54 Best Hotels in Chicago, Illinois

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. The hotel's front terrace becomes a place to see and be seen in the summer months, especially during street festivals.

European travelers love this hotel for its residential feel; the rooms have black-and-white linens plus midcentury-inspired accents, and two-thirds of them have separate sitting areas with pull-out couches. The neighborhood is a safe and appealing escape from the downtown scene. The hotel's proximity to the El train, however, is both a blessing and a curse; you'll have easy access to downtown and the North Side, but the rumbling noise might be a pain at night. Amenities include a complimentary continental breakfast, afternoon cookies, tea and coffee all day, free Wi-Fi, and access to a nearby health club.

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.

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.

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 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 end-all-be-all in tiki creativity. 

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. Nearly 200 have access to a refreshed executive lounge, where complimentary breakfasts and evening snacks are available. 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. The on-site Sunny's Bar and Grill serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

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 Tuesday through Thursday (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.

Directly across from Lincoln Park, this historic property has a cool, kitschy vibe but still feels authentic, thanks to details like the original Hotel Lincoln sign in the lobby. Its guest rooms also combine vintage and modern elements, including original art; for the best views, ask for one on the ninth floor or above, facing east toward the park and the lake. Take in some of the city's best views over cocktails at the J. Parker rooftop lounge or grab a bite---dining options range from locally made pastries at casual Elaine’s Coffee Call to approachable American fare at the sleek Kennison restaurant to lavish 17-course feasts at Sushi Suite 202, an omakase “speakeasy” secreted inside a converted guest room.

A global-chic lobby featuring pops of color and texture (check out the high-gloss red alligator fabric on the registration desk) as well as rooms with steamer-trunk nightstands and Moroccan lamps inspire wanderlust. Another nice touch are the plush window seats. Complimentary high-end coffee is available each morning from 6 to 9, and guests are offered free wine each evening from 5 to 6.

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.

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.

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. 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 Eno, a wine, cheese, and chocolate bar.

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.

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); as of 2021, the hotel is part of Marriott's Le Meridien portfolio.

Nestled between Michigan Avenue and the lakefront, this hotel is loved by families for the suitelike accommodations and other offerings (game library, indoor pool, 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 restaurant known for whiskey and nose-to-tail cuisine has opened a six-room inn by the same name, and each of these homey quarters is full of original art and handcrafted furnishings. No room has the same look and feel, but each is residentially styled to appeal to the young travelers who stay here to be in the middle of a cool neighborhood scene. Comfortable and welcoming, it's like crashing at your (very tidy and organized) best friend's pad.

This 1927 hotel has had a number of identities—including the Speak Easy for Ralph 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 live jazz piano most nights.

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.

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.

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 compliment 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.

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.

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.

Perched on prime real estate on the south bank of the Chicago River, this cosmopolitan spot is shouldered by high-rises but you can enjoy 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.

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 a lobby market for snacks and drinks. 

An urban sanctuary amid iconic attractions, this hotel calls out to families with its generously sized rooms and indoor pool. Business travelers appreciate the large amount of meeting space, while everyone loves the Chicago Burger Company, a lively riverfront restaurant. There's also a fitness center, sun deck, and dry sauna.