Finding the perfect place to stay can make or break a trip to Chicago, especially if you want to be in the heart of the action. Being steps away from one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, Willis Tower, puts you in a prime position to explore the Loop, the financial district, and the vibrant West Loop.
Whether you are visiting for business, a family vacation, or a weekend getaway, the area surrounding this architectural marvel is packed with exceptional lodging options. The neighborhood offers a dynamic mix of historic architecture, Michelin-starred restaurants, and easy access to public transportation, making it a convenient base for any traveler.
Staying near Willis Tower means you are not just booking a room; you are purchasing time. You can skip long commutes and instead spend your mornings admiring the skyline, walking to Millennium Park, or beating the crowds to the Skydeck observation deck.
However, with so many luxury high-rises and boutique properties in the vicinity, choosing the right hotel can feel overwhelming. You need a guide that cuts through the noise and highlights the properties that offer genuine value, comfort, and unique character.
From five-star opulence to stylish, design-forward boutiques, the area boasts a diverse range of accommodations to suit various budgets and preferences. We have analyzed the amenities, locations, and guest experiences to bring you the definitive list of the best places to stay.
Below is our curated selection of the top hotels that offer the best access to Willis Tower and the surrounding Chicago Loop.
Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Central Loop
| Address | 245 S Franklin St, Chicago, IL 60606 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | (773) 809-6860 |
I was having a difficult time finding a hotel at a reasonable price and stumbled across this one. Let me start by saying that the room was very clean and spacious. I was very happy that the place had a refrigerator and microwave. Check-in was easy, and I was able to check in before 3 p.m. with no issues whatsoever. The fitness room was clean, and the staff were very kind and attentive. I think the only issue I had was with the curtains. They wouldn’t fully slide, so the corner was exposed, so I had to move a chair to keep the curtain in place. Other than that, I was very happy with my stay :).
This has been the worst experience. The night front desk person Candace was extremely rude and unhelpful.
My flight was delayed multiple hours and apparently they canceled my reservation stating eh credit card was decline- which was odd because the room had been paid in full in May. Weeks prior to my stay. I booked the room through Expedia and Candace refused to look on the confirmation number through Expedia. She told my previous room was sold and there was no rooms available. However when I went on the Hilton website I was able to rebook the room at a much higher rate than the Expedia price.
I contacted Expedia and their rep said when they contacted the hotel they said they could no longer honor the Expedia reservation because I had already made a new reservation. Mind you I got into Chicago at nearly 3AM. Neither the hotel or Hilton customer service was able to help as the all reported there were no rooms. Despite my ability to book a new reservation.
They did nothing to offer help or a practical solution. Both the hotel and customer service were disappointing in their approach. I am traveling with my daughter and being told you do not have a room at 3 AM despite having a booking that was paid in full was concerning and frightening.
Now I have to wait and see if the Manager is going to approve my refund- I am doubtful based on the poor customer service and the confrontational attitude of Candace the night front desk person.
I would not recommend this hotel. If I could give it zero stars I would, but I will have to settle for one star.
The Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Chicago (Loop) is an easy walk from the Blue Line train station (that I took from the airport). The room I had was clean and comfortable, although, being in the heart of the city the window needed to have the blackout curtain closed for privacy. Since I could see into the windows in the building across the street, the occupants in that building would have the same view into my room. That's not the fault of the hotel, it's just part of the urban experience. The staff was friendly, attentive and professional. The room doesn't come with any perks. For as much as they charge, I would have expected breakfast. The location is convenient to UIC and DePaul Universities, as well as a restaurants, and the lak3. But there wasn't much else of interest in the area.
The rooms are really nice with a separate seating area and tv.
The coffee bar in the lobby is dissapointing, they never had any sugar and we stayed for 1 week. They also had a laundry area so you could wash your clothes but didn't have any quarters so we had to go find a bank for that. Location was good. Lose to bus and the L.
Ugh. Climate control is disastrous. Airless rooms. No concierge. No real staff other than front desk. Few amenities. I'm up reviewing because the pillows feel like stuffed socks and the temperature keeps fluctuating. I woukd be asleep right now in a good hotel with a damn window I can open.
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Chicago Downtown
| Address | 1 S Franklin St, Chicago, IL 60606 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Open 24 hours Tuesday: Open 24 hours Wednesday: Open 24 hours Thursday: Open 24 hours Friday: Open 24 hours Saturday: Open 24 hours Sunday: Open 24 hours |
| Phone | (312) 588-9873 |
Although the stay was in a great location, I heavily warn against anyone wishing to stay here. When we first checked in everything was great, the room seemed clean, the staff was friendly upon arrival, and we had high hopes for our trip to Chicago. Things changed rather quickly though. On the Friday of our stay before we left the room for the day, we found a very clear bed bug on one of our pillows. As is traditional, we reported the bug to the front desk, took pictures of said bug, and presented whoever the manager on duty was with the evidence of what we found. They told us they would refund our laundry, move us rooms, and investigate the disturbance. We obliged and trusted they would make it right. On Sunday, another member of our party went to the front desk to get answers from the manager about what happened and what steps they were going to take outside of moving us rooms and refunding our laundry. Low and behold, no notes were left on our account, nothing was mentioned of the bug we found, and not a single thing had yet to truly happen in order to accurately determine whether the room was infested or not. Mind you reader, we had to pack ALL of our things, move floors, and hope that nothing we brought on our stay was now also infested. The best they could do by check out was a 15% refund, after hiking up prices for the weekend because of the fest. Deplorable. We have stayed at this hotel in the past and its clear its gone down hill. To top everything off, on a visit to the bar, the bartenders were dismissive, rude, and when people tried to order a snack the bartender was dismissive and told them “kitchens closed”. If you are looking for a good place to stay for your trip I suggest somewhere that isn’t here and in order to avoid spending as much as you did on a bad, infested, and frankly anxiety inducing hotel, avoid the LaQuinta in the loop.
