Convenient location in the safe and lively River North district
Subways and the Magnificent Mile are within walking distance
Clean and hip rooms with coffeemakers, and mini-fridges
Popular restaurant and bar that features live music
Spacious, 24/7 fitness center with Life Fitness equipment
24/7 business center with internet access and printers
Over 1,800 square feet of meeting space spread over six separate rooms
Mini-mart that sells food and drinks, including beer, open around the clock
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Valet parking available for a fee
Pets are welcome at no additional surcharge
Breakfast not included in room rates
No on-site self parking
Significant street noise at times, especially in lower-level rooms
The Aloft Chicago City Center is a modern and decidedly unconventional upper-middle-range hotel with an energetic vibe. Located in the lively River North district, it’s a great central base for both business and leisure travelers. The Magnificent Mile is within walking distance, and there’s a subway line nearby. A popular restaurant and bar with live music are in the spacious lobby, and the fitness center is large and well equipped. Valet parking is available, but it’s expensive. Like the hotel itself, the 272 rooms are sleek and stylish, with room service, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. Rates are competitive but like other River North hotels, they can spike quite high at times, so it’s wise to comparison shop. The Hampton Inn & Suites Chicago-Downtown nearby tends to have comparable rates and a free hot breakfast.
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Scene
Modern, energetic, and unconventional hotel with a busy, open lobby that can get loud
Opened in 2013, this Aloft outpost is designed to be decidedly unconventional and energetic, with vibrant colors, ultra-modern furniture, and a fun and funky atmosphere. The lobby has an industrial feel, with large concrete pillars, exposed ductwork, and polished concrete floors. An explosion of color and hip furniture invigorate the space, including '60s-style ball chairs, slat-wood benches, and leather armchairs with just the right amount of distress. Even the oval front desk is illuminated in a rainbow of colors. The spacious open lobby features a popular restaurant and a bar that sometimes hosts live music, so it can get busy and loud at times. This hotel hosts everyone from conference delegates to leisure travelers exploring the Windy City.
Location
In the lively River North district, within walking distance of the Magnificent Mile and subways
The Aloft Chicago City Center is located in River North, a safe, vibrant, and central area of Chicago that’s packed with shopping and dining choices. It's within walking distance of the Magnificent Mile, home to the iconic Water Tower, the John Hancock Observatory, the Loop, and the Theatre District. The Red subway line is a brief walk from the hotel and provides quick and easy connections to the airports and other points of interest. - 10-minute walk to the Theatre District
Rooms
Sleek and stylish rooms with mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and distinctive bathrooms
Like the hotel itself, rooms are a bit unconventional for a chain hotel, with a sleek design that’s stylish but sparse. Various shades of gray dominate, which makes rooms feel dark despite large windows and bright-white bedding. Modular-style laminate wood with a light finish is used for the desks, dressers, and paneling for some walls, and splashes of light blue on the gray carpet and bench-style seats liven up the look. The rooms are clean and offer enough space for comfort, with King (271 to 301 square feet) and Double Queen (318 to 451 square feet) options. All come equipped with 42-inch flat-screen TVs.Long, narrow, stylish bathrooms continue the rooms' distinctive look and feature dark-gray tile floors and white ceramic vanities with raised vessel sinks. The laminate wood back walls have closet space with clothes hangers, and there are no doors between the bathroom and bedroom areas. Sliding doors separate the toilets and clear-glass shower stalls from the vanity areas to offer some privacy. Bathrooms also contain mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and safes that come standard. Views from the higher floors are impressive, but some rooms face buildings where guests can see (and be seen by) office workers during the day. Rooms are relatively quiet, but the hotel is located on a busy street that generates ambient traffic noise that's audible from lower-floor rooms.
Features
Full-service restaurant/bar, 24-hour fitness and business centers, meeting space, and valet parking
This ultra-modern hotel is geared toward younger travelers, but its amenities hold broad appeal. The lobby includes the Beatrix restaurant, which serves all three meals. An adjacent bakery offers a variety of coffee drinks and delicious pastries. The WXYZ Bar also is in lobby and features live music and a billiards table guests can use free of charge. Outdoor tables and service are provided as well. The lobby also has a 24-hour mini-mart selling snacks, sandwiches, salads, and beverages including beer.The 24-hour fitness center is spacious and well equipped, with yoga mats, free weights, and Life Fitness cardio and weight-training equipment. The only on-site parking option is valet, and it’s expensive. However, there are public garages with slightly lower rates within a couple of blocks of the hotel. The 24/7 business center in the lobby has three computer stations with internet access and a printer. Free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the hotel, and there are six meeting rooms that collectively offer over 1,800 square feet of space. Concierge services include valet dry cleaning and laundry. Pets are welcome free of charge, and the hotel provides their four-legged guests with water bowls, treats, and toys.
