$$
Hilton Chicago
A historic property known for lake views, comfortable beds, and room options with two full bathrooms.
Strong · Deep coverage · read from 18 sources · 188 traveler insights
78
RoomExpert Score
Strong
The verdict
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Hilton Chicago is a grand, historic property with impressive public spaces and views of the lake. Guests appreciate the comfortable king beds, on-site dining at 720 South Bar & Grill, and multi-bathroom room configurations. However, elevator wait times are a severe and consistent complaint, with crowded cars arriving full and non-functional lifts causing long delays during prime times. 1341718
Every line below traces back to something a traveler actually wrote — open a line to read the original sentence and follow it to the source.
What travelers noticed
- Guests consistently praise the comfortable signature Serenity beds, down comforters, and pillows for a solid night of sleep. 9
- Views of the lake from high floors and the lounge on 32 receive steady praise from visitors. 2134
- Travelers appreciate the 720 South Bar & Grill as a convenient spot for drinks and a meal after a long day. 17
- Rooms featuring two full bathrooms are singled out as a practical perk for families and colleagues traveling together. 2
The catch
Who it's for
- — Colleagues or families sharing two-bathroom rooms
- — Business travelers seeking comfortable beds and on-site dining
- — Visitors wanting lake views from high floors
Skip it if
- — Travelers frustrated by long elevator waits during peak hours
- — Anyone seeking vibrant nightlife right outside the door
Ways to book
Direct with the hotelRoomExpert pick
$236est. per night
Hilton Honors member rate · King Guest Room
Keep: Hilton Honors points · elite nights · eligible benefits
Expedia
$227est. per night
Public rate · King Guest Room
Forfeit: Hilton Honors points · elite nights · eligible benefits
Hilton Honors benefits may not apply.
Award stay: about 32,000 Hilton Honors points a night. Availability not checked.
RoomExpert read
Paying $9 more direct is likely worthwhile if you value Hilton Honors points, status credit, or on-property benefits.
Prices shown are an estimated range, not a live quote — the booking site confirms the real rate for your dates.
RoomExpert rate estimate
$236est. per night
Estimated range: $233–$339
Around our estimate
This sits inside our estimated range for this hotel.
Confidence: low · modelled estimate, not a live quote. Check the supplier for the real rate on your dates.
Score breakdown
How the 78/100 is built, category by category — each one with the strongest thing travelers actually said, and the source it came from.
Bathroom
84read from 1 source · Deep coverage
Food
94read from 9 sources · Solid coverage
- “Reply Share 1 more reply 1 more reply JessicaFreakingP • 2y ago If you want a quick lunch at any point, Cafecito has amazing sandwiches. They have the BEST breakfast buffet.” 13
- “Ate at the restaurant just off the rooftop, and it was delicious! It was a bit pricey, but I had quarterly credit to spend.” 12
Location
89read from 1 source · Deep coverage
Noise
86read from 5 sources · Solid coverage
- “The only reason to stay at the CH is if you have a conference at the hotel, or it's o the conference bus route (such as the WEFTEC bus route if you have heard of that tradeshow). Also, London House is closer to the water, so you get city views and lake views, which is a huge plus.” 4
- “But this is all a moot point if you don't have a vehicle. It is in a nice quiet corner and doesn't have the emergency vehicles/sirens tearing by it 24/7 like you get with River North and Loop hotels.” 13
Room
79read from 1 source · Deep coverage
Service
81read from 1 source · Deep coverage
Bed & Sleep
83read from 1 source · Deep coverage
- “Hilton knows the importance of a great night sleep for business travelers, and you'll enjoy slipping into Hilton's signature Serenity Bed Collection (king) - the down comforter, linens and pillows were great.” 9
Value
74read from 1 source · Deep coverage
Where it is, how to reach it
720 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois
60605 USA
Details checked 2026-08-24
Stay value
How this property reads against the hotels we cover alongside it. Measured on review evidence, not on a nightly rate.
