Most Expensive Hotels In Chicago You Must Visit This Year

Chicago is a beautiful city with so much culture and life to offer, whether you’re heading out to the city to sight-see, shop, or for business, why not find one of the most luxurious places in the city to retreat to at the end of the day? When looking at the most expensive hotels in the windy city, Chicago you’ll be pleased to find out that many are distinct architectural marvels, whether historic, Art Deco, or modern in style. There are at least 18 such luxury hotels, mostly located in the central Downtown area, including the Magnificent Mile, Gold Coast, and the Loop.

No matter which you choose to stay at though, all provide an unparalleled experience of lavish comfort, stunning views, and exceptional on-site restaurants.

9 Luxurious Hotels in Chicago To Splurge on at least Once in Your Life

So without further ado, let’s look at some of the most expensive hotels in all of Chicago.

1. Waldorf Astoria Chicago

If you’re looking for a truly luxurious getaway, the stunning Waldorf Astoria is one of the top choices. With a crystal chandelier inspired by Coco Chanel’s brooch, ornate statues, and marble as far as the eye can see, the opulent 1920s design of this hotel is truly unique. The elegant rooms reflect this, boasting luxurious touches, including fireplaces, balconies, Nespresso machines, and a romantic atmosphere. Typically, these stunning rooms will set you back anywhere between $600 and $1500 per night.

Situated in the upscale Gold Coast neighborhood, just a block away from Michigan Avenue, and only a 10-minute walk to the Museum of Contemporary Art and Oak Street Beach, this hotel truly has one of the most sought-after locations in all of Chicago. There is a great range of onsite amenities, including a full-service spa, pool, health club, etc. Beyond the high-end shopping, this area and the nearby Magnificent Mile also boast some of the best cafes in Chicago, perfect for a mid-shopping break or a relaxing afternoon.

Brass Tack, the hotel’s signature restaurant, serves classic American cuisine with a Chicago twist, showcasing the best of regional cookery and the finest ingredients. From lively dinners and power lunches to weekend brunch with bottomless rosé, Brass Tack serves as one of Chicago’s premier dining destinations for guests and locals alike.

Named one of Chicago’s Best Luxury Hotels by Pursuitist, it is also recognized as one of the top hotels in Chicago for Condé Nast Traveler’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards and earned a Forbes Four-Star rating for 2024.

2. The Peninsula Chicago

Centrally located near Michigan Avenue, The Peninsula Chicago is surrounded by plenty of shops and attractions, including Millennium Park and Navy Pier.

This stunning 5-star hotel is a hit with celebrities and VIPs, so be sure to choose this hotel if you’re hoping to have a celebrity encounter! The Peninsula boasts a great range of restaurants, an on-site fitness center (which includes a half-Olympic-length pool)a luxurious on-site spa, and even a rooftop ice skating rink in winter!

Guests can book a room here from $625 per night, with some paying up to $2200 per night for Grand Deluxe Suites. Rooms are known for their excellent innovative tech additions and luxe atmosphere. With elegant and relaxing cream and navy tones throughout, plush carpets, large TVs, tablet controls, and even a minibar fully stocked with champagne and chocolates, this hotel leaves little to be desired.

3. Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago

Another gorgeous spot along the Chicago River is the Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago. Sitting adjacent to The Loop and surrounded by River North’s lively nightlife it’s one of the nicest hotels in Chicago for anyone looking to live it up in the city at night.

That said, there’s no need to venture too far from the hotel, thanks to the on-site amenities being completely next-level! The two-Michelin star on-site restaurant, Sixteen, offers a seasonal tasting menu, while The Terrace provides al fresco dining with gorgeous skyline views.

If you’re looking for a business-centric hotel that exudes luxury, then the masculine design of this hotel certainly sets it apart from the rest. Rates range between $469 and go as high as $1180 per night for Grand Deluxe Suites.

The design features concrete, glass, and steel architecture, and large guest rooms, each of which includes kitchen facilities, motorized curtains, and luxurious bathrooms, all of which certainly make it worth the stay.

4. The Langham Chicago

The Langham Chicago is a spectacular hotel, which sits on the side of the Chicago River, providing gorgeous views of the iconic Lake Michigan. In the heart of River North’s vibrant restaurant and nightlife scene, and located only 5 minutes away from the nearest station, this hotel is a great spot to visit for anyone looking to soak up the city life. With a truly unique Bauhaus-inspired design, this pet-friendly hotel boasts a great range of breathtaking artworks throughout the interior.

Guests of the Langham Chicago can enjoy upscale dining and stunning river views at the on-site Travelle Kitchen & Bar, and plenty of refined and luxurious onsite amenities including a fitness room, pool, spa, saunas, and other exclusive club-level services.

A simple Deluxe room will set you back at least $675, while the Premier and River-view rooms are $100 more expensive. The price for the Junior Club Suite is about $1,100 right now. All these prices do not include taxes and are subject to vary for different dates.

No matter which room you choose to stay in though, all are elegant and spacious, with luxurious bathrooms, and cozy residential touches such as Nespresso machines and high-quality speakers to truly make you feel as though you’re stepping into a home away from home.

5. JW Marriott Chicago

Located in the Financial District/South Loop, JW Marriott Chicago is only a block away from Willis Tower and is close to the Chicago Board of Trade and Federal Reserve. It is also the only hotel on this list with a walkable direct train link to Chicago’s China Town! Surrounded by a great range of theatres and museums, as well as the gorgeous lakefront, all well within walking distance, this hotel has a truly unbeatable location and is the place to stay if you’re looking to experience the best of Chicago.

A stay here will set you back between $700 and  $800 per night (excluding taxes), but it’s well worth it to be able to experience some of the best JW Marriott luxury in the country!

