Pros

  • Convenient location right on the Magnificent Mile
  • Spacious rooms feature flat-screen TVs and iPod docks
  • Huge, impressive indoor pool
  • Upscale steak house, two bars, and a breakfast buffet restaurant
  • 24-hour business center
  • 24-hour room service
See More Pros

Cons

  • Access to only one subway line
  • Fee apply to use fitness center
  • Some rooms have small windows
  • Pricey valet parking
  • Fee for Wi-Fi
See More Cons

Bottom Line

This 790-room behemoth right on the Magnificent Mile mixes historic charm (a 1929 building, ornate columns in the lobby, a gorgeous indoor pool with Spanish tiles) with the contemporary decor of an upscale chain. Rooms at the hotel are located across two towers: the Executive Tower, renovated in 2015, and the Grand Tower, which underwent renovations in 2013. Standard rooms are smaller than those at the nearby Omni Chicago.

See More Bottom Line

Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Pets Allowed
  • Pool
  • Spa

Oyster Hotel Review

InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile

Scene

A large, historic building, the InterContinental's home is a Chicago landmark.

Originally built in 1929 to house the exclusive Medinah Athletics Club, and then completely renovated in 1988, the InterContinental's building is one of Chicago's most recognizable landmarks. The grand lobby, with a huge staircase and Spanish-inspired decor, is normally full of business travelers. The lobby’s fountains and chandeliers give way to the intimate ambience of Michael Jordan's Steak House, the hotel’s street-level restaurant, with views of the Magnificent Mile.

Natural light pours through huge windows into the wonderful junior Olympic indoor swimming pool located on the eighth floor. Several rows of seating and a terra-cotta fountain with Spanish tiles remain from the building’s golden days, when young elite athletes would fill the hallways of the majestic club.

See More Scene

Location

Located on the Magnificent Mile, three blocks from the Red subway line

The Intercontinental has a prime address right on the Magnificent Mile, an iconic stretch of North Michigan Avenue known for its upscale shopping. However, it is not all about department stores out here. Art galleries, landmarks — such as the Water Tower, the John Hancock Observatory, the Pumping Station and Wrigley Building — and top-notch restaurants are within easy walking distance from the hotel.

  • 9-minute walk to the Loop
  • 10-minute walk to the John Hancock Observatory
  • 13-minute walk to the Theatre District
  • 13-minute walk to the Millennium Park
  • 15-minute walk to the Art Institute of Chicago
  • 18-minute walk to the Chicago City Hall
  • 12-minute drive or 39 minutes by subway to the Museum of Science and Industry
  • 15-minute drive or 26 minutes by subway to the Wrigley Field
  • 18-minute drive to Midway International Airport
  • 25 minutes by subway to the Old Town
  • 27-minute drive to O’Hare International Airport
  • 34 minutes by subway to Kenwood neighborhood
See More Location

Rooms

Smallish standard rooms for the price, but rooms underwent renovations in 2015

Standard rooms are on the small side for the price and some have small windows. The 477 rooms and suites in the Grand Tower were all renovated between 2013 and 2014, and feature updated decor in a green-and-brown color scheme. Renovations to the 315 rooms in the Historic Tower, now called the Executive Tower, were completed in 2015, giving these spaces a modern, corporate look.

  • Flat-screen TV with cable access
  • Mini-bar
  • Safe large enough for a laptop
  • Coffeemaker with free coffee and tea
  • Shower/tub combo
  • iPod docks available upon request
  • Fee for Wi-Fi
See More Rooms

Features

An impressive indoor pool and a 24-hour business center

  • Fitness center open daily, there is a fee to use. It features a sauna and some spa services, such as aromatherapy treatments and massages.
  • Indoor pool
  • 24-hour business center staffed throughout the day; some fees apply
  • Daily fee for Wi-Fi
  • Babysitting services
  • Valet parking is expensive
  • Meeting and events space: Over 40,000 square feet of flexible meeting and banquet space, including 28 meeting rooms and a 6,400-square-feet ballroom
See More Features

All-Inclusive / Food

Two restaurants, a wine bar, and a Starbucks on site

  • Michael Jordan's Steak House is open daily for lunch and dinner
  • Michael Jordan's Bar, located in the hotel lobby, serves wine, craft beer, and cocktails 
  • Eno Wine Bar serves wine, chocolate and cheeses from around the world
  • The Continental offers a la carte items and a buffet for breakfast and brunch
  • Starbucks: Open daily
  • 24-hour room service
See More All-Inclusive / Food

Oyster Hotel Review

InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile

Scene

A large, historic building, the InterContinental's home is a Chicago landmark.

