Having Guests? Consider These 4 Boutique Hotels in Chicagoland

If you don’t have room in your Chicago apartment for out-of-town guests to stay overnight, avoid settling them into a run-of-the-mill hotel. Consider the myriad of advantages offered by Chicago’s boutique hotels. They're small — fewer than 100 rooms — and their inherent intimacy enables them to showcase their individuality while offering amenities like sightseeing tours and guest outings.

All four of these classic boutique hotels below offer dazzling views of the Windy City and are located within walking distance of Lake Michigan and the Magnificent Mile. They’re also just a short drive from Chicago's many world-famous museums and pizzerias.

1. The Talbott Hotel
20 E Delaware Place

As the best boutique hotels aspire to do, The Talbott offers guests one surprise after another. The Talbott, located in a Victorian building that was refurbished four years ago, is a breathtaking standout in a city acclaimed for its architectural diversity. It would be a mistake to infer “small” from “Victorian”; many guests have commented that the suites are larger than their first apartment. The graceful elegance of The Talbott extends right down to the pool bar, where guests can linger over tea before enjoying a vintage Italian dinner in the restaurant.

2. Waldorf Astoria Chicago
11 E Walton St

Recognized by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler as the No. 1 hotel in the United States, the Waldorf Astoria will make every guest feel like royalty, whether or not they stay in the hotel's lavish presidential suite — a 3,000-square-foot “apartment” with panoramic views of the city's Gold Coast neighborhood, two terraces, a fireplace, fully equipped kitchen and a media room with surround-sound speakers and gaming system. “Everything is the best” at the Waldorf Astoria, so if pampering your guests is a priority, the obliging staff await them with their legendary red carpet treatment.

3. The Westin Chicago River North
320 N Dearborn St

“Before it was a trend, it was an art” — the motto of the Westin's Kamehachi sushi bar, which has been serving fine Japanese cuisine for more than 40 years to both novices and connoisseurs. The same could be said for the Westin, where guests will be tempted by continental breakfasts, complimentary hors d'oeuvres in the executive club lounge and craft beers and fine spirits in Hana's, a cozy wood bar.

4. The Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront
71 E Upper Wacker Dr

Here's a hotel that's justifiably proud of the attractions that await guests within steps of the concierge, including the Art Institute of Chicago, the theater district, and Millennium Park — not to mention shopping on the Magnificent Mile and culinary indulgences at River North restaurants. After seeing the city by day, the Wyndham offers sweeping views of the city skyline and the Chicago River by night. The Wyndham Grand Chicago was awarded TripAdvisor's 2015 Certificate of Excellence for delivering consistently outstanding customer service — acclaim that had nothing to do with another Wyndham feature: rainforest showers.

Have any other boutique hotels you’d recommend to a friend? Share them with us in the comments section.