The Top New Hotels in Chicago

Ranging from upscale downtown spots to those nestled in the city’s vibrant neighborhoods, Chicago’s latest hotels are designed to support both the local community and sustainability efforts.

Undoubtedly, the pandemic dealt a heavy blow to the hotel industry, leading to numerous closures. However, the silver lining is that many have reopened their doors in 2021 or 2022, and even if under new ownership, investors are revitalizing these chic establishments.

In this list, we highlight 10 of the finest new hotels in Chicago.

Sable at Navy Pier

Stretching 3,300 feet into Lake Michigan from downtown, Navy Pier has long been Illinois' top tourist destination, blending carnival-like attractions with scenic boat rides and cultural gems like the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Opened in spring 2021, Sable offers 223 nautically-themed rooms with stunning views of the lake and skyline, perfect for guests after a tour, dinner, or performance.

You can’t help but be captivated by the stylish nautical design of the rooms, featuring brass details and a marine color scheme, alongside the expansive 20,000-square-foot rooftop bar, Offshore. This LEED-silver certified hotel has also added a green roof to aid birds along the Lake Michigan Flyway and recycles leftover toiletries to create hygiene kits for underserved communities.

Pendry Chicago

The iconic Carbide & Carbon building, a 1929 skyscraper famously reminiscent of a champagne bottle from the lively art deco era before the Great Depression, has experienced significant tenant changes in recent years. Its latest transformation, which opened in May, Pendry Chicago, stands out as the most luxurious yet. Dine at the ground-floor French brasserie Venteux—where you can cozy up in tufted banquettes and indulge in caviar and whole aged duck—or sip rosé at the intimate rooftop bar, Chateau Carbide.

You'll find it hard to leave the elegantly designed rooms, which vary in layout due to the building's historic nature, adorned with classic architectural photography. Pendry is committed to reducing single-use plastics by providing refillable MiN New York toiletries, linen-less tables for banquette dining, food composting, and a seasonal herb garden at the rooftop lounge.

The LaSalle Chicago, Autograph Collection

Occupying the top five levels of a historic Loop skyscraper designed by Daniel Burnham—Chicago's pioneering urban planner—the newly opened LaSalle Chicago makes a compelling case for lodging in the financial district. The 21st-floor lobby sets a club-like ambiance with high-back leather chairs, tufted sofas, and striking lighting, extending to Grill on 21, where diners in velvet booths can enjoy a steak tasting menu alongside plant-based options. Its 232 elegantly appointed rooms feature opulent bathrooms adorned with Calcutta marble and gold chandeliers, harmonized with muted colors and crisp linens. Contemporary wellness amenities include in-room meditation videos, private chakra healing sessions, and access to the expansive Spa at JW Chicago located a few floors below.

Nobu Hotel Chicago

Combining location and reputation, the new Nobu Hotel Chicago, which opened in 2021, comes from renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa and his partners, including actor Robert De Niro, in the vibrant West Loop district. The 115-room hotel features the chef’s signature restaurant along with distinct Japanese elements, such as the oshibori hand-washing ritual upon check-in, minimalist rooms (some equipped with teak soaking tubs), and a 40-foot indoor tranquility pool. Guests can also enjoy the lively atmosphere in various restaurants, including a rooftop lounge on the 11th floor, with numerous dining and nightlife options nearby. It earns eco-friendly accolades for its energy-efficient heating and cooling system, LED lighting that consumes 75% less energy, in-room motion sensor lights, and a rooftop garden that covers half of the area.

21c Museum Hotel Chicago

The art-infused 21c Museum Hotel Chicago opened just before the pandemic, missing its chance to truly shine. However, it deserves your attention due to the significant investment the hotel group is making in contemporary art. Founders Steve Wilson and Laura Lee Brown, esteemed collectors, provide access to much of their collection in on-site galleries that are open 24/7. Exhibitions rotate between locations, but each hotel features art programs that actively engage the local community.
This 297-room hotel, creatively repurposed from the former James hotel, has commissioned local artist Nick Cave and his partner Bob Faust to create nine unique wallpaper designs displayed in the elevator lobbies from floors 2 to 17. (We recommend channeling your inner Elf and pressing all the buttons.)

