The 32 Best Hotels in Chicago
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With world-class museums, restaurants, entertainment, and outdoor activities, there are endless things to do in Chicago (just part of the reason our readers vote it the Best Big City in America year after year). With such adventurous itineraries, quality R&R is key—and all the better in beautiful spaces. Enter Chicago’s hotel scene, a vibrant, growing landscape ranging from downtown destinations to neighborhood gems. Like good friends, each one boasts its own distinct personality, ready to welcome travelers from near and far for their own take on a memorable stay; be it through award-winning design, dynamic dining, holistic wellness, or globally recognized hospitality. From brand-new lifestyle lodging to a reimagined fixture, here are Chicago’s best hotels to book now.
Read our complete Chicago travel guide here, which includes:
How we choose the best hotels in Chicago
Every hotel review on this list has been written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has visited that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider properties across price points that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination, keeping design, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind.
Mike SchwartzhotelSable at Navy Pier Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton
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Readers' Choice Awards 2022Named for a ship stationed at Navy Pier during World War II, Sable has the most enviable tourist location, anchored on the far end of the 3,300-foot-long pier looking back at the city skyline. The glass exterior brings the outside into the building, and cleverly quotes nautical design. Taking their cue from Lake Michigan, the hotel’s 223 rooms channel the Great Lake in a marine blue and whitecap color scheme with pale driftwood and sand tones in furniture and fixtures. Brass accents and curved lines channel classic ship design, and floor-to-ceiling windows flood the rooms with light. Navy Pier has not traditionally been a foodie destination, but the hotel upgrades your choices beginning with Lirica, the ground floor restaurant that spills out onto the pier, serving pan-Latin surf and turf in dishes like frutos do mar, a rich tomato-based seafood stew, and lomo envuelto, which playfully riffs on your classic wellington. Spread over a whopping 20,000 square feet, the rooftop Offshore is a scenic spot for a cocktail or mocktail, complimented by a covers-all-bases menu running from sushi and salmon poke to smoked wings and colorful flatbreads.
Courtesy L7 Chicago by LottehotelL7 Chicago by Lotte
$$This colorful hotel brings a fresh, global perspective to the Chicago hotel landscape, with an emphasis on the arts, wellness, and warm hospitality (plus, a stunning restaurant). Guest rooms are spacious, with high ceilings (trace those back to the early 1900s, when the building operated as a hat factory). Design is understated and thoughtful, underscoring South Korea’s traditional textile technique jogakbo—find those patterns in the carpeting’s handcrafted motifs to the table lamp shades. The team here understands the traveler who wants to keep active while also unwinding, helping out with in-room touches like Apotheke bath amenities, Mediheal facial sheet masks, and a wellness basket (complete with yoga mats, weights, stretch bands, and massage balls). If you need to work during your stay, a just-right task desk helps to make the process an easier one (as do comforts like a Bodum tea kettle and Nespresso machine).
Christian HoranhotelPendry Chicago
$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2023The office-centric stretch of Michigan Avenue south of the Chicago River got an instant upgrade in Pendry Chicago, both rejuvenating a 1929 architectural icon—purportedly designed in the shape of a champagne bottle in the heady pre-Crash era—and living up to its gilded interiors with social aspects that channel a sense of celebration, from the bustling ground-floor brasserie to the al fresco rooftop bar peer with skyline icons. On the edge of the Loop, Pendry Chicago’s locale is hard to beat, whether you’re doing business or seeing the sights. The Riverwalk and Millennium Park are both just a block or two away, and the Art Institute of Chicago just a bit farther. Explore the parks with one of the loaner bikes stabled at the hotel (just don’t try this in the traffic-jammed Loop itself).