Great hotel. Convenient location within walking distance to many things. Welcoming front desk staff. Leona was so accommodating, from holding our luggage, getting towels - when asked and not waiting to be brought to the room, and wishing us a good day, she made a great impression on our stay. Keep smiling, Leona - it looks beautiful on you! Breakfast was perfect. Kitchen/breakfast staff were super friendly and kept things stocked and clean. Franklin on 2 bartender and waitress wore many hats but did so with a smile and timely. We were there 3 nights and 4 days and would stay again. Thank you LaQuinta Inn for the wonderful stay! Room was a good size. The only little imperfection was the mold around the shower bar in the bathroom.
If you have business in the area like at the Franklin, this is a really good location. But, there are better choices nearby.
Things to know that might be of interest to you include the fact that no rooms have safes, which is really table stakes in better hotels these days. Also, while coffee is available, they don't have good creamer options. I like half and half or Coffee mate regular, but when I asked for either the breakfast staff abruptly said they didn't have any. I don't like having to leave the hotel for a basic cup of coffee in the morning.
Bedding was just okay.
Room HVAC was good and didn't turn off when it didn't sense movement, meaning it didn't shut off in the night.
Three stars at best. Better options within a stone's throw.
Service at the bar was really good -especially Terri and Sebastian, the rooms were exceptionally clean. I loved the QR code for room cleaners, wish they had it for the bar to give tip with the complementary drink tickets they issue each evening. Beds super comfy, breakfast was fine, location superb.
I do think that the front check in people seem stressed, like on edge a little. Everyone was doing their job, just a little edgy - especially when crowded.
Overall for the cost, given the location, cleanliness, better than average HVAC - especially, I believe it was an exceptional value.
Spacious, clean rooms for an average price. The amenities were good (mini fridge, microwave, and keurig). Easy walk to many restaurants and attractions. Only complaint was thay we stayed for 2 nights and there was no housekeeping service, not even to pick up trash. But the breakfast service and complimentary evening drink was great!
Nicole helped us check in and was awesome! She helped our party get rooms close together which made our trip great!
Canopy by Hilton Chicago Central Loop
| Address | 226 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60606 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | (773) 809-6750 |
Im just going to list the PROS and CONS:
Pros:
Location. (near a food court, many restaurants and drug stores)
Beautiful decor/architecture. The design amd decor is stunning. From the marble staircase, to the roof top bar and grill, absolutely beautiful!
Very quiet!
Staff!! Everyone we came in contact with, especially Wayne, the bartender, were amazing! Cleaning staff were sweethearts!
Food/Drinks: Everything we ordered from food to OJ to mixed drinks, were delicious!!
The cons may be like simple things, but it made a difference for us.
Cons:
No ice bucket
No ice machines ( you have to ask for a 'bag of ice' at the front desk and they deliver it to the door, in a small bag)
Small fridge
No microwave
The thermostat only goes to 67. So being in a room with a wall that is an entire window in mid June, makes for a warm room during the day. At night the room was cold.
The bed had no fitted sheet, it was a flat sheet so when ypu turn, it goes with you.
We enjoyed our stay and made the best of it.
No complaints about our stay. The room was very clean and everything worked as it supposed to. Shower pressure was a little light but that’s pretty standard of hotels. It was about a 35 minute walk to navy pier, and about 45 minutes to northerly island. We did check-in through the app so that made it easy. Elevators were a little difficult to find due to a lack of signage, and we also didn’t realize that there were separate elevators for different hotels within the same hotel. Overall, great stay.
Stayed here for a short weekend trip with my family and absolutely loved this hotel. Very friendly front desk service and great service from the bartenders as well. The decor is gorgeous, and there several smart design decisions- such as in wall shelving in the bathroom so your items are not just sitting on the counter and providing filtered refillable water stations. The rooms were also very clean. The reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is you don't have much control over the temp in the room. Also the beds are low to the ground and not super comfortable. But I absolutely would stay at this hotel again.
Stayed here Friday night after The Scratch concert and honestly expected a much more premium experience from a Hilton-branded property.
The hotel markets itself as modern, upscale, and curated — but the actual experience felt more like “expensive with mood lighting.”
For the price, I expected comfort, attention to detail, and service that justified the rate. Instead, it felt underwhelming and oddly disconnected for a hotel trying this hard to feel boutique.
The concert was incredible. Unfortunately, the hotel was the low point of the evening.
Rooms are great. Service is excellent. Location is perfect.
This hotel is a must stay in the downtown loop. Such great decor. Service is exceptional. And it's one block from Quincy stop for the L and one block from Willis Tower.
Came for a weekend birthday celebration and can't wait to come back.
