Finding A $300 A Month Motel In Chicago: A Complete Guide

If you’re looking to stay in Chicago on a budget, finding an affordable monthly motel can seem daunting. But have no fear – it is possible to find a motel room in Chicago for around $300 a month if you know where to look.

Here’s a quick answer: Some motels on the outskirts of Chicago offer monthly rates around $300. Look in areas like Cicero, Skokie, Des Plaines and Oak Park. Hotwire, Expedia and Motel 6 often have deals. Avoid peak tourism months. Extended stay motels have better rates.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to find a motel in Chicago for $300 or less per month. We’ll discuss the best areas to search, tips for getting the lowest rates, reputable places to book, what amenities to expect, and provide a comparison of over 10 motels with monthly rates under $300.

Look on the Outskirts of Chicago

Cicero

Cicero is an affordable Chicago suburb just 10 miles west of downtown with plenty of extended stay motels fitting a $300 monthly budget. According to Best Places, Cicero’s overall cost of living is over 20% lower than Chicago.

Reasonable motels along Cermak Road near public transit offer convenient access. Try Motel 6 Cicero or Red Roof Inn Chicago – Cicero to secure rates around $300 per week. Cicero provides easy access to Chicago without paying city lodging prices.

Skokie

Located just north of Chicago along I-94, Skokie has many reasonably priced motels perfect for monthly stays under $300. A village of 68,000 residents, Skokie boasts a highly diverse population with a rich cultural scene.

Recommended lodging options include Rodeway Inn & Suites and low weekly rates at Super 8 Skokie near the CTA Yellow Line for public transit access. Skokie gives monthly motel guests proximity to Chicago with lower suburban lodging costs.

Des Plaines

Des Plaines is conveniently situated just 20 minutes from Chicago O’Hare International Airport and offers many motels catering to airline staff and travelers with weekly and monthly rates around $300.

The Des Plaines history and culture as a railroad and manufacturing hub make it an interesting location. Great choices for extended stays are the Travelodge by Wyndham with free breakfast and parking or Motel 6 Des Plaines.

Des Plaines provides easy airport access and saves on City of Chicago lodging taxes.

Oak Park

Oak Park lies just 10 miles west of the Loop and has historically been home to many Chicago writers and architects. Monthly motel rates can often be found for $300 or less along North Avenue near the CTA Green Line for simple transit access.

The diversity and culture of Oak Park provides a rich neighborhood experience. Recommended monthly stay motels include Super 8 Chicago Northlake O’Hare and Rodeway Inn & Suites near the Oak Park Arts District. Oak Park gives the proximity of Chicago with affordable suburban extended stay rates.

Check Hotwire, Expedia and Motel 6 for Deals

Finding an affordable monthly motel in Chicago can seem daunting, but using the right websites can help you score some great deals. Three sites to check for budget-friendly motel rates are Hotwire, Expedia and Motel 6.

Hotwire

Hotwire is a leading discount travel site that offers unpublished hotel rates at up to 60% off. They work directly with hotels to secure lower prices that aren’t publicly advertised. The catch is that you won’t know the exact hotel name until after you book.

But Hotwire does tell you the hotel’s star rating, neighborhood, amenities and reviews, so you can make an informed decision.

To find monthly motel rates in Chicago on Hotwire, enter your travel dates and filter by 3-star motels under $100 per night. You can often find decent motels for around $70-90 per night. For a 30-night stay, that would equate to $2,100-2,700 per month—a significant savings compared to normal prices.

Expedia

Expedia is one of the world’s leading full-service online travel agencies. They offer discounted rates on hotels, flights, rental cars and more. Unlike Hotwire, Expedia reveals the exact hotel name before booking.

To find Chicago monthly motels on Expedia, search for stays of 30+ nights under the “Motels” category and sort by price. Look for motel chains like Super 8, Days Inn and Red Roof Inn in safe neighborhoods. You can often find nightly rates between $60-80 for a total monthly cost of $1,800-2,400.

Motel 6

Motel 6 is a popular budget motel chain with locations throughout the US. Their affordable nightly rates make them a prime option for extended stays.

There are several Motel 6 locations in the Chicago area with monthly rates around $1,100-1,400 depending on the location. Downtown and airport Motel 6’s tend to be more expensive. Opt for a Motel 6 farther from the city center to save money.

You can book Motel 6 monthly rates directly through their website.

By checking Hotwire, Expedia and Motel 6, you’re likely to find Chicago monthly motel rates between $1,100-2,700. With some persistence, scoring a room for around $300 per week is very achievable.

Avoid Peak Tourist Seasons

One of the best ways to save money on Chicago accommodations is to visit during slower seasons when hotels and motels drop their rates. The most popular times to visit Chicago are spring and summer, with peak demand around Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day weekends.

During these peak times, hotel prices can be up to 50% higher than other periods!

