Most Romantic Hotels in Magnificent Mile, Chicago

The luxurious Four Seasons Chicago is located on floors 30 to 46 of a limestone-and-glass skyscraper along the Magnificent Mile, atop an upscale shopping center. The hotel boasts a gorgeous indoor pool with a skylight and great views, an expansive spa and fitness center with modern machines, and a restaurant helmed by Executive Chef Sean Murray. Phenomenal views are a hallmark of the 347 guest rooms, which are decorated with modern art. It's one of the city's nicest hotels, and the location near the historic Water Tower and the Hancock Observatory can't be beat. The bathrooms -- most with shower/tub combos rather than separate walk-in showers and soaking tubs -- are a tad less luxurious than you'd expect in this price range, though still lovely. (The deep soaking tubs at fellow Magnificent Mile luxury hotel The Peninsula feature in-wall TVs.)

This 434-room hotel sits atop an upscale shopping mall right off the Magnificent Mile. The luxurious spa, the wonderful four-lane lap pool, the great design, and the outstanding address could make it one of the nicest hotels in town -- but the rooms fall a tad short — even after a multimillion dollar renovation in 2010 — with sophisticated but somewhat generic decor, some outdated amenities (such as CD players instead of iPod docks), and shower/tub combos in many bathrooms. The cuisine at the on-site brasserie doesn't wow, but the beautiful city views through its floor-to-ceiling windows do.

Located half a block from the famed Magnificent Mile, luxury boutique hotel MileNorth strives to give guests a modern, home-away-from-home experience that contrasts with the ornate, Gilded-Age sensibility of many other area hotels. With a cozy, living-room-style lobby whose cafe serves Starbucks, as well as a rooftop lounge with sweeping views of the city, the MileNorth can be both relaxed and trendy at the same time. The rooms are spacious for the neighborhood and price, with a unique bi-level configuration and all the requisite modern amenities, including flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. There is in-room Wi-Fi and a well-stocked 24-hour gym, both of which are covered by a daily resort fee that is automatically tacked on to your rate. Still, this modern hotel is a good deal in a prime location.

The 535-room Drake Hotel is a historic property on upscale Magnificent Mile and one of Chicago’s grande dames, with an impressive lobby full of chandeliers and a beautiful classic decor. Despite its historic status, modern amenities abound: There is a large, modern fitness center; wonderful dining options on-site, including the Palm Court, where a harp player entertains the guests during the afternoon tea; and even a shopping arcade with designer names like Chanel. But while the rooms are adequate and have some modern perks (like flat-screen TVs and MP3 players), the bathrooms are sub-par and could use an upgrade. The golden days of this luxurious property might be slowly fading, but it is still a great pick for its history and high-class notoriety.

The mid-range Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile is ideal for travelers looking to stay right in the middle of downtown Chicago. Rooms are contemporary, and have coffeemakers and mini-fridges; suites have full kitchenettes and sofa beds. Features include free breakfast, a pool, a fitness center, and a coin-operated laundry room, and the hotel's meeting spaces and a large business center draw plenty of business travelers. However, there have been complaints about the slowness of the elevators, the priciness of valet parking, and maintenance issues and cleanliness in rooms. Travelers may want to compare rates at the comparable Courtyard Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile. 

The 443-room Warwick Allerton-Chicago is one of the few hotels right on the Magnificent Mile, and its rooms -- with soothing blue-and-white color schemes, iPod docks, and flat-screen TVs -- are more modern and stylish than those at the neighboring Omni and Intercontinental hotels. But unlike its neighbors the hotel lacks a pool, and its rooms offer significantly less space than the Omni's generic two-room suites.