Kudos to Canopy by Hilton
-Diamond Member
Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago-Downtown by IHG
| Address | 506 W Harrison St, Chicago, IL 60607 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | (312) 957-9100 |
The good: Location was near a train stop, plenty of eating venues within a short walk or train ride, quiet hotel, comfortable beds. Fitness center was good with sufficient equipment. Customer service was very good, no concerns there.
Could be better: the area around the hotel is not the ideal place to be - especially at night; the room was your typical "compact" downtown Chicago room, elevators need an upgrade (in bad condition).
I would stay here again as none of my issues were showstoppers.
💖Our family stayed at Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago Downtown for two nights, and we had a wonderful experience.
The location was excellent. We were able to explore Chicago easily using the Blue Line and Bus 124, making it very convenient to visit many of the city’s attractions without a car.
The room was clean, comfortable, and well-maintained. We also appreciated the convenience area on the first floor, where snacks, drinks, a microwave, basic medications, laundry supplies, and other useful items were available for purchase. It was clear that the hotel had thoughtfully considered the needs of its guests.
Overall, this hotel made our stay in Chicago much more enjoyable and comfortable. We would gladly stay here again on a future visit. Thank you for a great experience! 😊🏨👍
We stayed here just one night. The location was so convenient for us. We departed from the Amtrak station early in the morning and it was an only five minute walk. The rooms were very clean, though they are dated and show some signs of wear. The lady at the front desk was very pleasant when we checked in. Overall I would stay here again.
We spent two nights here on a weekend and absolutely will return again! This is an affordable, clean, and extremely comfortable hotel in a safe spot with amazing breakfast and lunch places on the same block (shoutouts to Ahuevo! and Himalayan!). We were just there to see the city and the location couldn't have been better for us. Easy to get to, easy and cheap to park in the adjacent lot. Cons are minimal: the rooms are not as spacious as others, and the bathroom in my room was small. Pros are huge: location, location, location! Willis tower literally towers over the hotel making this the perfect staging point for a weekender in Chicago! Super friendly staff, lovely clean room, perfect location, truly a wonderful stay. Thank you so much!
Hotel itself is okay. Rooms are nice, clean, and affordable. There is very little parking actually provided by the hotel, instead the primary parking is run by SpotHero and costs $25/night. Not a terrible price but I would have appreciated either advance notice or another option either free or rolled into the cost of my room. I've only interacted with one staff member but she was very obviously rushing me through the check-in process so she could go back to talking to her friend, something I find rude and off-putting when you are, for all intents and purposes, the face of the company from my point of view.
Cambria Hotel Chicago Loop - Theatre District
| Address | 32 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | (872) 710-9539 |
Cassandra at the restaurant was fantastic! She made breakfast a great experience. The food was delicious. The restaurant atmosphere is calm and relaxing for breakfast. The night before, there was happy hour from 4-6pm. Our waiter made sure we were well taken care of. The rooms were nice and clean. Location is perfect for anything you want to do in the Loop.
Had a great experience at this Cambria. I had stayed at one other previously in Austin and was quite pleased. Decided to stay here on my business trip to Chicago.
It wasn't as easy to find/see walking up, but once in the lobby, you go to the 9th floor for check in. That was a little different but not a problem.
The rooms were a touch smaller but still plenty spacious enough. Good shower pressure and hot water, good towels, coffee in room, etc.
There restaurant / bar area looked good from what I saw, but I didn't go as it was a quick trip with a business dinner. There was a game room I wanted to visit but didn't get a chance. The fitness room had a few cardio machines, dumbells, kettle bells, and a tower, enough for an effective workout.
All in all, great price for the room and would recommend.
Fantastic stay. Super clean rooms extremely helpful staff thank you guys so much for letting me run around and look for my stuff when it was missing. Hugest hugest shout out to Brett and Maria at the front desk. You made my stay a thousand times better thank you so much for everything that you did. Rooms were huge and very clean as well. What should have been a stressful business day was 10 times more relaxing thanks to staying here. Fantastic location awesome doormen. Highly highly recommend you stay here.
Latrice at the front desk was very friendly and made my stay feel welcoming and fun! James at the front door was always very friendly and professional and always accommodating. Dave in the restaurant bar was very friendly and gave great advice for local restaurants and entertainment. I would highly recommend this hotel. Thank you for the very positive experience.
James, the doorman was such a sweetheart! Very friendly and knowledgeable about the area. The bartender, Dave was also very sweet and friendly. The room was quiet and comfortable. We would definitely stay there again on our next trip to Chicago!
Sentral Michigan Avenue Chicago Hotel
| Address | 808 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | (888) 687-9089 |
Lout A. & Lavi A. were very professional and attentive reps. They welcomed us and made sure we were good to go. The hotel was fantastic, the bed was really comfortable, the bathroom was clean and there weren’t any unpleasant smells. Thank-you for the 5-star treatment.