Courtesy MarriotthotelThe Gwen, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Michigan Avenue Chicago
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024The Gwen is named for Gwen Lux, a Chicago–born pioneering female sculptor of the 20th century and a fitting icon for the Chicago installment of Marriott’s Luxury Collection, which aims to make each hotel reflect the character of its place. The hotel, located on the city’s famed Magnificent Mile and in the landmark McGraw-Hill building—with its 1928 facade wholly preserved—does just that. Guest rooms feature calming color palettes of ivory and greys alongside soft pinks and deep greens, with custom murals adorning upholstered headboards. Bathrooms house marble finishes and a spacious walk-in shower, with Molton Brown toiletries and Frette bathrobes. All rooms come with free Wi-Fi, bottled water, and a Bluetooth speaker, ensuring an easier transition from home to away. And those looking for a special stay can check out one of the property’s five Terrace Suites (each with a private view of Michigan Avenue)—or can request a fifth-floor room for convenient rooftop access.
Steve FreihonhotelGraduate Evanston
$What do Zooey Deschanel, Meghan Markle, and Eddie Vedder have in common? Besides fame, they all attended Northwestern University in Evanston and are enshrined in caricature among 16 well-known alumni in the gallery at the Graduate. Occupying the 1928 Colonial Revival apartment-hotel The Homestead, the 119-room newcomer nods to the Wildcats throughout in flashes of purple (purple and white are the school’s colors) but keeps the tone professorial-friendly, with tweedy couches, groupings of flea market art, Persian-inspired rugs, and chess tables. Expect mobs of families and well-heeled alums on Big Ten football days. The hotel is also home to The Graduate Homestead Room, a cozy lounge and restaurant offering seasonal dishes and hand-crafted cocktails inspired by Chicago’s beloved John Hughes.
Nobu Hotel ChicagohotelNobu Hotel Chicago
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2021From the oshibori ritual of handing guests a warm, scented hand towel upon arrival to the indoor tranquility pool, Nobu Chicago acts as a serene refuge from the city beyond its tinted-glass facade. Not that it’s entirely retiring; the signature restaurant packs in the city’s sushi cognoscenti as well as splurging celebrants. Part of a string of hotels from the namesake chef Nobu Matsuhisa and partners including actor Robert De Niro, Nobu has particular appeal to foodies who will find the surrounding Fulton Market area teeming with acclaimed restaurants, including Au Cheval, Momotaro, Girl & the Goat, and Monteverde. This is young creatives central, with employers such as Google in the ‘hood, and the CTA Green and Pink L lines offer easy access to downtown attractions just east of the area.
Daniel Kelleghan/SofitelhotelSofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017Contemporary and sleek, this hotel is the epitome of great design meeting great location. The crowd tends towards the cosmopolitan type who's well-versed in more than one language. Rooms are warmly welcoming, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, sleek decor, and bright accents. Craving deep and restorative sleep? The cozy and sleep-inducing beds at this hotel have you covered in silky sheets and cloud-soft duvets. Open showers, big bathtubs, and spacious areas for getting ready make it feel expansive and comfortable, like you’re right at home. The menus featured at all three dining options—locally loved Le Bar, outdoor lounge La Terrace, and breakfast-lunch spot CDA—include delightful French-inspired items for different times of day. You'll feel embedded in the city in the best of ways, with a convenient location and great design.
The RobeyhotelThe Robey
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Gold List 2018, 2019 
Hot List 2017Grupo Habita turned a 1929 office building in central Chicago into a cool, cleaned-up industrial space with brass fixtures and a rooftop pool giving 360-degree views. Owing to the building’s slender, triangular frame, the best rooms in the house are the corner suites (at the point of the triangle) where eight wrap-around windows—which overlook the junction where Milwaukee, North, and Damen Avenues meet—fill the interiors with natural light. The decor, by Belgium's Nicolas Schuybroek and Marc Merckx, is simple, bordering on austere, with minimal furnishings and a low-key grey color scheme with hints of maroon. The bathroom, which has a similar unfussy aesthetic, is separated by a wire-glass window inspired by the building’s former life as an office. Explore the vibrancy of the Wicker Park-Bucktown neighborhood, and make it back in time to enjoy a glass of wine at one of Café Robey’s sun-drenched booths.
