Chicago is a cosmopolitan city, in the state of Illinois, famous for its spectacular architecture and skyline dotted by skyscrapers such as the iconic John Hancock Center, Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) and the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower. As such, there is an air of national pride that radiates from these towering landmarks of the Windy City that goes beyond the sweeping arch of its expansive lakeshore. Its presence embodies the values of the American heartland and a trip to Chicago offer visitors the chance to witness what an American city can accomplish through hard work and determination. Here, the sky’s the limit with its wealth of attractions that offer a brand-new perspective of the city’s marvelous skyline. Not to mention its idyllic setting on the shores of Lake Michigan, making the city home to a vibrant waterfront with gorgeous lakeside parks alongside a charming activity-packed pier. Likewise, the city is revered for its museums that houses some of the most sought-after historical treasures as well as notable Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works on display at the Art Institute of Chicago making it worth the visit.
For your convenience, we have narrowed down a list of luxury hotels in the city to make your visit to the Windy City a memorable experience unlike any other. Read on: Here is a list of five-star properties that makes Chicago a haven for today’s mindful traveler.
#1. Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile
Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile is nestled right at the heart of the Gold Coast Historic District and provides its guests with the best vantage point for exploring the Windy City. Towering at 32 floors, this sleek hotel offers stunning views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline.
From the dazzling glass façade, breathtaking lobby and beautifully curated venues to its elegantly appointed rooms and suites, you will witness the perfect blend of contemporary style and Sofitel’s touch points at every turn.
Here, you can stay in the lap of luxury, it is home to 415 spacious and bright guestrooms with modern conveniences such as flat-screen LCD televisions, coffeemakers, and Bose sound system. Moreover, the Hotel’s marble bathrooms come with separate showers and bathtubs as well as luxe toiletries by Lanvin.
To satisfy your cravings, you can visit the hotel’s Café des Architectes known for its delicious French-inspired cuisine then head on to Le Bar to sample its impressive French wine and Champagne offerings. The Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile also has a fitness center which is available for 24-hours when you need to break a sweat after indulging on too much food.
#2. The Drake Hotel
The Drake Hotel is revered as one of Chicago’s grand dames with a celebrated history that dates back since its opening in the 1920s. It is nestled along the upscale Magnificent Mile and the hotel of choice of icons such at Marilyn Monroe, Princess Diana and Winston Churchill when they visited the Windy City.
Suffice to say, The Drake has been a landmark in the city and a symbol of turn-of-the-century elegance. As such, travelers the world over are lured by its old-world charms and high standards of service as expected from a great hotel. Of course, its location plays a big factor as well since it is close to all the action that Chicago has to offer.
Here, you can expect nothing less than the finest in convenience and comfort from The Drake. Essentially, it is home to 535 luxurious guest rooms and 74 elegantly-appointed suites that will make your stay truly a pleasurable experience.
Conversely, you can savor the royal treatment in the storied Palm Court for some afternoon tea so you can bask in all the glory of this historical venue frequented by newsworthy luminaries.
#3. Hyatt Centric Chicago Magnificent Mile
Hyatt Centric Chicago is conveniently located new Magnificent Mile and other downtown attractions of the Windy City. The Hotel is characterized by its modern approach to design as it leaps forward to the 21st century.
It is home to 419 guestrooms that are spacious and purposely-designed to provide comfort and convenience for its in-house guests. As expected from a Hyatt branded hotel, the interiors are stylishly furnished with state-of-the-art amenities befitting a luxury property. Likewise, the thoughtfully decorated rooms have modern touches like the multi-device Apple docking stations and plug-in media consoles.
With its ideal location in the heart of downtown Chicago, it is not wonder why Hyatt Centric Chicago is the preferred hotel by business and leisure travelers alike. As such, it is just a block east of Michigan Avenue where a variety of shops are located as well as remarkable restaurants, bars and clubs.
