Skip to content
AmericaTraveller

Type a city, a park, a road trip, a state or a question (“tipping”, “ESTA”). Use ↑ ↓ to move, Enter to open, Esc to close.

Shortcuts

Menu

Where to stay in Chicago

A Five-Star hotel in a Mies van der Rohe tower on the river, and a River North boutique hotel with breakfast and wine included.

  1. The Langham, ChicagoLuxury · River North, on the Chicago River$$$$
  2. Kinzie HotelMid-range · River North, a short walk north of the Chicago River$$$$
Standout pick
The Langham, Chicago · $$$$
Easy choice
Kinzie Hotel · $$
Best time
May–Oct
Ideal stay
3 days
Hotel budget
$160–$350 / night

Chicago rewards a base in the center, where the river, the lake and the museums are a walk away. Our exclusive pick is a Forbes Five-Star hotel in a Mies van der Rohe tower on the Chicago River; our accessible pick is a boutique hotel in River North with breakfast and an evening reception included. Prices are shown as a level, from $ to $$$$: rates move with the season and the room, so check the live price before you plan.

The Langham, Chicago

$$$$
Pick no. 1 · The standoutLuxuryRiver North, on the Chicago River

Luxury hotel in a Mies van der Rohe skyscraper on the river, 268 rooms and 48 suites

Photos: The Langham, Chicago, official website. Shown courtesy of the property.

A Forbes Five-Star hotel in a Mies van der Rohe tower on the Chicago River, with a spa and an indoor pool.

  • River and skyline views
  • Indoor pool
  • Chuan Spa
  • Health Club
See prices (official website)Opens the hotel’s official website.

Why we picked it

We would book it for the building and the river. The Langham fills a tower designed by Mies van der Rohe, with floor-to-ceiling windows over the Chicago River, a short walk from the Riverwalk, Michigan Avenue and Millennium Park. Add a 67-foot indoor pool, the Chuan Spa and afternoon tea in the Pavilion, and it is the address for a special Chicago trip, especially in the colder months when an indoor pool counts.

Best for

  • Architecture lovers
  • Couples and special occasions
  • Spa and pool time after sightseeing
  • Housed in a skyscraper designed by Mies van der Rohe, with floor-to-ceiling windows over the Chicago River and the skyline
  • Chuan Spa and a 67-foot indoor pool with a hydrotherapy hot tub, steam room and saunas
  • A Forbes Five-Star hotel with two Michelin Keys, according to the hotel

What the hotel offers

As listed on the hotel’s own website.

  • River and skyline viewsFloor-to-ceiling windows in a Mies van der Rohe skyscraper
  • Indoor pool67 feet, with a hydrotherapy hot tub, steam room and saunas; open 6 am to 8 pm
  • Chuan SpaTreatments inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine, daily 8 am to 8 pm
  • Health ClubFitness studio, complimentary for guests 18 and over
  • Wi-FiFree high-speed Wi-Fi
  • TravelleSeasonal American cooking for breakfast, lunch and weekend brunch
  • Travelle LoungeCocktails and light bites overlooking the Chicago River
  • Afternoon teaThe Langham Afternoon Tea in the Pavilion, Friday to Sunday, noon to 4 pm
  • Soaking tubsDeluxe and Premier rooms have a deep soaking tub and a rainfall shower
  • Family-friendlyChildren 17 and under stay free in existing bedding; Kids Suite created with the Chicago Children’s Museum
  • Pet-friendlyDogs and cats up to 35 lbs, $150 cleaning fee per short stay
  • Valet parking$88 per 24 hours with in-out privileges
  • Concierge24-hour front desk and concierge services

Kinzie Hotel

$$$$
Pick no. 2 · The easy choiceMid-rangeRiver North, a short walk north of the Chicago River

Boutique hotel in River North, with breakfast and an evening reception

Photos: Kinzie Hotel, official website. Shown courtesy of the property.

A River North boutique hotel with Chicago maps on the walls, breakfast and an evening reception included.

  • Continental breakfast
  • Evening reception
  • Wi-Fi
  • Fitness center
See prices (partner link, Trip.com)Official website Opens Trip.com, one of our booking partners.

Why we picked it

We would book it for value in the right place. Breakfast and an evening glass of wine are part of the stay, River North’s restaurants and bars start at the door, and the river, the Riverwalk and the architecture cruises are a few minutes on foot. It is a practical base for a first visit to Chicago.

Best for

  • First-time visitors
  • Food and nightlife lovers
  • Travelers with a dog or cat
  • Continental breakfast every morning and an evening reception with beer, wine and snacks from 5 to 7 pm
  • Rooms decorated with historic Chicago maps, some with skyline views
  • In River North’s restaurant district, a short walk from the river, the Riverwalk and the Magnificent Mile

What the hotel offers

As listed on the hotel’s own website.

  • Continental breakfastDaily on the sixth floor: weekdays 6:30 to 9:30 am, weekends 7 to 10:30 am
  • Evening receptionBeer, wine and snacks in the Double Cross Lounge, daily 5 to 7 pm
  • Wi-FiHigh-speed, for unlimited devices
  • Fitness center24 hours, on the fifth floor
  • Business center24 hours, with three PCs and printing
  • Front office helpCan arrange CTA passes, CityPASSes, dinner reservations and more, 24/7
  • Pet-friendlyUp to two dogs or cats per room, $95 fee per stay
  • Valet parking$80 per night with in-and-out access
  • City viewsDeluxe City View and corner rooms

Where to stay in Chicago, neighbourhood by neighbourhood

Chicago’s sights are concentrated around the river and the lakefront, and the elevated “L” trains loop right around downtown. Almost every visitor sleeps within a mile of the river; the choice is between business-district calm, River North’s restaurants, or a neighbourhood further north that feels like the city people live in.