hotelThe Peninsula Chicago
$$$ | Gold List 2018, 2019, 2022 Hot List 2017 Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2023, 2024This high-rise hotel might be home to the city’s best-kept secret: a sprawling, 80-foot pool some 19 floors up, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a view you can’t peel your eyes from. You could easily spend all day there in unperturbed bliss—block off a whole day to alternate between spa treatments and dips in the pool. Fortunately, there’s plenty of relaxing to be done in the guest rooms, many of which are more spacious than a Chicago apartment. You know a hotel is at the top of its game when the towels are so plush they feel as though they were woven on-site and there are neatly labeled amenity drawers so you don’t have to pry each one open to find what you’re looking for. Peninsula hotels are known for their intuitive technology (in-room tablets let you control the lights, request housekeeping, and check your flight status). If you’re in need of a good night’s sleep, spend a night at a Peninsula hotel.
Christian HoranhotelViceroy Chicago
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2018, 2019, 2022, 2024Set in the Gold Coast Historical District, the contemporary-chic Viceroy has a retro Chicago façade and mid-century furnishings within. Textures and patterns grab the eye, including an abstract headboard wall, a carpet that looks like a sand-hued topographic map, and—yes—quotes from Marcel Proust, reproduced on the lobby's 30-foot wall. You'll love the Southwestern–style throw pillows and the teal curtains, which inspire tranquility at night, while the Nespresso machine serves a valued purpose in the morning. Don’t skip their onsite restaurant, Somerset, which serves modern Mediterranean and cocktails that blend old-world flavors with a fresh twist, such as the Olive Branch Martini or red Silk Cocktail, with labneh-washed tequila, Campari, and pomegranate liqueur. Sustainability practices remain a top priority for the hotel, which they consider through efforts such as energy saving, landscaping, and reusable water bottles (given to guests upon arrival).
Courtesy of FairmonthotelFairmont Chicago, Millennium Park
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017Check in here for modern luxury on the Magnificent Mile, with all of the onsite draws—an acclaimed restaurant, private lounge, and full-service spa. The property overlooks Lake Michigan, Millennium Park, and Chicago’s sprawling skyline, giving it an edge when it comes to location. There are 686 guest rooms, all of sleek, sophisticated design, and a recent renovation of the property’s Gold guest rooms and suites yielded fresh, reimagined spaces. That renovation extended to the 15th floor’s Fairmont Gold lounge, where Gold guests can retreat for breakfast and all-day snacks, concierge services, and stunning city views. Rooms are spacious and simplified, with neutral hues, bespoke furnishings, and layered lighting. Bathrooms are outfitted with marble finishes, rainfall showers, Le Labo amenities, plush robes, and professional-grade hairdryers. Book a Deluxe Cityscape or Signature Parkview room for prime views of Millennium Park or Lake Michigan—or enjoy those sights from the Gold Lounge by booking in with one of the property’s Gold rooms or suites.
Courtesy Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants/Photo by Laura JoliethotelKimpton Gray Hotel
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019Part of the fun and funky Kimpton family, the Kimpton Gray Hotel in the Loop has great value for style and location. Sleek platform beds and pendant lamps suggest midcentury modern, but the dark wooden armoire with the floral interior speak to a wilder streak. Upgrade to a Spa room, if you can, where the shower room—complete with a freestanding tub—is glassed-in and tiled in abstract designs. Outstanding bars here for whatever mood you're in. The lobby bar Vol. 39 has the leathery look and bookshelves of a law office given a romantic makeover, with low seating and flickering votives. On the top floor, hit Boleo when feeling high-energy (it has a nightclub vibe, but the Latin food is very good).
Courtesy The HoxtonhotelThe Hoxton, Chicago
$$The Hoxton's gruff, brick warehouse–inspired exterior belies its warm and spacious living room–like lobby. Immediately upon entry, you're greeted by potted greenery, communal tables, and ample seating under a lofty, two-story ceiling. The check-in desk is hidden behind a coffee bar. It all feels convivial and lived-in rather than stiff and stuffy. Rooms come in four sizes: Snug, Cosy, Cosy Up, and Roomy. All feature design elements are crafted by AIME, Ennismore’s in-house design studio (each Hoxton location also showcases works by local artists throughout the property—including rotating exhibits through their Hox Gallery). Above the comfortable, firm mattress is brass lighting affixed to leather headboards. Furnishings are minimal; a single padded chair sits beside an end table with a retro-styled iPhone speaker. Inside the truncated bathroom are tiled walls and a marble sink. The shower holds toiletries from the paraben free, eco-friendly line Blank.