Trails its peers
Falls short of what $$ usually buys
Scores 11 points below the mid-range median of 89, across 494 hotels in the same bracket. In Chicago it sits 11 points below the local median of 89.
Price bracket
$$
Mid-range
- This hotel
- 78
- Bracket median
- 89
- Index median
- 90
Based on 494 comparable hotels.
Which room to ask for
What reviewers say about where to sleep inside this building — by room number where one is named, and otherwise by floor, wing, aspect and position. Every line opens onto the quotes behind it.
Ask for
- 3 mentions
- 2 mentions
- 2 mentions
- 1 mention
- 1 mention
- 1 mention
Avoid
- 3 mentions
Where travelers agree — and don’t
The topics reviewers split on most. A wide bar means your experience depends on which room you get — or whose opinion you trust.
Noise
69
Service
69
Room
68
Bathroom
68
Value
65
Location
43
Food
9
View the 122 things travelers said behind this verdict▾
Quotes run exactly as travelers wrote them — spelling and all. We trim for length, never for tidiness.
Bed & Sleep1 mention
- “Hilton knows the importance of a great night sleep for business travelers, and you'll enjoy slipping into Hilton's signature Serenity Bed Collection (king) - the down comforter, linens and pillows were great.” 9
Value16 mentions
- “PH is an overpriced dump full of cramped, dark rooms. I avoid it.” 16
- “🥰 Being able to work in the gorgeous lobby every day was really neat! There are two downtown Homewoods. The "Downtown" is on East Grand. Nice hotel but it tends to be more expensive.” 3
- “I couldn't believe how inexpensive Claridge House was!!! I absolutely loved it. A bit away from the bustle, but worth a short Uber ride.” 12
- “Had a trip where I tried Palmer House, LondonHouse, and Waldorf (points redemption). Liked LondonHouse as the best value.” 4
- “Room was on the small side, but very nice and felt more luxurious than the price point. Service was also very solid.” 12
- “Ate at the restaurant just off the rooftop, and it was delicious! It was a bit pricey, but I had quarterly credit to spend.” 12
- “Still, the spacious accommodations - many of which have two bathrooms and all of which house flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi access (for a fee) and touch-panel concierge services - are popular with recent guests.” 17
- “I stayed at The Whit back in March and it was okay. I was in the Paramount suite and for the money, I personally don't think it was worth.” 5
- “The "Downtown" is on East Grand. Nice hotel but it tends to be more expensive.” 3
- “i took a look and the prices were way out of my budget unfortunately =/ it looks like in general, the Waldorf rooms are pretty high in price.” 16
- “Echoing theWit. One of my favorites of all Hiltons, but it definitely gets pricey.” 3
- “The problem is theWit can get awfully pricey. When compared to other Hiltons in downtown Chicago sometimes it's a steal; other times it's priced like a luxury hotel. Whoever sets the prices there goes on pretty wide swings.” 3
- “Note that parking is pricey and some room rates don't include free Wi-Fi.” 1
- “LondonHouse was great back in 2021. Room was on the small side, but very nice and felt more luxurious than the price point.” 12
- “I ended up deciding on The Drake! it had reasonable prices and it seems like its also decently loved” 16
- “LondonHouse was great back in 2021. Room was on the small side, but very nice and felt more luxurious than the price point. Service was also very solid.” 12
Room27 mentions
- “All but one time I've been given a room lookin on to the river and it's really great.” 4
- “The main issue I had was the furniture in the sitting room was old and possibly the most uncomfortable couch I've ever sat on.” 13
- “The king room was a good size, especially by city standards. While the decor was sparse, it set itself apart from the business hotel vibes you get from many other Hilton properties.” 18
- “I loved the corner studio rooms at London House.” 12
- “The room itself isn't super special but was comfortable and we loved the view of Grant Park and the lake.” 4
- “I feel The Witt is the better, all around hotel. Good food, atmosphere, room and amenities.” 3
