The Best Hotels to Book in and Around Lincoln Park, Chicago

In a leafy, residential neighborhood, this arty boutique hotel is moments away from the mighty Lincoln Park and is packed with cool and quirky features, like exhibitions from local artists. The rooms are as funky as the retro vintage lobby and interior, and you’ll never be far from great views of Lake Michigan and the city skyline – like at the hotel’s J Parker rooftop bar. Kick back with one of their inventive signature cocktails – try a Collie-Shangles (gin, hibiscus tea, peach liqueur, lemon and soda water). See the sights on a complimentary hire bike, or use the free ticket to the 360 Chicago observation deck that each guest receives.

The Willows has both the look and feel of an eccentric, 19th-century British manor house. There are some snazzy suites on offer if you want to splash out, but you can feel just as special by draping yourself across the playful lobby furnishings – which feels even more indulgent if you’re near the roaring fire. Lake Michigan and all the associated lakeside fun are just two blocks away, and there’s tons of other sights nearby – including Wrigley Field baseball stadium, home to the Chicago Cubs.

Set in the affluent and attractive Gold Coast neighborhood, the Ambassador Chicago is a subtly splendid hotel, as you’ll see when you enter the classical-styled lobby. All rooms feature bright, white decor and luxurious touches, like mosaic marble floors in the bathrooms and lavish bed linen. Don’t miss the library, complete with a fire for a homely vibe. Location-wise, you’ve got the south side of Lincoln Park a few blocks away, plus the Magnificent Mile, the Chicago Water Tower and lots more within a short distance.

This chic place is full of plush features that set it apart, particularly the in-house spa – a relative rarity in urban Chicago hotels. Pamper yourself with a massage or rejuvenating facial to prep for a visit to the super-slick, art deco-styled bar, Juniper. It specializes in – you guessed it – gin-based cocktails, and the staff make a mean martini. There’s a well-stocked gym for the morning after, and the pet-friendly policy means your pooch can enjoy the whole ride just as much as you.

With its exposed brickwork and plush armchairs, the Thompson is very much the cool kid in town. But even though it has the feel of a hip, industrial bar or restaurant, there’s still an undeniably cozy atmosphere. Rooms are similarly design-focused, and many offer enviable views – some with floor-to-ceiling windows – over the Gold Coast neighborhood and wider Chicago. Make time to melt into those armchairs at the Salone Nico bar and cocktail lounge, which showcases wines from Italy and Greece, along with Grower Champagnes – boosting those artisan credentials even further.

Funky, colorful and bulging with contemporary local art, Versey Days Inn proclaims its roots as a hotel favored by the rock’n’roll elite over the decades – Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Smashing Pumpkins and Red Hot Chili Peppers all reportedly stayed at its former incarnation. Rooms are adorned with bold visual reminders of Chicago’s cultural heritage – you can easily see those landmarks for yourself due to the hotel’s sweet-spot location close to the Chicago essentials. But remember to also explore the immediate Lincoln Park neighborhood surrounding the hotel, where you’ll find enough edgy restaurants and bars to satisfy even the fussiest old rockers.

This boutique spot blends a dash of old-time elegance with lively, modern decor. But the big selling point is its location – directly opposite Wrigley Field, the Chicago Cubs baseball team’s home ground. This setting gives the hotel a buzzy, neighborhood feel, which you can explore even more in the multiple bars and restaurants slotted neatly onto the side of the hotel. Take your pick, from cocktails at the main hotel bar to pretzels and blueberry pale ale – and other craft brews – at Lucky Dorr, and tacos, tequila and bourbon at Big Star.

Thanks to the prestigious name attached, it won’t surprise anyone to hear that this is a seriously elegant and high-end affair. This is reflected not just in the sumptuous surroundings, but also the amenities: a personal concierge can help you arrange special celebrations, a private car service offers free local drop-offs, and there’s a lavish spa with swimming pool and treatments – from pedicures to a full dermalinfusion body treatment. If you’re looking to splash out, the Waldorf Astoria makes for a truly memorable stay.

Tradition runs deep at the Drake, which dates back to 1920 and has hosted Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana – as well as being a favorite hangout of Chicago’s high society types back in the day. Relive those glory years by visiting the unapologetically opulent Palm Court, which offers afternoon tea, plus signature cocktails like a Black Cherry Cosmopolitan. Further boozy indulgence is found at the heady Coq d’Or bar, which serves its own locally distilled whiskey among wood paneling and low lighting. Work it all off at the large in-house fitness center before you take advantage of the hotel’s location on the Magnificent Mile.