83 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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Exuberant original art is everywhere at this boutique property that's rich with design details and thoughtful touches—see the inviting lobby fireplace and the custom wooden cabinetry, hardwood floors, and turntables in every guestroom. (A curated library of Chicago-centric vinyl is kept at the front desk.) Mesler, the stylish first-floor cocktail bar and restaurant, is a popular hangout for local professionals. Yes, Hyde Park's a bit of a haul from the city center—but with digs this glam, who needs the Loop?   

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.

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.

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

On a quiet block between bustling Michigan Avenue and the Lake Michigan shoreline, this 45-story pink-granite building has suites with stunning views of Millennium Park. The standard rooms, with their neutral colors and contemporary decor, are spacious at 425 square feet, and the bathrooms include both a tub and a shower. The on-site Leaf Spa has eight treatment rooms for those seeking a relaxing respite from sightseeing. This spot is ideal for visitors wanting to take in Millennium Park's popular summer concerts.

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.