11 Best Hotels in Chicago, Illinois

With iMacs in the lobby, free Wi-Fi throughout, bikes for borrowing at the front door, and generously sized, minimalist cream-and-white guest rooms, what was once the slightly faded Ambassador East is now hip and sleek. The location is as stellar as always, and the Booth One restaurant design is all new. Other on-site perks include a fitness center on the 11th floor and a screening room with plenty of plush couches off the Library Bar. A free breakfast for kids (accompanied by cartoons) fills the space on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

With design savvy inside as well as out, this gem breathes life into an 82-story skyscraper designed by revered architect Jeanne Gang. Indoor and outdoor pools, a game room, a movie screening room, a well-equipped fitness center, and lush landscaping on outdoor terraces are all part of the deal. The location is a winner, too, as it's close to Millennium Park and Michigan Avenue. Eight PCs and a conference room in the business center make this as good a fit for road warriors as it is for families with kids and pets. The lobby-level bar is bright and welcoming.

Guest rooms are in need of updating, but on the whole, there's a lot to love about this historic property, starting with a cool, kitschy vibe that feels authentic. And then there's the location, so close to Lincoln Park that guests can practically roll out of bed and into the zoo. Make a point to head up to the J. Parker rooftop lounge; the food and cocktails are only okay, but the view is one of the city's best. Other dining options range from locally made pastries at casual Elaine’s Coffee Call to lavish 17-course feasts at Sushi Suite 202, an omakase “speakeasy” secreted inside a converted guest room. For the best views, request a room on the ninth floor or above, facing east toward the park and the lake.

Prominently centered on the financial district, this handsome historical landmark (formerly home to the New York Life building) received a sleek, bespoke redesign appealing to young professionals with discerning tastes. The lobby is spacious, with clean lines and high-vaulted ceilings, while rooms feature a blend of design elements riffing off classic suites.

The former Hotel Monaco was purchased by Korea's Lotte hotel group, reopening in 2024 as the first American outpost of Lotte's L7 brand. Works by Chicago artists complement Asian-inspired decor in the newly refreshed rooms; amenities include in-room fitness equipment as well as complimentary coffee, tea, and snacks at the hotel's "Krave Station."

Steps from iconic Chicago attractions, the Royal Sonesta has some of the largest standard guest rooms in Chicago, many with a river or city view. Amenities include a restaurant with outdoor patio dining, a 24-hour fitness center, and an outdoor terrace with skyline views.

This historic property, built in 1895 by D.H. Burnham & Co. as one of the first skyscrapers, retains ornate original details including Carrara marble and wrought-iron-trimmed elevators. Rooms have historic charm (read: they're on the small side) but are comfortable, especially for the business traveler. There's also a great restaurant, Atwood, on-site that serves modern American food.

Built in 1927, this classic boutique hotel has an elegant and inviting lobby and guestroom accommodations that mix classic and contemporary. It strikes a happy balance, retaining a somewhat historical feel while also being eco- and tech-friendly. The Talbott is blessed with a great Gold Coast location, and guests can take advantage of a state-of-the-art fitness center with Peloton bike and FloWater purified water refill station. 

The world's first Virgin Hotel offers loads of tech-age amenities: a custom app called "Lucy" lets guests check in or out remotely, order room service, control the thermostat, and more, plus there is free Wi-Fi at unlimited bandwidth, and outlets are everywhere. Decorated in red and white, the rooms (called "chambers" here) feel airy and bright; each has a dressing area and a sleeping space separated by a sliding door. Pet-friendly digs have cute porcelain dogs stationed outside.

Just blocks from the Wrigley Building and Tribune Tower, it offers impressive views of the Chicago River and the heart of downtown. Clean-lined, contemporary rooms are decorated in soothing neutral tones, and all have free Wi-Fi and iPod docks. There's also a business center and fitness center, so you can decide whether to work or work out. Hoyt's, the hotel restaurant, serves creative, Midwestern-inspired fare and has a whole menu section devoted to snacks in jars.

In an often overlooked section of Chicago just east of Michigan Avenue, this hotel has a sublime 29th-floor indoor/outdoor bar with an enviable view of the city; its stylish guest rooms are contemporary and comfy. The lobby, renovated in 2013, features oversize seating and opens to a restaurant and bar offering sit-down service as well as to-go items. This place loves kids and pets and has packages tailored to both.