Best Waterfront Hotels in Chicago: Riverfront & Lakefront 2025

Chicago’s waterfront hotel scene splits cleanly into two distinct experiences: the sleek, contemporary riverfront hotels lining the Chicago Riverwalk in River North and the Loop, and the historic, sprawling lakefront properties along Lake Michigan near the Gold Coast and Lincoln Park. This guide compares the top waterfront hotels in Chicago, drawing on official property listings from Marriott and Hilton, verified address data, and review aggregators like Expedia and Tripadvisor. We’ll pinpoint which hotels deliver genuine water-adjacent stays versus distant views, what you’ll pay for each, and where discerning travelers—including celebrities—actually book rooms.

Last checked: 2026-09-21

Best for River Views: Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk (Marriott) · Boutique Riverfront: River Hotel, Chicago · Highest Review Score: Loews Chicago Hotel – 9.4/10 (Expedia) · Celebrity Hotspot: Trump Tower Chicago

Is there a riverfront hotel in Chicago?

Yes. Tripadvisor’s “Hotels on the River” category for Chicago lists approximately 18 properties that either sit directly on the Chicago River or offer clear river views. The largest cluster is along the Riverwalk in River North, where the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk offers family-friendly rooms and event spaces, as confirmed by Marriott. The River Hotel is a boutique property near the Magnificent Mile, while W Chicago Lakeshore provides lakefront views from Lake Shore Drive.

Crucially, “riverfront” in Chicago means the Chicago River downtown—not the lake. Swissotel Chicago sits at the river–lake junction, offering panoramic views of both water bodies from its triangular glass tower, per Overseas Attractions. The Westin Chicago River North has an outdoor patio, 320 RiverBar, specifically designed to face the river. Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel is opposite the Riverwalk in the Loop, with a rooftop bar and indoor pool.

“There are at least 18 hotels on the river in Chicago, from the Langham to the Royal Sonesta.”

— The Hotel Guru, citing curated riverfront hotel listings

Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk

Part of the Marriott portfolio, this hotel at 301 E North Water Street sits directly on the Riverwalk in River North. It offers large rooms, an indoor pool, and river-view suites. Marriott lists it as a top family-friendly Chicago option with direct water access.

River Hotel Chicago

A historic boutique property at 75 E Wacker Drive, near the Magnificent Mile. It offers river-view rooms at mid-range rates—typically $160–$250 per night according to Expedia’s riverside filter, making it a relatively affordable riverfront choice.

W Chicago Lakeshore

Positioned at 644 N Lake Shore Drive—the same address as The Wade—this contemporary hotel is marketed as a lakeside property with direct Lake Michigan views. Travelocity beach-hotel listings confirm nightly rates for this category range from about $93 to $620.

The bottom line: Chicago has no shortage of genuine riverfront hotels. For the best value and guaranteed water views, choose a Riverwalk-adjacent property like Royal Sonesta or the Westin rather than a distant lakefront tower. The average mid-range riverfront room runs about $160–$250 per night per Expedia.

What is the #1 hotel in Chicago?

There’s no single “best” hotel, but several contenders rise to the top based on guest ratings, location, and amenities. Loews Chicago Hotel in Streeterville scores 9.4/10 on Expedia, the highest review score among waterfront hotels listed in our research. It offers suites with Lake Michigan views and a rooftop space called Streeterville Social that overlooks both water and skyline.

Among riverfront properties, Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk is consistently recommended for families due to its large rooms and direct Riverwalk access. The Drake (opened 1920 at 140 E Walton Place) and Swissotel Chicago are frequently listed among Tripadvisor’s top waterfront hotels.

Top contenders for best hotel

• Loews Chicago Hotel – 9.4/10 on Expedia, lake-view suites, rooftop bar.
• Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk – family-friendly, riverfront, Marriott-operated.
• Swissotel Chicago – river–lake junction views, 9.0+ average rating across platforms.

Criteria for #1

Guest ratings (Expedia, TripAdvisor), water-view authenticity (river or lake frontage vs. distant views), and amenity quality (pools, rooftop bars, dining) define the top tier. No single hotel wins all categories.

The pattern: Loews Chicago Hotel wins on pure guest satisfaction scores. For water proximity, Sheraton Grand or Swissotel are stronger choices, depending on whether you want river or lake views.

Where do most celebrities stay in Chicago?

Several waterfront properties have reputations as celebrity hotspots. Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago (401 N Wabash Avenue, steps from the Riverwalk) is known for celebrity residents and offers suites with floor-to-ceiling river views, per Overseas Attractions. The Drake, a historic Gold Coast hotel near Oak Street Beach, has long hosted dignitaries and celebrities since its 1920 opening. W Hotels (including W Chicago – Lakeshore) are associated with nightlife and celebrity social scenes.

