There has been an explosion of unique and cool hotels in Chicago in recent years. People find that staying in a cool or unique location is more memorable than the typical, cookie-cutter hotel chains that all look and feel the same.
Quirky designs, themed décor, personalized services, and peaceful locations make these cool and unique hotels in Chicago more gorgeous than regular stays.
From mid-century furnished spaces and premium boutique hotels to renovated mansions oozing personality, not to mention the luxury stays, all of these accommodations promise tons of memorable moments.
Of course, there are many 5 star hotels in Chicago. But if you are looking for that intimate, ultra-personal, and high quality services that are both modern and unique in character, here are 10 of our favorite coolest hotels in Chicago.
Travel Taste Discover’s Catalog Of The Coolest And Unique Hotels In Chicago
At a glance…
- ACME Hotel Company: Trendy, high-tech, and offering the coolest amenities in River North.
- Freehand Chicago: Funky and affordable, offering private and shared rooms.
- Villa D’ Citta Bed & Breakfast: A Tuscan-style villa with cozy accommodations and gourmet kitchens.
- Loft606: Factory-turned-luxurious loft boasting skylights, exposed brick, and spacious vibes.
- Staypineapple: A historically charming hotel offering quirky luxury beside Lake Michigan views.
- The Wheeler Mansion: European décor, plush rooms, and croquet game in a lush garden.
- The Hoxton: Posh West Loop hotel with mid-century furnishings and a rooftop restaurant.
- Nobu Hotel: A beautiful blend of old-world Japanese design and modern amenities.
- CitizenM Chicago Downtown Hotel: Cozy rooms, mood lighting, and proximity to major attractions in Chicago like the Chicago Riverwalk and the Bean.
- Magnolia Studios: A charming, cottage-core hotel in Chicago with clean rooms and friendly hosts.
ACME Hotel Company
Address: 15 E Ohio Street, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
Phone: +1 312-894-0800
ACME Hotel is one of the coolest hotels in Chicago. It is located in River North, which means you have all the bars, restaurants, and nightlife at your fingertips, even when the rest of Chicago becomes quiet after 9 pm.
- Trendy and hip hotspot, equipped with high-tech amenities within each room and suite.
- Play games, tune out listening to your favorite songs, or stream movies or TV shows on the 55-inch LED TVs.
- And if you’re a gamer, ACME hotels have your dream rooms, with pull-out ottomans, the highest-quality cotton beds, ergonomic desk chairs, and Klipsch Bluetooth speakers in each room.
- Want to save extra bucks? Book a room directly with Acme to enjoy the lowest rates possible.
Freehand Chicago
Address: 19 E Ohio Street, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
Phone: +1 312-940-3699
Magnificent Mile is an ideal and safe area for walking, which makes Freehand a really cool hotel in Chicago for a staycation. This funky, laid-back hotel looks too good to be true, based on its affordable prices and quirky ambiance, and still holds the charm of its original 1927 building.
- The designers have done an excellent job of renovating the rooms with comfortable and plush bedding, perfect to crash after a long day.
- Custom artwork and ambient lights that allow you to make the most out of your work or relaxing session.
- It is a hostel accommodation, so make sure that you specifically ask for a private room if you are staying with family.
- Otherwise, the penthouse suite, premium king and queens, and premium private quad are too good to pass, given their affordable rates.
Villa D’ Citta Bed & Breakfast
Address: 2230 N Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
Phone: +1 312-771-0696
Villa D’ Citta Bed & Breakfast gives old-money and Italian style vibes, and luxury never fitted a cool place to stay in Chicago so well before!
This Tuscan-style villa is less than an hour from the city and has existed since 1897 for staycation holiday plans. And the Venetian Suite, Florencia Suite, Milan Suite, and Grand Tuscan Suite aren’t even that expensive.
- The vibe here feels something out of a movie – cozy, quiet conversations beside fireplaces, leather chairs in which you sink in while playing board games with your loved ones, etc.
- The additional full gourmet kitchen is ready with exquisite equipment and ingredients.
- Head out onto the picturesque grotto and then up the spiral staircase to soak up the sun on the sundeck.
Loft606
Address: 2605 W Armitage Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
Phone: +1 312-543-1798
For the coolest and unique hotel to stay in Chicago, look no further than Loft606, a factory turned into a luxurious home, dazzling with skylights, timber beams and the most special offering – a one of a kind sleeping space for 16 people.
- There is no way the exposed brick walls, high ceilings, large windows, and vintage machinery, with a touch of luxury and curated furnishings, won’t impress you with its raw and unfiltered personality.
- The open and spacious layout is our favorite, something that not many unique hotels in Chicago offer.
- The hotel preserves its industrial characteristics, but at the same time, it is utterly modern and sophisticated.
- You can expect the luxury of an indoor fireplace, jacuzzi, rain showers, and a gourmet kitchen during your stay.
Staypineapple
Address: 1 W Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
Phone: +1 312-940-7997
While Staypineapple is now one of the most unique hotels in Chicago, Illinois, it still meets the historical charm and standards of the National Historic Landmark Building upon which it is built.