Likewise, a short leisurely walk will take you to Lake Michigan, Navy Pier, museums, art galleries among other hotspots. In addition, the welcoming vibe of the Hyatt Centric Chicago’s homey atmosphere that is enhanced by the staff cordial approach to customer service has made this hotel a favorite among the new generation of socially mindful travelers.
#4. Thompson Chicago
The Thompson Chicago is located in a prime address in the heart of the tony Gold Coast neighborhood of the Windy City. It is a design-centric hotel characterized by its eclectic artworks and snazzy mid-century-inspired décor. Its well-curated interiors made innovative use of leather, velvet and modern fabrics for an added depth and texture to create a warm setting that draws in the fashionable set as well as weekend vacationers.
Here, you are enveloped in sheer avant-garde design in an utterly cool atmosphere. As such, this design aesthetics are carried over to the equally elegant, spacious and luxuriously-curated guestrooms of this 247-room hotel complete with up-to-date décor, luxe amenities and beautiful bathrooms. The rooms also feature floor-to-ceiling-windows with views of Lake Michigan and The Magnificent Mile.
To satisfy your fancy for good food, it also has a well-reviewed restaurant and bar which is a popular hotspot among locals and hotel patrons. Outside, you can explore the historic stately mansions that have long housed the city’s prominent families; go shopping in top-tier designer boutiques in the most upscale shopping district this side of town; or visit Oak Street Beach and the Museum of Contemporary Arts Chicago. The possibilities are endless!
#5. The Peninsula Chicago
The Peninsula Chicago has set the gold standard in the art of gracious hospitality. It is not that hard to imagine; the Peninsula brand’s hotel in the Windy City is the top-of-mind choice for stars and notable luminaries because of the discreet, attentive service and thoughtful attention to details accorded to them by the staff to make them feel right at home.
Suffice to say, it is a haven for luxury travelers who value substance above anything else. Here, the moment you see the stylishly-uniformed doormen in their signature white caps, you know that you are in for one memorable if not magical time at The Peninsula.
Inside, traditional European-style grandeur and gracious service is conferred upon every guest who visit or stay at The Peninsula Chicago. As such, the guest rooms at The Peninsula Chicago are adorned with an exquisite style and design elements mirroring the classic and elegant aesthetics of the public spaces.
Essentially, even the basic rooms at The Peninsula Chicago are spacious and come complete with a comfortable seating area, generously sized desk and private dressing area with ample storage and closet space. A visit is definitely worth it if you wish to be pampered like a celebrity in the course of a genuinely luxurious atmosphere.
#6. Virgin Hotels Chicago
The Virgin Hotels Chicago is a breath of fresh air in the thriving hotel scene in the city. It is nestled in downtown Chicago and is in close proximity to the Magnificent Mile and Millennium Park. Here, the hotel brand’s passion for innovation in the Food & Beverage scene as well as in music and culture intermixes with the local landscape in utter harmony through it unique offerings.
The Hotel boasts of 250 guestrooms that blends form and function seamlessly with its functional yet stylish design aesthetics. Likewise, the bedrooms are designed with your utmost comfort in mind with provisions for lush bed pillows, comforters and Egyptian cotton sheets, and modern amenities while free wireless Internet access keeps you connected.
Meanwhile, the private bathrooms with showers that feature rainfall showerheads and luxe toiletries ensure that you are refreshed after an active day in the city. Not to be missed is the trendy rooftop bar offering views of the dynamic cityscape of the Windy City where you can connect with vibrant social scene.
When you stay at the Virgin Hotels Chicago, you will experience a deeper sense of community with its inclusive atmosphere for travelers and local alike.
#7. The Langham, Chicago
The Langham is a jewel in the heart of Chicago and is an architectural landmark designed by the legendary Midcentury Modern master architect Mies van de Rohe. Here, art plays a pivotal role in the brand’s DNA with more than 140 artworks on display throughout this elegant hotel.
