This story was written in collaboration with Forbes Finds. Forbes Finds covers products and experiences we think you’ll love. Featured products are independently selected and linked to for your convenience. If you buy something using a link on this page, Forbes may receive a small share of that sale.
If you’re planning a trip to Chicago, there’s no better place to stay than downtown. The area is home to attractions like Millennium Park and Soldier Field. During your stay you can climb to the top of Willis Tower (the 108-story building once known as the Sears Tower) and snap a picture of yourself hanging over the edge from the glass ledge jutting four feet from its side, or catch a game at the legendary Wrigley Field. There’s plenty to do in the Windy City—and these downtown hotels will put you in the center of it all.
The Langham offers breathtaking views of both Lake Michigan and the Chicago River from its floor-to-ceiling windows. A skyscraper designed by Mies van der Rohe, the downtown Chicago hotel is situated just minutes away from Millennium Park and the Magnificent Mile. The hotel also offers a state-of-the-art fitness studio, a restaurant serving seasonal American cuisine, and a kids’ suite with games and activities to entertain children of all ages.
Located on Michigan Avenue, The Peninsula Chicago is situated right in the middle in all of the action. Grab a drink at the hotel’s beautiful bar or take a swim in the hotel spa’s half junior Olympic-Sized pool. One of the best places for a luxury stay in Chicago, the hotel staff can help you arrange everything from a luxury shopping trip to tickets to a show and more.
Step back in time at Chicago’s Gwen hotel. Located on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, the hotel offers the glitz and glamour of the 1930s with a modern flair. Grab dinner at the hotel’s Art Deco restaurant or take in epic views of the city’s skyline at Upstairs at The Gwen, the hotel’s rooftop bar.
Virgin opened its Virgin Hotels Chicago in 2015 in the city’s Old Dearborn Bank Building. The rooms have a hip, modern look. And the hotel's rooftop bar, Cerise, is the perfect spot to grab a drink before a night out—or a nightcap on your way to bed. The hotel can also host your pup, with no size or breed restrictions for four-legged guests and complimentary dog beds and bowls for your furry companion.
The Waldorf Astoria Chicago is located in the city’s Gold Coast neighborhood, a Chicago district that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The 60-story hotel has 188 rooms and 51 condominiums and is located just steps away from Chicago’s Oak Street, where visitors can shop at a number of high-end boutiques and stores. For a more relaxed trip, visitors can also spend some time in the award-winning spa.
The Kinzie is a unique boutique hotel located in the River North neighborhood of Chicago. The walls of each room are emblazoned with a beautiful historic city map of Chicago. Hotel room service serves authentic Chicago fare from the nearby Public House, and the lobby is adorned with touchscreens that can be used as virtual concierges to do everything from check the weather to taking a selfie.
Try local fare without leaving the hotel at Loews Chicago Hotel. The hotel partnered with a number of local food destinations (plus a brewery) to provide local food and drink to guests. Located near Millennium Park, the hotel offers both rooms and suites—as well as a luxury spa where you can relax after a day out in the city.
