With a skyline that rivals that of NYC, Chicago is one of the coolest cities in the US. Considered the birthplace of the skyscraper, the city fuses an architectural blend of Art Deco and Postmodern.
Chicago’s location on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan – one of five Great Lakes of North America – further adds to the beauty of this attractive modern metropolis.
But where will you find the hotels with the best views in Chicago? After all, you want to make the most of that epic city skyline and lakeside views.
My guide is here to matchmake you with your perfect hotel in the Windy City. This directory is divided into three parts so that you can find an option that suits your budget and taste. Read on for the lowdown on the most amazing Chicago hotels with the best views.
*Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link.*
Table of Contents
Where to Stay in Chicago for the Best Views
Following New York City and Los Angeles, Chicago is the third-largest city in the US. The city comprises 77 community areas that are considered to belong to 9 districts within which you will find additional neighborhoods.
The most central area is the Chicago Loop, or Downtown Chicago, with River North and Streeterville sitting – the location of the Magnificent Mile – to the north. For a more detailed insight into where to stay in Chicago, you can read my complete guide to the best 8 areas to stay in Chicago.
But where will you find the hotels with best views in Chicago?
First, you’re going to get a choice of what view you actually want from your room: the city skyline, the vast expanse of Lake Michigan, or the Chicago River.
Chicago Loop does provide incredible views of the city skyline. However, because you’re right in the thick of it, you might find that you’re almost too close. Whereas the Streeterville and River North neighborhoods provide more of a perspective of the cityscape while being super close to the heart of the action.
Just north of Chicago Loop and Streeterville, Gold Coast is in a prime position for exploring the beaches that flank the perimeter of Lake Michigan. You can find some of the best Chicago hotel views here as they often give you the choice of a city panorama or views of the lake.
Slightly further out, the West Loop and South Loop neighborhoods provide stellar views of the city. You just need to know which hotels deliver the best angles, which is where this blog comes into the picture.
With an idea in mind of how the city is laid out, let’s dive into the Chicago hotels with the best views!
My Top 5 Picks of Chicago Hotels with Best Views
If you are in a hurry, then here are the top 5 best hotels in Chicago with a view as per different categories.
- Best overall hotel in Chicago with a view: Pendry Chicago
- Best luxury Chicago hotel with best views: Nobu Hotel Chicago
- Best budget hotel with best views in Chicago: Moxy Chicago Downtown
- Best city view hotel in Chicago for couples: The Hoxton, Chicago
- Best hotel with a view in Chicago for families: Sable At Navy Pier Chicago
Keep reading to know more about each hotel and to find some more amazing hotels with the best views in Chicago to choose from!
Best 5-Star Hotels with the Best Views in Chicago
If you are seeking 5-star luxury at a hotel that makes you feel like royalty, then you’re in luck: Chicago is heaving with opulent accommodations comprising of the biggest names in the luxury hotel business! Treat yourself to the best Chicago hotel views from one of the following 7 accommodation options.
1. Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago
Price range: $$$
Neighborhood: River North
Featuring stunning views from every room and communal space within the hotel, Trump International Hotel & Tower is one of the most luxurious 5-star hotels with best views in Chicago.
The landmark building stands 92-stories above the buzzing streets of River North overlooking the Chicago Loop, Chicago River, and Lake Michigan.
Spacious rooms are meticulously appointed with luxurious marble bathrooms and 65-inch cable televisions. The top-tier units come with spa-inspired amenities such as heated eye and neck pillows and yoga equipment.
Guests can indulge at the onsite spa, fitness center, and a restaurant headed up by the renowned chef Nick Dostal. Terrace 16 features a stylish indoor dining room and bar, alongside a seasonal outdoor terrace with sizzling views of the iconic city.
2. Viceroy Chicago
Price range: $$
Neighborhood: Gold Coast
Located a 10-minute walk from Oak Street beach, the Viceroy Chicago is one of the best Chicago hotels with a view for seaside lovers and couples seeking a peaceful base in the city.
Rooms at this 5-star hotel are fitted with floor-to-ceiling windows that allow the natural light to fill the space while offering an eyeful of the city skyline and lake. All are decorated with attractive modern furnishings and artistic upholstery that marries comfort with style.
The hotel features a rooftop bar and lounge, Devereaux, which offers panoramic city views. Besides this, you have access to the seasonal rooftop pool. There are a further two restaurants serving sustainably-minded breakfast, lunch, and dinner dishes.
3. Nobu Hotel Chicago
Price range: $$$
Neighborhood: West Loop
Located within the prestigious West Loop district, Nobu Hotel is an artistic retreat that blends old-world Japanese influences with modern Chicago.
