Occupying an 1893 building that was previously an elite men’s club, the upscale Chicago Athletic Association Hotel retains its old style and atmosphere with a modern twist. It has a fantastic location along the Chicago Cultural Mile on Michigan Avenue, adjacent to Millennium Park. The 241 rooms are handsome and modern, with marble rainfall showers, flat-screen TVs, and charming touches such as pommel horses as bedside benches. However, many units are on the small side and past guests have complained of noise issues. Although lacking a pool and spa, features are excellent, with standouts being Cindy’s, a rooftop restaurant and bar, the Game Room, a bar with billiards and bocce bay, and the speakeasy-style Milk Room. A daily resort fee covers Wi-Fi, 24-hour fitness center access, free coffee or tea, a welcome Champagne toast, access to the on-site basketball court, and free bike rentals. Overall, this is a good pick for travelers intrigued by the property’s history, style, and bar offerings, but those wanting a more traditional upmarket pick with a spa and pool should consider the Waldorf Astoria Chicago.
Occupying an 1893 building that was previously an elite men’s club, the upscale Chicago Athletic Association Hotel retains its old style and atmosphere with a modern twist. It has a fantastic location along the Chicago Cultural Mile on Michigan Avenue, adjacent to Millennium Park. The 241 rooms are handsome and modern, with marble rainfall showers, flat-screen TVs, and charming touches such as pommel horses as bedside benches. However, many units are on the small side and past guests have complained of noise issues. Although lacking a pool and spa, features are excellent, with standouts being Cindy’s, a rooftop restaurant and bar, the Game Room, a bar with billiards and bocce bay, and the speakeasy-style Milk Room. A daily resort fee covers Wi-Fi, 24-hour fitness center access, free coffee or tea, a welcome Champagne toast, access to the on-site basketball court, and free bike rentals. Overall, this is a good pick for travelers intrigued by the property’s history, style, and bar offerings, but those wanting a more traditional upmarket pick with a spa and pool should consider the Waldorf Astoria Chicago.
This 434-room hotel sits atop an upscale shopping mall right off the Magnificent Mile. The luxurious spa, the wonderful four-lane lap pool, the great design, and the outstanding address could make it one of the nicest hotels in town -- but the rooms fall a tad short— with sophisticated but somewhat generic decor, some outdated amenities and shower/tub combos in many bathrooms (EDIT: Rooms are currently undergoing renovations expected to be completed Spring 2020). The cuisine at the on-site brasserie doesn't wow, but the beautiful city views through its floor-to-ceiling windows do.
This 434-room hotel sits atop an upscale shopping mall right off the Magnificent Mile. The luxurious spa, the wonderful four-lane lap pool, the great design, and the outstanding address could make it one of the nicest hotels in town -- but the rooms fall a tad short— with sophisticated but somewhat generic decor, some outdated amenities and shower/tub combos in many bathrooms (EDIT: Rooms are currently undergoing renovations expected to be completed Spring 2020). The cuisine at the on-site brasserie doesn't wow, but the beautiful city views through its floor-to-ceiling windows do.
The Peninsula Chicago, a classic 339-room Chicago hotel right on the Magnificent Mile, exudes elegance and luxury -- from the bright and welcoming interior decor, to the immaculate indoor pool and sunbathing terrace. The natural light and warm colors combined with dark wood accents make it feel simultaneously airy and cozy. Rooms, though a tad generic for this caliber of hotel, are high-tech, featuring iPod docks, flat-screen TVs, control panels to adjust the lighting, and deep soaking tubs with personal TVs.
The Peninsula Chicago, a classic 339-room Chicago hotel right on the Magnificent Mile, exudes elegance and luxury -- from the bright and welcoming interior decor, to the immaculate indoor pool and sunbathing terrace. The natural light and warm colors combined with dark wood accents make it feel simultaneously airy and cozy. Rooms, though a tad generic for this caliber of hotel, are high-tech, featuring iPod docks, flat-screen TVs, control panels to adjust the lighting, and deep soaking tubs with personal TVs.
The mid-range Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown/N Loop/Michigan Ave is housed inside the historic Art Deco Chicago Motor Club building. Its 143 rooms are clean and comfortable, but on the small side, with mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi. Some have walk-in showers and sweet views of the Chicago River. Original architectural elements are showcased in the impressive lobby, which boasts a stylish bar. There’s even a 1928 Model A Ford perched on a balcony at one end. Highlights include Hampton’s popular free hot breakfast and fitness center. Rates are competitive with other mid-range Loop hotels, but for those seeking roomier accommodations with kitchens, there's Comfort Suites Michigan Avenue/Loop.
The mid-range Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown/N Loop/Michigan Ave is housed inside the historic Art Deco Chicago Motor Club building. Its 143 rooms are clean and comfortable, but on the small side, with mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi. Some have walk-in showers and sweet views of the Chicago River. Original architectural elements are showcased in the impressive lobby, which boasts a stylish bar. There’s even a 1928 Model A Ford perched on a balcony at one end. Highlights include Hampton’s popular free hot breakfast and fitness center. Rates are competitive with other mid-range Loop hotels, but for those seeking roomier accommodations with kitchens, there's Comfort Suites Michigan Avenue/Loop.
This 254-room Chicago's Essex Inn is a decent value pick across the street from Grant Park, near the Museum Campus. Some of the comfortable (if chain-like) rooms have great views of the lake and the hotel's state-of-the-art fitness center is a huge plus. It's true that leisure travelers can usually find comparable hotels farther north for similar rates (like the Best Western Hawthorne Terrace), but the hotel's free Michigan Avenue shuttle to popular sites helps compensate for the South Loop location.
