The four-pearl Hotel Lincoln, a Joie de Vivre Hotel is a hip and stylish property with a boutique feel despite having almost 200 rooms. It borders lovely Lincoln Park north of downtown Chicago, within a short drive to DePaul University, though it's somewhat removed from downtown. The hotel’s popular rooftop bar and street-level coffee bar both serve breakfast, but neither is free. Other features include valet parking, concierge service, and a cramped fitness center (open 24 hours). The modern guest rooms are high on style but low on space. Another good alternative to consider is the upscale Silversmith Hotel, which is in the heart of Chicago’s Loop, with spacious rooms, similar rates, and comparable amenities.
The four-pearl Hotel Lincoln, a Joie de Vivre Hotel is a hip and stylish property with a boutique feel despite having almost 200 rooms. It borders lovely Lincoln Park north of downtown Chicago, within a short drive to DePaul University, though it's somewhat removed from downtown. The hotel’s popular rooftop bar and street-level coffee bar both serve breakfast, but neither is free. Other features include valet parking, concierge service, and a cramped fitness center (open 24 hours). The modern guest rooms are high on style but low on space. Another good alternative to consider is the upscale Silversmith Hotel, which is in the heart of Chicago’s Loop, with spacious rooms, similar rates, and comparable amenities.
The three-pearl Homewood Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile is located right off of Magnificent Mile, the most bustling area of the city. The location makes it convenient for tourists and business travelers to walk or catch a subway to their destination. Its 127 guest rooms are stylish and well-equipped for extended stays with kitchenettes and flat-screen TVs, and some even have views of Lake Michigan. A free breakfast buffet and evening reception are budget-friendly perks, while a (seasonal) rooftop pool and a fitness center have superb views of downtown. Travelers might also consider the Courtyard Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile for its indoor pool, on-site restaurant, and business amenities.
The three-pearl Homewood Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile is located right off of Magnificent Mile, the most bustling area of the city. The location makes it convenient for tourists and business travelers to walk or catch a subway to their destination. Its 127 guest rooms are stylish and well-equipped for extended stays with kitchenettes and flat-screen TVs, and some even have views of Lake Michigan. A free breakfast buffet and evening reception are budget-friendly perks, while a (seasonal) rooftop pool and a fitness center have superb views of downtown. Travelers might also consider the Courtyard Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile for its indoor pool, on-site restaurant, and business amenities.
This three-pearl chain hotel has a prime location in Chicago's bustling River North neighborhood, surrounded by restaurants and within walking distance of most downtown attractions, including the Magnificent Mile. The public decor is updated and mostly modern and a basic breakfast buffet is included in the room rate, as is speedy Wi-Fi. A pricey market in the lobby sells beverages and snacks, including wine and beer. The 180 rooms are spacious, particularly in the bathrooms, some of which are equipped with roomy stall showers, but the decor is generic. Light sleepers should request an interior-facing room, though they don’t get a lot of light. Overall, guests are paying high rates for a standard chain hotel with a superb location. The nearby Best Western Plus River North Hotel has a pool and more modern rooms.
This three-pearl chain hotel has a prime location in Chicago's bustling River North neighborhood, surrounded by restaurants and within walking distance of most downtown attractions, including the Magnificent Mile. The public decor is updated and mostly modern and a basic breakfast buffet is included in the room rate, as is speedy Wi-Fi. A pricey market in the lobby sells beverages and snacks, including wine and beer. The 180 rooms are spacious, particularly in the bathrooms, some of which are equipped with roomy stall showers, but the decor is generic. Light sleepers should request an interior-facing room, though they don’t get a lot of light. Overall, guests are paying high rates for a standard chain hotel with a superb location. The nearby Best Western Plus River North Hotel has a pool and more modern rooms.
The lower-middle-range DeWitt Place Hotel & Suites offers an appealing combination of spacious, apartment-style suites, budget rates, and a great location. The former residential complex built in 1924 on Chicago’s Gold Coast is on a quiet street, only a five-minute walk from the Magnificent Mile. Amenities are sparse, but they include a guest laundry room and fitness center with a sauna and steam room. The 82 units are spacious and have fully equipped kitchens, but their decor looks tired, and the bathrooms are cramped and need updating. Given its central location, rates are hard to beat. For a more modern alternative nearby with more amenities, consider the mid-range Hotel Indigo Chicago Downtown Gold Coast, but expect to pay more.