I don't know where to start...let's try from the beginning. My friend booked this hotel through Expedia for her 40th birthday. From the photos and overall reviews, it seemed like a nice place to stay. Checking in: couldn't understand the front desk staff well due to the language barrier. Also, they told us it was a $500 security deposit. What on Earth?! This was not advertised anywhere. I've stay in a lot of places, but I've never heard of a $500 security deposit for a hotel. As soon as we went into room 1008, it smelled like garbage, there were stains on the carpet and there were scratches and dents on the wall. I asked for a room change due to the smell. The manager informed us that only one other room was available to rent so we prayed that there weren't any other issues. Welp, room 2008 was smaller, it smelled like a man who didn't shower for a week, and there were stains on the carpet. Only thing I could do at this point was ask them to bring candles and deodorizer spray. They weren't able to bring candles, but after the maintenance guy finished deodorizing the place, it smelled so much better. Why didn't they do that beforehand? I can't answer that. So the next issue was the sheets in one of the rooms. I went to take a nap, and saw stains when I pulled the covers back. I'm no expert, but it looked like make-up. I asked them to change the sheets, but they said there isn't housekeeping service around the clock so the best they could do was give me sheets to put on the bed myself. Yikes! I almost threw up changing those sheets. The mattress cover had all kinds of stains on it. I can't even begin to describe what those stains looked like. The next issue was with one of the showers. It wasn't draining properly so the water accumulating at the bottom. At this point, I was tired of calling downstairs so we simply used one shower...it was 4 of us. I would NOT recommend this place. Not even as a last resort.
I've been going back and forth on a one or two star review but I think I have to go with one star for numerous reasons.
To start with, we walk in from our flights and the front desk person looks at us, then points over to the terminals in the room to check in with, instead of with them, which is whatever, but weird. It made it feel much more impersonal. During the check in, you have to have pictures taken of the front and back of your license, with no information about if those pictures are stored in their systems, deleted after your stay, etc (super sketchy honestly) and then they hit you with a 500 dollar security deposit that they dont mention, which is crazy, but it's not like I was going to find another hotel at that moment instead.
We get up to the room and almost immediately notice issues. Somehow BOTH rugs in the separate rooms have big wine stains on them (and one even had other stains on it), and the laminate on the kitchen cabinets are either broken/peeling off, or bubbled up on at least 3/6 cabinets. So I text the front desk because they say to and wanted to make sure that this stuff was known and that we wouldn't be charged (you know, since they made us give them a security deposit). All I get back is "Thanks for letting us know, sorry for the inconvenience".
Other weird things that made our stay not great
-The TV was not properly logged out of peoples accounts. I saw 2 other peoples google emails.
-The dishes in the cabinet were not clean and had stuff on them.
-The lamp in the living room was both not plugged in and had a kitchen towel wrapped around the bulb. It didn't look like one of the rooms towels either, so I just kind of wonder where it came from?
-The shower, while nicely sized, does not have *any* storage or shelves in it, so I just had to put all my shower stuff on the ground.
-The AC in each room is controlled by things called "ecobee" that were not registered. It asked me to register it on my phone. Additionally, it was set to schedules that I tried to edit but couldnt, so our temps were all over the place.
There was another small thing or two, but I think you get the idea at this point. It really felt like the rooms were not properly cleaned and felt more like looking at a "landlord special" rental.
Definitely not a place I'll ever return to, especially for the price. The one good bit was the location.
Edit: I reached out to the company since Matt asked me to in the response but didn't provide an email to reach out to. Ill update here if/when they respond (or if they don't).
We had an amazing experience. The location and rooms were super nice! We were a walk away from soldier field! Solid spot. I will look for this place again when visiting Chicago (or if Kanye performs again). Lout was a great help!
This was the best experience for myself and my family. The staff was amazing and the location across the from the park was chef’s kiss as I was able to take my dog to get his daily exercise. Lout at the front desk really help make my experience wonderful.
The Buckingham Hotel
| Address | 425 S Financial Pl, Chicago, IL 60605 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Open 24 hours Tuesday: Open 24 hours Wednesday: Open 24 hours Thursday: Open 24 hours Friday: Open 24 hours Saturday: Open 24 hours Sunday: Open 24 hours |
| Phone | (312) 663-8910 |
Amazing view from the 40th floor! I was lucky enough to be upgraded to a spacious suite with an incredible view of the Willis Tower. It was absolutely stunning. The hotel has a vintage feel, which is quite common in the US, and I didn’t mind it at all. Everything was spotless, and that’s what matters most. The breakfast was basic but good. The receptionist was very kind. The location isn’t ideal, but it’s not far from the main attractions and restaurants.
I love this hotel!!!! It is a boutique hotel with a small number of rooms, so the building and the guest lounge were very quiet and never busy. Security into the building was excellent, which gave us peace of mind as women traveling to a new place. All the staff in the building, from the security guards in the lobby, to the front desk staff, to the room attendants were all friendly, welcoming, and helpful. The neighborhood around the hotel is also quite safe and quiet, especially on weeknights.
If you are looking for a "traditional" fancy hotel chain experience then this might not be the place for you. They don't have a pool or hot tub open on the weekends. They don't have a huge continental breakfast. (They have a free grab n go with bagels, toast, cereal, yogurt, that kind of stuff). Some of the fixtures in the room were maybe a bit dated if you are used to high-end traveling.
But if you are looking for reasonable rates in downtown Chicago, an amazing location right near the loop, guaranteed amazing views from your room, and a clean, spacious, peaceful, comfortable, and safe place to stay after exploring Chicago all day, then you have to check this place out!!
I can't say enough good things about our stay, and I'm really hoping to have the opportunity to stay again sometime. Thank you to all the staff members!
