FOUND Hotel, Chicago River North

Amid bars, clubs and restaurants in the lively River North district, this hip hotel is an 8-minute walk from the nearest El station and 1 mile from the garden, sculptures and amphitheater at Millennium Park.

Modern, simply furnished mixed-gender and female-only dorms come with free Wi-Fi and lockers. Private rooms add flat-screen TVs and safes.

Amenities include a relaxed steakhouse, a cafe, a TV room and a buzzy karaoke lounge. There's also a communal kitchen and a coin-operated laundry.