The Best Hotels in Chicago

Directly connected to Nordstrom and Shops at Northbridge, weekend Tipsy Tea by James Beard Award-winning chef Carrie Nahabedian, winter curling rink on the rooftop terrace 

This Mag Mile hotel is named for Chicago sculptress Gwen Lux, and replicas of her original work adorn the hotel entry. Smooth wooden floors and bronze metal screens are accented by plush blue velvet couches in the lobby, setting the tone for a stylish stay. All 311 rooms have marble soaking tubs and junior suites are especially spacious–a worthwhile upgrade. Many rooftops in Chicago are seasonal, but The Gwen's fifth floor terrace lounge, Upstairs at The Gwen, is open year-round with fire pits, plus a curling rink and alpine chalet in winter.

The hotel is centrally located on Michigan Avenue, which is perfect for shopping. You can even take an elevator directly to Nordstrom and Shops at Northbridge, one of Chicago's top luxury malls. That means during cold winters, there's no need to don a coat to shop 'til you drop. 

Complimentary BMW house car, Langham Club lounge with breakfast buffet, afternoon tea and evening cocktails and canapés, cinema suite for private screenings that seats up to 12 people

The nondescript exterior of a former IBM office building designed by Mies van der Rohe belies the beauty and glamour awaiting in the sparkling double-height lobby at The Langham, Chicago, with marble floors and gleaming floating glass pebbles above the front desk. Club Level guests can skip the lobby entirely and check in at the 12th floor club lounge while enjoying champagne and gourmet bites with views overlooking the Chicago River. The $150 daily fee to upgrade for club access is well worth it. 

Spa treatments here are unlike anything else you'll find in Chicago, including acupuncture, cupping, gua sha, and moxibustion, along with more traditional massages and HydraFacials. You'll fill out a questionnaire beforehand to determine your current dominant element–earth, fire, air or water–with treatments recommended accordingly. Even if you haven't booked a treatment at Chuan Spa, hotel guests can enjoy the Himalayan salt sauna, herbal steam rooms, and heated loungers.

Every suite has a washer and dryer in-unit, sheet masks in the bathroom, extras like yoga mats, coolers, bikes and sleds can be placed in your room upon request

The large apartment-style suites at The Neighborhood Hotel feel like you're crashing at a stylish friend's pied-à-terre in a late 1800s walk-up, rather than a hotel. A well-curated collection of contemporary art by local artists, books and accessories reflect the neighborhood's happy-go-lucky vibe and you're within easy walking distance of attractions like North Pond Nature Sanctuary, Lincoln Park Conservatory, and Lincoln Park Zoo.

Several of the 14 suites have two or three bedrooms and most have sleeper sofas. There are even a couple suites with bunk beds available for families too. There's no restaurant, but delicious food options are just down the street, including Jibaritos for authentic Puerto Rican street food and The Weiners Circle for a classic Chicago-style hot dog right next door.

Indoor heated pool open daily all year long with pool toys upon request, bedtime story cart, iPads on loan with pre-loaded games and movies 

This 400-room hotel is within walking distance to family-friendly attractions like Maggie Daley Park, Millennium Park and Navy Pier, which you can spot from lake view suites. All rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, suites have a separate living area for kids to play, and 88 rooms have an adjoining option for families. Plus, the hotel offers a bunch of unique amenities for kids, including children's coloring books, crayons, and board games available to rent.

The lobby is spacious with plenty of outlets if mom or dad needs to get out of the room to work and a new chef team has upped the ante on food at ETA Restaurant and Bar. There are healthy breakfast options like protein bowls and avocado toast along with more indulgent coconut waffles and cinnamon French toast so everyone in the family can eat up before embarking on a day exploring the city. Book the Splash and Snooze package for bedtime story cart service with milk and cookies, pool toys, and a pop-up kid's tent set up in your suite during your stay.

Healthy grab-and-go options from Staytion Market, chic rooftop cocktail bar and lounge for entertaining clients, dry cleaning service

Centrally located in the Loop, Renaissance Chicago is a great home base if you're exploring the city using public transportation, and it's easy to access from both Chicago O'Hare and Midway airports. Rooms are traditional but serviceable, with pops of modern art and useful updates like bedside charging cord stations. Business travelers will appreciate onsite printing, fax and copy services at FedEx along with parcel service upon request. Plus, there are 22 separate event rooms and 28 breakout rooms, equipped with audiovisual technology for a variety of meetings.

Raised Urban Rooftop is a fun spot to gather after hours and entertain colleagues and clients. The lobby is also well-equipped for group brainstorm sessions with communal tables and cushioned bleacher-style seating with plentiful outlets.

Pool table, The Bar at Hotel Zachary has outdoor terrace views of Wrigley Field, complimentary cookies and coloring books at front desk for kids

Just across the street from Wrigley Field, Hotel Zachary is named for the architect who designed the legendary ballpark and it's a great spot for baseball fans, families and travelers looking for a local Chicago neighborhood experience. The Bar at Hotel Zachary is a fun social hub, with weekly live music. Plus, it's a great place to catch a Cubs game if you don't have a ticket. 

Guestrooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Wrigley and Wrigley Stadium, with historical photographs, and rare Wrigley Field memorabilia decorating each room. There are more than a half dozen local eateries on Gallagher Way, the same block as the hotel, including barbecue at Smoke Daddy, tacos at Big Star, and coffee and sweet treats at West Town Bakery + Tap.

24-hour fitness center with customized workouts by Fitbod, complimentary two-hour bike rentals

Originally opened in 1926, Ambassador Chicago was one of the city’s original boutique hotels, hosting everyone from Frank Sinatra and Elizabeth Taylor to David Bowie throughout the years when The Pump Room was a magnet for celebrities. Now renamed the Ambassador Room, the restaurant is no longer a crown jewel, but only offers a basic menu of soup, sandwiches and pastas.

There are reasonably priced suites on each floor, with 52 suites in total, and rooms are light and modern, with bright white walls and minimal décor making the space feel larger. That's a stark contrast to the moody library just off the lobby, which is a cozy spot to work if your room isn't quite ready yet for check-in.