14 Cool Hotels in Chicago
Where are the Coolest Places to Stay in Chicago?
There’s never a shortage of cool hotels in Chicago, from small, independent boutique hotels to upscale, urban retreats. Many of the best hotels are stylish and original with aesthetics that are connected to the local neighborhood, whether they are showcasing works from resident artists, preserving architectural period features, or representing the values of the community.
As well as design-lead looks, these Chicago hotels have an abundance of features to enhance your stay. You can expect to find 24/7 fitness facilities, award-winning spas, world-class restaurants, and to sip a cocktail at a rooftop bar boasting city skyline views. With the best city sights on your doorstep and indulgently comfortable guest rooms, these cool hotels have everything you need.
1. Hotel Zachary Chicago, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Contemporary cool in Wrigleyville
Good for: Luxury, Food
Located opposite the Wrigley Field Baseball Stadium and named after the stadium’s architect, Hotel Zachary Chicago has a huge facade with a cool, contemporary look. The warehouse-style building has 7 floors and covers an entire block. Inside there are high ceilings and minimalist interiors, with sleek design touches.
The hotel is home to several bars, as well as the Alma restaurant on the second floor, which has a terrace and balcony seating overlooking the stadium. A neighborhood lounge and restaurant, the cuisine is Mediterranean-inspired and served all day from dusk till dawn. The bars and restaurants are popular with locals, and you can expect a fun atmosphere with live sets from local DJs.
Hotel Zachary Chicago, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
2. Claridge House
Beautiful bolt hole in the Gold Coast
Good for: Luxury, Photo
Claridge House is a smart boutique hotel in the Gold Coast district of Chicago, close to the shores of Lake Michigan and Lincoln Park Zoo. An urban oasis in the city, the hotel oozes sophistication and charm, with ever-so-chic interior decor. The guest rooms are tastefully put together for optimum style and comfort.
From breakfast at Juniper to cocktail hour at the Boutique Bar, the hotel’s restaurants and bars are stylish and cool. Sushi By Bou Gold Coast has a glamorous 1920s vibe complete with low lighting, blue, velvet seating and a few chandeliers. Plus, don’t miss a visit to Spa at the Gold Coast for a proper pampering session.
Claridge House
3. Talbott Hotel
A Gold Coast staple since 1927
Good for: Luxury, History
The Talbott is a high-end boutique hotel situated in Chicago’s picturesque Gold Coast neighborhood, just a short walk from some of the city’s best shopping on Michigan Avenue. Dating to 1927, the hotel has a long history and an impressive period-property exterior. Inside, the aesthetic is more modern but with old-world touches, like the chandeliers and patterned wallpaper.
The hotel restaurant, Laurel, feels contemporary yet cozy with traditional features like leather sofas, open fire, and wood-paneled walls. You can dine at any time of day, from brunch to dinner, and there’s an outside patio for people-watching and soaking up the atmosphere of the neighborhood. The hotel also offers valet parking and has a fitness center.
Talbott Hotel
4. Hotel Arista
Naperville’s CityGate Centre spot
Good for: Luxury, Food
If you’re looking for a cool place to stay in the western Chicago suburb of Naperville, Hotel Arista is a little gem of a hotel in the neighborhood. The hotel is situated in the CityGate Centre’s business, dining, and entertainment campus, where you’ll find shopping, dining, nightlife, and entertainment on your doorstep.
The hotel has several modern amenities to help you enjoy your stay. There is a fully serviced fitness center, and you can unwind at the Arista Spa and Salon, where ancient Mediterranean healing practices will soothe your worries away. Plus, there are 5 restaurants and bars to choose from, including Che Figata and CityGate Grille, with live music and outside seating.
Hotel Arista
5. LondonHouse Chicago
Your Chicago home-from-home
Good for: Luxury, Food, Photo
One of the best luxury hotels in downtown, LondonHouse Chicago has everything you’ll need for a home-from-home in the city. The Hilton hotel’s location is spot-on, steps from the Magnificent Mile and boasting beautiful views of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. On-site amenities include the London House Spa, offering indulgent treatments for ultimate relaxation.
The Rooftop at LondonHouse is one of the best rooftop bars in Chicago, and a highlight of the hotel. You can enjoy hand-crafted cocktails while taking in the sweeping skyline views of the city below or listen to live music in the indoor bar. Plus, there’s an all-day dining service, as well as weekend brunch and afternoon tea experiences available.
LondonHouse Chicago
6. 21c Chicago
A contemporary art museum and hotel in one
Good for: Luxury, Unusual, History
The 21c Museum Hotel Chicago has an enviable location among some of the city’s most popular attractions. You’ll be well placed to see the sights, with the Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park, Navy Pier, and the Museum of Contemporary Art just a short walk away. Plus, the hotel is also a museum, showcasing art from world-renowned contemporary artists.
Other hotel amenities at 21c include the in-room Sooth Spa experience with an extensive treatment menu and 24/7 fitness center. Make sure you visit the hotel restaurant, Lure Fishbar, on your stay for top notch seafood and sushi alongside the usual suspects from breakfast to dinner.
21c Chicago
7. CitizenM Chicago
Comfort and style in the heart of downtown
Good for: Luxury, Unusual, Photo
CitizenM Chicago is a cool and quirky hotel, hidden among the skyscrapers in the heart of downtown. The hotel immediately stands out from the crowd with abstract artwork adorning the façade of the building. The interior is just as stylish with contemporary works from local artists, along with photography and neon furniture.