The lower-middle-range DeWitt Place Hotel & Suites offers an appealing combination of spacious, apartment-style suites, budget rates, and a great location. The former residential complex built in 1924 on Chicago’s Gold Coast is on a quiet street, only a five-minute walk from the Magnificent Mile. Amenities are sparse, but they include a guest laundry room and fitness center with a sauna and steam room. The 82 units are spacious and have fully equipped kitchens, but their decor looks tired, and the bathrooms are cramped and need updating. Given its central location, rates are hard to beat. For a more modern alternative nearby with more amenities, consider the mid-range Hotel Indigo Chicago Downtown Gold Coast, but expect to pay more.
Situated just a block west of Chicago’s famous Magnificent Mile, The Gwen, a Luxury Collection Hotel offers 311 elegant rooms and suites, most with fantastic skyline views. Comfy rooms have sophisticated decor, big windows, and marble bathrooms with showers, plus tubs and sofa beds in suites. For something particularly out of the ordinary, guests can splurge for a glamping experience on a suite terrace with views out over the skyline. The dining options here are on point, with a pan-Mediterranean restaurant, Kostali, offering fine-dining at dinner and a rooftop bar and lounge with craft cocktails, modern bar food, and curling. Breakfast and brunch are also served here. Other features include a small fitness center -- but no spa or swimming pool -- plus plenty of space for meetings and events like weddings. Those dead-set on something with a pool may want to consider checking in at the similarly priced W Chicago - Lakeshore instead.
Situated just a block west of Chicago’s famous Magnificent Mile, The Gwen, a Luxury Collection Hotel offers 311 elegant rooms and suites, most with fantastic skyline views. Comfy rooms have sophisticated decor, big windows, and marble bathrooms with showers, plus tubs and sofa beds in suites. For something particularly out of the ordinary, guests can splurge for a glamping experience on a suite terrace with views out over the skyline. The dining options here are on point, with a pan-Mediterranean restaurant, Kostali, offering fine-dining at dinner and a rooftop bar and lounge with craft cocktails, modern bar food, and curling. Breakfast and brunch are also served here. Other features include a small fitness center -- but no spa or swimming pool -- plus plenty of space for meetings and events like weddings. Those dead-set on something with a pool may want to consider checking in at the similarly priced W Chicago - Lakeshore instead.
Located half a block from the famed Magnificent Mile, luxury boutique hotel MileNorth strives to give guests a modern, home-away-from-home experience that contrasts with the ornate, Gilded-Age sensibility of many other area hotels. With a cozy, living-room-style lobby whose cafe serves Starbucks, as well as a rooftop lounge with sweeping views of the city, the MileNorth can be both relaxed and trendy at the same time. The rooms are spacious for the neighborhood and price, with a unique bi-level configuration and all the requisite modern amenities, including flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. There is in-room Wi-Fi and a well-stocked 24-hour gym, both of which are covered by a daily resort fee that is automatically tacked on to your rate. Still, this modern hotel is a good deal in a prime location.
Located half a block from the famed Magnificent Mile, luxury boutique hotel MileNorth strives to give guests a modern, home-away-from-home experience that contrasts with the ornate, Gilded-Age sensibility of many other area hotels. With a cozy, living-room-style lobby whose cafe serves Starbucks, as well as a rooftop lounge with sweeping views of the city, the MileNorth can be both relaxed and trendy at the same time. The rooms are spacious for the neighborhood and price, with a unique bi-level configuration and all the requisite modern amenities, including flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. There is in-room Wi-Fi and a well-stocked 24-hour gym, both of which are covered by a daily resort fee that is automatically tacked on to your rate. Still, this modern hotel is a good deal in a prime location.
For a Days Inn, this 133-room hotel has a lot of history: It used to be known as the Rock and Roll Days Inn, and had many famous bands and musicians coming through. There are few freebies on offer -- Wi-Fi and LA Fitness passes -- but the rooms are clean and comfortable. The Lincoln Park area is far from most tourist sights, so if a downtown location is a necessity, look into the Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile.