- “On the plus side, the bed was comfortable and it was nice to have the extra space of a separate bedroom.” 13
- “A quirk of the 1927 design is that some rooms include two full bathrooms, which is genuinely useful for families or colleagues sharing a room.” 2
- “Palmer House is old and run down and personally I hate it. Sure, the lobby is big and fancy but then your room is like staying at a friend's grandparents' country house that hasn't had a good cleaning (or a refresh) since 1973.” 16
- “The bed was comfortable. The room only had one nightstand which I find inconvenient when there are two guests.” 18
- “But be aware the Palmer house has no fridge in the room. At least not the last time I stayed there. So will be tough to keep food/insulin cold.” 3
- “The historic, 1,544-room Hilton Chicago once hosted presidents and dignitaries, but today it's just a massive chain hotel in South Loop, a little far from many popular tourist sites.” 17
- “Also felt the lobby smelt strange. We enjoyed Conrad! Room was really big and felt clean.” 5
- “Recent guests say this property is a bit of a letdown compared to other Hilton outposts, citing subpar service and tired guest room decor.” 17
- “Sure, the lobby is big and fancy but then your room is like staying at a friend's grandparents' country house that hasn't had a good cleaning (or a refresh) since 1973.” 16
- “All but one time I've been given a room lookin on to the river and it's really great. Ask for one, especially the corner room with river view.” 4
- “The two room suite offers great views of Grant Park, Buckingham Palace, Soldier Field, Navy Pier and, of course, Lake Michigan.” 9
- “The check-in process went smoothly. As a Diamond member, I was hoping for a suite upgrade but all they were able to offer was a room on a higher floor with no view.” 18
- “I wouldn't recommend the Drake hotel, it's older and we had to move rooms twice to due to bathtub drain not draining and then broken furniture.” 5
- “The extra space of the sitting room is nice, the beds are super comfy and it's centrally located.” 13
- “The room only had one nightstand which I find inconvenient when there are two guests.” 18
- “Hilton Chicago mag mile suites... love that place for the all suite design.” 3
- “Dilettante_Crane • 2y ago I had no complaints, although, like you're planning to do, I didn't spend much time in the room. We were on a pretty high floor and had a great view of Lake Michigan.” 13
- “The London House hotel has fantastic views of the Chicago river if you can get a corner room.” 3
- “At Londonhouse, we had a great view of the river from our room.” 16
- “Depends on where you want to stay. But be aware the Palmer house has no fridge in the room. At least not the last time I stayed there. So will be tough to keep food/insulin cold.” 3
- “Upon check in they did upgrade me and put us on 33rd floor. The room was quiet and large but nothing special.” 15
Noise5 mentions
- “But this is all a moot point if you don't have a vehicle. It is in a nice quiet corner and doesn't have the emergency vehicles/sirens tearing by it 24/7 like you get with River North and Loop hotels.” 13
- “On weekend evenings, waiting for an elevator can be a pain. But it wasn't an issue during the week.” 12
- “The Embassy Suites on State isn't bad but it tends to be busy. Plus it has tons of street noise as 3 sides of the hotel are very busy streets. Lots of sirens and honking.” 3
- “Elevator can be challenging as it's busy but it's quite a small property in terms of number of rooms.” 14
- “The only reason to stay at the CH is if you have a conference at the hotel, or it's o the conference bus route (such as the WEFTEC bus route if you have heard of that tradeshow). Also, London House is closer to the water, so you get city views and lake views, which is a huge plus.” 4
Location31 mentions
- “Between those 2 I like TheWit better. Good location Great service Awesome rooftop bar” 5
- “The Gold Coast location of this hotel is also great with a lot of shopping/dining nearby.” 16
- “Love the Canopy, but the location of LondonHouse might be a bit more convenient for you.” 12
- “450 new business class rooms (which come with free health club access) are now located on floors 9-14. These floors, the luxury suites and the five Executive Level floors have completed their renovations. They're comfortable and contemporary.” 9