The hotel guest rooms are cozy and comfortable with XL king-size beds. There’s a 24/7 gym and you can order drinks and snacks from CanteenM restaurant and bar around the clock. You can also dine in the canteen for lunch and dinner.
CitizenM Chicago
8. Eurostars Magnificent Mile
Luxe urban retreat in River North
Good for: Luxury, Couples
Eurostars Magnificent Mile exudes cool sophistication and is the epitome of a luxe urban pad in Chicago. Situated in River North, you’ll have many of the city’s best sights within walking distance. The interior of the hotel is contemporary and sleek, with designer furniture, wooden flooring, and plenty of natural light from the large windows.
Ensure you make time for pampering as the Eurostars hotel is home to an award-winning spa, offering an extensive menu of treatments to rejuvenate your body and mind. The River North Bistro resides on the first floor, serving up fresh, local ingredients in a dining room with a French bistro vibe. There’s also a large bar area and pretty, outdoor patio.
Eurostars Magnificent Mile
9. Sophy Hyde Park
Buckets of style with substance in Hyde Park
Good for: Luxury, Shoppers, Food
The Sophy Hyde Park is a showstopper, with sophistication and style in abundance. The guest rooms are luxuriously comfortable but with splashes of bold color, statement furniture, and community-inspired artwork. The style and ethos of the hotel reflect its Hyde Park home: a diverse, arty, and cultural neighborhood with shops and restaurants galore.
The hotel restaurant, Mesler, serves contemporary cuisine from breakfast to dinner and is just as hip as the rest of the hotel. Sip a cocktail next to the fire pit on the outside patio, the Sanctuary, and watch the world go by. If you’re looking for local sights, the University of Chicago and the Museum of Science and Industry are both a short walk away.
Sophy Hyde Park
10. Hotel Indigo Naperville
Naperville institution boasting 6 restaurants
Good for: Luxury, Food
Hotel Indigo is situated in the colorful downtown district of Naperville, a west Chicago neighborhood with plenty of small-town charm. The hotel is well located in this artistic area of the city, with shops, galleries, restaurants, and the famous Naperville Riverwalk on your doorstep.
The hotel boasts endless amenities, including a fitness center and luxury spa. There are no-less than 6 restaurants on-site, from American cuisine at the Plank Bar and Kitchen, and Greek at Vasili’s to cozy Colombian restaurant, Quiubo, and Blue Sushi Sake Grill. You’ll be hard pushed not to find something to suit your palate.
Hotel Indigo Naperville
11. Arlo Hotel Chicago
A hidden gem on Michigan Avenue
Good for: Luxury, Photo, Food
A boutique hotel gem in downtown Chicago, the Arlo Hotel is an elegant, urban retreat that’s conveniently located on Michigan Avenue. Many of the city’s most popular attractions are nearby, and the guest rooms have high ceilings, modern amenities, and super-soft bed linen that you’ll look forward to collapsing into after a long day sightseeing.
The hotel features a fitness center with gym equipment and Peloton, or you can also work out in your room with access to 3,000 on-demand Pilates, yoga, HIT, and strength training classes. For eating and drinking, head to the first-floor restaurant, About Last Knife, which is an all-day-dining gastropub serving up American staples and craft cocktails in a cool, contemporary space.
Arlo Hotel Chicago
12. Virgin Hotels Chicago
Glitz and glamor in the Chicago Loop
Good for: Luxury, Food, Nightlife
Incredibly close to the Millennium Park in downtown, the Virgin Hotels Chicago has a top location in the Chicago Loop. The hotel is flashy but always cool, comfortable, and convenient. The guest rooms, known as chambers, have plush beds with crisp, white sheets, walk-in showers, and cute little red SMEG fridges for minibars.
As you’d expect from Virgin Hotels, there are plenty of places to eat, drink, and party at the Chicago outpost. For Italian-inspired fare at any time of day, head to Miss Ricky’s or grab a hot drink at Two Zero Three Coffee Shop. The rooftop bar, Cerise, is a particular highlight, serving up cocktails and light bites with cool, colorful seating, live DJs, and stunning skyline views.
Virgin Hotels Chicago
13. The Godfrey Hotel Chicago
Cool urban hotel with incredible rooftop bar
Good for: Luxury, Couples
The Godfrey Hotel Chicago looks like a cool hotel as soon as you catch a glimpse of the striking cubist exterior. It has a modern and minimalist feel inside, including the guest rooms, which get the balance of comfort, practicality, and style spot on.
The Godfrey’s stunning rooftop bar and lounge is the pièce de résistance of the hotel. Sit by the firepit to sip cocktails or tuck into weekend brunch with an incredible Chicago skyline view. There are inside and outside spaces, which can be used year-round thanks to the retractable roof. Please note the venue is adults-only.
The Godfrey Hotel Chicago
14. L7 Chicago by Lotte
Landmark hotel in downtown
Good for: Luxury, History
L7 Chicago by Lotte has an enviable location, nestled among the skyscrapers in the Loop Business District. Popular tourist sights, such as the Millennium Park and Navy Pier are just a short walk away. The guest rooms are sumptuously comfortable with artworks from local artists, splashes of color, and huge windows for glorious skyline views.
The hotel building dates to 1912 when Chicago was rapidly developing and attracting the city’s first Korean residents. Lotte is a South Korean luxury hotel chain and L7 embodies its warm Korean hospitality. The hotel is now a landmark building in the downtown area and home to the delicious Korean-American steakhouse, Perilla.
L7 Chicago by Lotte
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