36 Best Hotels in Chicago, Illinois

Blessed with the double threat of sumptuous historic architecture and an enviable location on the Mag Mile, it's no shocker that this hotel has been going strong for around a century. There's so much to love, from the contemporary air of the guest rooms to the enormous swimming pool and well-stocked fitness center. The Shriner greeting "Es Salamu Aleikum" ("Peace Be to God") is etched on foyer columns, a reminder that it was once the Medinah Men's Athletic Club. In-house destinations include the popular Michael Jordan's Steakhouse and Casa Chi, a Nikkei (Japanese-Peruvian fusion) concept by chef Richard Sandoval. 

Alt-rock plays on the iPod-ready stereo system when you enter your spacious, contemporary accommodations at this Mag Mile hotel; some rooms are large, with platform beds and dark woods plus full-size bottles of vodka, whiskey, and rum. The slate-tile and marble bathrooms feature amenities from Harmonic by Intelligent Nutrients. David Burke's Primehouse restaurant and the Spa by Asha are both on-site.

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.

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.

Centrally located in the Lakeview neighborhood, this Best Western offers all essential amenities at a reasonable price: the rate includes a free continental breakfast plus use of the business facilities and fitness center. Although there's little room to relax in the American colonial–style lobby, the actual accommodations are inviting enough; deluxe options come with whirlpool tubs while families and groups can opt for a one- or two-bedroom suite. The hotel's front terrace becomes a place to see and be seen in the summer months, especially during street festivals.

The lobby here is a crown jewel in Chicago's architecture scene; guest rooms are simple and elegant, with enough flair to feel updated yet still give a sense of the rich past. Property perks include lake views in certain rooms and the popular Mercat a la Planxa tapas restaurant and bar. Ask about the hotel's storied past; presidents as well as mob bosses have stayed here.

Travelers love this hotel for its residential feel and location beyond the downtown tourist areas. The rooms boast a bright, vibrant color scheme with art deco accents, and  (per the "Suites" in the name) most have separate sitting areas with pullout couches. The hotel's proximity to the 'L' train, however, is both a blessing and a curse; you'll have easy access to downtown and the North Side, but with the 'L' being a 24-hour service, train noise might be a pain at night. Amenities include tea and coffee all day, free Wi-Fi, and complimentary passes to a nearby health club.

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.

Built in 1920, the grande dame of Chicago hotels stands tall where Michigan Avenue and Lake Shore Drive intersect in the city's swanky Gold Coast. The Drake's stately look was inspired by an Italian Renaissance palace, and the sounds of a fountain and harpist beckon at the Palm Court, a traditional setting for afternoon tea, which is especially nice during the winter holidays.

This boutique spot in a onetime cheesemaking factory maintains an artsy ethos, positioning itself as a destination for cool young culture vultures.

On a busy day the lobby of this Hilton might be mistaken for a terminal at O'Hare Airport; it's a bustling convention hotel, but one that retains its distinguished 1920s heritage in a Renaissance-inspired entrance hall and gold-and-gilt grand ballroom. Renovations completed in 2012 provided new dining and drinking options (the venerable Kitty O'Sheas bar remains), while renovations completed in 2015 lend a more modern look to 1,000-plus guest rooms. A grab-and-go market offers Starbucks coffee, pastries, and sandwiches during daylight hours and local craft beers and cocktails in the evening. The 28,000-square-foot gym has enough room for an indoor track and swimming pool.

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.

Far from just a generic amenity, the fitness facilities are the raison d’être at this independently owned Bucktown property; after all, it got its start as a tennis club that’s hosted the likes of Billie Jean King and Venus Williams (who kindly pitched in and designed a lounge when the club was overhauled and the hotel added in 2017). The multistory facilities and class offerings are impressive---think sunrise rooftop yoga and spinning, a heavy bag boxing gym, two sleek pools, and a virtual driving range, to name but a few. And the coolest feature is that they’re all open to hotel guests—with the $45 resort fee, that is. (Spa treatments and personal training sessions not included.) Throw impressive skyline views and slick mid-century guest rooms into the mix, and you’ve got a seriously unique spot to rest your head.

A multimillion-dollar renovation a few years back updated this spacious landmark in Chicago's historic Printers Row neighborhood; the lobby is dark but welcoming, and the rooms, in a mix of browns, reds, and creams, are very large considering the location. Choose a suite and you'll have a condo-size spread with fantastic views of downtown. It's ideal for business travelers who want to be near the city's financial district, yet close enough to Grant Park, the Art Institute, and other museums to have touristic appeal.

