Chicago

"The Asian calm of the decor cannot be beat" at this concrete tower that occupies an entire city block of the Magnificent Mile. — Condé Nast Traveler

Enjoy “Asian allure with Midwestern hospitality” at this “world-class” outpost of the Hong Kong chain, replete with “large”, “richly appointed” rooms. — Zagat

The 20-story Peninsula Chicago sits just off—yet feels distant from—the shop and tourist–congested Michigan Avenue. — Afar Magazine

Stylish Magnificent Mile hotel with fabulous views from the pool, free yoga classes, and up-to-the-minute high-tech features. — Jetsetter

It’s definitely more of a traditional hotel with everything you’d expect—a great big pool, a wonderful spa, and perfect service. — goop

Bigwigs and sports stars own the highest condo aeries in this swaggering riverfront tower dominating the Chicago skyline. — Afar Magazine

This “simply amazing” 92-story glass tower on the Chicago River “challenges the established high-end players” with “outstanding” service and “posh” rooms. — Zagat

Perched in the heart of downtown Chicago along the Chicago River, Trump International Hotel offers stunning views throughout all aspects of its 92-story frame. — Travel + Leisure

This 339-room Trump is one of the top luxury hotels in Chicago, located in a modern glass tower right on the Chicago river and within easy walking distance of the Magnificent Mile. — Oyster

The hotel occupies a prime riverside perch, taking in the Chicago River, Lake Michigan, and surrounding architectural jewels. — Concierge

Rooms with brass keys and mahogany doors, lobbies with iron filigree stairs and terrazzo floors: The Alise (formely the Hotel Burnham) is an architectural classic. — The Telegraph

This 122-room boutique located in an 1895 building pays homage to its past with cool historic details, including wrought iron, mosaic tiles, and marble stairs. — Oyster

If you're looking to commune with Chicago history, this sophisticated small hotel delivers a one-of-a-kind experience. — Frommer's

Named for Chicago architect Daniel Burnham, this steel-and-glass former office building with a terra-cotta facade in the downtown Loop receives perfect scores for its location across from Macy’s. — Condé Nast Traveler

The proprietors brag the Burnham has the highest guest return rates in Chicago; it’s easy to see why. — Lonely Planet

Fresh from a renovation, the James Chicago hotel – the first of the iconic boutique hotel brand – doesn’t have to try to be its siblings. Gone are the days of Chicago playing second... — Mr & Mrs Smith

A downtown hotel that is both stylishly luxurious and a showcase for eclectic artwork. — Concierge

The most fashionable lodging in the city continues to draw the crowds: to Primehouse David Burke, its all-conquering steakhouse and JBar. — Time Out

Two blocks from Michigan Avenue, this slick 297-room hotel, formerly the Lenox Suites, mixes mod cons with tongue-in-cheek fun. — Condé Nast Traveler

The rooms are minimalist-chic with wood platform beds, plasma-screen TVs and spacious slate and marble bath facilities. — Gayot

This elegant hotel has it all: white-glove service, impressive facilities, elegant accommodations, fine dining, and prime location just blocks from Lake Michigan. — Michelin Guide

Impeccably turned out Gold Coast digs with an organic spa, indoor swimming pool and Michelin-starred chef. — Jetsetter

Consistently voted one of the top hotels in the world by frequent travelers, the Four Seasons offers an understated luxury that appeals to publicity-shy Hollywood stars and wealthy families. — Frommer's

Service is taken seriously here. Call for food day or night and they’ll attempt to fulfill any request, on the menu or not. — Lonely Planet

"All you expect from a Four Seasons," this hotel in a 66-story Burgundy limestone building is "great for business and leisure travelers.". — Condé Nast Traveler

Right on the Magnificent Mile, on floors 15 through 30 of the marble-and-glass Water Tower Place, this hotel is "right in the center of the action.". — Condé Nast Traveler

It just does not get any better than this... One of the city's most coveted locations. — Michelin Guide

The 435 richly appointed rooms take up the top 15 floors of Water Tower Place and come with high ceilings, marble bathrooms and picture windows. — Time Out

Perched above Water Tower Place on Michigan Avenue, this grand luxury hotel is all about old-fashioned elegance. — DK Eyewitness

This is one of the nation's premier hotels. It sits pretty atop Water Tower Place and is as ritzy as the name implies. — Gayot

A fantastic landmark in a city synonymous with stand-out buildings... The hip vibe is immediately felt upon entering the lobby, where towering ceilings and a polished decor set the stylish tone. — Michelin Guide

A dazzling jewel in the sky. — The Telegraph

A wonder of modern architecture, this French-owned gem is a prism-shaped structure that juts over the street and widens as it rises. — Fodor's