The Langham, Chicago and LondonHouse Chicago on Michigan Avenue are another high-end pair, both oriented toward Chicago River vistas. The Langham offers picture-frame windows emphasizing river views, while LondonHouse’s rooftop bar is a known gathering spot for affluent travelers and local personalities. Viceroy Chicago and Waldorf Astoria Chicago in the Gold Coast trade quieter streets for comparable lake access to Magnificent Mile properties.

The trade-off: Celebrities and high-net-worth travelers gravitate to the Gold Coast (Viceroy, Waldorf Astoria) for privacy and to the Riverwalk towers (Trump, LondonHouse) for visibility and views. The Drake offers historic cachet but less modern luxury.

What is the poshest part of Chicago?

The wealthiest and most prestigious hotel neighborhoods are River North, the Gold Coast, and the Magnificent Mile. River North is home to several luxury waterfront hotels, including the Sheraton Grand and Trump Tower. The Gold Coast, specifically the area around Oak Street Beach, hosts The Drake, Viceroy Chicago, and Waldorf Astoria Chicago. Magnificent Mile offers high-end shopping and hotels like The Peninsula Chicago and Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, both providing Lake Michigan views.

The Most Perfect View identifies The Peninsula, Park Hyatt Chicago, and Four Seasons Chicago as a core cluster of five-star hotels near where the lake is closest to the Magnificent Mile. Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown on the Riverwalk provides high-floor river views at rates lower than comparable Magnificent Mile luxury properties, positioning it as a value riverfront option.

The bottom line: For pure prestige, Gold Coast properties near Oak Street Beach lead. For contemporary riverfront luxury, River North and the Loop (Swissotel, Langham) are the top addresses. The Magnificent Mile bridges both, but at peak luxury pricing—often $400+ per night.

Waterfront Hotel Comparison

Best for Different Travelers

• Couples: Loews Chicago Hotel or The Langham for romantic river views.
• Families: Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk (large rooms, pool, Riverwalk access).
• Business Travelers: Swissotel Chicago or Hyatt Regency Chicago (river-view suites, conference facilities).
• Luxury Seekers: The Drake, Four Seasons Chicago, or Trump Tower Chicago for celebrity cachet.

Price Ranges by Waterfront Type

• Budget lakefront: $93–$200 per night (e.g., Chicago Lake Shore Hotel at 4900 S Lake Shore Dr, La Quinta Inn & Suites). Per Travelocity.
• Mid-range riverfront: $160–$250 per night (e.g., River Hotel, Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown). Per Expedia riverside filter.
• Luxury lakefront: $300–$620 per night (e.g., The Drake, Four Seasons, Loews Chicago). Per Travelocity.

Location and Getting There

Waterfront hotels cluster in three primary zones. River North and the Loop house riverfront properties (Sheraton Grand, Westin, Swissotel, Langham) along the Chicago Riverwalk, a pedestrian path with restaurants and boat tours. The Gold Coast and Magnificent Mile host lakefront hotels (The Drake, Four Seasons, Loews Chicago) near Oak Street Beach and Lake Michigan. Navy Pier and Streeterville include The Wade (644 N Lake Shore Dr) and Sable at Navy Pier (Curio Collection by Hilton), unique over-water properties.

All zones are within a 10–15 minute taxi or rideshare ride from O’Hare International Airport (via the Kennedy Expressway) or 15–20 minutes from Midway Airport. Chicago’s ‘L’ trains (Blue Line for O’Hare, Orange Line for Midway) stop downtown within walking distance of most riverfront hotels. The 146 and 147 bus lines serve the lakefront corridor.

Other Notable Waterfront Hotels

• The Wade (644 N Lake Shore Dr, Marriott) – Lakefront, no destination fee, pool. Opened in the last 10 years.
• The Sable at Navy Pier (Curio Collection by Hilton) – On Navy Pier, unobstructed Lake Michigan views.
• Hotel Lincoln – Near North Avenue Beach, Lincoln Park, rooms with lake views.
• Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel (1927) – Historic property near Oak Street Beach, briefly Playboy Towers in 1970s.

Related reading: Motel vs Hotel: Key Differences in Cost, Size & Services · Sofitel Grand Sopot Review: Beachfront History & Luxury

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

• Marriott – The Wade property page
• ChicagoTraveler – Chicago beach hotels (The Drake, Hotel Lincoln)
• The Most Perfect View – Chicago romantic lake-view hotels
• Tripadvisor – Hotels on the Lake, Chicago
• Tripadvisor – Hotels on the River, Chicago
• Travelocity – Chicago beach hotel listings (pricing, addresses)
• Expedia – Chicago riverside hotels (pricing)