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Alan ShortallhotelSophy Hyde Park
$$The University of Chicago, anchor of Hyde Park, serves as inspiration for the Sophy, a 98-room gem on the community’s lively commercial strip, walking distance to campus, the Museum of Science and Industry and, sometime in the next few years, the Obama Presidential Center, now being built in nearby Jackson Park. The 44th president was a community organizer and teacher in the university law school before ascending to the highest office, and his presence, along with the other renowned Nobel laureates and MacArthur geniuses nurtured at the UC, are celebrated at Sophy. The hotel is hugely popular with UC prospects and their families touring the campus. Sophy’s large, light-filled suites are there for them with generous bathrooms and separate living areas with sleeper sofas.
Courtesy Langham HotelshotelThe Langham, Chicago
$$$ | Gold List 2018, 2020 Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023A highlight of any Chicago riverboat architecture tour is Mies van der Rohe’s last skyscraper—330 North Wabash, still commonly referred to as the IBM Building. To check into The Langham Chicago, which has occupied the building’s first 13 floors since 2013, is to step into the story the building tells about the American city. You feel like you could be a character in a spy thriller as you pass through the note-perfect midcentury lobby and take the elevator to the elegant second-floor reception area. Everywhere you go, there are encounters to be had with the City of the Century: You’ll ponder the curious curlicues of Marina City, the iconic “corncob” apartment towers next door, over a bowl of scallop ceviche in Travelle, the handsomely brassy New American restaurant, and admire the bold way North Wabash slices diagonally through the urban jungle from the cream-and-taupe comfort of your vast guest room. For the traveler, it’s Chicago’s finest address.
Courtesy Ritz-CarltonhotelThe Ritz-Carlton, Chicago
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022With a Magnificent Mile location, loads of amenities, and access to food and drink options that draw in the locals as much as guests, the Ritz-Carlton feels plugged in while still offering a welcoming home base. The lobby is energized by a glass-roofed café area that serves as a coffee shop by day and a special drinks spot by night—with views of the city lights. There's also an Italian restaurant with a handsome bar and, in summer, a rooftop lounge that looks up to 875 N. Michigan Avenue (formerly the John Hancock Building) next door. It's a great location for exploring the city and a cosseting base to retreat to when exhausted.
Courtesy MarriotthotelThe Blackstone, Autograph Collection
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019Welcome to the kind of old-school glamour they just don't make anymore. There's business travel during the week, loads of tourists on the weekend enjoying out-the-door access to Grant Park, the Art Institute, and Museum Campus. Architecture fans who appreciate the 1910-vintage lobby with ornate railings and marble by the yard prevail in both groups. The casing is old at the landmark Blackstone, but the guts are new. Rooms do a good job of combining crisp color schemes with touches of glamour in mid-century modern armchairs, velvet couches, and silver cocktail trays. Room sizes vary, but the best views face east and overlook Lake Michigan. The lobby is a lovely place for cocktails shaken up from a wheeled cart. And take a peek at the lower level, where there's a pool table outside of a former barbershop that Al Capone once frequented.
Dave BurkhotelHotel Zachary Chicago, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
$$A roster complement to Wrigley Field across the street, Hotel Zachary manages to keep the baseball references in bounds and juice the fun with a buzzy reimagined bar and lounge experience with terrace seating. Though the hotel takes its name from Zachary Taylor Davis, the architect who designed Wrigley Field in 1914, its focus remains on vintage style rather than overt references to baseball. Nice touches include a mural of the original stadium done in tile and street lamps lighting the lobby. The hotel building is filled with bars and restaurants from popular local operators, making it a social hive even on non-game days. The Alma Terrace offers prime access to balcony seating overlooking the stadium, while the more low-key Den area adjacent has a pool table next to the fireplace. Nearby neighborhoods including Boystown make Hotel Zachary a good base for exploring the North Side of the city.
