Chicago’s a big city, but it’s easy to love if you land in the right spot for you. It’s one of those cities where some neighborhoods can feel like its own little world. With options all over the place, I’ve narrowed down the best hotels across different budgets and districts so you can skip the search spiral and just book it.
In a Hurry? Here Are Our Top Picks for Every Traveler’s Need!
TRAVEL TIP: DON’T WAIT to book a hotel you like, they go fast at popular destinations. Book it first with free cancellation to lock in the room; just cancel it if plans change. You’ll save hours of time & effort from trying to find another later.
Once you’ve figured out where to stay, the rest of the trip falls into place pretty easily. If you’re looking for inspo on how to spend your time, check out my picks for the best things to do in Chicago, or dive straight into the 3-day itinerary if you want a no-stress plan to follow. Also, these food tours are a fun way to taste your way through the city without doing all the research yourself.
Best Family Hotels In Chicago
Hotel Riu Plaza Chicago
If you’re traveling with kids, I highly recommend Riu Plaza Chicago. You’re super close to top attractions like Millennium Park and Navy Pier so no long train rides with restless kids! The rooms look spacious, with practical touches like blackout curtains (perfect for late sleepers) and coffee makers for parents.
Since the hotel is so close to major attractions, you could easily take breaks between sightseeing. Imagine cooling off with a swim after a morning at the museum! If you book a higher floor, you might even get those picture-perfect city views right from your room.
I’d suggest checking Riu Plaza Chicago on sites like Hotels.com or Booking.com to see if there are ongoing deals!
Nearby Attractions: Magnificent Mile (5 mins), Chicago Riverwalk (10 mins), Millennium Park (15 mins), Ohio Street Beach (1 km)
Nearby Transport: Grand Station (7 mins), Chicago Station (9 mins)
Pendry Chicago
Pendry Chicago looks like a fantastic upscale option for families who appreciate good design and convenience. I’m impressed by how they blend luxury with family-friendly touches like the free bike rentals along the Riverwalk and kid-sized bathrobes show they really think about all guests. That rooftop terrace must be incredible at sunset!
Personally, I like that the location is perfect for exploring, with Millennium Park just blocks away and easy train access to attractions like Lincoln Park Zoo. The restaurant’s approach to kid-friendly gourmet meals is clever: it solves that eternal “where can we eat that pleases everyone?” dilemma. For parents, having 24/7 fitness and dining options means you can actually relax on vacation too.
If this sounds awesome for you and your family, you can book your room via Hotels.com or check other sweet deals at Booking.com!
Nearby Attractions: Millennium Park (6 mins), Chicago Riverwalk (2 mins), Art Institute of Chicago (10 mins)
Nearby Transport: Randolph-Wabash Station (5 mins), State/Lake Station (5 mins)
Loews Chicago Hotel
Loews Chicago Hotel strikes me as the perfect urban retreat for travelers who want convenience without compromise. I love how it puts you right in the action (just 10 minutes from Navy Pier’s attractions) while offering a peaceful, upscale escape. Those rooms with lake and skyline views look absolutely stunning, and the included Keurig is such a thoughtful touch for us coffee lovers.
Here’s what I find most appealing: The rooftop terrace must be magical at golden hour, offering front-row seats to Chicago’s sparkling cityscape. With Navy Pier, Millennium Park, and shopping all within walking distance, you get the best of the city at your doorstep. And the lap pool is just perfect for recharging after a day of exploring. For me, the combination of location, amenities, and those breathtaking sunrise views would make this hotel worth the splurge.
Want a room with those lake or skyline views? Make sure to check Hotels.com or Booking.com for deals!
Nearby Attractions: Navy Pier (10 mins), Magnificent Mile (6 mins), Millennium Park (12 mins)
Nearby Transport: Grand Station (11 mins), State/Lake Station (13 mins)
Best Luxury Hotels in Chicago
Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile
Where else can you lounge on a cloud-like featherbed with floor-to-ceiling views of the skyline, then stroll to the Magnificent Mile in minutes? Well, a lot, but Sofitel Chicago stands out! It’s that perfect mix of Parisian chic and Chicago energy and is everything I want in a city stay.
The golden hour cocktails at Le Bar are popular as you can watch the city lights come to life. And the breakfast menu at Café des Architectes looks so good I’d wake up early for it and I’m not a morning person. I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty sure this is how you do luxury in Chicago, all the European elegance without any over the top pretentiousness.
Make sure to check Hotels.com or on Booking.com to see if you can score a deal on this downtown location.
Nearby Attractions: Magnificent Mile (2 mins), Lake Michigan (5 mins), Navy Pier (8 mins)
Nearby Transport: Chicago Station (Red Line, 3 mins), Grand Station (Red Line, 10 mins)
Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago
Trump Tower is for when you want to own Chicago, not just visit it. I mean, 92 floors up? Those floor-to-ceiling windows are like your personal postcard of the city. Lake, river, skyline, you get to pick your backdrop. And the suites are just basically a luxury apartment you’ll low-key want to live in forever. That soaking tub could fit an entire friend group, and the bed will make you cancel your plans just to nap in it.
Dinner at Terrace 16 is a dinner and a show (those views!) with Chicago as the star. And yeah, there’s a gym, but let’s be honest, you’re here for the steak, the spa, and the fact that you can basically roll out of bed and onto the Magnificent Mile. You’re basically the mayor of Magnificent Mile at this address.