This 254-room Chicago's Essex Inn is a decent value pick across the street from Grant Park, near the Museum Campus. Some of the comfortable (if chain-like) rooms have great views of the lake and the hotel's state-of-the-art fitness center is a huge plus. It's true that leisure travelers can usually find comparable hotels farther north for similar rates (like the Best Western Hawthorne Terrace), but the hotel's free Michigan Avenue shuttle to popular sites helps compensate for the South Loop location.
The 443-room Warwick Allerton-Chicago is one of the few hotels right on the Magnificent Mile, and its rooms -- with soothing blue-and-white color schemes, iPod docks, and flat-screen TVs -- are more modern and stylish than those at the neighboring Omni and Intercontinental hotels. But unlike its neighbors the hotel lacks a pool, and its rooms offer significantly less space than the Omni's generic two-room suites.
The 443-room Warwick Allerton-Chicago is one of the few hotels right on the Magnificent Mile, and its rooms -- with soothing blue-and-white color schemes, iPod docks, and flat-screen TVs -- are more modern and stylish than those at the neighboring Omni and Intercontinental hotels. But unlike its neighbors the hotel lacks a pool, and its rooms offer significantly less space than the Omni's generic two-room suites.
Sophisticated and upscale, the 354-room Hotel Chicago Downtown, Autograph Collection is located in the trendy River North area, across from the House of Blues. A business center, 10,000 square feet of meeting space, and a 24-hour modern gym attract conference organizers. With black-and-white stylish designs, rooms and suites have minibars, coffeemakers, and floor-to-ceiling windows that offer river views in some. In-room massages are provided, but this hotel doesn’t have a pool or spa like the costlier Hotel Palomar Chicago.
Sophisticated and upscale, the 354-room Hotel Chicago Downtown, Autograph Collection is located in the trendy River North area, across from the House of Blues. A business center, 10,000 square feet of meeting space, and a 24-hour modern gym attract conference organizers. With black-and-white stylish designs, rooms and suites have minibars, coffeemakers, and floor-to-ceiling windows that offer river views in some. In-room massages are provided, but this hotel doesn’t have a pool or spa like the costlier Hotel Palomar Chicago.
The mid-range Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile is ideal for travelers looking to stay right in the middle of downtown Chicago. Rooms are contemporary, and have coffeemakers and mini-fridges; suites have full kitchenettes and sofa beds. Features include free breakfast, a pool, a fitness center, and a coin-operated laundry room, and the hotel's meeting spaces and a large business center draw plenty of business travelers. However, there have been complaints about the slowness of the elevators, the priciness of valet parking, and maintenance issues and cleanliness in rooms. Travelers may want to compare rates at the comparable Courtyard Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile.
The mid-range Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile is ideal for travelers looking to stay right in the middle of downtown Chicago. Rooms are contemporary, and have coffeemakers and mini-fridges; suites have full kitchenettes and sofa beds. Features include free breakfast, a pool, a fitness center, and a coin-operated laundry room, and the hotel's meeting spaces and a large business center draw plenty of business travelers. However, there have been complaints about the slowness of the elevators, the priciness of valet parking, and maintenance issues and cleanliness in rooms. Travelers may want to compare rates at the comparable Courtyard Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile.
The upper-middle-range Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile offers a great location near the Magnificent Mile, along with 455 spacious two-room suites that attract leisure and business travelers alike. Each Suite comes with a sleeper sofa, two TVs, Keurig coffeemaker, mini-fridge, and a microwave, but some get noise from the hotel's atrium. The free made-to-order breakfast and evening reception with free drinks are immensely popular, but past guests have complained of long lines for both. Other highlights include an indoor pool/whirlpool, a fitness center, a bar, and pricey valet parking. Rates are competitive given everything that’s included. But many nearby alternatives exist, such as the DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago Magnificent Mile, which typically offers lower rates, although they don’t include a free breakfast or evening reception.
The upper-middle-range Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile offers a great location near the Magnificent Mile, along with 455 spacious two-room suites that attract leisure and business travelers alike. Each Suite comes with a sleeper sofa, two TVs, Keurig coffeemaker, mini-fridge, and a microwave, but some get noise from the hotel's atrium. The free made-to-order breakfast and evening reception with free drinks are immensely popular, but past guests have complained of long lines for both. Other highlights include an indoor pool/whirlpool, a fitness center, a bar, and pricey valet parking. Rates are competitive given everything that’s included. But many nearby alternatives exist, such as the DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago Magnificent Mile, which typically offers lower rates, although they don’t include a free breakfast or evening reception.
The mid-range Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago Downtown is in the West Loop near the Greyhound bus station and Union Station/Amtrak. it’s a bit outside the heart of Chicago, but is well-served by public transportation. Highlights include a rooftop pool (rare for this pearl rating), fitness center, full-service restaurant and bar, and meeting space. The 173 rooms are tastefully decorated, but they have begun to show wear. Room service, free Wi-Fi, and Keurig coffeemakers come standard, but only Executive Rooms and Suites have mini-fridges and microwaves. Suites have kitchenettes and sleeper sofas, too. While room rates are reasonable for its category and location, travelers could also consider the Essex Inn in the South Loop, which is closer to major tourist attractions.
The mid-range Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago Downtown is in the West Loop near the Greyhound bus station and Union Station/Amtrak. it’s a bit outside the heart of Chicago, but is well-served by public transportation. Highlights include a rooftop pool (rare for this pearl rating), fitness center, full-service restaurant and bar, and meeting space. The 173 rooms are tastefully decorated, but they have begun to show wear. Room service, free Wi-Fi, and Keurig coffeemakers come standard, but only Executive Rooms and Suites have mini-fridges and microwaves. Suites have kitchenettes and sleeper sofas, too. While room rates are reasonable for its category and location, travelers could also consider the Essex Inn in the South Loop, which is closer to major tourist attractions.