- “Sable has lake views, although it may be isolated if you were hoping to be able to walk downtown.” 5
- “Just want to put it out there that my favorite Hilton hotel in Chicago is the London House. Awesome rooftop bar, and in a perfect location.” 5
- “Hotel is in a great location.” 13
- “Great staff, central location, beautiful property, cool roof bar” 16
- “LondonHouse is great! Roof-top bar has wonderful views and the hotel is in close proximity to many sights. Easily walkable, and only a couple blocks to train.” 12
- “LondonHouse is stunning. Absolutely loved my stay there, minus the fact that I was unable to enjoy the rooftop bc of a massive convention! Still a fab location and hotel though :)” 4
- “Super close to blue/pink line stops, and two stops on the pink line gets you to west loop (absolute favorite location to get food in Chicago). It's not the cheapest Hampton Inn, but still an excellent value.” 3
- “Super close to blue/pink line stops, and two stops on the pink line gets you to west loop (absolute favorite location to get food in Chicago). It's not the cheapest Hampton Inn, but still an excellent value. I'm in Chicago about every 5-6 weeks, and this will likely be my go to.” 3
- “I stayed there because it was affordable and reasonably close to where I was heading...I would try to find somewhere else, though, it seems like there aren't great options...for it's fine but forgetable” 12
- “The extra space of the sitting room is nice, the beds are super comfy and it's centrally located.” 13
- “I stayed at the Hampton Inn near the medical campus this week and it far exceeded my expectations. Absolute banger view of the Chicago skyline, the building is well updated and clean, and the staff were top notch. Super close to blue/pink line stops, and two stops on the pink line gets you to west loop (absolute favorite location to get food in Chicago).” 3
- “Then there's the "Downtown/Michigan Ave" Homewood that's by the Northwestern medical complex on Huron. It's older hotel that's bit beat up and needs an update. But it tends to be cheaper. It's a co branded hotel with Hampton Inn. It's also not convenient to the blue line.” 3
- “Location was great - all of our restaurants/tours were within 12 min walk from there.” 15
- “I liked LondonHouse as well but using FNC or points, I'd go to WA. It's way better hotel but the location-wise LondonHouse is better. I had a car so wasn't an issue.” 16
- “London House is nice and centrally located.” 16
- “Location is hard to beat. So if you can't stay at the WA, which is my favorite property in the city, LondonHouse is a great option.” 12
- “Maybe it was a double tree/hilton.? It had a great location about a block from the lake. Easy bike ride to the pier (used the rental bikes).” 16
- “Then there's the "Downtown/Michigan Ave" Homewood that's by the Northwestern medical complex on Huron. It's older hotel that's bit beat up and needs an update. But it tends to be cheaper.” 3
- “Chicago is huge so no location is truly walkable to everything you will want to see, but the Hilton Chicago is a good location for tourists.” 18
- “One of my best friends and I go every December and we always look forward to staying at the Drake. Great location.” 15
- “The Hilton mag mile isn't located in the best part of town fyi. Far from all the walkable action IMO” 5
- “Still a fab location and hotel though :)” 4
- “Unless you have an event/job close to the Hilton or Palmer House, the LondonHouse is a much better location.” 4
- “LondonHouse is the top performing hotel in Chicago for a reason. Best location, great rooftop, and also the newest of the four” 4
- “Between your two choices, I think I would go with The Wit. It's in a really great location (very close to London House).” 5
- “I liked LondonHouse as well but using FNC or points, I'd go to WA. It's way better hotel but the location-wise LondonHouse is better.” 16
- “Thanks! Just want to put it out there that my favorite Hilton hotel in Chicago is the London House. Awesome rooftop bar, and in a perfect location.” 5
Service20 mentions
- “The views of the lake are nice but not stunning. I would try the Wit or London House.” 4