Jutting out like a ship's prow, the Sofitel is a luxurious hotel that's off-the-beaten-path from the Mag Mile. — BlackBook

The luxurious 415-room Sofitel Chicago, two blocks from the Magnificent Mile, is noteworthy for its sleek modern decor and excellent service. — Oyster

The lavishness continues inside the hotel, which you could call “French manor-style,” but “palatial” is more accurate. — Frommer's

Located on the first 22 floors of a 60-story luxury condominium high-rise amid Chicago’s toniest shopping district, the Waldorf Astoria Chicago feels surprisingly calm and intimate. — Afar Magazine

Waldorf Astoria Chicago, which was until recently The Elysian hotel, is an Art Deco jewel inspired by the style of Coco Chanel. — Forbes Travel Guide

Luxurious European-style hotel in prestigious Gold Coast neighborhood. — Andrew Harper

Massive, elegantly appointed guestrooms—a good portion of which have working fireplaces. — goop

Following renovations completed in 2013, this historic hotel is even more equipped to address the evolving needs of today's traveler. — Fodor's

The exquisite lobby is the showpiece of the Intercontinental... Though not as grand, the accommodations are decorated in the same old-world vein. — Michelin Guide

Built in 1929 as a mens' club, this Michigan Avenue hotel dances the line between Chicago’s past and present. — The Telegraph

A dramatic four-story rotunda greets guests entering this architectural showpiece, which started out in 1929 as the Medinah Athletic Club. — Time Out

Acting as the right aorta in the shopping heart of Chicago, it's the only downtown hotel with a front entrance to the Magnificent Mile. — BlackBook

If Downton Abbey was transported in time and place to Chicago, it would be The Langham, where a team of butlers awaits you if you’re a Langham Club member. — Frommer's

A sumptuous offering from the Hong Kong chain that pitches a top-end hotel in a former seventies office tower designed by renowned architect Mies Van Der Rohe, in central Chicago. — The Telegraph

The mega-swank, 316-room property features some of the biggest chambers in the city; they start at 516 sq ft and go up from there. — Lonely Planet

Architect Mies Van De Rohe's River North centerpiece the Langham Hotel is simply bursting with luxury. — Time Out

Chicago's iconic IBM Building, designed by Mies Van der Rohe in 1966, welcomes the Langham Hotel to its hallowed halls this month. — Wallpaper

Chicago’s society hotel, just off the Magnificent Mile, has been modernized without sacrificing its sedate charms. — Rough Guide

With sweeping views of Lake Michigan, this handsome hotel is an historic landmark that was built in 1920. — Gayot

Built in 1920, the grande dame of Chicago hotels stands tall where Michigan Avenue and Lake Shore Drive intersect in Chicago's swanky Gold Coast. — Fodor's

Once you have had your dinner at one of many upscale dining establishments near this Chicago landmark, consider heading back to the hotel. — BlackBook

Opened in 1920, the Drake keeps pace with the polished neighborhood, right off the Magnificent Mile. — Insight Guides

A sleek contemporary showpiece that sets the gold standard for the Gold Coast. — Jetsetter

Rising 67 stories above Michigan Avenue, the Park Hyatt Chicago is within a five-minute walk of major attractions like the John Hancock Center and the Museum of Contemporary Art. — Travel + Leisure

“Beautiful” rooms boast “all the frills”, including “buttery-soft" chairs, window seats with “great views” of the city, free WiFi and “large and elegant bathrooms.”. — Zagat

Little expense has been spared at this 198-room Magnificent Mile property, housed in the lower third of a slender, 67-story residential tower. — Time Out

Other high-end Michigan Avenue hotels take a staid approach to luxury, but the Park Hyatt adds a running note of playful artistry and unabashed flamboyance. — Concierge

Hotelier Ian Schrager knows glamour, and The Public is a re-imagined Gold Coast hotspot—an au courant transformation of the historic see-and-be-seen  Ambassador East Hotel. — Travel + Leisure

A streamlined, sophisticated reno of a Neo-Georgian Gold Coast landmark by boutique hotel veteran Ian Schrager. — Jetsetter

These days, its new role is to redefine not only Chicago'€™s hotel scene, but the boutique hotel world --- at least, that'€™s what hotelier Ian Schrager set out to do when he took over. — Gayot

Today people still come to admire the celebrity photos, grab a round booth and dig into golden-age classics at the restaurant. — Lonely Planet

Drop-dead gorgeous rooms elegantly infuse the pre-WWII architecture with white stuffed couches, bronze textiles, and white sheepskin throws for an effect of lush minimalism. — Afar Magazine

When it opens in summer 2013, this property --- formerly The Sutton Place Hotel --- will blend in perfectly with its luxe surroundings in Chicago's affluent Gold Coast neighborhood. — Gayot