Absolutely one of the best hotels! Incredible views. Great staff. Once you figure out how to get the correct floor it’s easy to manage. Everyone was extremely helpful and I only had a few where do I go monuments before someone was there to help. Absolutely loved it being walking distance to so many places.
This hotel is the definition of a hidden gem!!
The ONLY negative I have is that the building staff on the first floor are not very friendly. There’s not a lot of signage about there being a hotel at the address (it is on the top floor of an office building). You need to be buzzed in (after hours) and the staff could use a bit of customer service training.
When it comes to the hotel/room… AMAZING. The suite had amazing views, a very comfy bed, and a later check out time (11am). The bathroom had a large soaker tub and the best smelling soap! Zero complaints when it comes to The Buckingham Hotel!!
Hidden gem! Immaculate. Fantastic sunrise view. Fantastic fountain view. Super soft robe. Really big room and bathroom. So quiet. Staff was amazing! Cannot say enough about what a wonderful surprise this was. The difficulty finding the front desk is more fun if you pretend you are on a secret mission:)
JW Marriott Chicago
| Address | 151 W Adams St, Chicago, IL 60603 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | (312) 660-8200 |
Absolutely amazing hotel. Booked a room about a month ago and was blown away on how good it was. Coming in, staff greet you and help you. If you have any special requests, they take care of that. The rooms are amazing and the washrooms were extremely nice. The facilities and pool are very nice and clean. I especially loved the eucalyptus towels in the gym. The views were not great but considering that were downtown and not the tallest building around, it is understandable. Additionally, the hotel is extremely close to the elevated trains and bus stops which is very nice. Would come back again.
The hotel itself is ok and has a good location, but unfortunately, our experience at JW Marriott Chicago was disappointing in several ways.
When we booked, our rate included a $15 daily credit for food and beverages. We stayed for three nights, so we expected to receive the $15 credit for each of the three days. However, when we had breakfast on the last day, the hotel refused to apply the $15 credit, explaining that we were supposed to use it on the day we checked in. This makes absolutely no sense. We had a three-night reservation, and the credit was clearly advertised as a daily benefit. They applied it twice but simply did not apply it for the third day. What difference does it make whether the credit is used on the day of arrival or the day of departure?
We were also surprised that there was no late check-out option at all. Check-out was strictly at 12:00 PM, with no flexibility offered, though we mentioned our Bonvoy gold status, no difference…
There were also some basic housekeeping issues. Our room did not have bathrobes or slippers, and we had to call and ask for them to be brought up. On one occasion, our room was not serviced at all.
Overall, for a JW Marriott, we expected a much higher level of attention to detail and customer service. The small things matter, especially when you are paying for a premium hotel experience.
Unfortunately, Marriott hotels have been disappointing us more and more lately. What makes it even more frustrating is that the price of a stay at JW Marriott is now almost comparable to Four Seasons, while the level of service and the overall attitude toward guests clearly do not come close to the Four Seasons standard.
For this price point, we simply expected much more.
I wanted to share my experience simply because of the service alone. We stayed here for Lollapalooza and we definitely want to come back! While we did have an issue with our room, the team members were quick to help us do what they could to make our stay enjoyable.
I also wanted to highlight Melissa, who was helping check in guests at the Executive Lounge. She was so friendly, kind, and welcoming. She made our stay ten times better with her joyful and positive spirit! And I thank Debra as well for greeting and chatting with us on our way out. She made the place feel like home!
As for the location, they do have off-site valet parking but we parked closer to the festival grounds since it was more convenient. However, the hotel was about a 20-minute walk from the festival so it wasn’t too bad. Just made sure you wear some good shoes!
I’ve stayed at a couple other JWs and was a bit surprised to see how dated the Chicago one is. It’s definitely nice, but not up to the JW brand. My room was a bit dirty — dust under the sink in the bathroom, some ~stuff~ at the base of the toilet around a loose floor bolt. Some parts of the room felt a bit cheap or dated (again, by JW standards only)
Otherwise, it was nice, the tub was a great add, and access to the Executive Lounge was a nice surprise (and the breakfast was admittedly very good).
I recommend the neighboring La Salle (Autograph Collection / in the Bonvoy family) for newer decor / furnishings, and nicer touches throughout. They’re essentially the same price point, and sometimes the LaSalle is cheaper, so why not if that’s within your budget and loyalty program.
Great stay at the JW Marriott Chicago. The location is excellent and very convenient for exploring downtown. The staff were friendly and helpful, and everything felt clean, comfortable, and well-run. Would definitely stay here again!
Kimpton Gray Hotel
| Address | 122 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Open 24 hours Tuesday: Open 24 hours Wednesday: Open 24 hours Thursday: Open 24 hours Friday: Open 24 hours Saturday: Open 24 hours Sunday: Open 24 hours |
| Phone | (312) 750-9012 |
We had an absolutely INCREDIBLE wedding at the Kimpton Gray! Mariah, the events coordinator, was fabulous throughout the entire experience. From the moment we scheduled the tour, through tasting and rehearsal, all the way up to the big day, it was such a smooth experience. The hotel venue was amazing, with a perfect location for photos on-site, which took away any weather anxiety, and amazing amenities for the bridal getting ready suite and even for the groom! The spaces day of were so beautiful, we used Adler for our ceremony and dinner, and Boleo for cocktail hour and the reception. Boleo is such a fabulous unique wedding space, with a gorgeous window rooftop, it made it feel like a great night out with all our friends and family. The food and cake were INCREDIBLE, with many of our friends saying that was the best wedding food ever. And the drinks and bar staff were amazing. Cannot say enough good things about the Kimpton and Mariah and her team - but if you are looking for a venue in the loop, and want an amazing wedding, this is the one for you!!! Thank you again to the Kimpton team for making this day the best day of our lives. Also the hotel itself is absolutely beautiful, with very comfortable rooms, it was a joy to stay there and have our wedding hosted here.
