Last updated on January 22, 2024
We love Chicago and how it feels like stepping into scenes from our favourite TV shows and movies. Any Good Fight fans out there?!
We’ve written a full guide to all the best things to do in Chicago with kids, and this post is all about the best and coolest places to stay in Chicago (with or without kids). We’ve broken it down into the best Chicago neighborhoods for families, and Chicago family accommodation options for each one.
As you know, we’re not fans of soulless, boring hotels, and always try to choose special places to stay. That said, we do occasionally pick places that might lack a little in style, but make up for it with views or excellent prices. This was the case for us in Chicago, where our budget meant we couldn’t afford the fancier hotels, so we went for the trusty Hilton Homeward Suites. The view and location made it special (look at the boys being mesmerized by the skyscrapers!)
In this guide, I’ve included all the hotels we shortlisted in our research and ones that were recommended by other travellers. Chicago definitely does stylish hotels very well!
Map of places to stay in Chicago with kids
Where to stay in Chicago with kids
The Loop
The Loop gets its name from being the neighbourhood that the elevated ‘L’ train makes a loop around. It’s the heart of downtown Chicago and the most convenient place to stay for all the main attractions. It’s most people’s top pick for where to stay in Chicago with kids if it’s your first time visiting. That said, you’ll find cheaper options just outside The Loop.
Magnificent Mile
If you want to shop in Chicago, Magnificent Mile is the place to do it. It’s also one of the fancier areas of the city and you’ll find many 5-star hotels here. If you are looking for luxury Chicago family hotels, there are good options here.
River North and Streeterville
River North is a great choice if you want to stay near the Loop but not in the Loop. It’s located just north, across from the Chicago River, still within walking distance to the Loop, Magnificent Mile, and plenty of restaurants and attractions, including one of the famous Lou Malnati’s . This is where we stayed when visiting, and loved that we could walk to everywhere we needed to get to.
Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park is another top contender for where to stay in Chicago with kids, mainly because of its huge namesake park. It has a more local vibe than the other neighbourhoods mentioned so far and lots of green space for the kids to play outside, while still being in a close and convenient location. That said, it’s not in walking distance to the main attractions, so you’d need to use public transport or other wheels to get around.
Wicker Park and Bucktown
Located northwest of the Loop, Wicker Park is one of Chicago’s most hipster neighbourhoods with lots of coffee shops and vintage boutiques. It has a lively nightlife scene, which might be lost on you if you have kids in tow, but you can still enjoy all of those creative vibes by day. This is where we plan to stay on our next visit to Chicago.
Fulton Market
Also known as the West Loop District, the Fulton Market District is home to some of the best food in the entire city. If you’re a foodie, this is the place for you. Like Wicker Park, it has a great nightlife, as well as lots of brunch and cafe options. And it’s also home to some of Chicago’s coolest hotels like The Emily and The Hoxton. Don’t miss a trip to Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams!
Logan Square
Every original hipster neighbourhood has a sister neighbourhood where the creatives started to move as rent prices went up. That’s what Logan Square is to Wicker Park. It’s a mostly residential area and you won’t find many hotels, but there are plenty of vacation rentals. It’s where to stay if you want a taste of local life in a hip part of town.
South Loop
As you can probably guess, the South Loop neighbourhood is located south of the Loop. It’s where you’ll find lots of the big museums, including the planetarium and aquarium. It’s less interesting and creative than some of the other neighbourhoods on this list, but it’s convenient for travelling into downtown and would be a handy option if your focus is the museums.
The best places to stay in Chicago with kids
Here’s a breakdown of the coolest Chicago family hotels, categorised by neighborhood.
Best hotels in The Loop
Kimpton Hotel Monaco Chicago
When it comes to stylish hotels for families, Kimpton is one of the first names we look for. We love their properties in Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Palm Springs, so it’s no surprise that Kimpton Hotel Monaco is one of our top recommendations for where to stay in Chicago with kids.
