16 Best Hotels in Chicago, Illinois

Don't judge this place on appearance alone: the nondescript tower is actually one of the city's most family-friendly hotels, and its location—just five minutes by foot from the Museum Campus—is one reason why. It also offers easy access to nearby attractions like the Art Institute. The erstwhile Essex Inn underwent a $30 million renovation in 2019 that capitalized on its mid-century bona fides (the Essex opened in 1961); the hotel is now part of Marriott's Le Meridien portfolio.

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.

Sophisticated yet comfortable, the Ritz-Carlton has indoor access to the Water Tower Place shopping mall and is close to many high-end boutiques. The classy hotel specializes in showering guests with attention, and its rooms are spacious, with walk-in closets and separate dressing areas. A fitness center, indoor pool, and spa services are all close at hand, and you don't need to go far to find quality dining: Torali, an Italian steak house, is on the 12th floor. The restaurant also has a rooftop bar and lounge.

Theater lovers will relish an opportunity to stay at this art deco–themed hot spot, with its plush banquettes, intimate candlelight spaces, and oversize works of modern art. The service is solid, and the muted metallic walls and blue mohair headboards in the rooms are a treat. The bathrooms are well designed, with gleaming new gray marble, plus updated sinks and vanities. Rent a suite if space is your thing. The building, staying true to its original architecture, keeps the rooms on the smaller side.

Fully renovated in 2017, this modern hotel has a convenient location and bubbly vibe that visitors will love; the modest accommodations, with their art deco-inspired decor, white linens, and splashes of red, are also appealing. The double queen room sleeps five with a sofa bed, so it's great for families (the indoor pool doesn't hurt, either). Copper Fox Gastropub, the hotel restaurant, offers urban-American cuisine in a lively space with an attractive bar.

Every room here features a separate bedroom and living area, as well as a view of either Lake Michigan or the Chicago skyline. The sleek glass atrium bustles in the morning with the complimentary breakfast buffet and in the evening during the manager's reception, when free drinks and snacks are served. A bonus for families is the fact that it's within walking distance of Navy Pier, Lake Michigan beaches, and North Michigan Avenue; having a 21-screen movie theater and bowling alley in the same complex is another plus.

Rooms here are arranged around an 11-story, plant-filled atrium lobby, making efficient use of space. All suites have separate living rooms with a pullout sofa, four-person dining table, and an extra TV. A 24-hour business center, plus a complimentary full breakfast each morning and cocktails each evening are especially appealing to business travelers. The indoor pool and fitness center are added perks, as is the renowned on-site restaurant, Osteria Via Stato.

Not only is this Holiday Inn close to Chicago's main attractions, it's also within steps of CTA trains that go directly to either O'Hare or Midway airports. Decor-wise the rooms are a bit bland, but they’re comfortable and equipped with pillow-top mattresses, workspaces, and free Wi-Fi. That’s good news for the hordes of business travelers who are drawn here by the hotel’s proximity to the financial district; in summer months they and everyone else have an added incentive to visit—the rooftop pool.

The suites here seem custom designed for families, with sleeper sofas, separate bedrooms and fully equipped kitchens that feature full-size refrigerators and granite countertops. Free food isn't lacking; there's a complimentary hot breakfast seven days a week as well as an evening reception with drinks and a light meal on Wednesdays (there's also a fitness center to work off those calories). Within walking distance of the Magnificent Mile shopping area, the hotel is just a short cab ride away from most other attractions.

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.

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."

Nestled between Michigan Avenue and the lakefront, this hotel is loved by families for the suitelike accommodations and other offerings (like a game library, indoor pool, and amenities for teens, tweens, and kids) that make boredom impossible. The on-site ETA Restaurant & Bar is a great place to spend the evening.

The only all-suites hotel on Michigan Avenue has a lot going for it: every room is a good size, and French doors separate the living room from the bedroom, making them feel more like apartments. It's a smart choice for extended stays or family trips—most rooms have pull-out couches, and all have multiple TVs plus MP3 plug-ins; at check-in young travelers also receive a backpack with goodies and games to keep. If you want to dine on-site, the 676 Restaurant & Bar has Midwestern-style American cuisine and views overlooking Michigan Avenue.

An urban sanctuary amid iconic attractions, this hotel calls out to families with its generously sized rooms and indoor pool, while business travelers appreciate the large amount of meeting space. And everyone loves the Chicago Burger Company, a lively riverfront restaurant. 

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.