Rooms at the property are designed in a minimalist style that prioritizes comfort and practicality. All are prepared with exclusive Nobu beds, yoga mats, and a Nespresso coffee machine.
Suites come equipped with free-standing teak bathtubs that capitalize on the views while the two-bedroom Nobu Villa has the added perk of its own pool table.
Continuing the Japanese theme, the hotel contains its signature Nobu restaurant as well as a separate sushi bar and a rooftop bar from where you can drink in the epic views. There is an indoor heated ‘tranquility’ pool and a state-of-the-art fitness suite.
Nobu Hotel is one of the most luxurious Chicago hotels with a view with a phenomenal unique concept.
4. The Langham Chicago
Price range: $$$
Neighborhood: River North
Located in the trendy River North neighborhood in a tower designed by the esteemed Mies van der Rohe, The Langham presents the perfect blend of convenience and stylish comfort.
Warm tones and dark woods accent the guest rooms which feature floor-to-ceiling windows. Each is affixed with its own marble Alaskan bathroom with a deep soaking bathtub, monsoon shower, and upscale bath products.
Contemporary American cuisine made from seasonal produce is on the menu at Travelle while a classic British Afternoon Tea is served alongside awesome city views in the Pavilion.
There is a gym, indoor pool, and wellness retreat on the premises as well as a private cinema that is available for hire.
5. The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago
Price range: $$$
Neighborhood: Streeterville
Located within the Water Tower Place, this exquisite 5-star hotel places you within easy access to the luxury shops and restaurants that stud the Magnificent Mile.
Rooms and suites are tastefully decorated with charming period touches, French panel doors, and wide windows to make the most of the views. All furniture is of superior quality and comfort.
There is a solid selection of rooms to satisfy couples, families, and travelers that require a space to work while on the move.
The hotel features an indoor lap pool, spa, gym, and business center. You always know that you are in safe hands when you check into a Ritz-Carlton and the Chicago property will not let you down.
6. Four Seasons Chicago
Price range: $$$
Neighborhood: Gold Coast
As with the Ritz-Carlton family of hotels, The Four Seasons also never fails to impress and the Chicago offering is beyond flawless. With lots of room and suite configurations, this is one of the best family Chicago hotels with a view.
Rooms and suites consist of vintage décor in a French style and marble bathrooms stocked with deluxe bathing products. Special touches include lighted cosmetics mirrors and iHome clock radios.
Each unit offers panoramic views of either the city skyline or the lake from this Gold Coast setting.
Resident musicians perform weekly on Fridays and Sundays in the hotel lounge, with styles varying from acoustic to jazz and disco. There is an indoor swimming pool, gym, and business center on the premises while the hotel breakfast is one of the best offerings in the city.
7. Waldorf Astoria Chicago
Price range: $$$
Neighborhood: Gold Coast
The stylish Chicago Waldorf Astoria is conveniently located between the Magnificent Mile and the beaches of the Gold Coast. If you’re looking to be utterly pampered and treated like royalty then this is one of the most luxurious hotels with best views in Chicago.
Each room at the luxury hotel features a microwave, and a refrigerator which comes in handy for longer term stays. Select units come with a fireplace, terrace, and marble bathtub. All are styled with contemporary designs and rich fabrics.
This 5-star hotel complex includes a spa, health club, gym, and indoor swimming pool. An on-site patisserie brings a Parisian touch with its collection of French cafe classics while the upscale Brasserie impresses with fashionable cocktails and elegant dishes.
Best 4-Star Chicago Hotels with the Best Views
The following selection of 4-star hotels strikes a perfect harmony between affordable luxury, meticulous attention to detail, and boutique service. Here are 11 hotels with best views in Chicago spread across the central neighborhoods.
8. Eurostars Magnificent Mile
Price range: $$
Neighborhood: River North
This boutique hotel is equipped with comfortable and modern rooms that feature floor-to-ceiling windows for surveying the best views in the city. With a sleek industrial theme woven through the decor, the Eurostars Magnificent Mile is one of the coolest Chicago hotels with a view.
Suites come with panoramic windows and roomy seating areas while the Presidential Suite has its own freestanding bathtub strategically placed to overlook the city.
With a comprehensive menu and a fully-stocked bar, the Apogee Terrace is the perfect place to wind down after a day of sightseeing. Alternatively, the Leviathan Lobby Bar tempts with cocktails inspired by mythological sea creatures.
9. Sable At Navy Pier Chicago, Curio Collection By Hilton
Price range: $$
Neighborhood: Streeterville
Located in Navy Pier and offering views of both the city skyline and Lake Michigan, this Hilton property is one of the best 4-star Chicago hotels with a view.
