Best Places to Stay in Chicago

When visiting Chicago, the hardest part of your trip might be deciding where to stay. There are many places to choose from when visiting, so first consider what type of activities you may want to do while in town. If you are in Chicago in the summer to route for the home team at a Cubs game, then you may want to stay somewhere on the north side of the city that is easily accessible to the red line el train for an easier commute to Wrigley Field. If you're coming in December to check out the holiday decor and get a little holiday shopping crossed off your list, you might want to stay closer to the Magnificient Mile, aka the area of the city near the famous Michigan Avenue shopping mall. No matter where you stay, you are certain to have a great time, but some of the best places to stay in Chicago can be found close to the city center.

For a posh shopping trip, staying at The Peninsula would be a great option. Located right in the middle of all of the best shops, all you need to do is exit the hotel and head in either direction along Michigan Avenue and you will find no shortage of places to spend your money. The Peninsula is one of three Peninsula brand hotels in the US and just may be the very best of all the hotels in all of Chicago. One of the highlights of The Peninsula is the indoor pool located on the 19th floor, featuring floor-to-ceiling window views of the city below!

The Four Seasons and Waldorf Astoria are two other amazing hotels that are centrally located near the Magnificent Mile. The Four Seasons is located just to the west of Michigan Avenue and is well-known for their excellent service and amazing luxury suites. The Waldorf Astoria, just one block north of the Four Seasons, is nestled next to the neighhborhood known as the Gold Coast, a neighborhood featuring high-end retail and adorable tree-lined streets. Upon entering the Waldorf underneath its iconic purple awnings, you feel as though you've stepped into Paris. The hotel, which features a French cafe, Petit Margeaux, perfect for your morning cappucino and croissant, has large, luxurious rooms, some of which include a working fireplace.

While the Peninsula, Four Seasons, and Waldorf Astoria are unparalled in many ways, they aren't necessarily the type of hotel every traveler seeks. For a cooler, more modern vibe, check out Thompson Chicago, which is located a couple blocks north of the Waldorf on Rush Street. A stay at the Thompson hotel feels like you've entered the living room of a cool musician. Dark and moody with plenty of places to hang out, enjoy a drink at the bar or try one of two dining options.

Another fun neighborhood is the West Loop, which as you might have guessed, is located to the west of downtown Chicago. Over the last ten years, the West Loop has experienced a ton of growth with amazing new restaurants, bars, shopping, and hotels. One of which is the Nobu Hotel. The newest hotel on the list, Nobu Hotel features Japanese minimalism and of course the famous Nobu restaurant, which you can enjoy via room service if you don't want to leave the comfort of your room.

Last, but certainly not least, is quite possibly my favorite hotel of the bunch. The Langham Chicago is located right along the Chicago River and occupies the first thirteen floors of the building located on Wabash Avenue. While it might not look like much from the outside, once you step into the building and take the elevator to the second floor lobby, you will not be disappointed. When we arrived, afternoon tea was taking place in the lobby area complete with a harp player. There is also a "kids suite" which is a large, colorful playroom for those traveling with younger ones, which, along with the indoor pool, makes the Langham Chicago the perfect hotel for all ages visiting the Windy City.

Chicago is an incredibly diverse city made up of more than 200 distinct neighborhoods. Because it is so large, there is no way to see and do everything on your list in just one visit. Be sure to plan a trip to enjoy Chicago in all of the seasons for many different experiences!

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Chicago. In need of further inspiration? Check out Hannah Corderman’s trip report, Best Places to Stay in Boston.