Best Business Hotels in Chicago

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. But it's also one of the best business hotels, with 20,000 square feet of event space that includes a ballroom, boardroom, and conference room. Many meeting rooms have excellent views. The hotel's sleek, glossy decor is subdued and tasteful, and every amenity -- from the Michelin-starred restaurant, to the big indoor pool, to bright fitness center, to the spa -- is first-rate. The huge, tasteful rooms have limestone bathrooms with soaking tubs and floor-to-ceiling windows (often with phenomenal views).

The Waldorf is Chicago's top luxury hotel, and it offers five meeting rooms (icluding a ballroom) for a total of 4,448 square feet of elegant meeting space. Two private dining rooms are also afforred. With an intimate, boutique feel -- but all the amenities of a large hotel -- the 188-room Waldorf is well-suited for business travelers with larger expense accounts. Sleek rooms feature neutral tones, contemporary furnishings, and gorgeous marble bathrooms that offer separate showers and soaking tubs, as well as TVs inset in the mirrors. Highlights include the upscale restaurant Balsan, a top-notch spa, and health club with extensive services and an indoor lap pool. Plus, the hotel's location in the swanky Gold Coast neighborhood puts it within walking distance of upscale shops, restaurants, and attractions.

The luxurious 415-room Sofitel Chicago, two blocks from the Magnificent Mile, is noteworthy for its sleek modern decor and excellent service. It's a haven for business travelers, with plush white beds in the bright rooms, and everything -- the fitness center, business center, room service, and concierge -- available around-the-clock.

The 261-room Hotel Palomar is one of the best Kimpton hotels in the city, and the only one in River North, near the Magnificent Mile. Its lovely indoor pool with a sundeck and its free nightly wine hour are both highlights, and the big, stylish rooms are equipped with iPod docks, 37-inch flat-screen TVs, and Etro bath toiletries. All in all, it's a great pick for the price.

This mid-range hotel is centrally located in The Loop, on the northern edge of Chicago's Theatre District. Its 357 rooms are comfortable and spacious (though a tad generic for the price), and come with updated amenities, such as free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and iPod docks. The bright fitness center with great river and city views, the casual Hoyt’s restaurant, and its wonderful location make this property a great pick for business trips.

This 687-room luxury hotel is in the Loop neighborhood, near the Millennium Park and Lake Michigan. Big rooms have separate soaking tubs and showers (which even pricier hotels lack), iPod docks and 42-inch flat-screen TVs. Add a bar, an 11,000-square-foot spa and fitness center, and stunning design by David Rockwell, and you've got one of Chicago's most luxurious hotels in this price range. The Fairmont Gold Concierge Level includes great business-oriented amenities like a private lounge and reception area on the 15th floor, newspapers and magazines, computers (free to use), and free coffee and tea. The hotel also features a free business center with computers, a printer, a copier and a fax machine; same-day laundry; overnight shoeshine; pressing service; a 24-hour concierge; and 62,000 square feet of meeting space.

Although the 424-room Westin Chicago River North lacks individual charm and character, there are a few things that take it a step beyond your standard hotel-chain property -- spectacular views of the river, two popular on-site restaurants, and a sleek, contemporary decor. There isn't much that makes this Westin stand out, but it's still a staple in the Chicago hotel bunch. Floor-to-ceiling windows give the modern, spacious gym plenty of natural light. Meanwhile, the lobby feels a bit dark, but gives way to a certain chic-ness at night, when it becomes a pricey but fun space for professionals to have drinks and mingle.

This 347-room property has a prime location right on the Magnificent Mile, and its big two-room suites are popular with business travelers who want extra space to spread out. The free house car drop-off service, quality fitness center, and 24-hour business center are additional draws.