Bethany FritzhotelThe Publishing House Bed & Breakfast
$$The decor here is a great combination of old bones—think exposed brick walls, wood floors, and sizeable windows—and fresh furniture, including platform beds, flea-market finds (like wall-mounted animal heads), and light-flooded windows illuminating it all, impart a soulful take on design. Design varies with each room, but all have interesting details like funky bookends, mounted longhorn skulls, and Oriental rugs. It all makes you want to go thrifting with the owner. Guests are encouraged to hang out in the third-floor living area with a piano. You’ll discover plenty of dining options when venturing out—including a lively wine bar, The Press Room, in the basement of the building. All in all, this is a millennial B&B fit with a personable team, contemporary loft setting, vintage decor, and a great location for exploring the West Loop dining scene.
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Four SeasonshotelFour Seasons Hotel Chicago
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024Tranquil and refined, the Four Seasons knows how to cosset customers, beginning by whisking guests from the bustling Magnificent Mile entrance up to the lobby on the seventh floor, which is clad in acres of marble and accented by giant floral arrangements. The hotel recently underwent an award-winning reimagining by women-owned Rottet Studios, and art remains a central aspect of that aesthetic (as evidenced by welcoming art installation Urbs in Horto, an abstract tree canopy interpretation from Toronto’s Unitfive Design). On floors 30 to 46, rooms have stellar skyline views (ask for a lake view to tower over Lake Michigan). Suites have doors that separate living from sleeping quarters, but even the smallest rooms have a residential feel with armchairs, matching ottomans, and circular dining tables.
Anthony Tahlier/Courtesy Virgin Hotels ChicagohotelVirgin Hotels Chicago
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023Virgin Hotels' Chicago outpost is all about contrasts: It's buzzy in public and serene in private, and cheeky accents and a cherry-red color scheme contrast with the stately old bank building it calls home. At once clubby and retreat-like, there are loads of dining and drinking options: the ground-level Italian scratch kitchen Miss Ricky's, the rooftop bar and lounge, Cerise, which has great views of the city from its seasonal patio, the coffee shop, Two Zero Three, perfect for grabbing a flaky pastry or caffeinated beverage, and Upstairs, the hotel’s swanky speakeasy which is open on select nights for curated events and entertainment. Their rooms, affectionately referred to as chambers, included so many small and charming surprises: a wool-upholstered wall with pockets for things like the TV remote, the cherry-red Smeg fridge, yoga mat, and minibar selections that, thankfully, don't come with exorbitant price tags. Pet-friendly rooms, meanwhile, come with a porcelain dog stationed in the hallway at the front door.
Courtesy Chicago Athletic Association HotelhotelChicago Athletic Association
$$ | Hot List 2016 Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023The Venetian Gothic exterior gives way to 19th-century interiors, complete with carved stone fireplaces, terrazzo floors, and leaded glass—all freshly restored. Rooms vary in dimension widely, with the most spacious overlooking Millennium Park. Brass-bed-inspired headboards and Faribault Woolen Mill Company blankets make even the bed a bit retro, though still cozy by modern sleep standards. The Chicago Athletic Association has a strong local following for its historic lobby, indoor entertaining with Topgolf Swing Suites, foosball in its game room, historic basketball court, and the culinary offerings, led by the acclaimed Boka Restaurant Group, bring a refined touch to this dynamic and storied setting. On the rooftop, and mostly enclosed by an atrium, Cindy's cranks it up with stunning cocktails, seasonal dishes and fresh seafood, and a year-round terrace with some of the best views over Millennium Park. Come for the design, and stay for the location and amenities.
