The Best Hotels to Book Near Adler Planetarium, Chicago

This hotel has three major perks: location, location, location. As the name suggests, it’s situated in the central Loop district – Chicago’s financial, business, cultural and nightlife hub – right in the beating heart of the city. From here, it’s walkable to major sights like the Cloud Gate and just a 10-minute drive out to Adler. On-site, you’ll find a faux British pub called Elephant and Castle – serving great draught beers and half-price food at happy hour.

Stay in a piece of Downtown history at this south Loop hotel. The building was designed by William Le Baron Jenney – grandfather of the modern skyscraper – and the ornate facade makes an impressive address for your stay. Inside, you’ll find a hotel that’s geared to all-day comfort – from overhead rain-style showers to healthy breakfasts at the Meli Cafe and excellent dedicated desk space in every room. It’s perfect for the business-leisure traveler, or those who plan to work a bit during their stay.

Another central spot, this 4.5-star hotel’s 19th-century Italianate facade can be found on Michigan Avenue – just steps from Millennium Park and the Art Institute, as well as many of the main museums. A former gentlemens’ club renovated in 2016 and themed around the city’s proud sporting history, the rooms are appropriately macho – there’s plenty of leather, wood paneling and whisky tumblers throughout. Take advantage of the five eating and drinking establishments, free bikes and well-connected concierge.

Sister brand to the better-known Generator, Freehand hotels are similarly seen as Poshtels – hostels that are a cut above in terms of design and facilities. This address, in the arty River North area, certainly answers that description – with good value rooms in boho-style decor, high-quality barista coffee, a fully equipped gym and an award-winning cocktail bar. For 20-something urbanites on tour, this is a great pick.

In a crowded hotel market where every new opening has to have a ‘thing’, this Museum Hotel is part of a genuinely unique concept. The 21c brand was set up in 2006 by a couple of collectors in Louisville who wanted to help people connect with contemporary art – by creating a string of venues (11 to date) where guests could live alongside their collection of paintings, sculptures and installations. As well as 24-hour free access to exhibitions, the 21c experience here includes a full-service spa, fitness center and a top fish restaurant – plus the rooms are uber comfortable and chilled.

Popular with business folk, this smart stay in the financial district has been engineered around relaxing times and social spaces. Dining choices include Boleo – the Gray’s Argentine-inspired lounge – and Steadfast, for all-American dishes with flair. After all that, you can retire for a glass or two in Vol 39, the hotel’s law library-themed bar. Kimpton Gray Hotel is within walking distance of the Art Institute and Grant Park and just a 15-minute hop on the Red Line from here to Adler – so you can see the sights even if you are working while you’re here.

It’s become a cliche when hotel descriptions include the word ‘storied’ to denote the rich history of their buildings, but believe it when you read it on the website of this Chicago landmark. In its 100-plus years, the Blackstone has hosted dozens of US presidents, who had their own secret passage – as well as been owned by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the guru of the Beatles, and once fell into such disrepair that its new owners had to buy back its architectural moldings off eBay. Today, it’s one of Marriott’s lauded Autograph collection: high-end, well-equipped, comfortable and a real piece of Chicago history.

If you know, you know. The Asian Peninsula brand has been a byword for hotel luxury ever since its flagship opened in Hong Kong in 1928 – and its Chicago number is no exception. Sitting pretty on the Magnificent Mile – the most frou-frou part of the city – it’s just 12 minutes from Adler Planetarium. It would be easier to describe what the hotel doesn’t have in terms of facilities than what it does, but in short, you’ll find a sun deck, fitness center, swimming pool, spa along with three restaurants here – and everything is delivered with pedigree and perfection.

Named for its place on Jewellers’ Row in the Loop, Silversmith scores high for location and guest extras. From the manager’s daily wine reception to the Peloton bikes in the gym – plus free bottled water, robes and Molton Brown bathroom products in the rooms – there are signs everywhere that guest experience is put front and foremost. Two restaurants on-site give you a choice of where to eat, too – although you’ll be in the heart of the dining district so you may never need them.

Sometimes hotels have one thing that makes them stand out from the rest – in the case of this Chicago example part of the Renaissance brand, it’s the stunning rooftop bar, Raised. Here, you can enjoy incredible views over the river and the city’s high rises while you sip an Old Fashioned – which many have claimed was invented in the Windy City. After that, you’ll be ready for a night out. Luckily, this shiny stay is slap bang in the Chicago Theater District and walkable to dozens of the main attractions. If you’re in town to drink in the views, see the sights or catch a show, this is a great choice for you.