Pros

  • Large, modern rooms with 32-inch flat-screen TVs and iPod docks
  • Within walking distance of the Museum Campus
  • Solid 24-hour fitness center
  • Acclaimed Catalan restaurant on-site
  • Good views from most rooms
  • Grand meeting rooms
  • Hotel dates to 1910 and has hosted royals, presidents, and movie stars
See More Pros

Cons

  • Daily fee for Internet access
  • Pricey valet parking
  • Room service is not 24-hour
  • No pool
See More Cons

Bottom Line

The quirky, 328-room Blackstone hotel across from Grant Park, in South Loop, mixes contemporary style with the building's restored historic grandeur. Some of the bright, modern rooms have great views of Lake Michigan, the meeting spaces are grand, and the on-site tapas restaurant draws locals as well as guests.

See More Bottom Line

Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Pets Allowed

Oyster Hotel Review

The Blackstone, Autograph Collection

Location

The Blackstone is located in the South Loop, across from Grant Park

The Blackstone is located in the South Loop, across the street from Grant Park and its famous Buckingham Fountain, which can be seen from most of the rooms. Museum Campus is just a short walk away, and there is one Metra line within three blocks of the hotel, as well as five subway lines within five blocks. However, the vibrant Loop neighborhood and the Magnificent Mile are farther north.

  • 8-minute walk to the Symphony Center
  • 11-minute walk to the Art Institute of Chicago
  • 14-minute walk to the Millennium Park
  • 20-minute walk to the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower)
  • 22-minute walk to the City Hall
  • 10-minute subway ride to the Theatre District
  • 15-minute subway ride to the Magnificent Mile
  • 18-minute subway ride to the John Hancock Observatory
  • 23-minute subway ride to the Old Town
  • 28-minute subway ride or 17-minute drive to the Wrigley Field
  • 8-minute drive or 28-minute subway ride to the Navy Pier
  • 12-minute drive or 25-minute subway ride to the Museum of Science and Industry
  • 20-minute drive to Midway International Airport
  • 35-minute drive to O’Hare International Airport
See More Location

Rooms

More stylish than your typical chain hotel

Rooms are spacious and bright, and some have impressive views of the famous Buckingham Fountain and of Lake Michigan. They all come with high-tech amenities — such as 32-inch flat-screen TVs and iHome docking stations — and modern decor. Think: plush white beds, red accents, and marble bathrooms with bold black-and-white wallpaper.

  • 32-inch flat-screen TVs with premium cable access (including CNN, ESPN and HBO)
  • Marble bathrooms with retro, black-and-white paisley wallpaper, Aveda toiletries, and a walk-in shower or shower/tub combo
  • iHome docking station
  • Big, standard Guest Rooms are 395 square feet.
  • Club Level rooms are the same size, but offer access to the Club Lounge, with free hors d’oeuvres, free non-alcoholic beverages, an honor bar, and free business services.
See More Rooms

Features

A 24-hour fitness center, but no pool

  • Solid 24-hour fitness center with cardio machines, weight training machines, exercise balls, stretching mats, and free weights
  • 11,396 square feet of meeting space, including nine meeting rooms and a sumptuous ballroom
  • Evening turndown service
  • Free newspaper in the lobby
  • Daily fee for Wi-Fi also covers local and domestic phone calls
  • Pets are allowed for a fee
  • View full list of amenities
See More Features

All-Inclusive / Food

An acclaimed Catalan restaurant and a Starbucks

  • Mercat a la Plantxa is a trendy, upscale Catalan tapas restaurant that's popular with locals as well as guests.
  • Starbucks on-site
See More All-Inclusive / Food

Oyster Hotel Review

The Blackstone, Autograph Collection

Location

The Blackstone is located in the South Loop, across from Grant Park

The Blackstone is located in the South Loop, across the street from Grant Park and its famous Buckingham Fountain, which can be seen from most of the rooms. Museum Campus is just a short walk away, and there is one Metra line within three blocks of the hotel, as well as five subway lines within five blocks. However, the vibrant Loop neighborhood and the Magnificent Mile are farther north.

  • 8-minute walk to the Symphony Center
  • 11-minute walk to the Art Institute of Chicago
  • 14-minute walk to the Millennium Park
  • 20-minute walk to the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower)
  • 22-minute walk to the City Hall
  • 10-minute subway ride to the Theatre District
  • 15-minute subway ride to the Magnificent Mile
  • 18-minute subway ride to the John Hancock Observatory
  • 23-minute subway ride to the Old Town
  • 28-minute subway ride or 17-minute drive to the Wrigley Field
  • 8-minute drive or 28-minute subway ride to the Navy Pier
  • 12-minute drive or 25-minute subway ride to the Museum of Science and Industry
  • 20-minute drive to Midway International Airport
  • 35-minute drive to O’Hare International Airport
See More Location

Rooms

More stylish than your typical chain hotel

Rooms are spacious and bright, and some have impressive views of the famous Buckingham Fountain and of Lake Michigan. They all come with high-tech amenities — such as 32-inch flat-screen TVs and iHome docking stations — and modern decor. Think: plush white beds, red accents, and marble bathrooms with bold black-and-white wallpaper.

  • 32-inch flat-screen TVs with premium cable access (including CNN, ESPN and HBO)
  • Marble bathrooms with retro, black-and-white paisley wallpaper, Aveda toiletries, and a walk-in shower or shower/tub combo
  • iHome docking station
  • Big, standard Guest Rooms are 395 square feet.
  • Club Level rooms are the same size, but offer access to the Club Lounge, with free hors d’oeuvres, free non-alcoholic beverages, an honor bar, and free business services.
See More Rooms

Features

A 24-hour fitness center, but no pool

  • Solid 24-hour fitness center with cardio machines, weight training machines, exercise balls, stretching mats, and free weights
  • 11,396 square feet of meeting space, including nine meeting rooms and a sumptuous ballroom
  • Evening turndown service
  • Free newspaper in the lobby
  • Daily fee for Wi-Fi also covers local and domestic phone calls
  • Pets are allowed for a fee
  • View full list of amenities
See More Features

All-Inclusive / Food

An acclaimed Catalan restaurant and a Starbucks

  • Mercat a la Plantxa is a trendy, upscale Catalan tapas restaurant that's popular with locals as well as guests.
  • Starbucks on-site
See More All-Inclusive / Food

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Babysitting Services

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pets Allowed

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Tennis Court

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.