We could not have imagined a better place to celebrate our wedding than the Kimpton Gray. From planning through the wedding weekend itself, the team went above and beyond to make the experience feel seamless and special.
Mariah in particular was an absolute all-star. There are so many moving pieces when planning a wedding of this size, and she was consistently responsive, flexible and willing to work through the details with us. She coordinated closely with our vendors, helped us think through logistics and made us feel confident that everything was taken care of.
We also loved being able to create distinct experiences throughout the evening - from our ceremony and dinner in Adler to cocktails and dancing at Boleo. The spaces were beautiful, the food and drinks were wonderful, and the entire staff made our family and guests feel so welcome.
Most importantly, once the weekend arrived, we were able to simply enjoy it. We are incredibly grateful to Mariah and the entire Kimpton Gray team for helping make our wedding everything we hoped it would be.
Outstanding Service from Mr. Mamadou!
I recently stayed at the Kimpton Gray Hotel and had an incredible experience, largely thanks to the exceptional customer service provided by Mr. Mamadou. From the moment I arrived, he went above and beyond to ensure everything was seamless, welcoming, and comfortable. His attention to detail, warmth, and professionalism truly set this hotel apart. Exceptional staff like Mr. Mamadou are the reason I look forward to returning. Highly recommended! Please go visit Chace at Boleo. Nothing but smiles. 5 stars!
TLDR: Mid-tier, not luxury hotel with AMAZING customer service, but lower pressure, temperature swinging showers and loud rooms for the price.
The location is awesome in the financial district so a 15-30 minute walk from every part of the city you want to visit. The customer service is impeccable though!
The bed was comfy and the room was clean. Unfortunately, our room was off the elevator bank which has marble tile floors. Literally every footstep, every word, and every ding of the elevator echoed into our room. They really need to soundproof the door jam.
The room was quite small for the price. At $250-350 / night, one would expect a bit more.
Lastly, the shower. Lower water pressure that had wild swings in the temperature. From scalding to freezing, even in off peak times for showers.
Also note: the two hotel bars are NOT open Sunday and Monday so if you have the AMEX credit, it is really difficult to use the Platinum credit on Sunday / Monday stays.
6/9/26 - I just want to update to reiterate how frustrating this experience has been. The breast milk arrived spoiled (expected) as it was nearly a week later with the delays driven by the hotel (for what should have been shipped overnight). This was a full day’s worth of food for my daughter and several hours spent pumping throughout the day that went completely to waste.
I’ve received no apology from the hotel other than the standard response made to this review. At the end of the day, The Kimpton Gray needs to understand the seriousness of this situation and how to better handle in the future. This is putting infant livelihood at risk. I hope they learn from this experience and use it to train their front desk staff on how to appropriately manage at a bare minimum.
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Very upset with how a sensitive situation was managed. I left a package with the front desk indicating that it was perishable breast milk 2 days ago, and the front desk worker ensured that it would get sent out as FedEx picks up packages daily from the hotel. 2 days have gone by and I just contacted the hotel to find out that the box of breast milk is still there. I had called yesterday too and the person while confirming the box was still there, had said fed ex would pick it up later that evening.
I am very upset by my experience and how it has been managed. It’s very difficult to travel as a new mother and this being my first travel experience without my baby has been very upsetting. While the hotel itself is fine, I cannot recommend given the lack of communication and empathy around this situation. If you are not able to guarantee that a box can be shipped same day, do not promise that to your guests.
The LaSalle Chicago, Autograph Collection
| Address | 208 S LaSalle St, Chicago, IL 60604 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | (312) 634-0000 |
Beautiful building in a quiet location near some stunning historical buildings (The Rookery, The Mercantile, the Fed) and convenient to transportation. Rooms were designer decorated. Issues: stayed 4 nights asked room to be cleaned 1 time. Came back to an uncleaned room. Do not understand how that could have failed at a hotel of this quality, assuming they have room check protocols etc. Housekeeping staff manager came to apologize and offer a clean but at that point my family was back and too tired. Also, at this price point and hotel level, would expect some more small amenities which are standard now: disposable slippers, a few small bags of chips or nuts, etc.
Great staff, clean rooms, decent gym, and good location. The check in is on floor 21 and you take another elevator to your room after. Gym is by check in desk.
Conveniently located in the loop near most of the office buildings so many places are walkable. Rooms are quite large in size and clean. Heating and AC work well!
Overall, satisfied with the hotel value $400/night and comfortable.
Only downfall:
- breakfast voucher is $18 for the restaurant
- you can hear the train come and go so if you're sensitive to sound, note this!
I had a great experience here. Rooms are clean and feel recently updated. Shower is great and there is a toilet room. Beds were soft as were the pillows.