There’s a great range of onsite facilities, including a large spa, gym, pool, hot tub, and elegant event spaces. The gorgeous on-site restaurant, Florentine, offers refined Italian cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with house-made pasta and gelato.

Designed by famous American architect Daniel Burnham, this hotel is a fairly notable building. Combining a charming, historic elegance with a contemporary style guests are often pleased to find quite how welcoming and up-to-date this hotel is on the inside. The spacious guest rooms boast gorgeous earth tones, luxury linens, and modern amenities such as Bluetooth alarm clocks, and Internet TV.

6. The Gwen

The Gwen is one of the best five-star hotels in Chicago. It is located just steps from Michigan Avenue and is connected to The Shops at North Bridge. Sitting just a 10-minute walk from the Loop, this hotel is the place to stay for art lovers planning on a weekend getaway to Chicago.

There’s also plenty of great on-site dining at this glamorous hotel. ‘Upstairs at The Gwen’ offers creative small plates, burgers, and craft cocktails, ‘Circa’ boasts a great range of indulgent breakfast options, and you can even make use of an on-site concierge service for reservations and itinerary planning, should you wish to dine elsewhere!

Fans of the Art Deco style will find the architecture of this hotel to be somewhat of a landmark. Boasting 300 large rooms with brassy fixtures, geometric designs, and vibrant decor, this theme seamlessly flows into the interior of the hotel too. The prices for the guest rooms start from $350 and vary for different dates.

7. Four Seasons Hotel Chicago

Around the world, the Four Seasons name is synonymous with sleek luxury and upscale style. With 345 elegant rooms, many of which overlook the Magnificent Mile and Lake Michigan, the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago is no exception to the brand’s trademark sophistication.

Four Seasons guests will love that the hotel shares space with luxury shops such as Club Monaco, Gucci, and Kate Spade, making lavish retail therapy a breeze. There’s also an elevated dining experience available from Executive Chef Richie Farina at the hotel’s own Adorn Bar & Restaurant. Here, guests can explore deliciously unique appetizers, innovative cocktails, and truly gourmet entrées from a Michelin-experienced chef and his impeccably trained staff–a culinary experience to remember for a lifetime.

Room rates can range from $600 per night for a city view room to $12,000 for the Presidential Suite. The average price for Lake-view rooms is $800, whereas the executive suites are available for around $1,300. Threading the needle of comfort and elegance with ease, the generously-sized rooms are decked out with plush bedding, large marble bathrooms with designer toiletries, and 55 to 65 inch televisions. And of course, all guests get access to the hotel’s steam room, 50 foot indoor pool, and a 24 hour fitness center.

8. Nobu Hotel Chicago

The name Nobu is typically associated with the distinctive gourmet Peruvian-Japanese cuisine served in its famous restaurants; worldwide, however, Nobu has also been making a name for itself in the high-end hotel world for just over a decade.

Nobu’s Chicago outpost in the West Loop neighborhood is a dream of Japanese minimalism with elegantly placed luxury touches. The rooms here evoke the sense of being in a traditionally designed Japanese home–the sort with tatami mats and sliding paper doors–but with a sleek urban twist. The hotel also boasts a fully equipped fitness center and a beautifully designed wellness spa that includes a stunning Tranquility Pool. And naturally, there is a Nobu on site serving the restaurant family’s signature innovative cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as The Rooftop, a lush lounge experience for enjoying evening cocktails and nibbles as you admire the Chicago skyline.

Rates for Nobu’s stunning rooms range from around $600 per night for their Deluxe rooms, and goes up as high as $1,500 for the Sake Suites. All rooms come with Natura Bissé luxury bath products, Nespresso machines, high-speed wi-fi and Dyson hair dryers, and special add-ons such as bento dessert boxes and other gourmet sweet treats.

9. Park Hayat Chicago

Park Hyatt Chicago, found at 800 North Michigan Avenue, is a luxury hotel right on the Magnificent Mile. With a 9.9/10 rating from over 1,000 reviews, it’s earned spots in the 2024 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards and Forbes’ Four Star list.

The Gold Coast location means you’re steps from the historic Water Tower, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Millennium Park, and tons of high-end shops—all within 2 miles. Midway Airport is 13 miles away, and O’Hare is 17.

The hotel has 146 sleek rooms and 36 roomy suites. Some rooms face the city, others overlook Lake Michigan. The big windows let in tons of light, and people love the roomy bathrooms. Each space comes with a Nespresso machine, fancy Le Labo soaps, and free Wi-Fi. If you’re lucky enough to snag a higher-floor room that faces east, expect awesome views.

Dining is a big deal here, too. NoMI Kitchen cooks up modern American dishes using local ingredients, while NoMI Lounge is the spot for sushi and classy cocktails. In warmer months, NoMI Garden opens up outdoors for a more laid-back vibe. Need to relax? The NoMI Spa offers custom treatments. There’s also a full gym that’s open all the time and a 25-yard pool if swimming’s your thing.

The hotel also hosts events with spaces like the Grand Salon Ballroom, which fits up to 250 guests. It’s pet-friendly too—dogs under 50 pounds are welcome for a $150 fee.

Prices start around $600 for a King room and go over $750 for two Queens with a lake view. It’s not cheap, but World of Hyatt members can use points. With excellent service and a stylish vibe, it’s one of Chicago’s top places to stay.

Conclusion:

Whether you’re headed to this big city on business, or for a relaxing city break, a stay in one of the most expensive hotels in Chicago should definitely be on the list. After all, there’s nothing that says luxury quite like spending the night in a $4500+ suite overlooking the stretching cityscape.