The Langham’s thoughtfully curated fine art collection is directly linked to the building’s renowned architect and his relationship with the Bauhaus. The latter has a deep influence for American artists and impassioned with its purpose to preserve its cultural significance to the city’s esteemed identity. The Langham, Chicago housed in the first twelve floors of an iconic building that towers 52-storeys high beside the Chicago River.
If you choose to stay in this historic site, the very best views are found in the southeast corner rooms with wide panoramic views of the river, the lake and the Loop. More significantly, this Midcentury Modern architectural gem was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2010 and by extension making The Langham a destination in itself. Indeed, a visit will make the experience truly worthwhile.
#8. Viceroy Chicago
The Viceroy Chicago is your five-star urban hideaway located in the historic Gold Coast. The Hotel offers high-rise views of Lake Michigan and its prime location affords you with a short leisurely walk to the Magnificent Mile where you can bask in the many attractions and hotspots within its radius. As such, the Viceroy Chicago is within the Near North Side community area which is one of the toniest parts of the city.
The Hotel is recognizable for its distinctive architectural design that blends the reconstructed bricks and terra cotta façade of the former 1920s hotel structure with a new 18-floor glass-clad high-rise tower. In addition, the Viceroy Chicago has a high-ceilinged lobby with marble floors, an elegant two-storey restaurant, a trendy bar, and a rooftop lounge.
Essentially, it is home to 180 well-appointed guestrooms including 1,675-square-foot penthouse suite complete with stunning views of Lake Michigan. Suffice to say, if you are in search of an upscale hotel where you can feel the pulse of the city, then the Viceroy Chicago definitely fits the bill for a grand time in the Windy City.
#9. Waldorf Astoria Chicago
The Waldorf Astoria Chicago is a welcome addition to the ever-evolving hotel scene in the Windy City which has definitely up the ante in terms of style and sophistication this side of town. In fact, the Hotel’s design of Art Deco aesthetics was inspired by the style of legendary designer Coco Chanel.
Inside, you will see snippets of this thematic inspiration like the window draperies patterned after her dress designs as well as the gorgeous chandeliers in the ballroom that are modeled after her jewelry which added an air of elegance in the space for milestone occasions.
Not to be missed is the Margeaux Brasserie: the first Chicago eatery of renowned celebrity chef Michael Mina. It is located at the third floor of this luxurious property and offers classic French fare that compliments the Waldorf Astoria Chicago’s grand Parisian vibe.
Most importantly, its prime address will afford you with convenient access to the Chicago’s tony Gold Coast neighborhood within walking distance to upscale shopping and dining. Interestingly, the city’s fashionable Oak Street is right outside its doorsteps.
#10. Nobu Hotel Chicago
The Nobu Hotel Chicago offers you the ideal setting in one of the most stylish hotels in the Windy City. The Hotel is nestled in Chicago’s West Loop and is strategically located on Randolph Street: home to the much-celebrated “Restaurant Row.”
The Nobu Hotel Chicago brings to life a unique blend of traditional Japanese sensibilities with new world functionality through its innovatively-playful architecture and design elements. Here, less is definitely more with its simple yet sophisticated ambiance that evocatively reflects its proud Japanese roots.
Most importantly, it is home to tastefully-appointed rooms and suites, a signature Nobu Restaurant, and the posh Nobu Rooftop complete with indoor social space and outdoor lounge overlooking Randolph Street. Without a doubt, a stay in this Nobu Hotel will take you into a culinary journey alike any other as you immerse in the gastronomic offerings of Nobu and explore outside in one of the most exciting culinary hubs this side of Chicago.
#11. Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago
The Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago is a stunning 92-storey tower of glass and steel that added glamour to the city’s ever-glitzy skyline. It is ideally nestled in a neighborhood along the Chicago River that will leave you mesmerized by the gorgeous views of the waterfront and the city beyond.