- “Great staff, central location, beautiful property, cool roof bar” 16
- “And housekeeping did a great job with maintaining the room and turndown service.” 9
- “I've had excellent service and upgrades at LondonHouse and I love their toiletries.” 4
- “The Waldorf was fantastic. The room was really nice and staff was excellent.” 16
- “I would never stay at the Palmer House again. Massive number of rooms, no acknowledgement of gold my way for breakfast (back when it was free in the USA not $10 credit), unbelievably bad customer service when I left stuff behind in my room.” 14
- “If your work won't let you book into those places, try the Hampton Inn or Hilton Garden Inn on Wacker Place. Smallish rooms, but nice enough.” 12
- “The Waldorf has a nice spa area and the rooms and service are nice.” 3
- “The staff was good, valet parking was on top of it and it had clean rooms and decent views (partial blockage but the other hotel across the street).” 5
- “London House for a week last week and it was unbelievable! Great area, staff and rooms are amazing.” 4
- “My experience with hotel service was excellent. I inadvertently forgot to bring a cord or charger for my iPhone 5, and the front desk was able to lend and deliver one to my room.” 9
- “I've only stayed at the Chicago Hilton and London House, but London House is a much better stay overall. The food is better, the lobby is nicer, the check-in process is easier, and the rooms and views are better.” 4
- “Between those 2 I like TheWit better. Good location Great service Awesome rooftop bar” 5
- “Back years ago The Wit was my go to. It's rundown and service is awful.” 4
- “Nice. There was a big convenience store in the basement, separate e business. That made it nice to get snacks and stuff. The downside was the area was dead. Very boring.” 16
- “And all hotel staff were friendly throughout my stay.” 9
- “The food is better, the lobby is nicer, the check-in process is easier, and the rooms and views are better.” 4
- “I would never stay at the Palmer House again. Massive number of rooms, no acknowledgement of gold my way for breakfast (back when it was free in the USA not $10 credit), unbelievably bad customer service when I left stuff behind in my room. Also windows so filthy dirty you couldn't see through them.” 14
- “The rooftop was also nice. We had a charcuterie board in the lobby bar to use our F&B credits, and that was nice as well.” 16
- “The Waldorf has a nice spa area and the rooms and service are nice. Depending on what you're there for this hotel might not be a good option, haha. I don't frequent as it is very expensive and I save it for special occasions.” 3
View5 mentions
- “I stayed at the Hampton Inn near the medical campus this week and it far exceeded my expectations. Absolute banger view of the Chicago skyline, the building is well updated and clean, and the staff were top notch.” 3
- “The rooftop at LondonHouse has a great view of the river and the city.” 12
- “Located across the street from Grant Park on Michigan Avenue, Hilton Chicago offers easy access to museums, restaurants and other activities - not to mention its enviable address with the reverse skyline view of Navy Pier, Millennium Park, Art Institute, Buckingham Palace, Planetarium and Soldier Field...” 9
- “I can only speak to the London House roof top which we visited. It's got a good view but was packed with people from the hotel and also non-guests.” 4
- “As a gold member we got upgraded to a lake front view on the 22nd floor which was great.” 4
Food13 mentions
- “Reply Share 1 more reply 1 more reply JessicaFreakingP • 2y ago If you want a quick lunch at any point, Cafecito has amazing sandwiches. They have the BEST breakfast buffet.” 13
- “Ate at the restaurant just off the rooftop, and it was delicious! It was a bit pricey, but I had quarterly credit to spend.” 12
- “And whether you're here on business or for pleasure, many visitors recommend the 720 South Bar & Grill as a good spot to grab a meal and drinks after a long day.” 17
- “Diamond/Gold get food credit that can be used in the connected state and lake restaurant which was 🔥🔥” 5
- “The rooftop at LondonHouse has a great view of the river and the city. Ate at the restaurant just off the rooftop, and it was delicious!” 12
