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Lakeside charmer Chicago boasts parks, green spaces, and long river shoreline make it a wonderful city break for anyone who likes walking, or for anyone who likes walking their dog. And in addition to dogs, Chicago is more welcoming to pets than your average city. Here you’ll find a plethora of bars and restaurants where pets are welcomed, and many shops and boutiques are pet-friendly too. Of course the key to travelling with your pet is finding the perfect pet friendly hotel, but our Gurus' recommendations for pet friendly hotels Chicago has plenty of choice, from the perfect self catering apartments for families with pets, to laps of luxury for pampered pets and their owners.
For Central Chicago
- The Chicago Athletic Association started out as a gentleman’s club in 1800, but its grand Gothic interiors now welcome everyone and pets of all sizes. It’s got 241 rooms and suites, and in addition to the large rooms with their retro decor, there’s a very impressive dining room, a rooftop bar and views of Millennium Park.
- Occupying a carefully converted hat factory, the Kimpton Hotel Monaco is a large and stylish hotel in a central spot. The location, and extensive facilities, have made this a popular pick for business travellers, but the range of room shapes and sizes means it’s a great pick for almost any visitor. The decor is unique enough to be memorable without feeling fussy. And they offer complimentary beds and bowls for dog owners.
For Couples and their Pets
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- The Allegro Royal Sonesta Chicago Loop is big and fabulous, with Art Deco decor that references the hotel’s 1924 construction date. The lobby is a grand place to start, or the cocktail bar, and the 480+ rooms feature lacquered wood and gold touches. Pets up to 50lb are welcome here. Romantic as Gatsby.
- The Gwen’s facade is by 1920s sculptor Gwen Lux, and inside there’s certainly a recollection of Art Deco glamour, from the rounded shapes of the furnishings and impressive lighting. The views are quite something too, especially in the wrap-around rooftop bar. This is a special place to stay, from the elegant restaurant to the perfect location. Dogs up to 40lb are welcome for a $125 fee.
For Families and their Pets
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- Loews Chicago is a skyscraper of a hotel close to the lake and river. Looking like a pillar of glass from the outside, it’s spacious and grown-up inside, with 400 rooms and suites decorated in chrome and charcoal hues. The rooftop bar has some of the best views in town, and the hotel has a large, grassy terrace, a pool and a great steak restaurant too. For pets there’s a special room service menu, specialised bedding and dog walking maps, and for kids there’s age appropriate packs, toys and iPads loaded with games and activities.
- Spread between the 12th and 30th floors of a tower overlooking Lake Michigan, the Ritz Carlton Chicago is like an urban resort, with many resort features, but right in the heart of Chicago. There are more than 400 rooms and suites, in a big range of shapes and sizes, plus great facilities and a super cool rooftop bar. There’s babysitting and a toy on arrival for the kids, and there’s just a one off fee for pets, however long you stay for.
- The Langham, Chicago is about as central as you can be, overlooking the Chicago River and surrounded by city skyscrapers. And it’s glamorous too, with elegant, contemporary decor and lots of space. There’s also a gym, a 67 foot heated pool, award-wining spa and private members club for guests. There’s a kids club too. Dogs and cats under 35lbs are welcome for a one off fee.
Luxury Hotels with a Pet Welcome
- The Viceroy Chicago is a stylish meeting of classical style with contemporary conveniences — starting with the 1920s facade below the striking glass tower, and continuing into the 180 rooms and suites, which have floor-to-ceiling windows and elegant furnishings. The rooftop bar is really something. They welcome small dogs with toys, beds and bowls.
- Branson's Virgin do hotels, and, unsurprisingly, they’re called Virgin Hotels. The Chicago Virgin is in a fabulous downtown spot, surrounded by theatres, bars and restaurants — though the hotel has five different restaurants of its own. It’s also got 250 rooms and suites, all well proportioned and some huge, and the decor is contemporary and luxurious. Dogs are welcome here, with no restrictions on size or breed and no fee!
