The best hotels in Chicago

This swanky icon spells luxury all the way, from its distinguished art collection to the award-winning spa and fitness center. High-tech bedside control panels in rooms, afternoon tea in the lobby, and grand fireplaces in the bar are just some of the hotel’s perks. Should you find the time to leave this lovely spot (we're not judging you if you don't) you'll find you're a small walk away from the Museum of Contemporary Art, and Water Tower Place. All of the good stuff. 

Mood? City-centre opulence. 
Location perks? Part of the centrally-located prime real estate along Chicago’s Magnificent Mile.
Budget range? One to splash the cash on.
Time Out tip: Hit up the decadent chocolate bar on Friday and Saturday evenings.

With views of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan, a top-notch restaurant, a massive ballroom, and 316 spacious rooms and suites, it's not surprising that the Langham is often recognized as one of the best hotels in the country. The posh River North accommodations opened in the summer of 2013, and it is the world’s only hotel in a Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe–designed building. So you're gonna be staring around at everything. Embrace it. A real glamourous pick. 

Mood? Glitz and glamour. 
Location perks? Just two blocks away from shopping, dining, and entertainment galore over at Michigan Avenue's Magnificent Mile.
Budget range? On the expensive side.
Time Out tip: Book a treatment at the award-winning wellness retreat, Chuan Spa, featuring everything from traditional Chinese Medicine to body rejuvenation and massage therapy.

Stay in the heart of Gold Coast when you check into this architectural stunner. Each room looks like it was plucked straight out of a design magazine, with smart touches including gold headboards, funky light fixtures and massive swaths of white marble. But the top-notch dining options are what set this hotel apart. Adjacent to the lobby is Somerset, an all-American eatery with country club vibes and a fantastic fried chicken sandwich. 

Mood? Design-conscious comfort. 
Location perks? Ten minutes from Oak Street Beach, and under two miles from Navy Pier and Millennium Park. 
Budget range? Mid-range.
Time Out tip: When night falls, head upstairs to swanky Devereaux for a nightcap by the pool. 

To say the restored 1890s Chicago Athletic Association is beautiful is putting it mildly. Stay in one of the 241 luxury boutique rooms – throwbacks to the club rooms of athletic associations long gone. There’s Cindy’s rooftop restaurant and more great food and drinks at Cherry Circle Room and even Shake Shack, there’s no shortage of options. You know you want a burger, you know you do. And their shakes... irresistible!

Mood? Putting the Chic in Chicago. 
Location perks? Unparalleled view of Millennium Park and Lake Michigan. 
Budget range? Caters to various budgets.
Time Out tip: Hunt out the Game Room, where you can play bocce, shuffleboard and billiards while sipping a cocktail. 

This boutique hotel puts you in the epicenter of River North. The rooms here are modern and sleek with floor-to-ceiling windows, in-room tech, and a fridge stocked with wines available for purchase (bonus: most are very reasonably priced). Before your stay, though, you’ll want to check out the luxe spa offerings. Book an energizing ginseng facial, an aromatherapy massage, or a citrus detox wrap. If you can even fathom leaving such a nice place, you'll find you're really close to great shops and museums, so it'll be worth your time. Plus, if you're tired, there's that spa.

Mood? Luxe city living. 
Location perks? Steps away from the Magnificent Mile and a stone's throw from the Loop.
Budget range? Very reasonable rates.
Time Out tip: Make a reservation at Portsmith, the new first-floor restaurant that specializes in pristine seafood and indulgent ingredients (uni-drenched cacio e pepe, anyone?).

This gorgeous hotel, first opened in 1910, has had an intriguing run so far. Many US presidents have stayed here (including Teddy Roosevelt), it was a favorite hangout of Al Capone and his cronies, and Maharishi Yogi, the Beatles' personal guru, once owned the building. So Zen vibes are guaranteed. Now it's simply one of the most beautiful hotels in the Loop and a favorite for bands playing at the nearby Lollapalooza music festival in August. There's a 24-hour gym here, if that's your vibe. 

Mood? Grand European-style elegance. 
Location perks? It’s a short walk to the Art Institute of Chicago, Magnificent Mile's shops and much more.
Budget range? Caters to most budgets.
Time Out tip: Don't miss the attached Spanish small-plates restaurant, Mercat a la Planxa.

As you might have imagined, Virgin Hotels Chicago is pretty swanky. Opened in 2015, this hotel in the heart of the Loop is all done up in red and white, with ultra-modern decor throughout. You may never want to leave your sleek, spacious room – it has free Wi-Fi, heavenly soft robes, pour-over coffee, a rainforest shower head, and an app that controls the room’s temperature –but you should. There’s so much to explore throughout the hotel itself. Kick back at Two Zero Three Coffee and Wine Bar, the cozy coffee shop that looks out onto Wabash Avenue. Of course, there’s also Miss Ricky’s diner-style restaurant for brunch or lunch, and the super hip rooftop bar and nightclub, Cerise, for an evening of dancing. 

Mood? Sultry Mid-century style. 
Location perks? A short walk from Millenium Park, and less than ten minutes to Navy Pier by car. 
Budget range? Caters to many budgets.
Time Out tip: Hit the ‘social hour’ at the Commons Club any night from 5pm to 6pm, for all the free, fanciful cocktails you can drink.

The Gwen Hotel opened in September 2015 in one of the rare landmark buildings of Art Deco–infused architecture along the Magnificent Mile. The rooms are handsomely appointed, and the hotel itself is leaning into the artistic connection of its new name, complete with an "Artist-in-Residence Program". Very nice. What's also nice is that there are two on-site restaurants and a rooftop terrace, and the Theatre district is a small walk away. Go have fun. 

