Chicago is a sparkling metropolis, known for its food, culture, and sports scene. The largest city in Illinois and the entire Midwest, Chicago is sprinkled with unique and diverse neighborhoods that beckon all kinds of travelers, from music lovers to sports fans to history geeks. Even beach bums will find solace at the beautiful lakefront in the summer months.
After living here for four years, I think there’s no better place to stay than the Magnificent Mile. This popular district is home to towering skyscrapers, trendy restaurants, shopping opportunities, and vibrant nightlife. It is close to the famous Bean, Navy Pier, and Lake Michigan. Enjoy fine Asian service at the Peninsula Chicago or unparalleled luxury at the Four Seasons. These are the best 5-star Chicago hotels on the Magnificent Mile.
1. Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile
Sofitel Chicago is a luxury hotel known for its French-inspired elegance and avant-garde design. It is located in a 32-floor prism glass building, where guests can enjoy panoramic views of the city of Lake Michigan. Here, travelers are only steps away from the city’s top attractions, including the Magnificent Mile and Navy Pier.
The hotel’s interior reflects its chic and modern exterior. Rooms are spacious and clean, with plush furniture. During the summer, Sofitel guests can dine and drink on an outdoor terrace. Other dining options include a French restaurant and an intimate bar. There is also a fitness center and a spa. Read my complete review of Sofitel Chicago.
2. Four Seasons Chicago
Located along the iconic Magnificent Mile, the Four Seasons is a five-star hotel with unparalleled views of the lake and the city skyline. The decor at this hotel is sophisticated and chic, with a large lobby with marble floors and surfaces and plush armchairs. Guests can choose from a variety of suits and guest rooms, or opt for a more private luxury residence or executive suite.
The Four Seasons Chicago boasts an array of amenities, including a fitness center, a spa, and personalized concierge services. The hotel is in the same building as an upscale shopping mall so guests can shop without ever having to step outside.
Traveling as a family? This hotel offers family packages to help with trip planning. Other family amenities include in-room ice cream delivery and babysitting services.
3. Park Hyatt Chicago
Located on Chicago’s Michigan Avenue, Park Hyatt Chicago offers its guests a luxurious urban retreat. The hotel is centrally located, close to the historic Water Tower Place, Lake Michigan, and premier Chicago shopping.
Guest rooms and suites are spacious, with big windows boasting beautiful skyline or lake views. The hotel’s on-site restaurant, NoMI Kitchen, serves American cuisine with French influences. For beautiful sunset views, head to the 7th-floor rooftop terrace. Other hotel amenities include an indoor pool, a fitness center, a laundry service, and fast, free wifi.
4. The Peninsula Chicago
The Peninsula Chicago is one of the city’s most luxurious hotels. This five-star hotel blends timeless elegance and modern sophistication. The hotel prides itself on its excellent service, drawn from its Asian heritage. The rooms are airy, with plush bedding and beautiful views.
Dining options include a sushi pop-up dining experience, a Chinese restaurant, a rooftop bar, a contemporary American restaurant, and an in-room dining option. Relax at the on-site spa, or break a sweat at the fitness center. Enjoy beautiful city views from the indoor hotel pool.
5. The Langham Chicago
The Langham is a 5-star hotel that overlooks the Chicago River and sits just a couple blocks from Michigan Ave. The hotel is inside the IMB building, a Chicago landmark designed by renowned architect Mies van der Rohe. Guests interested in architecture and design will find books on the subject in their guest rooms.
Expect to be pampered here. There is a spa with Chinese treatments, an indoor pool with floor-to-ceiling windows and the bathrooms in the guest rooms have granite counters and rainfall showerheads. The hotel lounge is equally impressive, with its fireplaces, huge windows, and large art installation at its center.
6. Waldorf Astoria Chicago
More luxury awaits at the Waldorf Astoria Chicago. This chateau-style hotel underwent a major renovation in 2016 and now boasts 214 rooms, spanning 19 floors. Some rooms include fireplaces and terraces. The decor is nothing short of royal, with maroon and gold accents.
Located just one block west of North Michigan Avenue in the Gold Coast, this
The hotel boasts a 14,000-square-foot spa, a European-style piazza, an indoor lap pool, and three restaurants. There’s valet parking, and pets are allowed.
7. Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago
The Trump Hotel sits inside the fourth-largest building in the U.S. The building, which inspired Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, sits alongside the Chicago River, where guests can enjoy views of the river, city skyline, lake, and Navy Pier.
There is a 23,000-square-foot spa, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a rooftop bar, and an upscale bar and lounge along the Chicago River. With 26,000 square feet of meeting space, the hotel also acts as a popular wedding or event venue.
Guest rooms span 600 square feet and feature 10-foot tall windows. For even more space and luxury, opt for one of the hotel’s suites or grand deluxe suites, the largest of which spans a whopping 3,876 square feet.
8. The Ritz-Carlton
The Ritz Carlton prides itself on its midwestern hospitality and iconic address. The hotel is inside Water Tower Place, offering five-star amenities right on top of the many popular shops and restaurants. Of course, there’s no need to even exit the hotel, with its array of dining options, including an Italian restaurant, a breathtaking rooftop restaurant, a cafe, and a bar.
Rooms have chic decor and a spacious marble bathroom. While some rooms look into the city skyline, others overlook Lake Michigan. There is a full-service spa, a family-friendly indoor pool, and a fitness center with incredible city views.
9. Warwick Allerton
Warwick Allerton may not be a five-star hotel, but it still belongs on this list. Guests here will find themselves looking down onto the Magnificent Mile, as the hotel sits directly on Michigan Ave in downtown Chicago.
The building dates back to 1924 and was designated a historic landmark in 1998. Although the hotel has undergone a major renovation, it still retains its historic style and charm. Rooms are spacious, with a warm interior and timeless decor. The Warwick Allerton is also known for its elegant afternoon tea in the Tip Top Tap Ballroom.
10. The Gwen
The Gwen is another Magnificent Mile hotel with a four-star rating that earns a place on our list. This luxurious hotel in River North was built in 1929, and thus, has a 1930s theme, evident in its gold and navy color scheme and classic decor. There is an art deco-inspired rooftop terrace with twinkle lights and fire pits that keep guests warm in the winter. On weekends, the Gwen organizes Tipsy Tea, an alcoholic afternoon tea. ‘
Have you ever glamped in Chicago? If not, now’s your chance. The Gwen’s glamping experience accommodates up to six guests in a luxurious tent on an open-air patio. For a more traditional hotel experience, stay in one of 311 spacious guest rooms and suites.
