If you’ve ever tried to find a decent hotel on the far north side of Chicago, you know the struggle is real. It's basically a desert of high-end rentals and questionable motels once you get past Uptown. That’s why the Hampton Inn Chicago Loyola Station feels like a weirdly perfect oasis. It’s sitting right there on Sheridan Road, literally steps from the lake and the university. Most people booking a trip to Chicago head straight for the Loop or River North because they think that’s "where the action is," but honestly? They’re missing out on the actual soul of the city. Staying at the Hampton Inn Chicago Loyola Station gives you a completely different vibe than the glass-and-steel canyons of downtown. You're in Rogers Park. It’s gritty, it’s academic, it’s incredibly diverse, and it feels like a real neighborhood where people actually live.
It's not just a place to sleep.
The location is the biggest flex this property has. You are about 600 feet from the Loyola Red Line station. For anyone who isn't a local, the Red Line is the literal heartbeat of Chicago's transit system. You can jump on a train and be at Wrigley Field in 15 minutes or the Mag Mile in 30. But the real magic is just walking east. Within three minutes, you’re at Hartigan Beach or North Shore Beach. There is something surreal about waking up in a Hilton-branded hotel, grabbing a coffee, and standing on the shores of Lake Michigan before most of the city is even awake.
What it’s actually like inside the Hampton Inn Chicago Loyola Station
Look, we all know what a Hampton Inn is. You get the free hot breakfast, the clean rooms, and that specific brand of hospitality that feels consistent whether you're in Des Moines or Dubai. But this specific one has a bit more personality. Because it’s so intertwined with Loyola University Chicago, the lobby often feels like a cross-section of the world. You’ve got visiting professors in elbow patches, nervous parents moving their freshmen into dorms, and international travelers who realized they could save $150 a night by staying twenty minutes north of the city center.
The rooms are surprisingly quiet. That's a big deal.
Sheridan Road is loud. It’s a main artery. Yet, the soundproofing here holds up. If you get a room on the higher floors facing east, you might even catch a glimpse of the lake between the campus buildings. It’s not a sweeping Caribbean vista, sure, but seeing that blue horizon over the brick rooftops of Rogers Park is pretty special. The workspace in the rooms is actually functional, too. Unlike those "boutique" hotels that give you a tiny round marble table that can barely hold a latte, these rooms have actual desks.
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The rooftop terrace is the "secret" spot
One thing people constantly overlook is the outdoor terrace. It’s on the third floor. It’s not a 50th-story sky deck with $22 cocktails and a dress code, and that’s exactly why it’s great. It’s just a chill, open-air space where you can see the "L" trains pass by. There’s something deeply "Chicago" about hearing the rumble of the Red Line while you’re sitting by a fire pit. It’s the perfect spot to decompress after a day of fighting crowds at Navy Pier or the Art Institute. Honestly, most guests don’t even use it, so you often have the whole place to yourself.
Breaking down the breakfast situation
We have to talk about the breakfast. It’s the standard Hampton spread, but let’s be real: those waffle makers are iconic. You get the eggs, the sausages, the oatmeal station. Is it Michelin-starred? No. Is it better than spending $28 on avocado toast at a cafe down the street when you're in a rush? Absolutely. The dining area is spacious, though it gets absolutely swamped on graduation weekends or during move-in week. If you’re staying here during a major Loyola event, get downstairs early or prepare to take your bagel to go.
Navigating the Rogers Park food scene nearby
If you stay at the Hampton Inn Chicago Loyola Station and only eat at the hotel, you are doing it wrong. You are in one of the best food neighborhoods in the country. Just walk a few blocks north to Devon Avenue for some of the best Indian and Pakistani food in the Western Hemisphere. Or, if you want something closer, hit up Metropolis Coffee Company. It’s a local legend. Their cafe on Granville is a five-minute walk from the hotel and has a much better vibe than any corporate coffee shop.
- Bulldog Ale House: Right around the corner. It's loud, it's cheap, and the burgers are solid. Great for watching a game.
- Indienne Chi: A bit more of a walk, but incredible flavors.
- Buna Shoa: Authentic Ethiopian coffee and food that will change your perspective on breakfast.