Originally built in 1929 to house the exclusive Medinah Athletics Club, and then completely renovated in 1988, the InterContinental's building is one of Chicago's most recognizable landmarks. The grand lobby, with a huge staircase and Spanish-inspired decor, is normally full of business travelers. The lobby’s fountains and chandeliers give way to the intimate ambience of Michael Jordan's Steak House, the hotel’s street-level restaurant, with views of the Magnificent Mile.

Natural light pours through huge windows into the wonderful junior Olympic indoor swimming pool located on the eighth floor. Several rows of seating and a terra-cotta fountain with Spanish tiles remain from the building’s golden days, when young elite athletes would fill the hallways of the majestic club.

See More Scene

Location

Located on the Magnificent Mile, three blocks from the Red subway line

The Intercontinental has a prime address right on the Magnificent Mile, an iconic stretch of North Michigan Avenue known for its upscale shopping. However, it is not all about department stores out here. Art galleries, landmarks — such as the Water Tower, the John Hancock Observatory, the Pumping Station and Wrigley Building — and top-notch restaurants are within easy walking distance from the hotel.

  • 9-minute walk to the Loop
  • 10-minute walk to the John Hancock Observatory
  • 13-minute walk to the Theatre District
  • 13-minute walk to the Millennium Park
  • 15-minute walk to the Art Institute of Chicago
  • 18-minute walk to the Chicago City Hall
  • 12-minute drive or 39 minutes by subway to the Museum of Science and Industry
  • 15-minute drive or 26 minutes by subway to the Wrigley Field
  • 18-minute drive to Midway International Airport
  • 25 minutes by subway to the Old Town
  • 27-minute drive to O’Hare International Airport
  • 34 minutes by subway to Kenwood neighborhood
See More Location

Rooms

Smallish standard rooms for the price, but rooms underwent renovations in 2015

Standard rooms are on the small side for the price and some have small windows. The 477 rooms and suites in the Grand Tower were all renovated between 2013 and 2014, and feature updated decor in a green-and-brown color scheme. Renovations to the 315 rooms in the Historic Tower, now called the Executive Tower, were completed in 2015, giving these spaces a modern, corporate look.

  • Flat-screen TV with cable access
  • Mini-bar
  • Safe large enough for a laptop
  • Coffeemaker with free coffee and tea
  • Shower/tub combo
  • iPod docks available upon request
  • Fee for Wi-Fi
See More Rooms

Features

An impressive indoor pool and a 24-hour business center

  • Fitness center open daily, there is a fee to use. It features a sauna and some spa services, such as aromatherapy treatments and massages.
  • Indoor pool
  • 24-hour business center staffed throughout the day; some fees apply
  • Daily fee for Wi-Fi
  • Babysitting services
  • Valet parking is expensive
  • Meeting and events space: Over 40,000 square feet of flexible meeting and banquet space, including 28 meeting rooms and a 6,400-square-feet ballroom
See More Features

All-Inclusive / Food

Two restaurants, a wine bar, and a Starbucks on site

  • Michael Jordan's Steak House is open daily for lunch and dinner
  • Michael Jordan's Bar, located in the hotel lobby, serves wine, craft beer, and cocktails 
  • Eno Wine Bar serves wine, chocolate and cheeses from around the world
  • The Continental offers a la carte items and a buffet for breakfast and brunch
  • Starbucks: Open daily
  • 24-hour room service
See More All-Inclusive / Food

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Babysitting Services

  • Basic Television

  • Beauty / Hair Salon

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pets Allowed

  • Pool

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Smoking Rooms Available

  • Spa

  • Supervised Kids Activities

  • Tennis Court

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.