrating since no self-parking is available.

The hotel also features an impressive range of facilities for business travelers, including a UPS store, meeting rooms with audiovisual equipment rentals, and a business center with three computers. Wi-Fi in the lobby is free, but in-room Wi-Fi costs an extra fee (unless you book a Business Class Room or sign up for the hotel's free loyalty program).