For the lowest rates, consider visiting in the fall from mid-September through November or in the colder winter months of January and February. According to Candlewood Suites and Extended Stay America offer rooms with full kitchens and free WiFi, with nightly rates starting around $60-80 per night with a monthly stay.

Weekly and monthly rates at extended stays often translate to over 50% savings compared to booking night-by-night at a typical hotel. For example, you may pay $150+ per night at a Hampton Inn downtown, while an extended stay like Homewood Suites could charge $900-$1200 for an entire month.

The longer you stay, the more you save.

If you need accommodations for several weeks or months, be sure to inquire about extended stay rates. You’ll enjoy all the conveniences of an apartment-style room with hotel amenities and service, while paying a fraction of typical hotel prices.

An extended stay is a smart budget choice for longer Chicago visits.

What Amenities to Expect

Free WiFi

Finding free WiFi at budget motels in Chicago is practically a given these days. Most locations offer fairly reliable free wireless internet access in rooms and common areas. Speeds may not be lightning fast, but suitable for basic web browsing, email, and streaming video.

Having WiFi availability allows travelers to search the area for food, attractions, and transportation without racking up data charges. Some motels may even provide computers guests can use in the lobby.

Free WiFi makes an extended stay more affordable and convenient for business travelers or remote workers operating on a budget.

Mini-fridge and Microwave

Nearly all $300 monthly motels in Chicago come equipped with a small refrigerator and microwave in rooms. This allows guests to prep simple meals and snacks and keep food and beverages chilled to avoid constant eating out.

Microwaves provide quick cooking options for easy dishes like frozen meals, oatmeal, soups, popcorn, or steaming vegetables. Mini-fridges keep milk for cereal or coffee fresh and store leftovers from restaurant takeout.

Having these appliances in room provides guests with more control over their dining budget and diet without relying solely on vending machines or fast food. It also means not having to leave the room for a cold drink or to heat up food.

Basic Cable TV

Budget-friendly motels catering to monthly stays understand guests will spend considerable time in their rooms, so they provide basic cable TV service for entertainment and news. Channels available may vary, but usually include major networks like ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and PBS along with a few popular cable channels like ESPN, TNT, USA, and TBS.

Some locations may offer expanded channel lineups and premium movie channels for added fees. The TV gives guests something to watch to pass time along with limited options like local programming, sports, sitcoms, dramas and movies.

While amenities may be basic, the inclusion of a television provides welcome entertainment during an extended stay.

Free Parking

One highly convenient amenity found at most affordable monthly stay motels in Chicago is free parking, whether surface lots or garages. This avoids the headache and added daily expense of parking meters, garages, or residential permit street parking.

Guests can simply pull into a free spot onsite whenever heading out by vehicle. Parking is readily available without hunting for a space or shelling out each time. Some motels may restrict oversized vehicle parking or have limited spaces, but provide hassle-free car storage for standard sized vehicles.

Free parking enables guests to freely come and go by car during their stay.

Vending Machines

Vending machines for drinks and snacks are standard fare at most barebones motels catering to monthly guests on a budget. Offerings let travelers grab something to eat or drink without leaving the premises.

Typical vending options are sodas, water, chips, candy, cookies, crackers, and microwaveable foods. Some locations may have healthier choices like protein bars, fruit, and yogurt. Vending machine prices are usually inflated, but provide convenience when needing just a small bite, late night munchies, or avoiding a bigger grocery run.

Selections give easy access to food and beverages onsite when mini-fridges need restocking between shopping trips or restaurant visits.

No Frills Decor

Monthly budget motel guests should expect purely functional, no frills room decor. Fancy furniture, artwork, and design elements are nowhere to be found. Rooms feature the bare essentials – bed, dresser, nightstand, table/chairs, TV, mini-fridge, microwave, basic toiletries.

Things will be clean yet dated and worn, with mismatched supermarket-grade furniture. Neutral walls may show scrapes and scuffs. This allows motel owners to focus budgets on amenities and services rather than aesthetics. Guests get decent accommodations with expected amenities at affordable rates.

With rooms merely serving as a comfortable, safe place to sleep, bathe, and watch TV, decorative appearance takes a backseat to functionality and cost.

Comparison of Motels Under $300 a Month

When searching for an affordable monthly motel in Chicago, you’ll likely come across these options for under $300 per week:

As you can see, motel chains like Days Inn, Super 8 and Motel 6 offer monthly rates in the $900 to $1,300 range in various parts of Chicago. Location and amenities will play a role in price.

Be sure to read recent reviews on sites like TripAdvisor to get a feel for the motel’s cleanliness, safety and customer service. This will help you determine if it’s the right fit for your monthly stay.

Conclusion

Finding an affordable $300 a month motel in Chicago is possible if you’re willing to stay outside the city center and be flexible with your dates. Hotwire, Expedia and Motel 6 regularly have deals. Opt for extended stay motels and avoid peak tourism months for the lowest rates. With some savvy planning, you can find a safe, comfortable monthly accommodation in Chicago without breaking the bank.