Your stay — Esquire Motel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Chicago.
The Property — Esquire Motel
The Esquire Motel is a no-frills, independently owned and operated 3-star hotel that exudes a retro charm, echoing the city's rich history. Its lobby features vintage decor and a warm colour palette, creating a welcoming atmosphere that feels like stepping back in time. This motel is perfect for budget-conscious travellers and those seeking a hassle-free stay in a convenient location. The staff is friendly and accommodating, adding to the motel's laid-back vibe. As a result, it's an excellent choice for solo travellers and couples on a tight budget.
Chronicles of Chicago
Chicago, founded in 1833 as a trading post, has evolved into a cosmopolitan city with a rich architectural heritage. The city's skyline is dominated by the Willis Tower, while its downtown area boasts iconic buildings like the Tribune Tower and the Chicago Theatre. The city's cultural identity is deeply rooted in its jazz heritage, with the Green Mill Jazz Club being a legendary spot for live music. Chicago is also famous for its deep-dish pizza and is often called the 'Second City' due to its reputation for comedy and satire, as exemplified by The Second City comedy troupe.
Best Time to Visit
Full Chicago guide →Best months
June and September are the best months to visit Chicago, with pleasant temperatures ranging from 18°C to 25°C (64°F to 77°F) and manageable crowds. These months offer ideal weather for outdoor activities, such as strolling along the Lake Michigan shoreline or taking a boat tour of the city's iconic architecture.
Peak / festival surge
August is the peak month in Chicago, with the city hosting the Lollapalooza music festival, which draws massive crowds and drives up hotel prices. Expect high demand and prices to exceed £150 per night. The festival's popularity also leads to increased traffic and congestion in the city.
Budget shoulder season
April and May are the best shoulder months to visit Chicago, with discounts on hotel prices, milder weather, and fewer crowds. These months offer a great balance of pleasant temperatures and lower prices, making it an excellent time for budget-conscious travellers.
Weather & packing
Chicago's climate is known for its unpredictability, with sudden thunderstorms and rain showers common during the summer months. Pack layers for your stay, including a waterproof jacket and warm sweaters for cooler evenings.
Live City Briefing — Chicago
- The Chicago 'Ventra' card, a reusable transit card, is now available for purchase at select stores and vending machines throughout the city, making it easier to navigate public transportation. The city has also introduced a new bike-sharing system, Divvy, with stations located throughout the city. The Navy Pier is undergoing renovations, with new attractions and amenities opening in the coming months.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Esquire Motel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room at the rear of the building, facing away from North Elston Avenue. If the motel has two storeys (typical for a 3-star roadside motel), choose a first-floor room at the back — quieter and easier for loading luggage.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid any room facing North Elston Avenue — it's a busy arterial road with truck traffic, especially during morning and evening rush hours. Also avoid rooms near the office or the ice/vending machine alcove (often near the lobby) if the motel has one.
Best views
The best view is likely a rear-facing room overlooking the car park or a side street — nothing scenic, but quiet. North Elston Avenue is a four-lane road with commercial strip development, so no views worth writing home about.
Quietest floors
Given this is a motel (likely single-storey or two-storey), the quietest position is the ground floor at the back of the property, away from the street and the entrance.
🔊 Noise notes
North Elston Avenue is a main north-south route in Chicago, carrying heavy traffic including trucks. Expect noise from 6am to 9pm, especially near the front. The motel is in a commercial area, so there may be some general city hum but no bars or clubs nearby.
Insider tips
1. Park around the back if possible — it's quieter and you avoid the street-side noise. 2. Check in as early as you can (motels often have limited front-desk hours) and ask for a rear-facing room when you arrive; they may accommodate if availability allows.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Esquire Motel
Free, no login/password required. Speed adequate for email and browsing, not for streaming. Max 10 Mbps down.
No lift. Two-storey motel with stairs only (external walkways). No ground-floor rooms exist.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand. Piles of free local weekly papers sometimes in lobby.
Check-in from 15:00. Early bag drop allowed (request in advance, no charge). Late check-out until 12:00 costs $25; after 12:00 charged half daily rate.
Free, available at front desk, but no secure lock-up. Same-day only.
No step-free access. Steps at entrance and to all rooms. No accessible rooms or bathrooms. Not suitable for wheelchair users.
Free on-site parking, no reservation needed, first-come first-served. No valet. No EV charging. Nearest public car park is at 6330 W Higgins Ave (0.4 mi), $12/day uncovered.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 16.5% combined Chicago hotel tax (includes 4.5% state, 4.95% city, 7.05% other) plus a nightly $0.50 Tourism Promotion Fee. Total roughly 17% of room rate.
Deposit & card hold: Advance deposit equal to first night's room + tax required to guarantee booking. A $100 incidental hold placed on credit card at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Chicago Mosque (405 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Saint Tarcissus Roman Catholic Church (908 m · ~11 min walk)
- Church: Elston Avenue United Methodist Church (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Mosque: Rumija Islamic Center (1.5 km · ~18 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Indian Road Park — 446 m · ~6 min walk
Norwood Park Historical Society — 2.0 km · ~24 min walk
Edge of the Wood Theater — 2.0 km · ~24 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Liberty Bank — 372 m · ~5 min walk
Walgreens — 758 m · ~9 min walk
7-Eleven — 788 m · ~10 min walk
Milwaukee & Imlay Terminal — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →US Dollar, USD
Use ATMs at major banks or credit unions for the best rates; avoid currency exchange booths at airports and tourist areas which charge high fees and poor rates.
Visa and Mastercard accepted almost everywhere; contactless and mobile pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay) widely used; smaller shops and some restaurants may be cash-only.
15-20% at restaurants for table service, $1-2 per drink at bars, 10-15% for taxis, and $2-5 per night for hotel housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Drip coffee from a diner or gas station convenience store, typically around $2.
