The Gwen, A Luxury Collection Hotel

Character and identity

The Gwen occupies the 1929 McGraw-Hill Building on North Michigan Avenue, and the property leans hard into that heritage: Art Deco geometry, metallic accents and plush seating run through the fifth-floor lobby, with works and artefacts honouring sculptor Gwen Lux (whose 1928 façade still fronts the building). The scale is mid-size for a luxury hotel, with 311 rooms and 34 suites done in ivory, grey, soft pink and deep green, plus marble bathrooms and Molton Brown toiletries. Upstairs at The Gwen, the rooftop bar and restaurant, draws locals for skyline views, flatbreads and the Lux Burger. A concierge team with Les Clefs d'Or recognition anchors the service.

Who's it for

Bottom line

What sets this place apart is the combination of a genuinely characterful Art Deco building with one of the city's most experienced concierge teams and a rooftop locals actually use. Book it for a Chicago city break centred on shopping, dining and architecture. Splash out on a Terrace Suite for the Michigan Avenue view, or request a fifth-floor room for direct rooftop access.