- This unique hotel is loved by solo travelers or couples on the go, and especially by those who wouldn’t mind dark and heavy doors or a key instead of a key card. Aesthetically old-fashioned!
- The rooms are furnished with historic glamor and modern luxury, and the suites gaze over the marvelous views of Lake Michigan and Millenium Park.
- The amenities and drinks are quirky, too, from a CORE welcome drink with a selection of beer, house wines, and other beverages to afternoon delights with coffee and pineapple treats.
- Beach cruiser bikes are available to take you to the lake shores in a fashionable way. What else could be more unique and cooler in a hotel?
The Wheeler Mansion
Address: 2020 S Calumet Avenue, Chicago, IL 60616, United States
Phone: +1 312-945-2020
The Wheeler Mansion is among the coolest hotels in Chicago – it honestly feels like a step back in time. It’s a house filled with European décor, a garden, and a stunning neighborhood that makes it something of a historical gem as compared to other unique hotels in Chicago.
- The Wheeler Mansion is a heritage building standing tall and proud since 1870.
- Classic paintings and décor, luxurious rooms, and extravagant activities like aesthetic croquet and ping pong games set in lush greenery makes it feel intimate.
- The rooms are plush and ambient, with dark paints and heavy wooden furniture complimenting the overall opulent and elegant vibes of the place.
- Since it is resorted to the highest caliber, the dining scene is exceptional at The Sunday Brunch, with live music and refreshing beverages being a great break in the middle of your stay.
- The Wheeler Mansion has the coolest hosts you will find in all of Chicago.
The Hoxton
Address: 200 N Green Street, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
Phone: +1 312-761-1700
One of the most posh examples of cool hotels in Chicago is The Hoxton. It has a restaurant and a bar attached, and is located in The West Loop neighborhood. If you want a fully Chicago-style vacation, this is the hotel to book!
- 182 rooms with mid-century furnishings add an impressive touch to your stay, and, thankfully, also fit the bill!
- It’s a beautiful combination of warehouse-style décor and roomy interiors, and the large windows show off most of the vibrant Fulton Market District.
- The leather headboards, natural lights, designer bedding, snug and cozy furnishings, and walk-in showers are some of the characteristic features of their rooms.
- The dining scene is the best among all the unique hotels in this list—we are talking about the bright and bold rooftop restaurant Cabra Cevicheria, the modern Mediterranean-inspired restaurant CIRA, and the rock and roll ambiance of the Lazy Bird, where drinks come as easily as the live music and soulful ambiance.
Nobu Hotel
Address: 155 N Peoria Street, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
Phone: +1 312-779-8888
A great West Loop hotel to choose if you want to enjoy old-world Japanese design and bold views of Chicago’s skyline would have to be Nobu Hotel. Though a bit out of place from traditional 5 star hotels, Nobu is still one of those unique hotels in Chicago which artistically blend modern amenities and creative vibes.
- The rooms seamlessly combine peaceful ambiance, thoughtful designs, and sleek and sophisticated amenities.
- Take a look at the Deluxe King room features – soaking tubs, luxury bath amenities, Nespresso machine, Dyson Supersonic hair dryer, a 60 inch smart TV, Nobu beds, a private bar, and much more. Sounds like a perfect stay, right?
- The dining scene is even more memorable as you indulge in signature dishes in the ground floor restaurant or enjoy smaller or larger plates with the breathtaking Chicago skyline acting as a backdrop.
CitizenM Chicago Downtown Hotel
Address: 80 E Wacker Plaza, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
Phone: +1 312-248-7455
CitizenM is a unique hotel in Chicago that couples will love, mainly due to its stunning rooms that overlook the most dazzling buildings of the city, and cozy bedrooms where late night cocktails, snacks, and a snuggled in movie session looks as dreamy as you imagined!
- The Chicago Riverwalk and the Bean are only a few blocks away from the hotel, at a walkable distance.
- Mood lights and blackout blinds, and other such features are present in all rooms, so that you can escape into your personal retreat after a long day.
- The buffet breakfast starts from 6 am and runs until 11 am, perfect for both early risers and the late day-starters.
- Proximity to public transport also makes it the coolest hotel in Chicago, where you can book a quick stay to be as close to the city’s major attractions as possible.
Magnolia Studios
Address: 5705 N Magnolia Avenue, Chicago, IL 60660, United States
Phone: +1 773-319-2331
At a glance, Magnolia Studios feels like you have stepped into a Studio Ghibli story. The brick coach house, charming greenery, cottage core exterior, and simple, pastel-hued bedrooms give this unique lodging in Chicago an unforgettable vibe!
- The rooms are spotless – a pleasant surprise given how affordable this accommodation is.
- The carriage house room is meant to feel like home, something that the hosts would make absolutely sure of due to their friendliness and hospitality.
- The neighborhood is easy to navigate. You can bring your bikes to ride along Lakeshore and park them in the garage when the day is over.
- Magnolia Avenue is one of the safest areas of Chicago, perfect for walking around, and it truly feels like an oasis away from the glittering skyscrapers of Chicago.
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