Selina Chicago

Launched last fall, Selina Chicago revitalizes the former Tremont hotel, a classic gem nestled in the upscale Gold Coast neighborhood just off Michigan Avenue. It introduces vibrant design, shared living and working spaces, and a variety of accommodations ranging from communal bunk-bedded rooms starting at $40/night to spacious one- and two-bedroom suites and a penthouse apartment, totaling 600 beds. A favorite among digital nomads, Selina has transformed the space with tropical-print wallpaper, neon accents, and cozy crash-pad style pillows and poufs. The coworking area draws both locals and visitors, offering rentable meeting rooms and private phone booths. Residents enjoy access to a communal kitchen, fitness center, and a cozy screening room.

The Emily Hotel

Trailblazing Canadian artist Emily Carr lends her name to the Emily Hotel in the Fulton Market district, a tribute reflected in its artist-in-residence program, which provides creators with studio space and opportunities to contribute murals and key card designs. This new establishment serves as a community hub, featuring a coffee bar in the lobby for remote work, an outdoor theater screening films from Get Out to Goodfellas, and Selva, a rooftop bar offering craft mezcal cocktails. Fora, a Mexican restaurant with a bohemian flair, is set to open in August. Formerly an Ace hotel, the Emily boasts a quirky utilitarian aesthetic in its 159 guest rooms, many adorned with minimalist frame beds and shelf-like wooden desks that stretch across floor-to-ceiling windows.

The Neighborhood Hotel

Chicago is home to 77 official neighborhoods, and experiencing a few is essential for understanding the city. However, Airbnb often serves as the go-to for accommodations, which can lead to concerns about rising rents for locals. Opened in the summer of 2021, the Neighborhood Hotel provides an opportunity to stay in Lincoln Park, one of the most lively neighborhoods on the North Side, located about five miles north of downtown Loop, without engaging in that debate.

The 1893 building, inspired by German Renaissance architecture and adorned with limestone cladding and bay windows, offers 14 residential-style suites equipped with well-stocked kitchens and often featuring multiple bedrooms. Nearby, you'll find locally owned shops and restaurants, as well as the 18-mile Lakefront recreational path and the complimentary Lincoln Park Zoo.

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Chicago Chinatown

As many Chinatowns across the nation undergo gentrification, Chicago’s Chinatown on the South Side, just three train stops from the Loop, is thriving. The Asian American population increased by 31 percent in the last census, highlighting the neighborhood's vibrancy, which is characterized by a lively array of restaurants, shops, and Chinese groceries, centered around the iconic Chinatown Gateway.
The newly opened SpringHill Suites by Marriott Chicago Chinatown marks the neighborhood's first branded hotel, featuring suites that provide distinct areas for sleeping, working, and unwinding, with breakfast included. The hotel is conveniently located near the Chicago Red Line L, making it easy to explore, including a quick ride to the White Sox baseball stadium a few stops south.

The Study at University of Chicago

Despite its rich history, Hyde Park has relatively few hotels, making The Study at University of Chicago a welcome presence. Nestled along the greenway known as the Midway Plaisance—the original midway of the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893—this 167-room hotel caters to University of Chicago students, families, and faculty, while also being well-situated for those exploring the South Side, particularly near the upcoming Obama Presidential Center. Public areas celebrate academic life, featuring a library curated by the Strand Bookstore and a gallery showcasing student art. The fire-lit English tavern, Truth Be Told, pairs perfectly with the Oxford-inspired architecture on campus. Guest rooms are designed with leather reading chairs and wooden writing desks for a cozy atmosphere.