Mood? Art-Deco glamour. 
Location perks? The hotel is connected to the Shops at North Bridge and offers easy access to popular attractions in the Loop.  
Budget range? Mid-range.
Time Out tip: Visit Upstairs at The Gwen, where you can sip cocktails, wine and beer on the rooftop terrace. Go Monday to Thursday between 4pm and 5:30pm for special prices. 

Little expense has been spared at this 198-room Magnificent Mile property, housed in the lower third of a slender, 67-story residential tower. The walls and halls are home to an estimated $23 million worth of artwork (no touching!); a scent expert created signature smells to waft through the modern lobby and NoMI – so if you return, you'll know nowhere smells quite like it, and it's home to a much-lauded restaurant. Not bad at all, this spot. 

Mood? Laid-back retreat. 
Location perks? One street from the Water Tower, and Lake Michigan is a ten-minute walk. 
Budget range? Mid- to high-range.
Time Out tip: Splash about in the hotel pool, which, on the hotel’s seventh floor, with views of downtown Chicago.

A seamless integration of boutique and luxury, 21C Museum Hotel is just off Michigan Avenue in Chicago's River North. The space features artwork and fittings by local and internationally acclaimed artists, a 24-hour fitness center, a full-service spa, on-site steakhouse, Primehouse and craft cocktail lounge. A whole lot of things, then. Enjoy the city at all hours, reception is 24-hour. A hotel that has it all. 

Mood? Modern arty simplicity. 
Location perks? A small walk from one of the best retail spots in Chicago, along with the Museum of Contemporary Art and Millenium Park.
Budget range? Caters to most budgets.
Time Out tip: Sip an after-dinner wine while walking through one of the hotel’s art galleries, curated by experts and filled with work from across the globe. 

From its striking cubist facade down to the stylish and modern interiors, the Godfrey Hotel Chicago lives up to its four-star status from the get-go. Situated in the heart of River North and within walking distance of the Magnificent Mile, the hotel is an ideal starting point for a day out on the town. Amenities include a spa and 24-hour fitness center, complimentary Wi-Fi and dining options. Loads going on, then. 

Mood? Bombastic modern luxury. 
Location perks? Three blocks away from the middle of the 'magnificent mile'. 
Budget range? Options for many budgets.
Time Out tip: Don’t miss the indoor-outdoor urban roofscape with a full-service bar.

In a landscape filled with mega-hotels and Airbnb rentals, there’s something extra special about a good old bed and breakfast – just don’t expect to find floral wallpaper and canopy beds at the Publishing House in the West Loop. The quaint but impressive space houses 11 unique rooms (from cozy to XL) that are outfitted with cowhide rugs, clawfoot tubs and funky vintage furniture. Each room is wildly different, giving guests an excuse to venture back again and again. There's also a bar, so it can be a B,B&B if preferred. There's also plenty on the doorstep, plus good metro access. 

Mood? Eclectic and cosy. 
Location perks? Near Union Park, and the heart of West Loop. 
Budget range? Options for many budgets.
Time Out tip: Don’t pass up the breakfast. Cooked by owners Shawn Uldridge and Kimberly Lowery, it features just-baked pastries, fresh juice and cereal as well as a few daily specials from the kitchen. 

Clean mid-century design and effortless luxury in the heart of Chicago, the Thompson Hotel Chicago is a boutique centerpiece in the Gold Coast. The hotel's amazing restaurant, Nico Osteria, offers authentic and light Italian seafood while in-house bar and gathering space Salone Nico serves crafted cocktails and a fine Italian and Meditteranean wine list. The hotel features an on-site fitness center, too. Whether it's Millennium Park, Oak Street, or the Chicago Lakefront. 

Mood? Slick city vibes. 
Location perks? Close by Millennium Park, Oak Street and the Chicago Lakefront. 
Budget range? Caters to various budgets.
Time Out tip: They’re pet friendly, which is nice and handy as the hotel is really close to some good walks. 

This hotel across the street from Wrigley Field is a prime example of the Ricketts family’s efforts to change the face of Wrigleyville since taking over ownership of the Chicago Cubs in 2009. Named for Wrigley Field’s original architect, Zachary Taylor Davis, the seven-story, 173-room Hotel Zachary sits on the northwest corner of Clark and Addison, facing Gallagher Way and the ballpark’s iconic marquee. The decor offers plenty of touches to warm Cubs fans’ hearts, but without veering into theme-park vibes; the baseball memorabilia is countered with sophisticated mid-century stylings. The food and drink offerings include the new second outpost of Big Star, barbecue from Smoke Daddy and craft cocktails at Mordecai. 

Mood? A baseball enthusiast’s dream. 
Location perks? The Addison Red Line train station is a single block away, and it'll take you to everything you want to see in Chicago, in a flash.
Budget range? Mid-range.
Time Out tip: Check out the hotel’s afternoon tea every Sunday with live entertainment and a selection of teas, bubbles and small plates. 

In Chicago’s Lakeshore East neighborhood, this luxury hotel is located in the modern Aqua building. You'll have free Wi-Fi in every contemporary room. The health club features an indoor pool, basketball court and well-equipped fitness center. Filini serves Italian cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner in an upscale atmosphere. Millenium Park is also a small walk away, so nice morning strolls are more than a possibility here – pop back to the hotel for breakfast. Dreamy. 

Mood? Simple and stylish. 
Location perks? Views of Lake Michigan and the surrounding parks. 
Budget range? Affordable.
Time Out tip: Have a dip in the seasonal outdoor pool with a sundeck and fire pits provided.