Best Party Hotels in River North, Chicago

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.

Sophisticated and upscale, the 354-room Hotel Chicago Downtown, Autograph Collection is located in the trendy River North area, across from the House of Blues. A business center, 10,000 square feet of meeting space, and a 24-hour modern gym attract conference organizers. With black-and-white stylish designs, rooms and suites have minibars, coffeemakers, and floor-to-ceiling windows that offer river views in some. In-room massages are provided, but this hotel doesn’t have a pool or spa like the costlier Hotel Palomar Chicago.

The flagship for the Godfrey brand, the upscale Godfrey Hotel Chicago is located in the River North neighborhood, an eight-minute walk from the Magnificent Mile. Completed in 2014, the hotel is hip and sexy. It offers a dizzying array of modern luxuries: a sleek all-white marble-clad circular lobby with contemporary seating, stress-reducing in-house spa, an ultra-modern rooftop lounge with a restaurant, two bars, and a hip nightclub when night descends. The hotel’s 221 rooms are just as eye-catching as the common areas, with decor that manages to be contemporary without being stark. The party vibe isn't for everyone and there are extra fees for parking and breakfast. It's worth checking rates at the nearby Hotel Felix Chicago for their French restaurant and quieter nights.