  • River North

    Best for: first-timers, restaurants, the river

    The best all-round base. Both of our picks are here, one on the river and one a few blocks north.

    You gain
    Right across the river from the Loop: the Riverwalk, the architecture boat tours, dozens of restaurants and bars, the Magnificent Mile next door.
    You lose
    Lively late into the night around Hubbard Street; hotel parking is expensive.

    To Millennium Park: about 10–15 minutes on foot

    Our pick here: The Langham, Chicago ↑Our pick here: Kinzie Hotel ↑Hotels in River North partner link

  • The Loop

    Best for: museums, architecture, value at weekends

    Chicago’s business district and its architecture showroom. Rates often fall at weekends.

    You gain
    Millennium Park, the Art Institute and the lakefront museums on foot; every L line meets here.
    You lose
    Quiet in the evenings once offices empty out.

    To Millennium Park: you are in it

    Hotels in The Loop partner link

  • Streeterville & Magnificent Mile

    Best for: shopping, lake views, families

    Between the river and the Gold Coast, along the lake. Good for families who want space and a pool.

    You gain
    Michigan Avenue shopping, Navy Pier, the lakefront trail and beaches; big-name hotels with views.
    You lose
    Polished but a little impersonal; dining skews towards chains and hotel restaurants.

    To Millennium Park: about 15–20 minutes on foot

    Hotels in Streeterville & Magnificent Mile partner link

  • West Loop

    Best for: food lovers, design hotels

    Chicago’s dining heart, with a crop of newer design hotels.

    You gain
    Randolph Street and Fulton Market: the city’s most talked-about restaurants in old meatpacking warehouses.
    You lose
    A bus, train or long walk from the lakefront sights.

    To Millennium Park: about 10 minutes by L train

    Hotels in West Loop partner link

  • Gold Coast & Lincoln Park

    Best for: a residential feel, the lake, the zoo

    Where to stay to feel like a Chicagoan, especially in summer when the lakefront is the city’s backyard.

    You gain
    Mansions and brownstones, Oak Street Beach, Lincoln Park’s free zoo and conservatory.
    You lose
    Fewer hotels, most of them in the Gold Coast; Lincoln Park is a ride from downtown.

    To Millennium Park: about 15–25 minutes by L train or bus

    Hotels in Gold Coast & Lincoln Park partner link

Travel times are approximate, outside rush hour. No prices here on purpose: rates change by the night — check the live price on the partner site.

Riverside luxury or River North value: how to choose

Both hotels sit just north of the Chicago River, a few blocks apart, with the Loop and the Magnificent Mile on foot.

The Langham: luxury on the river

A Forbes Five-Star hotel in a Mies van der Rohe tower at 330 North Wabash, with river views, the Chuan Spa and a 67-foot indoor pool. Choose it for a special occasion or a winter stay when a pool and a spa count.

Kinzie Hotel: River North on a budget

A boutique hotel on Kinzie Street with breakfast and an evening reception included, in the middle of River North’s restaurants and bars. Choose it for a first visit when you want to spend on the city, not the room.

Still planning? Our Chicago travel guide covers the architecture cruise, the museums, getting around on the “L” and the best months to go.

Our Chicago travel guide

Hotels in Chicago: your questions

Where should I stay in Chicago for a first visit?

Stay in the center: the Loop and River North put the river, the museums and the lakefront within walking distance. Both our picks sit just north of the Chicago River, a short walk from the Riverwalk, the architecture cruise docks and the Magnificent Mile, with Millennium Park across the river. Read our Chicago travel guide

How far ahead should I book a hotel in Chicago?

Book as soon as your dates are fixed for June to October, and especially for Lollapalooza in early August and big convention weeks, when downtown fills up. Winter is easier and cheaper. Use the See prices button of each hotel for live availability.

When is the best time to visit Chicago?

May to October is the season: beaches, rooftop bars and free concerts in summer, and warm days with fewer crowds in September and October. From December to March highs hover around freezing and the wind off the lake bites. When to visit Chicago

How do I get from the airport to my hotel?

Take the “L”. From O’Hare, the Blue Line runs to Clark/Lake in about 40 to 45 minutes; from Midway, the Orange Line runs to State/Lake in about 32 to 40 minutes. Both hotels are a short walk from those stations. Taxis and ride-hail take 30 to 60 minutes depending on traffic.

Which of the two hotels suits families?

The Langham lets children 17 and under stay free in existing bedding, provides rollaway beds for free and has an indoor pool and a Kids Suite created with the Chicago Children’s Museum (check that it is open). Kinzie Hotel has double queen rooms and suites with a pull-out sofa, and breakfast is included.

Do I need a car or parking in Chicago?

No: downtown is flat and walkable and the “L” reaches both airports. If you drive, valet parking costs $88 per 24 hours at The Langham and $80 a night at Kinzie Hotel, so it is worth leaving the car at home.

Can I book these hotels directly?

Yes. The See prices button under The Langham, Chicago opens the hotel’s official website. For Kinzie Hotel it opens Trip.com, one of our booking partners. Both open in a new tab.

Exit 10And now?Our Chicago guideWhat to do, where to eat, getting there
Exit 17Route 66Road trip · 14–21 daysExit 24Chicago or Boston?Compare them side by sideExit 31Trip budgetRooms, food, car, gas, passes

Hotel picks for other destinations

Picked by Kylian Dev. These are editorial picks: no hotel paid to be here, and we never describe a stay we did not make. Facts come from each hotel’s own website; the Trip.com buttons are partner links (how we make money).