The 6 Best Chicago Hotels for Families

Chicago makes for a great city break destination with children. From the world-class museums and theatre productions, exciting street art, and endless parks — there is something to keep all ages occupied. Being one of the USA's major cities, it comes with a wide range of hotel options many of which have gone the extra mile to accommodate families. Our hotel experts have scoured the length and breadth of the city to bring you a concise collection of the best Chicago hotels for families. Whether you are travelling on a shoestring or you are looking for a self-catering stay or perhaps you would rather some serious pampering in one of the city's best luxury hotels, there is something for all tastes and budgets here. So why not browse through our collection to start planning your stay?

For great value

• Freehand is a great value hotel with a boutique feel in downtown Chicago. Rooms are boho chic and come in various sizes including quads and a penthouse, which sleeps up to six, meaning there are flexible options for families. For those of age, there is a popular cocktail bar. With doubles starting at $85 (quads are just $25 per bed) — this is an ideal choice for those travelling with kids.

For luxury

• Expect cool, contemporary city-style near Chicago's river and lakefront at the Loews Chicago. Rooms are sleek and modern with floor-to-ceiling windows to take in the city views. The rooftop bar and steak house are a real lure, while kids are well taken care of with iPads loaded with age-appropriate games, consoles, toys and activity books.
• LondonHouse is a sleek luxury option located downtown on Michigan Avenue, overlooking the Chicago River. Again, there's a great rooftop bar and delicious seafood and steaks are served at the restaurant (which also has a kids menu). Rooms are spacious and have an elegant modern feel. With several kid-friendly attractions within walking distance, this is a good option for those who want to explore the city.
• Four Seasons Chicago is a luxury offering with excellent amenities and classic design. Adults will enjoy the full-service spa, hot tub, and bar while kids will be kept entertained at the kids club or playing in the indoor pool. With family suites and a concierge very willing to plan a day out for all ages, this is a great choice for a family city break.
• Luxurious Ritz Carlton Chicago occupies floors between the 12th & 30th storeys of a Lake Michigan waterfront tower. For those who appreciate birds-eye views from bed, fine dining, an A-list art collection and spoiling spa — this is for you. Doesn't sound like a space for kids? Well, children are equally spoilt with an on-arrival toy of choice, plus a special kids healthy menu and candy cart room service.

For self-catering

• The Guesthouse Hotel offers fully-equipped one, two and three-bedroom self-catered apartments in the Anderson District. With chic boutique design and exceptionally good equipment including a gym, dishwashers, driers and child-friendly extras such as high chairs, pushchairs, cots, bath accessories, games and toys. An uber stylish home-away-from-home.

Still not sure where to book?

• Browse our list of the best places to stay in Chicago.
• Refine your search and look at the best hotels in West Loop, Chicago or the best hotels with rooftop pools in Chicago or the best five-star hotels in Chicago.
• Check out all our recommendations in Illinois.
• Alternatively, you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.

  • Freehand, Chicago Chicago (Near North Side) 217 rooms from £66

    
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    Value chic  -  With doubles from as little as $85 per night (or only $25 per person if you're prepared to share a dorm) it's unbeatable value

    Restaurant  -  Cafe Integral offers up Nicaraguan coffee to complement its selection of light breakfast- and cafe-style fare.

    Great walks  -  Every Saturday morning, the hotel arranges for pay-what-you-like walking tours.

    Kayaking  -  Explore Chicago from an unusual angle on a kayaking water tour.