The Riverwalk is located right in front of Kimpton Hotel Monaco Chicago and it’s within minutes of almost any attraction you may want to visit in downtown Chicago. The rooms were recently renovated so you also have a bright, spacious, and stylish room to come back to after a day of exploring.
Check availability and book now.
theWit
theWit is one of Hilton’s best luxury family-friendly hotels in Chicago, located right in the heart of the Loop. You’ll be close to the Chicago Theater, some of the best shopping in the city, and the Riverwalk.
Many of the rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows, offering incredible views of the Chicago skyline or the Chicago River. You’ll find lots of warm earth tones and clean lines in the decor and luxurious amenities as well. Rooms also have a mini fridge, perfect for leftovers or snacks for the families, and larger suites are available with kitchenettes as well.
Check availability and book now.
Arlo Chicago
Arlo Chicago, formerly Hotel Julian, is located across the street from Millennium Park, putting you right in the middle of Chicago’s top attractions.
It’s a fairly trendy hotel, but their two-queen rooms are perfect for families and they offer both cribs and pack-n-plays upon request. Rooms are decorated with earth tones and cool artwork. They also have a great steak restaurant onsite, The Last Knife.
Check availability and book now.
Best Magnificent Mile hotels
The Peninsula
One of the best upscale places to stay with kids in Chicago is The Peninsula Chicago. In their own words, The Peninsula brand “…is synonymous with romance, glamour, and style” and the Chicago location is no exception. In fact, it’s been named #1 “Best City Hotel in the Continental U.S.” by Travel & Leisure and #2 “Best Hotel in the World” by LA LISTE.
But unlike many 5-star hotels in the city, The Peninsula absolutely caters to family. With Camp Peninsula, kids receive their very own tent in the room or suite, a hotel scavenger hunt, and more. Plus their concierge team is always available to help with additional amenities or things to do in the area.
Check availability and book now.
Best River North and Streeterville hotels
Homewood Suites by Hilton Chicago-Downtown
You may be surprised to find the Homewood Suites on this list, but while there’s nothing particularly cool about the design of the hotel, sometimes, location and budget matters more. Plus the views are spectacular, and that’s what makes it special.
It’s where we stayed on our first visit to Chicago and it meant we were in walking distance of most of the major sites, including Millenium Park, River Walk and Navy Pier. the Seaport.
You can also get there directly from the airport on the “L”, making it perfect of you’re travelling without a car. We’d certainly stay there again.
Check availability and book now.
Freehand
Freehand is an artsy hotel located in the River North neighbourhood, in a historic 1927 art deco building. The style of the hotel fits the building, with pops of colour and lots of communal spaces. Plus you’re very close to fantastic restaurants.
One of the reasons Freehand earns the title of one of the best places to stay in Chicago with kids is that they are one of the few hotels to offer rooms with four beds. Their Private Quad rooms each feature four twin beds plus a seating area and workspace. But if you’re not too keen to sleep in a twin yourself, you also have the option of the Penthouse Suite, which offers a queen room and a quad room. Perfect for families who want to spread out (and have the money for it!).
Check availability and book now.
Best Lincoln Park hotels
The Neighborhood Hotel
The Neighborhood Hotel is located in an 1893 building with German Renaissance Revival Architecture. It was originally used as a manufacturing business for pickles and chips before eventually becoming a hotel. You can see many of the historical characteristics and quirks throughout the hotel and in the suites.
If having a kitchenette in the room is a priority, the Neighborhood Hotel is a great option. Each of the 14 suites in this small boutique hotel offers a fully equipped kitchen. Plus they offer several large suites with two bedrooms, including ones with bunk beds.
Check availability and book now.
Hotel Lincoln
Located across the street from Lincoln Park near the Lincoln Park Zoo, Hotel Lincoln offers a contemporary vintage vibe, plus epic views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan.
The lobby and rooms blend together vintage details and modern touches, thanks to the work of interior designer Andrew Alford.
Check availability and book now.
Best Wicker Park and Bucktown hotels
The Robey
The Robey is one of those hotels that’s hard to miss, even if you’re just walking by. The triangular hotel spans two separate buildings, one a 1929 art deco-style former office building and the other a fire warehouse.
