Best in Hood
Menu
CitiesGuidesSubmit your businessReviews processAboutContact

4 Best Hotels in Chicago (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

Lorian Hartfield
By Lorian Hartfield, Real Estate and Financial Expert · ✓ Data verified July 2026 · 7 min read

Chicago hotels in the Loop live and die on two things: how easy the check-in is and how far you'll walk to a train. The four hotels here have logged just over 30,000 reviews between them, and the ratings only span 4.2 to 4.5, close enough that location and room condition end up mattering more than the star count.

Short answer: JW Marriott Chicago tops the list at 4.5 stars across 3,208 reviews, the highest rating on the page even though it isn't the most reviewed. Hilton Chicago is close behind at 4.3 from over 10,000 reviews, giving it the deepest track record here. Expect downtown rates that climb fast in peak season, and confirm any resort or destination fee before you book.
Jump to a business

Chicago's top hotels, side by side

# Business Rating Reviews Best for
1 Palmer House a Hilton Hotel 4.2 ★ 13,718 Historic lobby and lunch stop View ›
2 Hilton Chicago 4.3 ★ 10,629 Business travelers / most reviewed View ›
3 JW Marriott Chicago 4.5 ★ 3,208 Overall / highest rated View ›
4 Holiday Inn Chicago Dwtn - the Mart by IHG 4.3 ★ 3,214 River views and families View ›
4 Best Hotels in Chicago (2026)

Our picks, reviewed

Palmer House a Hilton Hotel logo
#1 Overall

Palmer House a Hilton Hotel

4.213,718 Google reviews

Palmer House, A Hilton Hotel, on Monroe Street bills itself as the oldest continuously operating hotel in the Midwest, built around a landmark ceiling mural in its lobby restaurant. The hotel is also known locally for its brownie recipe, dating back generations, and it draws both overnight guests and locals stopping in just for lunch.

What people praise

  • The lobby ceiling and historic atmosphere are a recurring highlight
  • Front desk service gets specific praise for honesty about room views
  • Central Loop location near the L and Millennium Park
  • A well-known lunch stop even for people not staying overnight

Worth knowing

  • Several guests described rooms as dated or in need of refresh relative to the grand lobby
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.2 / 5
Review volume13,718 · 98th
Confidencehigh
Recency7 days ago
Info completenesssite · phone
Rating breakdown56% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Ranks first here on review recency and sheer visibility, but set expectations on room condition before you book, since that's the most consistent caveat in the reviews.

Website+1312-726-7500 Directions

17 E Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603

Hilton Chicago logo
#2↩ Responds to reviews

Hilton Chicago

4.310,629 Google reviews

Hilton Chicago on Michigan Avenue is one of the city's largest convention hotels, with more than 10,000 reviews behind it, the deepest track record of any hotel here. The property sits directly across from Grant Park with lake views from upper floors, and it's built to handle conference-scale groups without losing the historic detail in its public spaces.

What people praise

  • By far the most reviewed hotel on this page
  • Historic lobby and event spaces get consistent praise
  • Convenient for conferences and large groups
  • Guests flag responsive service recovery when something goes wrong

Worth knowing

  • Room size and amenity fees are a recurring point of confusion, so confirm what's included at check-in
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.3 / 5
Review volume10,629 · 93th
Confidencevery high
Recency5 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone
Rating breakdown59% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The volume pick. With over 10,000 reviews, its 4.3 rating is about as statistically solid as ratings get for a Chicago hotel.

Website+1312-922-4400 Directions

720 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605

JW Marriott Chicago logo
#3

JW Marriott Chicago

4.53,208 Google reviews

JW Marriott Chicago occupies a converted historic bank building on Adams Street in the Loop, blending the brand's upscale service standard with landmark architecture. The hotel handles weddings and meetings alongside standard stays, and guests repeatedly single out specific staff members by name for going out of their way during longer visits.

What people praise

  • Highest rating on this page at 4.5 stars
  • Staff repeatedly praised by name for personal, above-and-beyond service
  • Executive lounge and pool consistently called out as strong amenities
  • Walkable to Millennium Park and the Riverwalk

Worth knowing

  • A few guests noted dated furnishings in some rooms relative to the JW brand standard
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.5 / 5
Review volume3,208 · 78th
Confidencevery high
Recency5 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone
Rating breakdown68% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The best-rated hotel on this list, and the reviews back it up with specific, repeated praise for individual staff rather than generic compliments.