The neighborhood is a massive patchwork. You'll hear five different languages just walking to the CVS. It’s not polished like the Gold Coast, and that’s the point. There’s some peeling paint and some quirky shops, but it’s authentic.
Why the location beats downtown for certain travelers
If you’re coming to Chicago for a convention at McCormick Place, stay downtown. Don't punish yourself with the commute. But if you’re a traveler who wants to actually see the city, the Hampton Inn Chicago Loyola Station is a strategic masterpiece. You’re close to the Edgewater and Andersonville neighborhoods. Andersonville is famous for its Swedish roots and has some of the best independent boutiques and bars in the city (check out Hopleaf for a beer list that reads like a novel).
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Staying here also means you’re close to the Bahá'í House of Worship in Wilmette. It’s just a short drive or a ride up the Purple Line. It’s one of only eight in the world and the architecture is breathtaking. Most tourists never see it because it’s "too far north." From this hotel, it’s a quick trip.
The parking situation (The honest truth)
Let's talk about the elephant in the room: parking. Chicago parking is a nightmare. The hotel offers valet, but it isn't cheap. It's currently around $40+ a night, which is standard for Chicago but still stings. There is some street parking in Rogers Park, but honestly? Unless you are an expert at reading cryptic street signs and enjoy circling blocks for 45 minutes, just pay for the valet or leave the car at home. This is a walking and transit neighborhood. You don't need a car here.
Is it worth the price?
Prices at the Hampton Inn Chicago Loyola Station fluctuate wildly. During a random Tuesday in February, you might snag a room for $130. During a June graduation or a major music festival, it might spike to $400. Generally, it sits in that "mid-range" sweet spot. You're paying for the brand reliability and the proximity to the university.
What most people get wrong is thinking this is just a "university hotel." It’s not. It’s a gateway to the North Side. You’re near the Leather Archives & Museum (a fascinating, niche bit of cultural history) and the Glenwood Sunday Market if you're there during the summer.
Logistics and accessibility
The hotel is fully ADA-accessible, which isn't always a guarantee in some of the older, "charming" bed and breakfasts in the area. The elevators are fast. The Wi-Fi is reliable enough for a Zoom call, though like most hotel Wi-Fi, it can get a bit sluggish during peak evening hours when everyone is streaming Netflix.
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Realities of the neighborhood
Rogers Park is generally safe, especially around the university, but it is a dense urban environment. Use common sense. The Red Line runs 24/7, which is great, but the station area can be "lively" late at night. If you’re not used to city life, the transition from the quiet hotel lobby to the bustling CTA station might be a bit of a shock, but it’s just part of the Chicago experience.
The staff at this Hampton Inn are used to dealing with people from all over. They’re usually pretty savvy about giving directions or recommending a place that isn't a tourist trap. Ask them where they actually eat lunch; they’ll usually point you toward a hole-in-the-wall taco joint or a great deli that you won’t find on a "Top 10" list.
Actionable steps for your stay
If you've decided to book a stay at the Hampton Inn Chicago Loyola Station, do these three things to make the trip actually worth it:
- Request a North-Facing or East-Facing Room: You want to see the campus or the lake, not the alley or the parking garage. The higher the floor, the better the light.
- Download the Ventra App: Don't faff around with paper tickets at the Loyola station. Get the app, load $20, and use your phone to tap onto the trains and buses. It makes exploring from the hotel seamless.
- Walk the Lakefront Trail: Instead of taking the train everywhere, walk south from the hotel along the lake. You can walk for miles through different parks and beaches. It’s the best free activity in the city.
- Check the Loyola Calendar: Before you book, check if it's a "Family Weekend" or "Commencement." If it is, the hotel will be packed and the noise levels in the common areas will be significantly higher.
- Skip the Hotel Coffee: Walk to Metropolis on Granville. Seriously. It’s a rite of passage for anyone staying in this part of town.
This hotel isn't trying to be a luxury boutique experience. It’s a practical, clean, and incredibly well-located base camp for people who want to experience the "real" Chicago. Whether you're visiting a student, exploring the North Side, or just want to be near the water without paying downtown prices, it’s a solid bet. Just remember to bring comfortable walking shoes—Rogers Park is meant to be explored on foot.