12 Good Hotels in the Skyscrapers of Chicago

Chicago is the largest city in the Midwest and one of the most important cities in America. Many of the city's hotels are located in the Loop (the downtown) and along the Magnificent Mile. These hotels are integrated into the city's skyscrapers. The most prestigious area in Chicago is Michigan Avenue from the north of the river to the luxury shopping street, Oak Street. South of the Chicago River, in the Loop area, there are many points of interest including Millennium Park, important museums, and Navy Pier. This is the most toured area of all Chicago, and it's worth finding accommodation as close as possible to it. The quiet area of central Chicago is River North, featuring smaller and more intimate hotels with a much more relaxed Chicago vibe. O'Hare Airport hotels are also a very convenient option for staying in the city, with plenty of excellent business hotels, motels, and more near the airport.

The sparkling Trump Tower on the Chicago River
The sparkling Trump Tower on the Chicago River

So before you rush to find a flight to Chicago, want to get to know the Windy City a bit?

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Luxury Hotels in Chicago

The Langham Chicago

The Langham Chicago is one of the most luxurious hotel establishments in the Windy City. It is located on the north bank of the Chicago River, opposite the gleaming Trump Tower building. This is a very high-quality hotel with meticulous culinary standards, spacious and modern rooms, a grand lobby, spa facilities, an indoor pool, and plenty of style. The Langham is one of the most efficient hotels among Chicago's luxury establishments, blending modern qualities with high service standards and excellent facilities.

The Wrigley Building on the Chicago River at the end of the Magnificent Mile
The Wrigley Building on the Chicago River at the end of the Magnificent Mile

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Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago

The sparkling luxury establishment, built by the initiative of the super-celebrity/businessman/President of the USA, Donald Trump, is one of the most impressive landmarks of modern Chicago. The hotel structure is a must-see in the city and is among the most remarkable skyscrapers that symbolize the construction of the 1980s in the city. This is a grandiose luxury hotel, with a very lavish lobby, high culinary standards, stunning amenities including a spa and indoor pool, and a perfect location on the Chicago River, adjacent to the historic Wrigley Building.

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Four Seasons Chicago

The luxurious Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago is located at the most exclusive spot in the city – on Michigan Avenue at the north end of the Magnificent Mile, right across from the John Hancock Tower and one block from the prestigious East Oak Street. It's one of the most expensive and upscale hotels in Chicago, a dream come true for those who can afford it. The hotel boasts well-equipped rooms, an impressive lobby, top-notch culinary standards, spa facilities, an indoor pool, and the highest level of hospitality experience.

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The John Hancock and Oak Street Beach in Chicago
The John Hancock and Oak Street Beach in Chicago

 

Outstanding Four-Star Hotels in Downtown Chicago

Loews Chicago Hotel

Loews Chicago is a fantastic four-star hotel located in the most strategic spot of downtown. It's within walking distance of the Chicago River and Millennium Park to the south, the Navy Pier to the east, and the Magnificent Mile to the west. This is a hotel situated in a modern skyscraper with well-equipped rooms (and breathtaking views from the upper floors), a great restaurant, and other urban amenities such as a gym, a luxurious lobby, and more.

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Pendry Chicago

Pendry Chicago is an excellent four-star hotel located in the northern part of the Loop on Michigan Avenue. The hotel is housed in a historic skyscraper from the early 20th century, just a short walk from Millennium Park and the Navy Pier. At Pendry, you'll find refurbished and well-equipped rooms, stunning views, excellent culinary offerings, an elegant Art Deco lobby, and an atmosphere of Chicago that blends old and new.

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Sable At Navy Pier Chicago, Curio Collection By Hilton

The brand hotel of the Hilton chain is located in one of the most attractive spots in Chicago (technically), right on the Navy Pier. This is a four-star hotel offering stylish accommodations above the waterline, adjacent to the attractions of one of the most famous tourist sites in the Windy City. The hotel features spacious and luxurious rooms, a good restaurant, and most importantly, all the fun of the famous pier is just a step away from your doorstep.

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The Navy Pier and John Hancock Tower in Chicago
The Navy Pier and John Hancock Tower in Chicago

Bluegreen Vacations Hotel Blake, Ascend Resort Collection

The Bluegreen is a great four-star hotel in the central part of The Loop, not far from the LaSalle train station and a ten-minute walk from the Art Institute of Chicago and Millennium Park. It's a small urban hotel but very efficient in terms of value for money. The hotel offers spacious and comfortable rooms, good culinary standards, and a central location, often at a reasonable price, especially compared to the larger hotels on Michigan Avenue.

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InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, an IHG Hotel

The InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile Hotel is a fine lodging experience (not earth-shattering) in one of the most important historical buildings on the Magnificent Mile. The hotel is housed in a historic skyscraper from the early 20th century with oriental elements. The structure is one of the most important and stunning on the Magnificent Mile, adjacent to the magnificent Tribune Tower and next to the Wrigley Building. The hotel used to be five stars but has aged a bit. It features relatively large rooms and good dining. The public areas of the hotel also accommodate tourists who come to see the building, giving you the chance to sleep in a historic place.

