6 Best Hotels in South Loop, Chicago

Don't judge this place on appearance alone: the nondescript tower is actually one of the city's most family-friendly hotels, and its location—just five minutes by foot from the Museum Campus—is one reason why. It also offers easy access to nearby attractions like the Art Institute. The erstwhile Essex Inn underwent a $30 million renovation in 2019 that capitalized on its mid-century bona fides (the Essex opened in 1961); the hotel is now part of Marriott's Le Meridien portfolio.

The lobby here is a crown jewel in Chicago's architecture scene; guest rooms are simple and elegant, with enough flair to feel updated yet still give a sense of the rich past. Property perks include lake views in certain rooms and the popular Mercat a la Planxa tapas restaurant and bar. Ask about the hotel's storied past; presidents as well as mob bosses have stayed here.

On a busy day the lobby of this Hilton might be mistaken for a terminal at O'Hare Airport; it's a bustling convention hotel, but one that retains its distinguished 1920s heritage in a Renaissance-inspired entrance hall and gold-and-gilt grand ballroom. Renovations completed in 2012 provided new dining and drinking options (the venerable Kitty O'Sheas bar remains), while renovations completed in 2015 lend a more modern look to 1,000-plus guest rooms. A grab-and-go market offers Starbucks coffee, pastries, and sandwiches during daylight hours and local craft beers and cocktails in the evening. The 28,000-square-foot gym has enough room for an indoor track and swimming pool.

Not only is this Holiday Inn close to Chicago's main attractions, it's also within steps of CTA trains that go directly to either O'Hare or Midway airports. Decor-wise the rooms are a bit bland, but they’re comfortable and equipped with pillow-top mattresses, workspaces, and free Wi-Fi. That’s good news for the hordes of business travelers who are drawn here by the hotel’s proximity to the financial district; in summer months they and everyone else have an added incentive to visit—the rooftop pool.

A multimillion-dollar renovation a few years back updated this spacious landmark in Chicago's historic Printers Row neighborhood; the lobby is dark but welcoming, and the rooms, in a mix of browns, reds, and creams, are very large considering the location. Choose a suite and you'll have a condo-size spread with fantastic views of downtown. It's ideal for business travelers who want to be near the city's financial district, yet close enough to Grant Park, the Art Institute, and other museums to have touristic appeal.

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.