Clark Street bisects Old Town from Lincoln Park to the Gold Coast, and picking a hotel here means staying within a walkable grid of the CTA Brown Line, independent restaurants, and Second City. The hotels rank by sustainability credentials first, then star rating, then guest review score.
Hotel Lincoln and The Sono Chicago are inside Old Town as the City of Chicago maps it. The rest are just outside: Viceroy and Claridge House are a few blocks east of Clark Street on the Gold Coast side, and Level Chicago is on Wells Street just south of Division, in River North.
How we ranked these hotels
Hotels with verified sustainability certifications or published eco programs rank above those without. Within the same sustainability tier, higher star ratings come first. Where star ratings match, the higher guest review score wins. Level Chicago has no star rating, so it comes last. Hostels and properties with guest scores below 7 were excluded. Every hotel here comes from verified, bookable inventory.
Old Town hotels at a glance
| Hotel | Stars | Guest score | Nearest CTA | Sustainability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viceroy Chicago | 5 | 9.4 | Clark/Division (Red), 5 min | None verified |
| Claridge House Chicago, Tapestry Collection by Hilton | 4 | 8.6 | Clark/Division (Red), 3 min | None verified |
| Hotel Lincoln | 4 | 8.0 | Sedgwick (Brown/Purple), 12 min | None verified |
| The Sono Chicago | 3 | 9.5 | Sedgwick (Brown/Purple), 5 min | None verified |
| Level Chicago – Old Town | Unrated | 8.8 | Clark/Division (Red), 5 min | None verified |
Getting around Old Town without a car
- The CTA Brown and Purple Lines stop at Sedgwick, putting the north end of Old Town within a 5-minute walk of the platform.
- The Red Line at Clark/Division covers the south end of the neighborhood and runs 24 hours a day.
- Most Old Town hotels are within a 10-minute walk of Lincoln Park, the lakefront path, and the North Avenue Beach entrance.
- Divvy bike-share docks appear on Wells Street and Clark Street throughout the neighborhood.
What to expect from Old Town hotels
Old Town hotels lean boutique and independent, so expect smaller buildings and Wells Street's bars and restaurants on your doorstep. You give up big-hotel extras like a full spa or a conference center.
If you want a pool and a spa in the building, book the Viceroy: it's the 5-star on this list and has the amenities to match. For a more residential feel, try Level Chicago's apartment-style rooms or The Sono Chicago, a bed and breakfast on Cleveland Avenue. Old Town runs into Lincoln Park just north, so you have more options a short walk away.
The hotels
Viceroy Chicago
1118 North State Street, Chicago
9.41,581 reviews
5 min walk to Clark/Division (Red)The only 5-star hotel on this list, with a 9.4 guest score and the most amenities here: a pool, a spa and a rooftop bar
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Claridge House Chicago, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
1244 N Dearborn Parkway, Chicago, Illinois, 60610, Chicago
8.6321 reviews
Hilton's LightStay program tracks energy, water and waste across its hotels, Tapestry Collection properties included.3 min walk to Clark/Division (Red)
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Hotel Lincoln
1816 North Clark Street, Chicago
8.01,018 reviews
12 min walk to Sedgwick (Brown/Purple)On Clark Street at the north end of Old Town, looking straight onto Lincoln Park, with a rooftop bar and a 4-star JdV by Hyatt flag
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The Sono Chicago
1428 N Cleveland Ave, Chicago
9.5590 reviews
5 min walk to Sedgwick (Brown/Purple)A bed and breakfast inside Old Town on N Cleveland Avenue, with the highest guest score on this list at 9.5
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Level Chicago – Old Town
1140 North Wells Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60610, Chicago
8.8135 reviews
5 min walk to Clark/Division (Red)On Wells Street just south of Division, a few blocks below Old Town, with an 8.8 guest score and apartment-style rooms with a kitchen and more space than a standard room
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Things to do in Chicago, by neighborhood
Where to start in each neighborhood, and what’s on there this weekend.
Frequently asked questions
Which Old Town Chicago hotel has the highest guest rating?＋
The Sono Chicago holds the highest guest score in this group at 9.5. It is a bed and breakfast at 1428 N Cleveland Avenue, inside Old Town, about a 5-minute walk from the Sedgwick station.
Which hotel in Old Town has a pool?＋
The Viceroy Chicago on North State Street is the only hotel on this list with a confirmed on-site pool. It also has a spa and a rooftop bar.
What CTA lines serve Old Town hotels?＋
The Brown and Purple Lines stop at Sedgwick, covering the central and north end of Old Town. The Red Line at Clark/Division serves the south end. Viceroy, Claridge House and Level Chicago are closest to Clark/Division, and The Sono Chicago and Hotel Lincoln are closest to Sedgwick.
Are there pet-friendly hotels in Old Town Chicago?＋
Two hotels on this list accept pets: the Viceroy Chicago and Hotel Lincoln. Confirm pet fees and size limits with each property before booking.
What is the closest hotel to the Sedgwick CTA station in Old Town?＋
The Sono Chicago at 1428 N Cleveland Avenue is the closest option on this list, about a 5-minute walk from that Brown and Purple Line stop. Hotel Lincoln is about 12 minutes away.
Do any Old Town hotels offer extended-stay or apartment-style rooms?＋
Level Chicago on Wells Street offers apartment-style units with kitchenettes and more square footage than a standard hotel room, which suits guests staying more than a few nights.