Together, the two buildings form a sophisticated, design-led hotel that’s one of the most stylish places to stay in Chicago.
It’s easy to access via the Blue Line, whether you’re coming straight from the airport or downtown. For those traveling with kids, the queen bunk room is a spacious option worth looking into.
Check availability and book now.
Aloha Bangtel
Aloha Bangtel might be the brightest and most fun rental in all of Chicago and certainly in Wicker Park.
The penthouse, which sleeps up to 14 guests, features a tropical theme with flamingo and palm tree art throughout. Not to mention the bright blue and pink accents.
Check availability and book now.
Best Fulton Market hotels
The Emily
The Emily is the definition of modern minimalist, and is widely known as one of the coolest hotels in Chicago. It’s grown-up vibe means you may feel a little conspicuous with kids in tow, but it’s still an option if you’re committed to finding the best design. I’d personally probably wait until my own kids were a little older and (hopefully) less unruly!
It’s located right in the Fulton Market neighbourhood, providing you with great access to some of the best restaurants in Chicago.
Check availability and book now.
Three-bedroom loft
If you prefer vacation rentals to hotels, this 3-bedroom loft overlooking Fulton Market is worth checking out. Featured in the Architectural Digest, the recently renovated loft has 15-foot ceilings with two walls of 7-foot windows to let in the natural light.
This is a great option if you’re visiting the Windy City with a group, as there’s plenty of space for up to 12 people and you’re just a train or taxi away from anything you could want in Chicago.
Check availability and book now.
Best Logan Square hotels
Hamlin House
Hamlin House is a stylish apartment located in Logan Square that’s perfect for a family or small group of friends.
I love the details in the decor. Think vintage furniture, art from around the world, and a cast iron lion four-poster bed, along with plenty of natural light and space to relax as a family.
Check availability and book now.
Rental with Front Porch
This vacation rental is located in a desirable area of Logan Square and has one of my most coveted features – a front porch overlooking the garden (long-term readers will know my obsession with porches!). It’s the perfect place to enjoy your morning coffee before the kids wake up, or to relax after a busy day exploring.
It also has free parking, which is something quite unusual in the city!
Check availability and book now.
Best South Loop hotels
Downtown Penthouse
If you want the space of a vacation rental and the ease of being close to pretty much all the main attractions, this downtown penthouse is a fantastic option. It’s close to Millennium/Grant Park, Skydeck, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, and more.
There’s lots to love about this penthouse for families, but the most stand-out features are the high loft ceilings and natural light that make it feel especially bright and spacious.
Check availability and book now.
Sonder South Wabash
A cross between a vacation rental and a hotel, Sonder South Wabash has apartments in a variety of sizes, from studios to two bedrooms. All are equipped with laundry and a kitchenette, while some include epic city views and/or balconies.
One thing that makes the apartments helpful to those travelling with kids is the use of the in-suite laundry.
Check availability and book now.
Other popular family hotels in Chicago
Still trying to decide where to stay in Chicago with kids? Here are a few more ideas.
- Four Seasons. When in doubt and looking for luxury, the Four Seasons is always a reliable chain for family-friendly luxury hotels, and their downtown Chicago location is no different. Check availability and book now.
- Langham. The Langham is another great option if contemporary luxury hotels with kids is your preference. Check availability and book now.
- Loews. Sleek and sophisticated, Loews overlooks Lake Michigan, providing guests with a fabulous view. Check availability and book now.
- Blackstone. Located across from Grant Park in a 1910 beaux art building, Blackstone has a sophisticated design and amenities like fireplaces in some of the rooms. Check availability and book now.
- Royal Sonesta Chicago River North. Formerly a Kimpton Hotel Palomar, the Royal Sonesta offers chic and colorful design just blocks from the Magnificent Mile. Check availability and book now.
- Cozy Logan Square Condo. Chic and sunny, this condo offers free parking plus high chairs and pack-n-plays for the kids. Check availability and book now.
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