Where to Stay in Magnificent Mile, Chicago

Good for

• First-time visitors
• Architecture lovers

First-time visitors who want a genuinely historic building with modern InterContinental service, right in the middle of the Magnificent Mile and walkable to the Loop, River North, and the lakefront.

Why we like it

• Occupies the restored 1929 Medinah Athletic Club building, with Art Deco details throughout the public spaces
• Home to a historic Junior Olympic-sized indoor pool, one of the most distinctive hotel amenities in the city
• A central Magnificent Mile address within walking distance of River North, the Loop, and the lakefront

What to know

• The building's historic bones mean some rooms and hallways have irregular, older layouts
• It's a large hotel that hosts events and groups, so public spaces can be busy at peak times
• Pool access hours are limited — check current times if a swim is a priority

Good for

• Luxury travelers
• Couples
• Architecture lovers

Couples and first-time visitors who want a genuinely historic, full-service hotel right at the top of the Magnificent Mile, within walking distance of both the shops and the lakefront.

Why we like it

• A 1920 landmark hotel with individually decorated rooms rather than a standardized modern layout
• Sits exactly where Michigan Avenue meets Oak Street Beach and the lakefront
• Palm Court afternoon tea and a private art collection give it a genuine sense of occasion

What to know

• As a century-old building, rooms and layouts vary more than at a newer hotel — some are more compact than others
• Rates sit at the higher end of what's covered in this guide
• Lake Shore Drive traffic can be audible in rooms facing the water side