Smart Chicago Hotels in "the Loop"

You’ll be hearing a lot about “The Loop” when planning a weekend in Chicago. It’s only a bit related to being street smart (something required nonetheless in Chi) but rather the name refers to the Downtown core, cordoned off by the city’s elevated and buried train lines. Stations for “the L”, as it’s known locally, are found every few blocks here in the city’s nucleus.

Must-sees like the Art Institute of Chicago, Grant Park, Millennium Park (with its unmistakable Cloud Gate) and the Chicago Theater are all found here which only gives more reason to why it could be smart to be in “the Loop”.

To make things easier, we’ve picked out a few solid bets when it comes to Chicago Loop hotels. So grab a big handful (actually make that a bucket) of Garrett’s Chicago mix and read on…

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Swing straight into the heart of historic Chicago at the Kimpton Hotel Allegro. Stylish art deco rooms and a musical ambience are located next door to Broadway shows at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. A slew of complimentary offerings from the hotel will soothe any visitor’s exhaustion from the free coffee that will keep you going on your 20,000th step of the day, the USB charging port and alarm clocks that will wake you up (in case you’re not springing out of bed with excitement) and the in-room yoga mats for necessary moments of Ohm.

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If you’re looking for a suave hotel to match your Chicago blues and jazz weekend away, the Virgin Hotel Chicago hits all the right notes. From the actually free-and-fully-working WiFi, an all-American diner, a rooftop bar, music venue and coffee bar, everything awaits at the touch of your Virgin mobile app- make reservations, order room service or just live chat with friends in neighbouring rooms. Rooms are divided into separate Dressing and Sleeping areas, decked out with a hybrid bed that accommodates any sleeping or sitting position. Stop in for on the house cocktails from 7-8 p.m before strolling four blocks over to the House of Blues.

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Stacked with covetable Paul Mitchell bathroom amenities, an indoor pool and a sundeck with a view, the Courtyard Chicago Downtown/River North follows the brand’s tried-tested-and-true logic for a peaceful stay in a convenient location. Such close access to the Green, Orange, Pink or Purple Lines from State/Lake L whisks you to and fro should you heading up to Lincoln Park or coming back from an afternoon at the Sheed Aquarium and the Field Museum.

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What’s more important to a stay in a new city than a hotel with a bang-on location? We’re apt to say bar none and with a five-minute walk over from the Willis Tower (formerly branded as the Sears Tower), the Club Quarters Hotel Central Loop ticks all the boxes. Rooms are spacious and Seamless food delivery is available for that one night when you’ll inevitably remember that you haven’t had deep dish pizza yet.

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Wake up and smell the Starbucks at the Sheraton Grand Chicago. What view could be more inspiring than Lake Michigan and the Chicago River? Take your time soaking in those views, since you’re only one block away from the shops of the Magnificent Mile. An indoor pool and several restaurants and bars onsite mean you can kick right into “evening mode” after your Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise.

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Located in an architectural all-glass triangular jewel is the Swissotel Chicago. Bringing discerning guests massive rooms with soaring views of the skyline and lakes, deep beds that sink you into a slumber quicker than you can decide what colour your sheep shall be and stately bathrooms begging for a luxurious soak. A 42nd-floor swimming pool begets the perfect opportunity for an end-of-day plunge after coming back from Navy Pier.

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For those looking for the VIP experience in the Windy City, we present you theWit. The boutique property shines with its bold design and the bucket-list worthiness of its rooftop bar– said to be one of the best in the world from its fabulous views to its cocktail list and small plate samplings. Their Sweet Dreams® by Doubletree Sleep Experience signature bedding gives a best-in-class “welcome back” hug at day’s end.

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Style-savvy travellers should take note of a recent Kimpton property bearing the name The Gray. Built out of instagrammable Georgia Gray marble, the hotel is a delicate balance between historic and modern. The marble-infused palate continues to all corners of the hotel and is joined by brass and gold. Thanks to the loaner PUBLIC bikes, you can get around the Loop in a jiffy or a longer spin along the Lakefront Trail.