The four-pearl Radisson Blu Aqua opened in late 2011 as the brand’s first U.S. property, situated inside downtown Chicago's bustling loop. The stylish hotel has 334 streamline rooms, with Nespresso coffeemakers, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and spacious desks. Bathrooms have roomy walk-in showers and attractive vanities. The hotel has a solid lineup of features, including a chic on-site Italian restaurant, a huge fitness center, a seasonal rooftop pool and bar, and a game room, but breakfast isn't included in room rates. It's worth comparison shopping, as prices are competitive and not inexpensive considering the location. The four-pearl Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park across the street has similar rates and amenities, plus a spa.
The four-pearl Radisson Blu Aqua opened in late 2011 as the brand’s first U.S. property, situated inside downtown Chicago's bustling loop. The stylish hotel has 334 streamline rooms, with Nespresso coffeemakers, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and spacious desks. Bathrooms have roomy walk-in showers and attractive vanities. The hotel has a solid lineup of features, including a chic on-site Italian restaurant, a huge fitness center, a seasonal rooftop pool and bar, and a game room, but breakfast isn't included in room rates. It's worth comparison shopping, as prices are competitive and not inexpensive considering the location. The four-pearl Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park across the street has similar rates and amenities, plus a spa.
The upper-middle-range Kinzie Hotel is a modern, sleek property, which, despite its having more than 200 rooms, has the ambience of a boutique hotel. Located in the heart of the River North district near the Magnificent Mile, it’s a convenient base for business travelers and tourists alike. Extra touches, like evening receptions with free drinks and appetizers, and the free continental breakfast served on every guest floor draw praise from guests. Other highlights include spacious 24-hour fitness and business centers, in-room massage treatments, and valet parking. Rooms are spacious and tastefully decorated, and include honor bars and Keurig coffeemakers, mini-fridges, 42-inch flat-screen TVs, iHome docking stations, safes, large work stations, and free high-speed Wi-Fi for unlimited devices. Rates are competitive for the area but not inexpensive. Travelers could also consider the stylish Aloft Chicago City Center, which has comparable rates.
The upper-middle-range Kinzie Hotel is a modern, sleek property, which, despite its having more than 200 rooms, has the ambience of a boutique hotel. Located in the heart of the River North district near the Magnificent Mile, it’s a convenient base for business travelers and tourists alike. Extra touches, like evening receptions with free drinks and appetizers, and the free continental breakfast served on every guest floor draw praise from guests. Other highlights include spacious 24-hour fitness and business centers, in-room massage treatments, and valet parking. Rooms are spacious and tastefully decorated, and include honor bars and Keurig coffeemakers, mini-fridges, 42-inch flat-screen TVs, iHome docking stations, safes, large work stations, and free high-speed Wi-Fi for unlimited devices. Rates are competitive for the area but not inexpensive. Travelers could also consider the stylish Aloft Chicago City Center, which has comparable rates.
The four-pearl Thompson Chicago is a contemporary high-rise hotel in a central Gold Coast location. Following a remodeled in 2014, its interiors sport a glossy, design-conscious look that marries mid-century touches with an au courant gray palette. The 247 spacious rooms are equally elegant, with beautiful bathrooms and lots of high-end amenities. The on-site restaurant and bar are highly regarded and wildly popular, but that makes them difficult to get into sometimes and adds crowds to the lobby. Rates are competitive for a luxury hotel in Chicago, but travelers may want to compare rates at similar alternatives, such as The Silversmith Hotel.
The four-pearl Thompson Chicago is a contemporary high-rise hotel in a central Gold Coast location. Following a remodeled in 2014, its interiors sport a glossy, design-conscious look that marries mid-century touches with an au courant gray palette. The 247 spacious rooms are equally elegant, with beautiful bathrooms and lots of high-end amenities. The on-site restaurant and bar are highly regarded and wildly popular, but that makes them difficult to get into sometimes and adds crowds to the lobby. Rates are competitive for a luxury hotel in Chicago, but travelers may want to compare rates at similar alternatives, such as The Silversmith Hotel.
The 60-room Ivy Boutique Hotel is a well positioned, upscale property, right off of Michigan Avenue. Rooms have beautiful, modern decor along with automatic window curtains and marble bathrooms with rainfall showers. There is a seasonal, lovely rooftop terrace and cocktail lounge offering great city views, plus a lobby bar that serves breakfast, but there is no fitness center or spa. The nearby Talbott is a possible alternative, with lower rates and free passes to a nearby fitness center and spa.
The 60-room Ivy Boutique Hotel is a well positioned, upscale property, right off of Michigan Avenue. Rooms have beautiful, modern decor along with automatic window curtains and marble bathrooms with rainfall showers. There is a seasonal, lovely rooftop terrace and cocktail lounge offering great city views, plus a lobby bar that serves breakfast, but there is no fitness center or spa. The nearby Talbott is a possible alternative, with lower rates and free passes to a nearby fitness center and spa.
This 1,639-room historic hotel in the Loop has a storied past, and a breathtaking lobby with a painted ceiling and glittering chandeliers. But room quality is uneven -- some rooms still have dated decor and tube TVs -- and all the extra fees can add up. If you don't mind sacrificing the history, it's worth considering the similarly priced Hotel Monaco or Fairmont.
This 1,639-room historic hotel in the Loop has a storied past, and a breathtaking lobby with a painted ceiling and glittering chandeliers. But room quality is uneven -- some rooms still have dated decor and tube TVs -- and all the extra fees can add up. If you don't mind sacrificing the history, it's worth considering the similarly priced Hotel Monaco or Fairmont.