For a Days Inn, this 133-room hotel has a lot of history: It used to be known as the Rock and Roll Days Inn, and had many famous bands and musicians coming through. There are few freebies on offer -- Wi-Fi and LA Fitness passes -- but the rooms are clean and comfortable. The Lincoln Park area is far from most tourist sights, so if a downtown location is a necessity, look into the Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile.
The Aloft Chicago City Center is a modern and decidedly unconventional upper-middle-range hotel with an energetic vibe. Located in the lively River North district, it’s a great central base for both business and leisure travelers. The Magnificent Mile is within walking distance, and there’s a subway line nearby. A popular restaurant and bar with live music are in the spacious lobby, and the fitness center is large and well equipped. Valet parking is available, but it’s expensive. Like the hotel itself, the 272 rooms are sleek and stylish, with room service, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. Rates are competitive but like other River North hotels, they can spike quite high at times, so it’s wise to comparison shop. The Hampton Inn & Suites Chicago-Downtown nearby tends to have comparable rates and a free hot breakfast.
The Aloft Chicago City Center is a modern and decidedly unconventional upper-middle-range hotel with an energetic vibe. Located in the lively River North district, it’s a great central base for both business and leisure travelers. The Magnificent Mile is within walking distance, and there’s a subway line nearby. A popular restaurant and bar with live music are in the spacious lobby, and the fitness center is large and well equipped. Valet parking is available, but it’s expensive. Like the hotel itself, the 272 rooms are sleek and stylish, with room service, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. Rates are competitive but like other River North hotels, they can spike quite high at times, so it’s wise to comparison shop. The Hampton Inn & Suites Chicago-Downtown nearby tends to have comparable rates and a free hot breakfast.
The ACME Hotel is a boutique in River North aimed at a crowd that's looking for character. The quirky rooms are on the small side, but have high-tech amenities, including plug-and-play hook ups to stream your own content on the generous 46-inch flat-screen TVs. A hot tub, sauna, and free morning coffee service are cool extras that go beyond other hotels in this price range. Rock and roll themed decor and local artwork sets the hotel apart from the competition, along with the on-site Berkshire Room known for its craft cocktails. Another River North boutique alternative, Hotel Felix, lacks the rock attitude, and opts instead for sustainable artwork and an eco-friendly certification.
The ACME Hotel is a boutique in River North aimed at a crowd that's looking for character. The quirky rooms are on the small side, but have high-tech amenities, including plug-and-play hook ups to stream your own content on the generous 46-inch flat-screen TVs. A hot tub, sauna, and free morning coffee service are cool extras that go beyond other hotels in this price range. Rock and roll themed decor and local artwork sets the hotel apart from the competition, along with the on-site Berkshire Room known for its craft cocktails. Another River North boutique alternative, Hotel Felix, lacks the rock attitude, and opts instead for sustainable artwork and an eco-friendly certification.
The Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza River North is a stylish, upper-mid-range hotel in the heart of downtown, perched atop the Chicago Sun-Times building. Its peculiar position means that guests have to go through two different lobbies, but the upside is incredible city views from the upper floors that the hotel occupies. The rooms are all large, although some still have loud, aging air conditioners. It's an ideal spot for guests attending events at the Merchandise Mart, or for tourists who want to be near the downtown Loop at a reasonable price. For even more budget-conscious travelers looking to avoid steep valet fees, the nearby Best Western Plus River North Hotel has free parking but can't compare with this landmark location's amenities.
The Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza River North is a stylish, upper-mid-range hotel in the heart of downtown, perched atop the Chicago Sun-Times building. Its peculiar position means that guests have to go through two different lobbies, but the upside is incredible city views from the upper floors that the hotel occupies. The rooms are all large, although some still have loud, aging air conditioners. It's an ideal spot for guests attending events at the Merchandise Mart, or for tourists who want to be near the downtown Loop at a reasonable price. For even more budget-conscious travelers looking to avoid steep valet fees, the nearby Best Western Plus River North Hotel has free parking but can't compare with this landmark location's amenities.