- “The food is better, the lobby is nicer, the check-in process is easier, and the rooms and views are better.” 4
- “I feel The Witt is the better, all around hotel. Good food, atmosphere, room and amenities.” 3
- “Breatfast is in the lobby and the eastern european lady who looks after the buffet is a gem.” 14
- “I've only stayed at the Chicago Hilton and London House, but London House is a much better stay overall. The food is better, the lobby is nicer, the check-in process is easier, and the rooms and views are better.” 4
- “If you have gold or Diamond status, they have a free breakfast buffet instead of the F&B credit which was pretty nice.” 13
- “An outstanding health club, gourmet coffee shop and an inviting lounge/restaurant await you at this busy hotel.” 8
- “We were able to check in early and get situated before starting our day. We enjoyed the hotel "speakeasy" style bar and had a great breakfast the next morning.” 16
- “I found the breakfast to be really good ($29 plus tax and we got $18 daily Food and Bev credit per day).” 4
Bathroom4 mentions
- “The decently sized bathroom was located to the left of the closet.” 18
- “The bathroom tub was small, no back to the toilet.” 13
- “The bathroom tub was small, no back to the toilet. Also the honking literally all night and I was on the backside of the hotel on floor 20” 13
- “The bath amenities are Peter Roth Thomas (excellent).” 9
What we still don't know
What we can’t tell you yet, said plainly. These close as we read more coverage of this hotel.
- No reviewer has named an individual room number here yet.
- Nothing reliable said about room types.
- Nothing reliable said about building or wing.
- Nothing reliable said about which side it faces.
- 18 sources carry no publication date, so we cannot tell how current they are.
Ask about Hilton Chicago
Answered only from the coverage cited on this page. If nobody has written about your question, it will say so rather than guess.
How much we read
Deep coverage · 51/100We read 18 sources for this property, and pulled 188 traveler insights worth knowing. Last checked 2026-08-28.
0
Editorial
18
Blogs & sites
0
Video reviews
0
Podcast segments
Breadth
25
Depth
49
Freshness
99
Watch this hotel
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Sources
Everything quoted on this page, grouped by traveler insights, outlets, and video & podcast. Counts beside each group show everything we’ve read of that kind; no one kind can carry the score on its own.
6 of 6 summary lines above are traced to specific quotes. The rest summarise the read as a whole rather than any single document.
View all 18 cited sources▾
Everything quoted on this page.
- 1Hilton Chicago Review: What To REALLY Expect If You Stayoyster.comReview siteDate not stated3 quotes used
“Bathrooms also were included in the renovations and, while still small, are less ornate and offer a more subtle take on luxury with dark woods and white tiling.”
Read originaloyster.com - 2Hilton Chicago: The Complete Guidebesthiltonhotels.comReview siteDate not stated3 quotes used
“Some rooms include two full bathrooms, a quirk of the original design that is useful for families or colleagues sharing.”
Read originalbesthiltonhotels.com - 3Chicago : r/Hiltonreddit.comForum threadDate not stated23 quotes used
“🥰 Being able to work in the gorgeous lobby every day was really neat! There are two downtown Homewoods. The "Downtown" is on East Grand. Nice hotel but it tends to be more expensive.”
Read originalreddit.com - 4Hilton Chicago Hotel vs…. London House, Palmer ...reddit.comForum threadDate not stated38 quotes used
“All but one time I've been given a room lookin on to the river and it's really great.”
Read originalreddit.com - 5TheWit or Hilton Chicago/Magnificent Mile suites?reddit.comForum threadDate not stated15 quotes used
“I just did some research in Chicago for a trip in two weeks. I booked the Palmer House because of its close proximity to many metro lines.”
Read originalreddit.com - 6Hilton Chicago (2018 Hotel Review)miles-around.deReview siteDate not statedRead originalmiles-around.de
Showing 6 of 18 cited · 18 read
1/3
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