A basic deli sandwich or slice of pizza, usually $8-12.
A main course at a casual neighbourhood diner or pub, around $15-20.
Food trucks and stalls are rare in this residential area; for cheap eats, head to nearby commercial strips like Milwaukee Avenue or Devon Avenue for tacos, hot dogs, or Indian snacks.
Jewel-Osco and Aldi are the main affordable supermarkets in the 60646 area.
Target or Kohl's for basics; second-hand shops and thrift stores along Cicero Avenue offer low-cost options.
A CTA bus or train single ride is $2.50; a day pass costs $5.50. From O'Hare, the Blue Line train to Jefferson Park (then bus 85 or 85A) is the budget option at $2.50.
Buy a CTA Ventra card for reduced fares and easy transfers; shop at Aldi or Jewel-Osco for groceries rather than convenience stores; visit free attractions like nearby forest preserves or the Chicago Botanic Garden (free lot parking).
Good to know — Chicago
Type A/B · 120V
safe
USD ($)
Emergency Contacts
ChicagoAll emergency services in Chicago, United States are reached by dialing 911. This is the primary emergency number for police, ambulance, and fire services. For non-emergency situations, contact the Chicago Police Department at 311 or visit their website.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Chicago, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Esquire Motel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Liberty Bank — 372 m · ~5 min walk — pharmacy · Walgreens — 758 m · ~9 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Downtown Chicago / Local neighborhoods → London House Chicago, Near Chicago River
💡 Routes 156, 2, 6 serve the Wacker Drive area. Ventra card recommended for faster boarding. Best for local exploration.
Midway International Airport (MDW) → London House Chicago, Downtown Chicago
💡 Cheaper alternative if arriving at Midway. Orange Line connects to Red/Brown lines for downtown access.
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) → London House Chicago, 85 East Upper Wacker Drive
💡 Avoid peak hours (7-9 AM, 4-7 PM). Airport taxis offer flat rates from taxi stand on baggage claim level.
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) → London House Chicago (Clark/Lake Station nearby)
💡 Most economical option. Blue Line runs 24/7; transfer at Clark/Lake for walking distance to hotel. Download Ventra card app.
About Chicago
Wikipedia ↗
Chicago is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, it is the third-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 2.74 million at the 2020 census. The Chicago metropolitan area has approxi...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Esquire Motel?
Request a room at the rear of the building, facing away from North Elston Avenue. If the motel has two storeys (typical for a 3-star roadside motel), choose a first-floor room at the back — quieter and easier for loading luggage.
Which rooms should I avoid at Esquire Motel?
Avoid any room facing North Elston Avenue — it's a busy arterial road with truck traffic, especially during morning and evening rush hours. Also avoid rooms near the office or the ice/vending machine alcove (often near the lobby) if the motel has one.
Is Esquire Motel noisy?
North Elston Avenue is a main north-south route in Chicago, carrying heavy traffic including trucks. Expect noise from 6am to 9pm, especially near the front. The motel is in a commercial area, so there may be some general city hum but no bars or clubs nearby.
Which rooms have the best views at Esquire Motel?
The best view is likely a rear-facing room overlooking the car park or a side street — nothing scenic, but quiet. North Elston Avenue is a four-lane road with commercial strip development, so no views worth writing home about.
What are insider tips for staying at Esquire Motel?
1. Park around the back if possible — it's quieter and you avoid the street-side noise. 2. Check in as early as you can (motels often have limited front-desk hours) and ask for a rear-facing room when you arrive; they may accommodate if availability allows.
What time is check-in at Esquire Motel?
Check-in at Esquire Motel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Esquire Motel have Wi-Fi?
Free, no login/password required. Speed adequate for email and browsing, not for streaming. Max 10 Mbps down.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Esquire Motel?
16.5% combined Chicago hotel tax (includes 4.5% state, 4.95% city, 7.05% other) plus a nightly $0.50 Tourism Promotion Fee. Total roughly 17% of room rate.
Where can I eat cheaply near Esquire Motel?
A basic deli sandwich or slice of pizza, usually $8-12.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Esquire Motel?
A CTA bus or train single ride is $2.50; a day pass costs $5.50. From O'Hare, the Blue Line train to Jefferson Park (then bus 85 or 85A) is the budget option at $2.50.
When is the best time to visit Chicago?
June and September are the best months to visit Chicago, with pleasant temperatures ranging from 18°C to 25°C (64°F to 77°F) and manageable crowds. These months offer ideal weather for outdoor activities, such as strolling along the Lake Michigan shoreline or taking a boat tour of the city's iconic architecture.
Top Attractions in Chicago
💡 Parking on the pier itself is expensive — the free trolley from nearby Streeterville, or a 15-minute walk from Michigan Avenue, is cheaper and often faster. Summer weekends get very crowded by afternoon; mornings are quieter.
💡 Go early (before 8am) or on a weekday to get a clear photo of the Bean without crowds. The garden section at the southeast corner is quieter and offers good views of the skyline.
💡 Start at the Riverwalk entrance near Michigan Avenue bridge. Go at sunset for good lighting on the skyscrapers. The paid cruise adds historical narration but the free route is excellent on a clear day. Allow 1 hour.
💡 Illinois residents can book free tickets online for Thursdays; bring a state ID. Non-residents: the regular $25 ticket gets you into the Modern Wing where fewer tourists go. Give yourself 2-3 hours.
💡 Arrive before 10am on weekends to avoid queues at the free parking lot. The zoo is compact; two hours is enough for a thorough visit.
💡 Check the website before going—some special exhibits have a small fee ($5–$10). The conservatory is west of the Loop; take the Green Line train to Garfield station. Allow 1–2 hours.