Located in River North, the three-pearl Homewood Suites by Hilton Chicago-Downtown is a solid choice for business travelers and families, offering a prime address less than two blocks from the Magnificent Mile. The hotel, renovated in mid-2016, has 233 spacious suites that feature full kitchens, sleeper sofas, and roomy bathrooms. Value-added amenities include free hot breakfast, a free grocery shopping service, and weekday evening receptions with free food and drinks. A rooftop indoor pool, a well-equipped fitness center, and a laundry room enhance its appeal. Those looking for a hotel with an on-site restaurant and bar may prefer the adjacent Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile.
Located in River North, the three-pearl Homewood Suites by Hilton Chicago-Downtown is a solid choice for business travelers and families, offering a prime address less than two blocks from the Magnificent Mile. The hotel, renovated in mid-2016, has 233 spacious suites that feature full kitchens, sleeper sofas, and roomy bathrooms. Value-added amenities include free hot breakfast, a free grocery shopping service, and weekday evening receptions with free food and drinks. A rooftop indoor pool, a well-equipped fitness center, and a laundry room enhance its appeal. Those looking for a hotel with an on-site restaurant and bar may prefer the adjacent Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile.
This Hilton Garden is a solid mid-range option just two blocks from the Magnificent Mile and a one-minute walk from the metro. While decor here is generic, convenience here is key and the property offers more than the expected amenities: a decent bar and grill, a 24-hour mini-mart, a mini Starbucks in the lobby, a small but attractive pool area, and a well-equipped fitness center. The hotel's 357 rooms are spacious with amenities like Keurig coffeemakers, mini-fridges, microwaves, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Downsides besides the generic decor include pricey parking and a breakfast that isn't included in the room rate. The boutiquey hotel right around the corner, ACME Hotel Company Chicago, offers more inspired digs, but has smaller rooms and fewer amenities.
This Hilton Garden is a solid mid-range option just two blocks from the Magnificent Mile and a one-minute walk from the metro. While decor here is generic, convenience here is key and the property offers more than the expected amenities: a decent bar and grill, a 24-hour mini-mart, a mini Starbucks in the lobby, a small but attractive pool area, and a well-equipped fitness center. The hotel's 357 rooms are spacious with amenities like Keurig coffeemakers, mini-fridges, microwaves, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Downsides besides the generic decor include pricey parking and a breakfast that isn't included in the room rate. The boutiquey hotel right around the corner, ACME Hotel Company Chicago, offers more inspired digs, but has smaller rooms and fewer amenities.
Location is the stand-out feature at the mid-range, 174-room Hotel Cass – A Holiday Inn Express at Magnificent Mile. Housed in a Beaux Arts building, the hotel is a three-minute walk to the Magnificent Mile and a subway station. While the location is great, rooms are small with little closet and storage space; bathrooms are also cramped. Still, they're chicly decorated. Another upside: Rates include a hot breakfast buffet, and the hotel has a small gym and business center. On-site parking includes self and valet options, but both are expensive. Rates are competitive, but like other hotels in River North, they can fluctuate wildly at times, so it's worth it to comparison shop. Travelers could also try the modern and buzzy Aloft Chicago City Center, which can have similar rates.
Location is the stand-out feature at the mid-range, 174-room Hotel Cass – A Holiday Inn Express at Magnificent Mile. Housed in a Beaux Arts building, the hotel is a three-minute walk to the Magnificent Mile and a subway station. While the location is great, rooms are small with little closet and storage space; bathrooms are also cramped. Still, they're chicly decorated. Another upside: Rates include a hot breakfast buffet, and the hotel has a small gym and business center. On-site parking includes self and valet options, but both are expensive. Rates are competitive, but like other hotels in River North, they can fluctuate wildly at times, so it's worth it to comparison shop. Travelers could also try the modern and buzzy Aloft Chicago City Center, which can have similar rates.
This no-frills motel in Chicago's restaurant-rich River North neighborhood attracts budget travelers who value the convenient location and thrifty rates. Its 48 guest rooms could use a style infusion, but they're clean and equipped with flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. Some also have microwaves and mini-fridges, while suites add sleeper sofas and kitchenettes with two-burner stoves. There's not much in terms of features here, but the property does offer free parking, a rarity in the area, as well as free breakfast at a neighboring restaurant for bookings made directly through its website. For something a step up, the stylish Freehand Chicago has both hostel dorm rooms and private rooms, plus it offers free breakfast and has a bar, cafe, and a communal kitchen.
This no-frills motel in Chicago's restaurant-rich River North neighborhood attracts budget travelers who value the convenient location and thrifty rates. Its 48 guest rooms could use a style infusion, but they're clean and equipped with flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. Some also have microwaves and mini-fridges, while suites add sleeper sofas and kitchenettes with two-burner stoves. There's not much in terms of features here, but the property does offer free parking, a rarity in the area, as well as free breakfast at a neighboring restaurant for bookings made directly through its website. For something a step up, the stylish Freehand Chicago has both hostel dorm rooms and private rooms, plus it offers free breakfast and has a bar, cafe, and a communal kitchen.
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.
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.
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.
Chicago's first hotel built to meet Silver LEED certifications for its eco-friendly practices, Hotel Felix merges upscale amenities with renewable furnishings and energy efficiency. It's just off the busy thoroughfares, making it a relaxing spot to stay (with a spa), while it's still an easy walk to the action on the Magnificent Mile, and all of River North's nightlife. The environmentally-conscious will likely appreciate just how thoroughly green this hotel is, if they don't mind small rooms. While it's a central location for tourists, the Felix caters to business travelers, with its comfortable, if somewhat cramped, work spaces, and stylish meeting rooms. The nearby Dana Hotel and Spa doesn't share the sustainable pedigree, but it has similar amenities with larger rooms.
Chicago's first hotel built to meet Silver LEED certifications for its eco-friendly practices, Hotel Felix merges upscale amenities with renewable furnishings and energy efficiency. It's just off the busy thoroughfares, making it a relaxing spot to stay (with a spa), while it's still an easy walk to the action on the Magnificent Mile, and all of River North's nightlife. The environmentally-conscious will likely appreciate just how thoroughly green this hotel is, if they don't mind small rooms. While it's a central location for tourists, the Felix caters to business travelers, with its comfortable, if somewhat cramped, work spaces, and stylish meeting rooms. The nearby Dana Hotel and Spa doesn't share the sustainable pedigree, but it has similar amenities with larger rooms.