Colorful rooms feature contemporary design elements and seating areas that capitalize on the views. Besides the general guest rooms and suites, Sable At Navy Pier Chicago also has an impressive selection of accessible rooms. Corner rooms provide the most incredible views of the lake.
The Sable At Navy Pier Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton features an on-site gym and restaurant that serves a mix of modern American dishes.
10. Swissotel Chicago
Price range: $$
Neighborhood: Chicago Loop
The Swissotel Chicago is located in the Chicago Loop, the downtown district, and overlooks the river and Streeterville neighborhood.
Neat rooms are bright and airy with heaps of natural light and designed with a minimalist style so that you can bask in the space.
Beyond the rooms and suites, The Swissotel Chicago earns its reputation as one of the hotels with the best views in Chicago with its loft duplexes that offer heart-stopping city panoramas.
The Swissotel Chicago offers a gym as well as guided jogs around the local area which is handy for fitness-minded travelers who like to socialize. Another benefit of this 4-star hotel is that they offer an in-room massage service.
11. Pendry Chicago
Price range: $$
Neighborhood: Chicago Loop
This boutique hotel is set within the iconic 1929 Art Deco Carbide & Carbon Building which has recently undergone a major renovation.
The 1920s theme continues with the rooms, suites, and communal areas conceived using inspiration from this glamorous era, with refined and elegant fixtures and furnishings, monochrome with a splash of gold.
Pendry Chicago features several dining options with a signature restaurant inspired by a French brasserie. Meanwhile, Bar Pendry is a rich, moody cocktail lounge anchored by a central fireplace and the rooftop Château Carbide on the 24th floor provides stunning views of the city.
This stylish property is one of the best overall hotels with the best views in Chicago that I would recommend to all traveler styles.
12. The Hoxton, Chicago
Price range: $$
Neighborhood: West Loop
Situated in the upscale West Loop neighborhood, The Hoxton Chicago wows with its handsome rooms, three bars and restaurants, rooftop pool, and yoga studio.
The property offers a co-working package for travelers who work from the road. Rooms are appointed with warehouse-style floor-to-ceiling windows, paneled leather headboards, mid-century furniture, and chic bedding designed by local artist Cody Hudson.
The dining scene at The Hoxton Chicago is about as diverse as the city! Take your pick from Cira, a modern Mediterranean restaurant in the lobby, Cabra, a Peruvian-inspired cevicheria by Chef Stephanie Izard, and the cocktail joint Lazy Bird with regular live music.
With its evocative design and world-class amenities, The Hoxton Chicago is one of the Chicago hotels with best views for couples, honeymooners, and anniversary celebrations.
13. Loews Chicago Hotel
Price range: $$
Neighborhood: Streeterville
Loews Chicago Hotel occupies a covetable location in Streeterville, with the Magnificent Mile, the Chicago Loop, and Navy Pier all within close proximity.
Monochrome rooms are fitted with an extra-large bed, comfortable desk, and a stylish modern bathroom. Each is equipped with a minibar, Keurig® coffee maker, and an iPod dock.
Towering 54 floors above the streets of Streeterville, Loews Chicago Hotel is one of the best hotels in Chicago with a view if you want a sweeping panorama across the whole city.
A highlight of this hotel is the indoor lap pool which is available throughout the year and makes it easy to stay on track of your wellbeing while traveling. There is also an outstanding fitness suite that remains open around the clock.
14. The Blackstone, Autograph Collection
Price range: $$
Neighborhood: Chicago Loop
Situated in a prestigious French Beaux-Arts building, The Blackstone, Autograph Collection features a palatial lobby and a statement lounge that allude to the history of the property.
Guest rooms follow a more contemporary style while the suites draw on period design styles and period pieces, with top-tier units featuring fireplaces and chandeliers.
As one of the finest boutique hotels with the best views in Chicago Loop, The Blackstone, Autograph Collection is a good all-rounder for couples, families, and business travelers.
15. Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile
Price range: $$
Neighborhood: River North
The Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile is located within walking distance of the iconic buildings, restaurants, and shops. Rooms are functional and comfortable, decorated in soothing creams and beiges to help you switch off.
Luxury touches at this 4-star hotel include a coffee maker, ergonomic chair, and a spacious work desk – making this one of the best hotels in Chicago with a view for business travelers or those who work remotely.
On-site restaurant Reviver serves food to-go around the clock and room service is also available at The Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile. The hotel features a gym and a communal garden.
16. The Gwen, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Michigan Avenue Chicago
Price range: $$
Neighborhood: River North
A sculptural masterpiece, The Gwen, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Michigan Avenue Chicago fully exudes the vintage glamour of 1930s Chicago. Its Art Deco facade was crafted by the sculptress Gwen Lux — one of the few women in the field at the time.