The 247-room Thompson straddles the gap between trendy and cosy, opulent and relaxed. — The Telegraph

Surrounded by historic mansions and top-shelf designer boutiques, Thompson Chicago is a cozy, stylish getaway in downtown Chicago. From the first step off the tony Gold Coast streets and... — Forbes Travel Guide

The 247 spacious rooms are equally elegant, with beautiful bathrooms and lots of high-end amenities. — Oyster

Clean mid-century design and effortless luxury in the heart of Chicago, the Thompson Hotel Chicago is a boutique centrepiece of the Gold Coast neighborhood. — Time Out

The old-school gothic lettering of its logo on the front of the building belies the lack of pretention at this boutique four-star Loop hotel. — BlackBook

This "fun" Kimpton property is a “great alternative to the main chains”, with a “welcoming” staff that displays “Midwestern charm” and hosts a complimentary wine reception each evening. — Zagat

Guest rooms reflect the hotel's global chic aesthetic, with steamer-trunk nightstands and Moroccan lamps. — Fodor's

Inside, it’s typical Kimpton flair, with brocade curtains, dark walnut finishes, and, in some rooms, mirrored headboards. — Condé Nast Traveler

Hip boutique hotel run by the Kimpton Group. — Not For Tourists

The elegant lobby here draws a stream of visitors to view its fresco ceilings and gold Tiffany chandeliers. — The Telegraph

Although standard rooms tend to run small, they were rejuvenated with the Palmer House's history in mind, so that each is individually decorated with turn-of-the-century details and art. — Gayot

The updated Palmer House features more comfortable and contemporary rooms, a new spa, the Lockwood Restaurant, while preserving what Chicagoans loved most about the historic hotel. — BlackBook

The Palmer House caters overwhelmingly to business travelers, but because it's so big, you can snag good deals here when there are no conventions in town. — Frommer's

This 1,639-room historic hotel in the Loop has a storied past, and a breathtaking lobby with a painted ceiling and glittering chandeliers. — Oyster

Local is the theme at this boutique hotel, from the lobby art (a duct tape rendering of the city's L train) to the rooms, decorated with historic Chicago maps. — The Telegraph

Continuing the Chicago theme, room service is available from Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse, which is located across the street. — Frommer's

Chicago’s newest glamazon mixes Windy City history with modern design in posh River North. — Jetsetter

Don't be put off by pretension at this River North hipster hotel. — Concierge

The 215-room Amalfi welcomes guests by sitting them down at an individual check-in desk with an 'experience designer,' who might suggest a complimentary Amalfitini cocktail. — Time Out

"Contemporary meets traditional" at this upscale, business-focused chain outlet in a renovated historic Daniel Burnham building featuring marble bathrooms with “excellent” stand-alone tubs. — Zagat

A perfect blend of old and new... This hotel has seriously good bones, but its interiors wow even further with a fresh, contemporary design. — Michelin Guide

Opened in late 2010, this upscale hotel is housed in a historic neoclassical-style building with crystal chandeliers and a grand staircase in the lobby. — Oyster

Mixing architectural elegance with a sleek modern style, this historic property has lots of gorgeous areas. — Fodor's

The 610-room hotel focuses on modern luxury with crisp and sophisticated rooms set with bright, warm colors and amenities like an indoor pool and a spa complete with Turkish baths. — BlackBook

The spacious 332 guest rooms and suites feature luxurious bedding and the occasional touch of whimsy. — Gayot

Landmark 1910 hotel with a thoroughly modern look, celeb chef fare and an extensive art collection. — Jetsetter

Reopened in 2008, it may no longer be the height of luxury, but you'll get a glimpse of the hotel's original glamour in the wood-lined lobby. — Frommer's

The quirky, 328-room Blackstone hotel across from Grant Park, in South Loop, mixes contemporary style with the building's restored historic grandeur. — Oyster

The Beaux-Arts exterior makes a stunning first impression, but the sizzle resides solely indoors. — Michelin Guide

A perennial tourist favorite, Hard Rock's Chicago outpost is an Art Deco landmark done up in sexy rock 'n' roll style. — BlackBook

The restaurant chain may not be that wonderful, but the hotel—flashy, loud, and packed with plasma TVs—has our approval. — Fodor's

Channel your inner Hendrix at this way-cool 381-room Loop boutique, aptly located in a champagne-bottle-shaped Art Deco high-rise. — Concierge

With Beatles in the bathrooms and Madonna in the corridors, there’s little doubt about this hotel’s theme. — Time Out

Its exterior preserves the landmark 1929 Art Deco Carbide and Carbon Building, while its interior reflects a more contemporary style well-known to aficionados of the Hard Rock brand. — Gayot