Location is in the heart of the city - Grant & Millennium Parks and the waterfront are a 5-10 minute walk with plenty of coffee and food places along the way.
Definitely would stay here again
We had an absolutely fantastic family stay at The LaSalle Chicago to celebrate my daughter's 8th-grade graduation! We booked using Marriott points/certificates and received amazing value. The service here is truly top-tier. Robert from the concierge team was fantastic before arrival and made careful note of our family celebration.
When we arrived, Stan the bellman gave us an incredibly warm, friendly, and courteous welcome, guiding us smoothly up to the lobby. At the desk, Joseph handled our check-in seamlessly. He was wonderfully kind and made sure to honor our milestone by providing us with a beautiful room upgrade featuring an enhanced city view, as well as a generous 2:00 PM late checkout for my Marriott Gold status.
While our graduation welcome amenity wasn't in the room initially, the team handled it instantly when I reached out through the app chat, and Joseph personally brought the beautiful dessert plate right up to our door. The property is secure, luxurious, and the staff treats you like family. Thank you to Robert, Joseph, and Stan for making my daughter's graduation weekend so memorable!
Excellent super swanky clean rooms. Comfy beds. Awesome decor and the location is very convenient to Willis Tower and other tourist attractions. As a business woman who often travels solo for work, I fully appreciate the safety protocols they have in place at this hotel. Grille 21, their onsite restaurant and bar has a great sophisticated ambience. And they have live jazz music on some nights, which takes the atmosphere to another level. It kinda transports you to the roaring 20's. This is on my shortlist of the best hotels in downtown Chicago. I love the consistency of the quality and service that I get every visit. Quick note: The main lobby is on the 21st floor. So when you arrive head to the elevators to go up to check in. Check this place out you won't be disappointed. And if you are a Marriott Bonvoy member...you can get points for your stays.
Kinzie Hotel
| Address | 20 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Open 24 hours Tuesday: Open 24 hours Wednesday: Open 24 hours Thursday: Open 24 hours Friday: Open 24 hours Saturday: Open 24 hours Sunday: Open 24 hours |
| Phone | (312) 395-9000 |
My husband and I were visiting Chicago for the first time. We truly enjoyed our stay at The Kinzie! Our room was cleaned everyday and always smelled so good. We loved how safe and secure the hotel felt. You have to use your card to enter the building past a certain time and to access the elevators up to the rooms. Another bonus is the daily continental breakfast and happy hour where you are allotted to drinks from the bar with light snacks. The location is amazing. You are minutes away from The Riverwalk and the red line station. The staff were extremely nice and accommodating. I highly recommend The Kinzie and this will be our go to any time we are back in Chicago.
We stayed here over the Fourth of July weekend with our two kids, and we had a great experience! The location is perfect—everything is within walking distance. The room wasn’t very big, but it was clean and comfortable. Housekeeping did a great job every day. A special shoutout to the complimentary happy hour, which was a really nice touch! Breakfast was decent—not anything fancy, but it had everything we needed. Overall, we would definitely stay here again.
Stayed here for two nights and everything was great! Our room itself was super spacious and the views from the large windows were gorgeous. The hotel has free breakfast as well as a happy hour where guests can redeem two free drinks. The location was perfect for a weekend trip where we wanted to explore the city. All of the staff was very friendly, and the man working nights at the desk is the best!
The rooms and friendliness of the staff were a 5/5. Very clean and spacious rooms. The location is also a 5/5 as it’s quite literally walking distance from everything in Chicago. I got a good deal and paid well under $200/night so found it worth it, but at the typical price of like $250/night I wouldn’t say it was worth it. First there was a hidden resort fee that wasn’t clearly advertised. Secondly, the breakfast was extremely weak by 4 star hotel standards. I’ve literally had significantly better breakfasts at 2 star hotels. It was just extremely processed food like Jimmy Deans breakfast sandwiches, and not even decent fruit. The first morning there were no bananas, something everyone likes in the morning. The next morning all the bananas were greener than Shrek-inedible. Guys please, when everyone is paying $200/night, it’s not too much to ask to get decent bananas and other fruits, and decent bread as it appeared to be the cheapest generic grocery store bread. The happy hour snacks were only popcorn and pretzels, when I was fully expecting more.
Really great hotel, I really enjoyed my stay! The rooms are impeccably clean and spacious and the beds are very comfortable. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming, specially Deandre who was very attentive, profesional and willing to help. The place is well located, practically walking distance to and from anywhere and is well maintained. I would definitely come back!
Crowne Plaza Chicago West Loop by IHG
| Address | 25 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60661 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | (312) 829-5000 |
I have had several wonderful stays at the Crowne Plaza Chicago West Loop. The hotel was clean, comfortable, and in a great location with easy access to restaurants and everything I needed during my visit. The staff was consistently friendly and welcoming, making me feel at home from the moment I arrived.
A special thank you to Tiana, who truly went above and beyond. Her kindness, professionalism, and genuine desire to make sure guests have a great experience did not go unnoticed. It's employees like Tiana who turn a good hotel stay into a memorable one. She is an incredible asset to the Crowne Plaza team.
I would absolutely stay here again and highly recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Chicago.
