5 Best Hotels in The Loop, including the West Loop and South Loop, Chicago

Background Illustration for Hotels

Chicago's business district, laced with the overhead train tracks of the El, is a desirable—if slightly noisy—place to stay. Hotels here tend to be fairly priced, and many are housed in historic buildings, giving them a charm you won't find along glitzier North Michigan Avenue. Easy access to the Art Institute and Millennium Park is a plus.

In the South Loop, the spots of gentrification—most apparent in the new restaurants popping up along South Michigan Avenue—have made this area increasingly popular. A hotel boom has not occurred here yet, so lodging choices are limited to a few old reliables. Many hotels offer package deals with the nearby Museum Campus.

Radisson Blu Aqua

$$ | 221 N. Columbus Dr., Chicago, IL, 60601, USA Fodor's Choice

With design savvy inside as well as out, this gem breathes life into an 82-story skyscraper designed by revered architect Jeanne Gang. Indoor and outdoor pools, a game room, a movie screening room, a well-equipped fitness center, and lush landscaping on outdoor terraces are all part of the deal. The location is a winner, too, as it's close to Millennium Park and Michigan Avenue. Eight PCs and a conference room in the business center make this as good a fit for road warriors as it is for families with kids and pets. The lobby-level bar is bright and welcoming.

Pros

  • Great location
  • Unique design
  • Friendly

Cons

  • Tricky elevators
  • No full-service spa
  • Hard to nab rooms in high season
221 N. Columbus Dr., Chicago, IL, 60601, USA
312-638–6686
Hotel Details
334 rooms
No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $$

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Kimpton Gray Hotel

$$ | 122 W. Monroe St., Chicago, IL, 60603, USA

Prominently centered on the financial district, this handsome historical landmark (formerly home to the New York Life building) received a sleek, bespoke redesign appealing to young professionals with discerning tastes. The lobby is spacious, with clean lines and high-vaulted ceilings, while rooms feature a blend of design elements riffing off classic suites.

Pros

  • Comfortable beds
  • Complimentary bike rentals
  • Daily hosted happy hour

Cons

  • A bit of a walk to nightlife and attractions
  • Neighborhood isn't lively at night or on weekends
  • No spa
122 W. Monroe St., Chicago, IL, 60603, USA
312-750–9012
Hotel Details
293 rooms
No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $$

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L7 Chicago

$$ | 225 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL, 60601, USA

The former Hotel Monaco was purchased by Korea's Lotte hotel group, reopening in 2024 as the first American outpost of Lotte's L7 brand. Works by Chicago artists complement Asian-inspired decor in the newly refreshed rooms; amenities include in-room fitness equipment as well as complimentary coffee, tea, and snacks at the hotel's "Krave Station."

Pros

  • Inspiring aesthetic
  • No extra charge for pets
  • Comfortable beds

Cons

  • Small gym
  • No on-site spa
  • Noisy area
225 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL, 60601, USA
312-960–8500
Hotel Details
191 rooms
No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $$

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Recommended Fodor's Video

Staypineapple Chicago

$$ | 1 W. Washington St., Chicago, IL, 60602, USA

This historic property, built in 1895 by D.H. Burnham & Co. as one of the first skyscrapers, retains ornate original details including Carrara marble and wrought-iron-trimmed elevators. Rooms have historic charm (read: they're on the small side) but are comfortable, especially for the business traveler. There's also a great restaurant, Atwood, on-site that serves modern American food.

Pros

  • In the heart of the Theatre District
  • Building on National Registry of Historic Places
  • Excellent in-house dining

Cons

  • Room decor is rather plain
  • Not many rooms big enough for larger families
  • Limited lobby space for gathering and lounging
1 W. Washington St., Chicago, IL, 60602, USA
312-940–7997
Hotel Details
122 rooms
No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $$

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The Virgin Hotel

$$$ | 203 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL, 60601, USA

The world's first Virgin Hotel offers loads of tech-age amenities: a custom app called "Lucy" lets guests check in or out remotely, order room service, control the thermostat, and more, plus there is free Wi-Fi at unlimited bandwidth, and outlets are everywhere. Decorated in red and white, the rooms (called "chambers" here) feel airy and bright; each has a dressing area and a sleeping space separated by a sliding door. Pet-friendly digs have cute porcelain dogs stationed outside.

Pros

  • In the heart of downtown, close to major attractions
  • Free Wi-Fi and lots of outlets
  • No delivery charge for room service

Cons

  • No pool
  • Pricey parking
  • No full-service spa
203 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL, 60601, USA
312-940–4400
Hotel Details
250 rooms
No Meals

Quick Facts

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