41 Best Hotels in Near North and River North, Chicago

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.

At the refined Four Seasons, guest rooms begin on the 30th floor (the hotel sits atop the tony 900 North Michigan Shops), so there's a distinct feeling of seclusion—and great views to boot. On the seventh floor, white marble and plenty of natural light flood the lobby where you’ll also find Adorn Bar & Restaurant and a lounge that hosts live entertainment and serves bar food all day. Guest rooms are all about comfort and style, with luxurious beds and marble bathrooms. There's a spa on-site, with an indoor pool. 

This Gold Coast star still dominates the skyline above the old Water Tower and the views are as spectacular as ever following a $60-million renovation to all of its guestrooms and suites in early 2022. Inspired by the adjacent Water Tower Park, the redesign includes a soothing color palette and organic materials. The NoMI Garden bar and restaurant on the seventh floor serves contemporary American and global dishes; its popular outdoor area welcomes alfresco diners in summer. Guests can also take advantage of the hotel's soothing NoMI Spa.

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.

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.

A wonder of modern architecture, this French-owned gem is a prism-shaped structure that juts over the street and widens as it rises; design sensibility also shines in the guest rooms, thanks to honey maple-wood furnishings, Barcelona chairs, and marble bathrooms. The sophisticated CDA restaurant—which has seasonal outdoor seating—is notable for its efficient executive lunch service, while denlike Le Bar has comfortable seating and a fireplace.

Channeling the old-school glamour of its Gold Coast neighborhood, this completely rehabbed 1920s property is draped in luxury; think generously sized gold-and-black-adorned guest rooms, a dazzling rooftop pool that overlooks the Gold Coast Triangle, and a happening dining room and bar. Nested between bars, shops, and restaurants, it's a magnet for fun-loving travelers.

Just steps from the Mag Mile, the Waldorf Astoria Chicago is a haven of exclusivity, located near some of the city's best shops, dining, and nightlife. The elegant cobblestone roundabout outside the hotel leads guests into a lobby where a crystal chandelier patterned after a Coco Chanel brooch hangs high above. The restaurant features classic American cuisine for dinner, lunch, and breakfast—when the lobster toast steals the show. A speakeasy lounge serves classic cocktails alongside drinks with unique twists like dry ice, gold leaf, and a tableside experience. Guest rooms feature fireplaces, wet bars, oversized bathrooms with soaking tubs, and suites with outdoor terraces. There's also a fitness center, pool, and spa.

With some of the best views in Chicago, the Trump International Hotel & Tower attracts power brokers, women in fur coats, and anyone else who is prepared to pay for top-of-the-line luxury. The spacious, elegant guest rooms have muted gray walls, cream-color couches, and chocolate-brown furniture; each has its own small kitchen, plus a TV inside the bathroom mirror. The full-service spa is immense, and the on-site restaurant and bars are outstanding. If you book a suite, a chauffeur will drive you around town.

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.

Chic yet comfy, the guest rooms in this hot boutique hotel have an earthy palette and clean-lined wood fururnishings; it's ideal crash pad for the young trendy travelers that are seen buzzing around the lobby and also the innovative rooftop lounge, Apogee. In terms of sweeping views, it's tough to beat those from this hangout that attracts locals and visitor alike. Note that Dana makes creative use of recycled materials; the spa's flooring (made of crushed beer bottles) looks like high-end marble.

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.

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.

This 1927 building got a fresh new life as a combination upmarket hostel/traditional hotel that attracts the young and free spirited with a hot nightlife scene and city-apartment-style rooms. The vibe is boho chic; the bar is the end-all-be-all in tiki creativity. 

Tech-minded travelers who like to mix business with pleasure will feel right at home at this hotel, which has what worker bees need (generously sized in-room desks with multiple outlets) and what party animals want (a sizzling rooftop bar, I|O Godfrey). Rooms have glittering city views and start at 350 square feet. An on-site spa with two treatment rooms offers 30-minute massages that are perfect for the corporate crowd.

Named for the late sculptor Gwen Lux, this central hot spot recalls the 1930s, from its rooftop bar to its restaurant to its monochromatic-glam guest rooms.

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.

With cheerful rooms and nicely designed public spaces, the Hotel Cass is a true boutique property that bears little resemblance to more generic branches in the Holiday Inn chain. The crisp white lobby is sparse and elegant, and the dramatic red hallway is offset with humorous portraits. Accommodations are modern and bright, with green headboards that nearly reach the ceiling and artwork that includes photos of 1950s fashion icons; subway-style tiles in the bathroom hark back to the 1920s.

Eclectic design meets high-tech details in this daring boutique newbie, which has robots delivering room service to your small, midcentury modern–inspired quarters. The wired, inspired philosophy and amenities (like in-room Amazon Alexa) attract business guests, who like to use the steampunk-style lobby as their office-away-from-office.

In the middle of one of Chicago's most vibrant neighborhoods and close to Rush Street nightlife, this trendy hot spot delivers solid rooms and excellent cuisine. In the bright and inviting "living room" lobby, you'll be offered a complimentary glass of wine daily at 5 pm. Texture is everything here; the speckled woodwork adds a unique touch to the spacious and modern rooms. The bathrooms feel vaguely Zen, with spartan countertops and marble Jacuzzi tubs in the suites.

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.

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 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.

Location is a big draw for visitors to this hotel near the Magnificent Mile; inside you'll find spacious, comfortable rooms in neutral shades, with modern-looking bathrooms and superlative city views.The clientele is international but also includes suburbanites eager for a city fix. Don't linger in the small lobby—with little more than a check-in desk and a few chairs, there's not much excitement there; ascend instead to the 18th floor, where Drumbar offers craft cocktails, roaring fireplaces in winter, and a bustling patio in warmer weather.

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.

Opened in early 2021, the Sable is the first hotel located right on Navy Pier in the latter's 100-plus year history. The location makes it a perfect spot to not only watch all the action on the pier but also the skyline and the fireworks that light up the summer sky. While the 50-acre Navy Pier boasts plenty of dining and drinking options, the Sable’s rooftop bar, Offshore (which covers 20,000 square feet), and Lírica Restaurant are big draws.