Courtesy Joie de Vivre HotelshotelThe Talbott
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018Hidden in plain sight, the Talbott is discretion embodied—a neighborhood gem with a fresh new face, just steps off Michigan Avenue's bustling Magnificent Mile. In partnership with Studio 11 Design, guest rooms are comfortable and comprise an aesthetic of old elegance and updated charm with floral headboards and a neutral palette infusing soft pinks, greens, and touches of gold. Amenities like Nespresso coffee machines, Grown Alchemist bath products, and K-three Bluetooth speakers bring a sense of home to the stay. New restaurant LAUREL serves seasonal, Mediterranean-inspired cuisine throughout the day. Come here in the evening for some of the dips, pita, and small plates, and during breakfast hours for some of the classics (all of it best savored on the curbside patio). Not only won't you need a car here, you won't need Uber. It's a great locale for exploring downtown and an intimate retreat to return to.
Courtesy Hilton/Nicholas James FochtmanhotelLondonHouse Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2023, 2024Set in a landmark building where the Magnificent Mile meets the Chicago River, LondonHouse embodies the definition of a luxury lifestyle hotel. The gold coffered ceiling of the ground floor sets the tone from the moment you arrive, offering a stunning first impression that blends historic charm with modern elegance. The most coveted accommodations are the Vista rooms. Located in the glass-clad section of the building, they feature floor-to-ceiling windows and prime views of the river. Dine at their 21st floor restaurant or LH Rooftop on the 22nd, where you’ll find their crown jewel—the Cupola and its 360-degree views.
Courtesy Hyatt/Photo by Anthony TahlierhotelPark Hyatt Chicago
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018Overlooking the historic Water Tower in the heart of the Magnificent Mile, this luxury hotel has been long embraced by A-lister locals, and well-heeled travelers for its luxe design and warm hospitality. The hotel’s newly designed suites feature details like an open-air terrace, oversized living space, spa-inspired bathrooms with heated floors and rain showers, and epic views (book the DuSable or Lake Michigan Suite for lake vistas). Reimagined guest rooms, replete in layered textures and camel tones, carry updated elements and comforts (e.g. Le Labo bath products and an oversized soaking tub). On the wellness front, book the Wellbeing or Mindfulness Suite, which are outfitted with sound machines and (in the Wellbeing Suite) a private TONAL smart gym. Don’t miss NoMI, the hotel’s signature restaurant with panoramic views and a standout seasonal menu.
John Muggenborg /Waldorf Astoria ChicagohotelWaldorf Astoria Chicago
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024You'll feel instantly transported to a French chateau upon arrival at this Gold Coast retreat with all of the comforts of a luxury hotel with a personalized, boutique feel. A sleek charm and upscale amenities (most of the rooms have fireplaces and terraces) evoke a fairytale kind of feel year-round. Dedicated service, alongside a notable spa, restaurant, and cocktail lounge, all draw an array of travelers checking in for an elevated escape, from families to couples seeking romantic retreat. For sunset views over Chicago neighborhoods, opt for a West-facing room, while those jonesing for Lake Michigan views will do well with a room facing North or East. And if you’re looking to experience the property in big ways, consider one of their six residential suites, each boasting a fireplace, marble bathroom, and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Marcin Cymmer/Courtesy theWithoteltheWit Chicago, a Hilton Hotel
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2019Playful, modern design, fun programming, and great proximity to some of the Loop’s best sites and entertainment; this hotel underwent a total renovation in June 2023, complete with a new design concept and high-end amenities. Step into the lobby and take in the bright, towering space, with floor-to-ceiling windows, 38-foot-tall columns, and a 12-foot live floral installation. Discover other high-design accents and thoughtful touches throughout the property, from the fitness center and spa to its dining venues and event spaces. Guest rooms are outfitted with plenty of upscale comforts, including Centium Satin bed linens, Lynova terry towels, and premium bath amenities. Those looking for a particularly luxe stay can book the Paramount Suite, encompassing two full bathrooms, a roomy corner bedroom, and a separate living area with views of State Street and The Chicago Theater.
Courtesy St. Regis ChicagohotelSt. Regis Chicago
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2024Chicago (and, let’s be honest, the world) has been waiting for this undulating tower by Jeanne Gang—the tallest building in the world by a female architect—to open for years, and the wait was worth it: Glorious city, lake, and river views, a stellar hotel gym, two restaurants, and a world-class spa with an indoor pool and outdoor terrace conspire, bringing new dimension to urban luxury. Though the tower sits right above the Chicago River, the space between its circular driveway and Lake Michigan is a very posh residential area called Lakeshore East. It’s quiet. The wellness floor includes a 12,000-square-foot spa and boasts an Athletic Club with a full fleet of state-of-the-art equipment and machines. There are also three group fitness rooms and a set schedule of classes, from yoga to mat Pilates. Sweat it out, then jump in the pool.