The Hotel features modern guestrooms that are adorned with custom-fitted and bespoke furniture, walk-in showers and provisions for a fully-stocked gourmet kitchen. In fact, you can request for your very own chef to prepare your favorite dishes or whip-up something sweet for dessert in the privacy of your own room.
If you fancy restaurant dining, you can visit the Terrace 16 and indulge your palate for a taste of American cuisine while enjoying the iconic views of Chicago’s infamous skyline. Afterwards, you can visit The Spa at the Trump Chicago for some relaxing me-time.
#12. Loews Chicago Hotel
The Loews Chicago Hotel is a modern yet welcoming urban escape in the heart of Streetville. It is nestled a few blocks east form the ritzy Magnificent Mile near the commercial area of Loop and less than a 10-minute walk to Navy Pier.
The Hotel is an idyllic setting to satisfy the needs of guests traveling for business or pleasure in the Windy City. Suffice to say, the hotel provides a wonderful sense of place as it harnesses Chicago’s rich history of timeless architecture, celebrated artists and top-notch designers of which the city’s foundations were established.
In addition, it is home to a state-of-the-art fitness center, 75-foot swimming pool, spectacular rooftop lounge, and a specialty restaurant. Here, the arrival experience is quick and personal via the hotel’s innovative welcome pods where you can check-in to register in utter privacy and convenience. Conversely, its well-appointed guestrooms are done in contemporary style and features floor-to-ceiling windows and views of either Navy Pier, Lake Michigan or the Chicago River.
#13. JW Marriot Chicago
The JW Marriot is another architectural jewel in Chicago. It is an upscale hotel housed is a historic neoclassical-style building with lavish crystal chandeliers and a grand staircase in the lobby. After a multi-million-dollar renovation to restore a former bank building, its architectural glory is now fully restored under the stewardship of the JW Marriot brand.
Its prime location is situated just a block from the Chicago Board of Trade at the center of the Loop. Likewise, it impressive address is favored by business travelers for its central location while leisure guests are fans of its well-equipped fitness center and massive spa for wellness treatments.
Moreover, its 610 well-appointed guestrooms are huge and features separate showers and soaking bathtubs. The guest rooms combine warm hues and rich textures with welcome modern conveniences such as thoughtfully-placed reading lights, multi-functional television sets, among other in-room amenities.
#14. Soho House Chicago
The Soho House Chicago is the quintessential venue where the hip and enlightened social set converge. It is a part boutique hotel, part members club, that offers a unique experience for travelers that are familiar with the Soho lifestyle.
As such, guests and locals alike praise the Soho House Chicago for its laid-back luxury offerings. As with other Soho Houses, the Chicago incarnation is aligned with the brand’s retro-hipster design ethos to serve as a vessel offering a host of amenities that include a rooftop pool and lounge, an expansive 17,00-square-foot gym, a 30-seat cinema, the Cowshed spa and a music venue for trendy events.
Here, you can choose from two members-only establishments that are open to in-hose guests or three eateries that are open to the public that serve everything from wood-oven pizza to free-range chicken dishes. After working up a big appetite, you can rest in its relaxing accommodation complete with king-sized beds, Egyptian cotton sheets and walk-in rain-showers.
#15. Palmer House Hilton
The Palmer House’s rich historical significance dates back in 1871 when this turn-of-the-century property was given as the ultimate wedding gift, by the original owner Potter Palmer, to his wife Bertha Honore – a beloved Chicago socialite.
Today, the Palmer House is under the helm of the Hilton brand which was bestowed a huge responsibility to safeguard its grandeur and mystique. The Palmer House is nestled in the heart of Downtown Chicago and stands within walking distance to the Windy City’s popular downtown destinations.
The Palmer House is home to 1,641 guestrooms that are designed to evoke the French art of luxury living as an homage to Bertha Honore heritage. As such, a stay in this glorious hotel is truly an immersive experience into Chicago’s gilded history.