My first night started off rough only because of one the staffers were rude, but it was all made up by the rest of the staff. They had pretty great attitude and also very helpful. I love the location is located in a great spot close to downtown the room was clean. Shower was great. Ended up having breakfast there and it was also nice and the people were very sweet and helpful at the restaurant overall, I would definitely go back and stay there mostly because of the location and of course the staff was great except for the one incident we had . Overall, I’ll give it 10 out of 10 for my vacation hopefully will be back soon
Nothing about this hotel makes it 4 ⭐️ worthy. The entire hotel is non-smoking, yet as soon as you exit the elevator the halls reek of weed. Our room was dated and smelled horribly of dog pee as if the carpets haven’t been cleaned in ages with deodorizer. If you are wanting this location, then I’m sure it’s great but you can hear all of the road noise, so if a quiet hotel is what you’re after, this isn’t it. After our flight being canceled, this is the first hotel we could find at midnight within an 8 mile radius of the airport and we had hoped it would be a decent one. I do have to say Regina at the front desk was helpful and responsive in listening to my concerns, so that aspect was great.
I had a wonderful experience at this hotel, thanks in a large part to the outstanding staff. Regina at the front desk provided exceptional customer service. She was friendly, professional, and made me feel welcome from the moment I arrived.
I’d also like to recognize Roxeanne in the breakfast area for her helpfulness and positive attitude. She went out of her way to ensure i had a great start to my day.
Both Regina and Roxeanne are true assets to the hotel. Their hospitality made my stay memorable, and I look forward to returning.
Thanks,
N. Harris 6/4-6/7
I usually do not complete reviews but I am so irritated that I had to. I wanted to find a nice location that was close to the medical district were I work. For this to be a 4 star hotel, I was not impressed at all. My first interaction was the front desk agent which was not a friendly one. The other customers were talking loudly and she was speaking to me in such a low tone. I needed to hear because she was explaining the parking situation and the associated costs. I politely asked could she speak up and she clearly let me know she was irritated. I'm like whatever, I'm not going to let that bother me. The room was dated. I guess I expected more for over $350 a night. I'm like whatever, it is what it is. I go to get ice and the ice machine does not work. At this time, I made the decision to leave in the morning although I paid for two nights. I received a text asking how my stay was, and I responded honestly that I wasn't impressed and left and gave them my reasons. They stated they would email me my receipt.
A week later, they still have not emailed me my receipt. I called the hotel because my card was not credited back the incidentals. I was told because I did third party booking they couldn't find the confirmation???? WTH??? I received the run around and still never received my receipt from Crown Plaza. Avoid this place at all costs. Word of mouth is powerful and I will let everyone at work know about my experience.
Tips for Choosing the Perfect Hotel Near Willis Tower
Selecting the right property requires more than just looking at a map; it involves understanding the nuances of the neighborhood and how hotel fees work in a major city. To ensure you get the best value and experience during your stay in downtown Chicago, consider these practical insights before you book your reservation.
1. Budget for Urban Amenities and Parking
If you are driving into the city, parking is a significant financial consideration. Hotels in the Loop rarely offer complimentary parking, and valet services can range from $60 to $80 per night. Always check the parking fees before booking, or consider utilizing public transit or rideshares to avoid the cost entirely.
2. Understand the "Loop" Layout
While Willis Tower is technically on the western edge of the Loop, the area is highly walkable. However, if you plan to spend most of your time on the Magnificent Mile or Navy Pier, you might want to balance your location. Staying near Willis Tower offers better access to Union Station and the West Loop’s "Restaurant Row," whereas Michigan Avenue is better for high-street shopping.
3. Look for "Skyline" vs. "City" View Rooms
Not all rooms with a view are created equal. When booking, pay close attention to whether the room specifies a "Skyline View" or "Lake View." Because Willis Tower is so tall, rooms in neighboring hotels often offer stunning, unobstructed views of the tower itself—often referred to as "Tower View" rooms. These can provide a magical night-time ambiance.
4. Check for Daily Destination Fees
Many downtown Chicago hotels have adopted the "resort fee" model, often called a "destination fee" or "urban fee." These fees can add $25 to $35 per night to your bill. However, they often include credits for dining, bike rentals, or fitness classes. Ask what the fee includes to determine if it adds value to your stay rather than just increasing the cost.
5. Consider Access to the "L" Train
The elevated train system (the "L") is the lifeline of Chicago. Properties located near the Quincy/Wells station or the Clinton station (Blue Line) offer incredible convenience. The Blue Line connects directly to O’Hare International Airport, meaning you can save over an hour of travel time and a significant taxi fare by staying near a Blue Line stop close to Willis Tower.
6. Match the Vibe to Your Trip Purpose
The area around Willis Tower serves two distinct crowds: the corporate financial district and the trendy West Loop. If you want a quiet, business-focused stay with seamless service, opt for the classic luxury hotels right on Wacker Drive. If you want a more local, vibrant experience with coffee shops and breweries right outside your door, choose a hotel slightly west of the river.
Finding the right base in Chicago enhances the entire rhythm of your trip. By staying near Willis Tower, you position yourself at a crossroads of transportation, dining, and culture, allowing you to experience the city like a local rather than a tourist rushing to catch a cab.
Whether you choose a historic landmark hotel or a sleek modern tower, the proximity to this iconic skyscraper ensures that the best of the Windy City is always just a short walk away. Enjoy the views, the deep-dish pizza, and the unmatched energy of downtown Chicago.