Photo by Dave Burk of Hedrich BlessinghotelSoho House Chicago
$$ | Hot List 2015You wish your apartment looked like these rooms: exposed-brick-walled loft spaces with high ceilings, wood floors, oriental rugs, armchairs you can sink into, and big windows with views. Entry-level rooms are super reasonable, given the access to resort-style amenities. This buzzy destination is as popular with locals as with travelers, thanks to its status as part of the Soho House social club. While the general public can visit the ground floor restaurants and bars, the entire "House" includes a vast private lounge; the circular Club Bar, a tricked-out gym with a full boxing ring; and a rooftop pool with an attached restaurant accessible to members and hotel guests only. But entry-level rooms are super reasonable, given the access to resort-style amenities.
citizenM Chicago Downtown hotelhotelcitizenM Chicago Downtown
$Hotels under the citizenM name have acquired a global fanbase for their commitment to affordable, elevated hotel stays incorporating joyfully offbeat touches—all situated in bustling neighborhoods that showcase a city’s best. The team’s recently opened Chicago location is no exception. Vibrant colors, high-tech features, and eye-catching, retro art capture the playful vibe of this property, which draws an international, discerning, and well-traveled crowd. Rooms may be small, but they’re mighty, carefully outfitted with guests in mind who are seeking the discovery of travel alongside the comforts of home; find it in these spaces with European cotton sheets, supremely fluffy pillows, sound-proof windows, blackout blinds, and colored mood lights. All of this just short walk to some of the Loop’s best attractions, including Millennium Park and the Bean, Lake Michigan, and the Art Institute, and the entertainment found throughout the Theatre District.
Eric Benjamin Kleinberg/The Emily HotelhotelThe Emily Hotel
$$Formerly the Ace Hotel, this property continues to beckon cool kids and travelers in the know with its chic design and variety of sleek spaces to hang and socialize. A sprawling lobby-level restaurant welcomes guests for cocktails and dinner, and folks can explore other floors of the hotel for Latin American-inspired drams, art displays, and a cinema club. The property focuses on comfortable, minimalist design across its 159 guest rooms, each one featuring a flat screen TV, fully stocked minibar, custom Bluetooth radio, and organic cotton sheets. Elevated suites, such as the Emily Suite, Executive Loft Suite, and Loft Suite, offer all of those amenities, plus a private kitchenette and terrace (perfect, we might add, for a creative retreat). When it comes to dining here, guests have options—Fora (a globally-inspired restaurant featuring all-day menus), Selva Rooftop (a cocktail bar serving Latin American-inspired sips and sounds), and Sushi by Bou (an elevated omakase experience set to hip-hop beats).
Anthony Tahlier/The LaSalle Chicago, Autograph CollectionhotelThe LaSalle Chicago, Autograph Collection
$This 2022-opened FiDi hotel features touches of luxury and a clubhouse feel throughout, thanks to intimate environs, detailed design, and welcoming hospitality. Comprising three floors of a historically notable building (the last one designed by acclaimed Chicago architect Daniel Burnham), it serves as a tranquil escape from downtown Chicago. On weekends you’ll see couples and creatives checking in for the hotel’s elevated amenities and Art-Deco allure. Designed by DiLeonardo International and Chipman Design Architecture, the hotel’s 232 luxury suites and rooms take inspiration from the building’s historic past, while reflecting sophisticated, modern-day touches; gold finishes, jewel-toned furnishings, and classic stone elements meet to create a sleek, lounge-worthy space. Come evening, start with a drink at the bar (popular in its own right for an impressive libations list) and settle in at a booth for creative, comforting plates like hearth-roasted carrot wellington and lobster pot pie, plus views of the open kitchen.
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
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