- The W Chicago Lakeshore is a boldly decorated contemporary hotel overlooking Lake Michigan. The 360+ rooms and suites are reminiscent of a cruise liner, with built in sofas and bright colours - but the windows are a lot bigger. The list of facilities is impressive, starting with an indoor pool, spa, yoga classes, a buzzy restaurant or two and a very helpful concierge. Adults only, but pets are welcome (there is a nightly fee and post-stay cleaning charge).
For Outside Space
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- The Hotel Lincoln is in the perfect spot for dogs — right opposite Lincoln Park! There’s also no additional pet fee, room service for dogs, and they can recommend pet-friendly bars and restaurants in the neighbourhood. Most rooms face the lake, but the best views are from the rooftop bar. The location is great for families too, close to the Planetarium, a number of the science and history museums, and galleries.
- Claridge House is a stylish and affordable hotel just north of central Chicago. There are 165 rooms and suites, all simply and tastefully decorated, but where Claridge House really comes into its own is in the inviting public areas, which are styled with a mix of antiques and contemporary design pieces, interesting art and a cosy mix of textiles. But it’s still dog-friendly; bowls, treats and waste bags are provided, and they have a number of recommended walkies near by.
For Inside Space
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- The Guesthouse Hotel is a collection of perfectly equipped one, two and three bedroom apartments in the Anderson district. Each is spacious and comfortable, with all the comforts of home — like dishwashers and washing machines — but with access to a gym and roof terrace too. There’s no extra rate for pets, and they offer complimentary paraphernalia.
- The Hotel Zachary is off-centre, but it’s right opposite Wrigley Field, so it’s super central to a particular type of visitor — but close to transport links to everything else. And it’s cool, a wonderfully converted industrial space, with a sophisticated monochrome palette and a baseball theme. The hotel is a popular spot for non residents too, so it’s pretty lively. And pets of any size are welcome.
For Stylish Space
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- Eclectically and stylishly luxurious, the Hoxton Chicago is just moments from the dead centre of town, and the many of the best shopping streets, museums, theatres, bars, restaurants and venues. In addition to the 182 rooms and suites in a range of sizes and price points, there are three restaurants and a rooftop pool. Dogs up to 40lbs are welcome.
- Once a cheese factory, the Ace Hotel Chicago has used its industrial chic details to great effect, and is now a hip West Loop hotel with a trendy co-working space and a buzzy rooftop bar and terrace. There are 159 rooms and suites, featuring glass, brushed concrete, metal and Bauhaus inspired furnishings. All the rooms and suites are pet friendly, and the family suites are generously sized. The cool kids and hipsters love it!
- The Sophy Hyde Park is a great choice if you’re planning to do the museums and galleries. It’s got just shy of one hundred rooms and suites, all of them cosy, but arty, with fun, warm decor in soft colours that allow the art, and views, to do the talking. There’s a great restaurant, but you’re surrounded by alternatives too. They welcome dogs under 50lbs.
For Great Value
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- Somehow Staypineapple Chicago manages to be fun, affordable and luxurious, compromising on additional frills that might push towards opulence. But all the elements of luxury are to be found: stylish decor, fluffy duvets, views, an excellent restaurant, and beautiful details like tiled floors and iron filagree staircases. There’s certainly no compromise on the location, which is close to Millennium Park — helpful for families and pet-owners. All dogs are welcome for a fee.
- Buzzy, fun and central, the Moxy Chicago Downtown is another hotel that manages to pack a lot of value into its relatively modest rates. The industrial chic design is clever, and makes even the smallest rooms seem cool and inviting. Each night they have DJ sets in the cocktail bar, and there’s a 24 hour taco restaurant if you ever, ever, feel peckish. Dogs are welcome here and $15 from each pet fee is donated to a local animal charity.
Still not sure where to book?