    

    Recommended by  -  Tablet

    Trendy hostel and hotel offering chic but affordable accommodations in exciting downtown Chicago. Popular and busy bar serves craft cocktails and light meals. Rooms are hip with a boutique appeal, high-quality furniture in dark woods, walls decorated with crafts and an effortlessly cool vibe. See More

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  • Loews Chicago Chicago (Near North Side) 400 rooms from £118

    
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    Families  -  As well as helpful equipment, the hotel also provides iPads loaded with age-appropriate games, consoles, toys & activity books

    Value chic  -  Entry-level rates are incredibly reasonable given the central downtown location and five-star facilities

    Sights nearby  -  The city's Wrigley Building, Arts Club of Chicago, Chicago Tribune Tower and Time Life Building are within 500 metres

    Views  -  Floor to ceiling windows allow superb city skyline views; for something special book a lake view suite

    

    Cool, contemporary city style near Chicago's river and lake front. Spacious and grown-up rooms blend a luxury palette of charcoal and silver hues, with enormous windows. Take in lake views from the rooftop bar after a great steak at the restaurant. There's a large pool and welcoming lobby lounge. See More

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  • LondonHouse Chicago (The Loop) 452 rooms from £134

    
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    City Style  -  With a cool rooftop bar and its location right on Michigan Avenue, the hotel is the perfect Chicago city break spot

    Families  -  There is a children’s menu for afternoon tea and the hotel is near many kid-friendly tourist attractions

    Great walks  -  Walk to Millenium Park and explore the sights

    Restaurant  -  Recommended.

    

    A luxury hotel, in downtown Chicago, on Michigan Avenue. Rooms are modern and spacious with marble showers and floor-to-ceiling windows facing the Chicago River. Enjoy a handcrafted cocktail on the sophisticated rooftop bar and delicious seafood and steaks at the restaurant. A spoiling central stay. See More

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  • Four Seasons Chicago Chicago (Near North Side) 346 rooms from £449

    
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    Sights nearby  -  In downtown Chicago there is a multitude of architectural splendour, museums and art galleries in the near vicinity.

    Restaurant  -  With views over the lake, you can enjoy a meal of gourmet farm-to-table regional fare in an elegant location.

    Views  -  Panoramic views over Chicago and Lake Michigan.

    Spa  -  Body treatments, facial, massages and sauna.

    

    All rooms and suites are stylishly furnished with French furniture, floral motifs, art adorning the walls, and shades of plum, champagne, rose and dove grey. Beautiful views over Chicago or Lake Michigan. Spectacular indoor pool under a domed skylight. Gym, full-service spa, hot tub, restaurant. See More

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  • Ritz Carlton Chicago Chicago (Near North Side) 434 rooms from £320

    
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    Designer Shopping  -  The hotel is attached to Water Tower Place, home of Macy's, so it's not far to the shops. Michigan Avenue is just a block away

    City Style  -  If you appreicate birds-eye views from bed, fine dining, an A-list art collection and spoiling spa, this is the place for you

    Families  -  Kids are very welcome; on arrival they pick a toy of their choice, plus special kid's healthy menu & candy cart room service

    Spa  -  Overseen by the experts at Kalma Spas, treatments, including facials and massages, are designed to heal, relax and renew

    

    Luxury urban resort spread between the 12th & 30th floors of a Lake Michigan tower. Serene rooms feel like you're floating in the sky with phenomenal views and cloud-like beds. Enjoy the Italian steakhouse, spa, indoor pool, and a very cool rooftop bar. Classic contemporary city luxury, a safe bet. See More

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  • The Guesthouse Hotel Chicago (Andersonville) 25 rooms from £146

    
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    Families  -  You won't need to bring much; helpful equipment like high chairs, pushchairs, cots, bath accessories, games & toys are provided

    Sights nearby  -  It's easy to head into central Chicago on public transport for the day; visit Millenium Park, Magnificent Mile and Museum Campus

    Spa  -  The hotel partners with the day spa next door to provide in-room treatments

    Full of character

    

    Fantastically fully-equipped one, two & three-bedroom self-catered apartments in Chicago's Anderson district. Each of the fresh, lofty and spacious units provides everything expected from a lovely home; dishwashers, driers, gym, balconies & even a roof terrace. A comfortable option for long stays. See More

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Written by Katie Harris

posted Tuesday, 21st June 2022