Head over to Hotels.com or Booking.com for your VIP rate so you can wake up to skyline views and celebrity-level service in Chicago!
Nearby Attractions: Magnificent Mile (2 mins), Chicago Riverwalk (6 mins), Navy Pier (7 mins by car)
Nearby Transport: State Station (6 mins), Grand Station (7 mins)
Best Budget-Friendly Hotels In Chicago
citizenM Chicago Downtown
Let’s be real, some of us prefer to spend our money on deep dish and architecture boat tours, rather than a hotel room where we’re just coming back to sleep in. Enter citizenM and two words: location and value. I’m talking about a 3-minute walk to Millennium Park (bye bye, overpriced Ubers) and rooms that feel like a spaceship captain’s quarters. The mood lighting and cloud-like bed will definitely put you in danger of oversleeping!
The 24/7 canteen keeps you fed with global bites (you must try the bao buns), while the lobby bar’s craft cocktails are dangerously easy to order. Bonus: You’re closer to The Bean than your gym clothes are to being unpacked.
Their mobile check-in beats the front desk line, where you can just scan your phone and head straight to your zen den. And if you wanna experience that, head on over to Hotels.com or check other deals at Booking.com to maximize your stay!
Nearby Attractions: Millennium Park (7 mins), Cloud Gate (6 mins), Art Institute (10 mins)
Nearby Transport: Millennium Station (5 mins)
Swissotel – Chicago
You’re getting the VIP treatment here without the ridiculous price tag. Floor-to-ceiling windows serve up killer skyline views, while your room comes loaded with all the essentials (hello, coffee maker and comfy workspace). And if you’re feeling fancy after saving all that money, The Palm’s steaks will make you feel like a baller, but the lobby lounge works just fine for quick bites and cocktails.
You will love being able to bounce between Magnificent Mile shopping sprees and Lake Michigan’s waterfront paths within minutes. They even have bike rentals if you want to work off that deep-dish pizza.
Check deals and promos on Hotels.com or Booking.com; sometimes those lakeview upgrades cost less than your post-shopping coffee run! 😉
Nearby Attractions: Magnificent Mile (5 mins), Millennium Park (10 mins), Navy Pier (7-min drive)
Nearby Transport: State/Lake Station (13 mins)
Business Hotels In Chicago
Silversmith Hotel Chicago Downtown
Many travelers keep coming back to Silversmith Hotel when they need a downtown Chicago basecamp because of the location. You’re right in the Loop, just a quick stroll to Millennium Park, and all the financial district action. Your room comes loaded with work-from-anywhere essentials (we’re talking fast WiFi, coffee maker, fridge), plus a 24/7 gym and business center when you need to power up or power through.
The Adamus Lounge serve up legit craft cocktails and American bites in case you want to dine in while working. And the L train’s so close that you might make it to O’Hare faster than some Uber rides. Perfect blend of business-smart and explore-ready, actually!
Check Hotels.com or Booking.com for deals (you don’t wanna miss on these).
Nearby Attractions: Millennium Park (4 mins), The Art Institute of Chicago (7 mins), Magnificent Mile (20 mins)
Nearby Transport: State/Lake Station (3 mins), Millennium Station (4 mins)
The Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown
This is a total power move for your business trips. You’re basically living on Michigan Avenue. Millennium Park’s your front yard and the Mag Mile’s your backyard so it’s very convenient to grab food or stroll around. The rooms have big desks for working (some with skyline views), fast WiFi for actual work, and quick dry cleaning for when your suitcase murders your dress shirts.
After hours, Hoyt’s Tavern does steak dinners that’ll impress clients (or just your hungry self), and a lobby bar that serves drinks. And the best part is the L train’s right there so you can actually enjoy Chicago without blowing your per diem on cabs.
Hotels.com and Booking.com regularly have promos and discounts that will give you some savings!
Nearby Attractions: Millennium Park (4 mins), Riverwalk (1 min), Magnificent Mile (7 mins)
Nearby Transportation: State/Lake Station (5 mins), Clark/Lake Station (6 mins)
River Hotel
You’re winning before you even check in because it’s just minutes from Millennium Park with rooms that have all the necessities. The rooms have spacious work desks, comfy premium bedding, and stable WiFi. You can even go for a room with a kitchenette if you’re staying awhile.
And if you ever actually deed to flex your hustle, hit the 24/7 business center or one of three meeting rooms. Need to unflex after all that flexing? Hit up the fitness center (or just yoga in your room, they provide the mat). With dry cleaning, room service, and the Loop basically at your doorstep, this is how business travel should feel minus the usual headaches.
Check out rates at Hotels.com or see other deals at Booking.com!
Nearby Attractions: Millennium Park (10 mins), Magnificent Mile (5 mins), Art Institute of Chicago (10 mins)
Nearby Transportation: State/Lake Station (6 mins), Clark/Lake Station (7 mins)
Your Base Is Booked… Now Go Fall in Love with Chicago
I’ll let you in on a little secret for your Chicago trip: the key to making the most out of it is to book early, travel off-season if you can (spring and fall are chef’s kiss), and pick a stay that fits you, not just your budget. Want a rooftop pool for the kids? Go for it. A quiet desk with strong WiFi for your work trip? I have an option for that.
And then, once you’ve nailed down where to stay, it’s time to dive into the city. If it’s your first visit, I highly recommend checking out these classic things to do in Chicago; it’s packed with fun, easy ideas that show you the best of the Windy City without feeling overwhelming. Have fun!