The midrange, 243-room River Hotel shares a building (and small, stately lobby) with the members-only Club Quarters hotel. Rooms are on the small side, but they're clean and modern, and some come with kitchenettes. The hotel is, as you might have guessed, right on the Chicago River on the northern edge of the Loop; rates are among the most affordable you'll find in this tourist-centric location.
The midrange, 243-room River Hotel shares a building (and small, stately lobby) with the members-only Club Quarters hotel. Rooms are on the small side, but they're clean and modern, and some come with kitchenettes. The hotel is, as you might have guessed, right on the Chicago River on the northern edge of the Loop; rates are among the most affordable you'll find in this tourist-centric location.
Like other hotel's in Starwood's boutique-inspired luxury brand, commons spaces in W Chicago - City Center impress with a whimsical blend of Beaux-Arts architecture and trendy, modern details. The hotel has an on-site restaurant, a lively bar and lounge, a host of meeting and event rooms, a business center, and a modern gym. Its 369 guest rooms and suites can feel comparatively small and bland, especially the entry-level option, though they have nice amenities like 42-inch flat-screen TVs and minibars (but no coffeemakers), not to mention the W brand's signature comfy beds. Expect some hefty extra fees for things like parking, pet stays, breakfast, and even in-room Wi-Fi. The location in The Loop is exceptional. The JW Marriott Chicago is a nearby alternative, featuring more straightforward decor but larger rooms and an on-site pool and spa.
Like other hotel's in Starwood's boutique-inspired luxury brand, commons spaces in W Chicago - City Center impress with a whimsical blend of Beaux-Arts architecture and trendy, modern details. The hotel has an on-site restaurant, a lively bar and lounge, a host of meeting and event rooms, a business center, and a modern gym. Its 369 guest rooms and suites can feel comparatively small and bland, especially the entry-level option, though they have nice amenities like 42-inch flat-screen TVs and minibars (but no coffeemakers), not to mention the W brand's signature comfy beds. Expect some hefty extra fees for things like parking, pet stays, breakfast, and even in-room Wi-Fi. The location in The Loop is exceptional. The JW Marriott Chicago is a nearby alternative, featuring more straightforward decor but larger rooms and an on-site pool and spa.
This 790-room behemoth right on the Magnificent Mile mixes historic charm (a 1929 building, ornate columns in the lobby, a gorgeous indoor pool with Spanish tiles) with the contemporary decor of an upscale chain. Rooms at the hotel are located across two towers: the Executive Tower, renovated in 2015, and the Grand Tower, which underwent renovations in 2013. Standard rooms are smaller than those at the nearby Omni Chicago.
This 790-room behemoth right on the Magnificent Mile mixes historic charm (a 1929 building, ornate columns in the lobby, a gorgeous indoor pool with Spanish tiles) with the contemporary decor of an upscale chain. Rooms at the hotel are located across two towers: the Executive Tower, renovated in 2015, and the Grand Tower, which underwent renovations in 2013. Standard rooms are smaller than those at the nearby Omni Chicago.
The historic 306-room Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel is a good value, considering its location steps from the Magnificent Mile. The classic property has a few features that showcase its 1927 roots: the in-lobby Martini Bar, the stunning Crystal Ballroom with intricate gold molding, and free guided history tours. Rooms are on the small side, but they're warmly decorated and equipped with coffeemakers, minibars, and modern bathrooms. For a stay with even more historic elegance, the Drake Hotel has several wonderful dining options, including the Palm Court, plus an upscale shopping arcade. However, rooms rates there are often steeper.
The historic 306-room Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel is a good value, considering its location steps from the Magnificent Mile. The classic property has a few features that showcase its 1927 roots: the in-lobby Martini Bar, the stunning Crystal Ballroom with intricate gold molding, and free guided history tours. Rooms are on the small side, but they're warmly decorated and equipped with coffeemakers, minibars, and modern bathrooms. For a stay with even more historic elegance, the Drake Hotel has several wonderful dining options, including the Palm Court, plus an upscale shopping arcade. However, rooms rates there are often steeper.
The 752-room Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago Hotel is a four-pearl property located right on the entertainment avenue of Magnificent Mile. The massive hotel draws many business travelers with its large selection of fully equipped meeting spaces and the new Westin Executive Club. A spa, fitness center, restaurant, and Starbucks cafe are also on-site, though for a hotel this size, it’s surprising that there's no pool and that in-room Wi-Fi incurs a fee. Rooms feature trendy decor and include flat-screen TVs and spacious bathrooms, plus some have lake views. Renovations are taking place as of September 2015 and guests have made complaints about the noise and cleanliness due to this, as well as maintenance issues in rooms that have yet to be renovated. For those looking for a similar hotel in the same area but with an indoor pool, it may be worth checking out the Omni Chicago Hotel.
The 752-room Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago Hotel is a four-pearl property located right on the entertainment avenue of Magnificent Mile. The massive hotel draws many business travelers with its large selection of fully equipped meeting spaces and the new Westin Executive Club. A spa, fitness center, restaurant, and Starbucks cafe are also on-site, though for a hotel this size, it’s surprising that there's no pool and that in-room Wi-Fi incurs a fee. Rooms feature trendy decor and include flat-screen TVs and spacious bathrooms, plus some have lake views. Renovations are taking place as of September 2015 and guests have made complaints about the noise and cleanliness due to this, as well as maintenance issues in rooms that have yet to be renovated. For those looking for a similar hotel in the same area but with an indoor pool, it may be worth checking out the Omni Chicago Hotel.