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Millennium Park and Downtown Chicago
Millennium Park and Downtown Chicago

 

Great Three-Star Hotels in Downtown Chicago

Residence Inn by Marriott Chicago Downtown/Loop

The Residence Inn by Marriott is one of the best three-star hotels in downtown Chicago. It's a really great hotel in an excellent location, right in the heart of downtown between the Sears Tower, Millennium Park, and Michigan Avenue. The Residence Inn is an efficient urban hotel with small but renovated and equipped rooms, spacious public areas such as a large lobby, a good breakfast restaurant, and more. The hotel offers great value for money in terms of its location.

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Hilton Garden Inn – Chicago Central Loop

The Willis Tower in Downtown Chicago
The Willis Tower in downtown Chicago

The three-star brand of the Hilton chain is located on the western side of downtown Chicago, across the street from the spectacular Sears Tower (Willis Tower), the tallest and most famous skyscraper in Chicago. Besides the amazing view of the tower, the hotel offers small and renovated rooms, a good breakfast restaurant, excellent service, and a spotless stay.

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SpringHill Suites by Marriott Chicago Chinatown

The three-star hotel branded as SpringHill by Marriott offers very comfortable accommodations within Chicago. The hotel is located next to the intersection of I-55 and I-90, on the border between Chinatown and Near South Side. It serves as a sort of motel in a central location within the city, not in the most glamorous part of Chicago, but in an incredibly efficient spot as a base for exploring downtown. This is a family apartment hotel with kitchenettes and everything needed for a longer stay. The hotel is very clean and organized, the rooms are modern, and there's a great public space.

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The Buckingham Hotel

The Buckingham Hotel is a very cozy three-star hotel not far from the LaSalle train station in the heart of downtown Chicago. The hotel is just a short walk from the Sears Tower and two blocks from the historic skyscrapers of the Loop. The hotel features sparkling, modern rooms, a great breakfast restaurant, a nice lobby, and a design that aims to be modern. It offers very comfortable accommodations right in the center of Chicago at a completely reasonable price (considering the area).

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Cloud Gate in Millennium Park, Chicago
Cloud Gate in Millennium Park, Chicago

 

4 Tips from Guy for a Perfect Stay in Chicago

Chicago is the most important city in the heart of the United States. This undisputed capital of the Midwest is an impressive urban tourist destination boasting excellent museums, sites, attractions, efficient shopping, and especially a restaurant and street food scene that's considered one of the leading in the USA. One of the city's nicknames is ‘The Second City,' reflecting its vigorous competition with New York. Today, Chicago attracts a massive number of tourists discovering one of the most attractive and unique cities in America.

  1. Chicago's Historic Hotels – A unique accommodation experience in Chicago includes its luxurious hotels located in the city's historic skyscrapers, especially along the Magnificent Mile. Hotels like the InterContinental or The Drake are institutions that are not just places to stay but also tourist attractions. These buildings are part of the city's must-see sites, often early 20th-century skyscraper gems.
  2. Motels in the Chicago Metropolitan – The motels in Chicagoland (the vast Chicago metro area) are ideal for those arriving with a car who don't want to deal with navigating downtown or the headache of parking. There are areas with excellent motels, for example along the I-88 corridor between the suburbs of Oak Brook (the birthplace of McDonald's) and Lombard. However, there are also some really bad motels in quite scary areas. It's essential to find motels in a safe suburban location and avoid Chicago's less welcoming areas.
  3. When to visit Chicago? – Chicago's climate is cold continental. The winters are freezing and often snowy (you'll need to account for the drop in temperature due to the Wind Chill in the Windy City), while summers are warm and very pleasant. Of course, summer is a great time to visit Chicago, with plenty of sunshine and a lovely atmosphere for exploring the city. Visiting in winter is also recommended, just make sure to dress warmly.
  4. A critical eye for online reviews – Generally, the hotel standards in Chicago range from average to good. There are excellent urban hotels, really good motels, and even some fun areas for a stay and tour. Yet, there are also terrible hotels in the Windy City and genuinely catastrophic areas not far from downtown, where the appeal of low accommodation prices should be resisted at all costs. It's wise to read reviews of the hotel you wish to book on dedicated sites like Booking and TripAdvisor.

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35 East Wacker Drive Building in Chicago
35 East Wacker Drive Building in Chicago

 

The best districts to stay in Chicago

Here are 4 areas we think are the best to stay in Chicago:

  1. The Magnificent Mile – Historic hospitality institutions
  2. River North District – Boutique hotels and three-star hotels in the central district
  3. Downtown Chicago – The Loop – Urban hotels in the shadow of America's tallest towers
  4. O'Hare Airport Hotels – Modern business hotels and motels

 

Map of Accommodation Areas in Chicago

Where to stay in Chicago?
Where to stay in Chicago? (Source: Google Maps)