All rooms are styled with intricate wall illustrations, a work zone, and an immaculate monochrome en suite with a bath and separate walk-in shower. As a luxury 4-star retreat, the property also provides posh Molton Brown shower products, plush bathrobes, and slippers.
With spacious family rooms, The Gwen, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Michigan Avenue Chicago is one of the best family-friendly hotels with the best views in Chicago
The large fitness center comprises cardio equipment, free weights, strength training machines, and yoga equipment. Take in panoramic views of the city skyline with a craft cocktail by the fireplace at the hotel’s rooftop terrace, Upstairs at the Gwen.
17. Hotel EMC2, Autograph Collection
Price range: $$
Neighborhood: Streeterville
Providing some of the best Chicago hotel views from both the room and the transparent bathrooms, Hotel EMC2 Autograph Collection is a bold choice of hotel. Rooms feature whimsical pieces of art that set an atmospheric mood and deluxe lab showers.
Beyond its deluxe rooms, the hotel throughout evokes an artistic and creative atmosphere. Visit its cocktail bar and restaurant, The Albert Tavern, which was created in homage to Albert Einstein and offers a themed menu based on the physicist.
Pet-friendly rooms are available at this friendly downtown boutique hotel in Chicago.
Best 3-Star Hotels in Chicago with a View
If you are traveling to Chicago on a budget, then you will be pleased to hear that the city offers an excellent choice of 3-star hotels. The final 4 on my list are hotels with best views in Chicago for budget-minded travelers.
18. Sonder l South Wabash
Price range: $
Neighborhood: South Loop
This 3-star aparthotel is located in the South Loop district which is known for its budget-friendly accommodations and self-catering options.
Units at Sonder | South Wabash vary from one and two-bedroom suites. Certain suites have a sofa bed as well. All configurations feature fully equipped kitchens that include an oven with stovetop, microwave, coffee maker, and refrigerator.
Views vary based on the accommodation that you book but the superior suites provide a cool perspective of the Chicago Loop – the best ones also feature a balcony.
Sonder | South Wabash is one of the best budget-friendly hotels with the best views in Chicago South Loop.
19. Moxy Chicago Downtown
Price range: $
Neighborhood: River North
Located in the vibrant River North neighborhood, Moxy Chicago Downtown provides all the convenience of a central hotel but at an economical price.
Each room at Moxy Chicago Downtown has its own personality ranging from alien abduction to scenes from a music video, making it an extremely Instagrammable choice of accommodation!
But the USP of this hotel – besides being one of the best 3-star Chicago hotels with a view – is the Inner Circle art installation. Certain rooms overlook this quirky and modern art exhibit modeled on the Garden of Eden.
Moxy Chicago Downtown features an awesome bar, fitness suite, and is pet-friendly. What else do you need for a great vacation?
20. Residence Inn by Marriott Chicago Downtown/River North
Price range: $
Neighborhood: River North
Residence Inn by Marriott Chicago Downtown/River North is an alternative budget-friendly hotel in the city’s nightlife and dining hub. Units overlook the Chicago skyline with views that truly come into their own at night.
All rooms at this 3-star hotel are prepared as self-contained units with a full kitchen including an oven, stovetop, and gigantic refrigerator – ideal if you’re looking to save money by preparing your own meals.
They also have private bathrooms, ample living quarters, and a sofa bed which is great for traveling friends or families. The Residence Inn by Marriott Chicago Downtown/River North boasts a 24-hour fitness center, bar, and welcomes pets.
21. Hilton Garden Inn Chicago McCormick Place
Price range: $
Neighborhood: Chinatown, South Loop
The Hilton Garden Inn Chicago McCormick Place is one of the best budget-friendly Chicago hotels with the best views. Located in the Chinatown neighborhood within the South Loop district, the hotel is somewhat further afield. However, what you get for the price is remarkable.
The 3-star hotel features roomy, beautifully appointed guest rooms. There is an indoor swimming pool available to guests throughout the year, a fitness center, and a restaurant. Visit the terrace which is decked with fireplaces and provides sweeping views of the city skyline.
Planning a trip to Chicago?
Then you might want to take a look at all our other travel guides about Chicago. I promise, they are just as awesome as this article was!
- Top 8 Best Areas to Stay in Chicago
- 22 Amazing Hotels with the Best Views in Chicago
- 13 Stunning Chicago Hotels with Lake Views
- 3 Days in Chicago: The Perfect Itinerary for First-Timers
- 15 Most Instagrammable Places in Chicago You Can’t Miss
- 107 Incredible Chicago Captions for Instagram
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