Located across the street from Wrigley Field, this boutique hotel is a home run on all accounts, from the Cubs-centric design to the buzzing cocktail bar to the rooms with private balconies that overlook all the action at nearby Gallagher Way. Rooms are plush, and most feature rainfall showerheads, pin-striped carpet, and ivy-green headboards (the latter being a nod to the Cubs outfield). Dining options include an upscale tavern, a Mediterranean-inspired lounge, and an outpost of Chicago's legendary taco spot, Big Star.

A massive, light-filled lobby—part of a $168-million renovation—is the centerpiece of the Hyatt Regency Chicago, the city's largest hotel with 2,032 rooms in a prime downtown locale. Perched between the Chicago River, Lake Michigan, Millennium Park, and Michigan Avenue, the spot is perfect for business or leisure travelers. Technology updates offer computer screens for self check-in and checkout, as well as free Wi-Fi. Renovated rooms are modern and minimalist with crisp white linens. Stetson's, where sushi is as popular as steak, is definitely a cut above most hotel restaurants.

Mixing architectural elegance with a sleek modern style, this historic property has lots of gorgeous areas, from a bright and welcoming lobby bar to spacious guest rooms with high ceilings and marble baths. Built in 1914 as the Continental & Commercial National Bank, the Daniel Burnham–designed building is in the heart of the financial district and handy to Union Station. Its upscale Italian restaurant, The Florentine, is popular for business lunches and cocktails.

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."

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.

Everything at this charming boutique hotel says homey—from the quiet, side-street location to the roaring fireplace in the lobby and the complimentary round-the-clock coffee service. Guest rooms are contemporary yet cozy, and plush bathrobes hang in the bathrooms. Great for a stay off the beaten path, yet still within walking distance of Wrigley Field and the many shops, bars, and clubs of the Northalsted neighborhood. 

This 1927 hotel has had a number of identities—including the speakeasy for Capone to a 1970s stint as the Playboy Hotel and Towers under owner Hugh Hefner; these days the guest rooms sport a gold, beige, plum, and espresso color palette. Your downtime is well spent in the lobby bar, which offers seasonally inspired cocktails and an extensive martini list.

The epitome of a grande dame, this massive property in the center of the Loop recently underwent a $215-million renovation, but the lobby—with its wow-worthy ceiling mural and lots of gold, marble, and tapestry—preserves the original splendor. Guest rooms, which aren't quite as glitzy, have a boutique-hotel feel. This is the longest continually operating hotel in the United States; it's also the place where brownies were invented in 1893, thanks to socialite Bertha Palmer. The Palmer House celebrates its history along with its more modern attributes, among them a 10,000-square-foot fitness center and spa.

City history and contemporary design come together with stylish elegance at the Pendry Chicago, in the iconic 1929 art deco Carbide and Carbon Building. The minimalist decor with gold accents complement the original building design making guest rooms feel bright and modern. The ground-floor restaurant, Venteux, and the rooftop bar, Château Carbide, highlight French cuisine.

Perched on prime real estate on the south bank of the Chicago River, this cosmopolitan spot is shouldered by high-rises but you can still enjoy fantastic views of the Chicago skyline right from your room. Stay on the slightly pricier club levels for complimentary weekday access to a private business center, continental breakfast, hors d'oeuvres, and nonalcoholic drinks.

Located in the heart of Wicker Park, this boutique luxury revival hotel has curated art deco features, a mazelike layout, and two very distinct categories of rooms: Tower Rooms, which are snug but strong on mid-century style, and industrial, family-friendly Annex Lofts. Public areas serve as a second living room for local young professionals gathering material for their next Instagram reel; don’t miss the Up Room, a 13th-floor lounge serving cocktails and an eyeful of skyline. Come summer, soak in the scene, and cool off in the tiny pool at the rooftop Cabana Club. Following a 2024 makeover that channels dolce vita vibes (think freely flowing Aperol spritzes and Mediterranean bites), the club is open to the public via day pass, but Robey guests get complimentary admission and dibs on early morning dips. 

Don't be fooled by the tiny front entrance under the 'L'; the Silversmith's oak-covered lobby is enormous and houses a sleek, chandelier-decked restaurant and lounge. The guest rooms—with 12-foot ceilings—are also unusually large, and decorated with luxe touches like sequin-patterned wallpaper and silvery, tufted-leather headboards. The window seats are a treat. Steps from Millennium Park and the Art Institute, this hotel is ideal for art and theater lovers.