Website+1312-660-8200 Directions

151 W Adams St, Chicago, IL 60603

Holiday Inn Chicago Dwtn - the Mart by IHG logo
#4↩ Responds to reviews

Holiday Inn Chicago Dwtn - the Mart by IHG

4.33,214 Google reviews

Holiday Inn Chicago Downtown, The Mart sits on Wolf Point Plaza right on the Chicago River, a block from the Merchandise Mart L stop. The hotel includes an indoor pool and an on-site restaurant, and it's positioned just outside the Loop rather than in the middle of it, which reviewers tend to frame as a plus for quieter nights.

What people praise

  • River and skyline views get repeated praise
  • Indoor pool and included breakfast options stand out for families
  • One block from the Merchandise Mart L station
  • Front desk staff praised for proactive text-message check-ins during a stay

Worth knowing

  • One guest described inconsistent front-desk interactions early in their stay, though it reportedly improved
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.3 / 5
Review volume3,214 · 83th
Confidencehigh
Recency7 days ago
Info completenesssite · phone
Rating breakdown53% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Ranks fourth here, but its river view and slightly quieter footing just outside the Loop still make it a fair pick without giving up train access.

Website+1312-836-5000 Directions

350 W Wolf Point Plaza Bldg 2, Chicago, IL 60654

5

Your business here

Get listed on this page, in front of local customers already searching for you.

Claim this spot ›

How we score these

Rating is the live Google average. Review volume measures how many guests actually left feedback, ranked against the others on this page. Confidence blends both, so a high rating on a small sample scores lower than the same rating backed by thousands of reviews. Recency tracks how recently guests are still reviewing. No hotel can pay to change these numbers.

How much do Chicago hotels cost? (2026)

Downtown Chicago rates swing hard with the calendar. Convention weeks, summer weekends, and holiday events near Michigan Avenue can more than double a midweek winter rate at the same hotel.

JobTypical price
Weekday, non-peak (winter/early spring)$150 - $250/night
Weekend or peak season (summer, major conventions)$300 - $500+/night
Self-park garage (per night)$45 - $75
Resort or destination fee (if charged)$20 - $30/night

Ranges compiled July 2026 from hotel booking pages and guest-reported rates for downtown Chicago Loop properties.

Staying in downtown Chicago

All four hotels sit within the Loop or its immediate edge, close to Millennium Park, the Riverwalk, and Michigan Avenue, with L train access at Monroe, LaSalle/Van Buren, or the Merchandise Mart stop depending on the property. If you’re searching for hotels near you in Chicago, staying in this stretch keeps you within walking distance of most downtown attractions and a short ride from both airports via the Blue or Orange line.

What to ask before you book a Chicago hotel

  • Is there a mandatory resort or destination fee, and what does it cover?
  • Is self-parking or valet available on site, and what does it cost per night?
  • What’s the cancellation policy if a convention or event schedule changes?
  • Is breakfast included, or only available for an extra charge?
  • How far is the walk to the nearest L station from the hotel entrance?
  • Is early check-in or late checkout available without an added fee?

Frequently asked questions

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from public Google data. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner (badge and top placement), but that never changes another business’s score or position.

How did you choose these hotels?

We pulled real Google ratings and review counts for hotels across downtown Chicago, then ranked them on a blend of rating, review volume, and how recently guests are still reviewing them.

How often is this updated?

We refreshed this list in July 2026. Ratings, review counts, and rates all shift, so confirm current pricing directly with the hotel before booking.

Which Chicago hotel has the best location for walking to Millennium Park?

Palmer House and JW Marriott Chicago are both within a short walk of Millennium Park and the Loop’s main attractions.

Do any of these hotels have a pool?

Holiday Inn Chicago Downtown, The Mart, has an indoor pool. Check directly with the others, since pool access can vary by season or renovation status.

The bottom line

JW Marriott Chicago is the safe default pick on rating alone, with Hilton Chicago a strong choice if you want the hotel with the deepest, most tested review history. Whichever you pick, ask about resort fees and parking costs upfront, since those are what actually move your final bill in downtown Chicago.

Own one of these businesses, or want to be here?

Claim your spot on this page: Basic listing $50 or Premium $100 for the top spot, held a full year. Both include a permanent link to your site.

Get listed See pricing