Best rooms at Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown — ranked
Best rooms for skyline or river views are the Superior Suite, River View and the Premier Room, 1 King Bed, River View; both are specifically named for river/skyline sightlines. For families, the Junior Suite (Family) or Deluxe Room, 2 Queen Beds give the most sleep space; business travelers often prefer the Studio (Columbus) or Room for a compact work setup.
In this guide
Top picks for views
If a skyline or river view matters, choose rooms that explicitly include river or skyline in the name. The Superior Suite, River View and Premier Room, 1 King Bed, River View are designated river- or skyline-facing options in the hotel's room list.
Rooms with 'River View' or 'Skyline' in their names sit on higher floors and are marketed for their city vistas. Expect the hotel’s location at 71 E Wacker Drive to put you directly along the Chicago Riverwalk, so river- or skyline-facing rooms look out over the river corridor and downtown high-rises.
- Superior Suite, River View — best for large-picture river views among suites.
- Premier Room, 1 King Bed, River View — a simpler room with river outlook.
- Suite (Skyline) — named for its elevated city perspective.
| Room | View focus |
|---|---|
| Superior Suite, River View | Chicago River / downtown skyline |
| Premier Room, 1 King Bed, River View | Chicago River |
| Suite (Skyline) | City skyline |
Best rooms for families
Families should consider the Junior Suite (Family) or the Deluxe Room, 2 Queen Beds, City View for flexible sleeping arrangements. The property lists a dedicated Family Suite and allows children 17 and under to stay free using existing bedding in a parent's or guardian's room.
For larger family needs, inquire specifically about interconnecting options or the Suite, 2 Bedrooms when booking — the hotel has multiple suite types that include family-friendly layouts.
- Junior Suite (Family) — purpose-named for families; imagery associated with that room type shows family-friendly bunk or extra sleeping setups.
- Deluxe Room, 2 Queen Beds, City View — roomy double-bed option for families who prefer a single room.
- Suite, 2 Bedrooms — two separate bedroom spaces when you need more privacy.
| Room | Why it works for families |
|---|---|
| Junior Suite (Family) | Named family suite; sleeping space and family layout |
| Deluxe Room, 2 Queen Beds, City View | Two queen beds; 4-guest capacity listed for this room type |
| Suite, 2 Bedrooms | Separate bedroom spaces for parents/kids |
Best rooms for work and productivity
If you need a room with a usable desk or workspace, look for the Room, Room (Hearing), Studio (Columbus) or Premier Room types. The property notes business-center services and 24-hour front desk support, and some room images show desks with river or marina views.
The hotel's central Loop location also makes it easy to return to your room between meetings; Millennium Station and CTA connections are steps away for business travel that uses public transit.
- Studio (Columbus) — studio layout with seating area and a kitchenette option in some studios, useful for mid-day work breaks.
- Room and Room (Hearing) — standard rooms with desk setups suitable for solo work.
- Premier Room — often shown with clear desk and window, balancing natural light and function.
| Room | Work feature |
|---|---|
| Studio (Columbus) | Seating area and kitchenette potential for long workdays |
| Room (Hearing) | Standard desk and accessibility features |
| Premier Room | Windowed room with desk for daylight working |
Best suites for space or special occasions
For extra living space or a more suite-like experience, target the Superior Suite (Royal), Suite, 1 Bedroom, Superior Suite (State) or Suite (Skyline). The hotel lists 34 suites across its inventory and several are themed (Fitness, Family, Skyline).
Suites often include separate living areas, dining nooks or kitchenettes. If you need a kitchenette or a dining area, check descriptions for Suite types that include those features or request photos and floor plans when booking.
- Superior Suite (Royal) — one of the named superior suites; likely larger with suite living area.
- Suite, 1 Bedroom — standard one-bedroom suite layout with separate living space.
- Superior Suite (State) and Superior Suite (LaSalle) — other superior options with larger footprints.
| Suite | Typical perks to confirm at booking |
|---|---|
| Superior Suite (Royal) | Separate living area; larger square footage |
| Suite, 1 Bedroom | Bedroom separate from living/dining space |
| Suite (Skyline) | Suite-level skyline views |
Best value and roomy standard options
If you want a larger standard room without moving into a suite, the Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed, City View and Deluxe Room, 2 Queen Beds (500 sq. ft. for the two-queen City View variant) are the hotel's larger standard categories. The Room list shows size and occupancy for some Deluxe options.
The hotel's mandatory Destination Fee covers basic Wi‑Fi for unlimited devices, fitness-center access and a $10 Hoyt's dining credit — factor that into value comparisons when calculating total stay cost.
- Deluxe Room, 2 Queen Beds, City View — listed at 500 sq. ft. and 4-guest capacity in the room list.
- Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed, City View — 450 sq. ft. and good balance of space and price.
- Studio (Columbus) — compact suite alternative with kitchenette and living area in some layouts.
| Room | Why it’s good value |
|---|---|
| Deluxe Room, 2 Queen Beds, City View | Largest standard room size listed (500 sq. ft.) |
| Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed, City View | Large single-bed room (450 sq. ft.) |
| Studio (Columbus) | Studio layout offers living/kitchenette space |
Location and on-site amenities to consider when choosing a room
Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown sits at 71 E Wacker Drive along the Chicago Riverwalk and one block from Michigan Avenue. That central Loop location means many landmarks (Millennium Park, Cloud Gate, the Art Institute) are short walks from the hotel.
On-site amenities that affect room choice include Hoyt's Chicago for breakfast/lunch/dinner and in-room delivery, a 24/7 fitness center with cardio, strength equipment and a Peloton bike, and valet parking. A mandatory Destination Fee applies and includes Wi‑Fi, fitness access, two arrival waters and a $10 Hoyt’s credit — check rates and inclusions when booking.
- Hoyt's Chicago serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers in-room delivery (6:30 a.m.–11:00 p.m.).
- Fitness center is open 24/7 and includes a Peloton bike; jogging the Chicago Riverwalk is an alternative workout.
- Destination Fee covers basic Wi‑Fi for unlimited devices, fitness access, two arrival waters and a $10 Hoyt’s credit.
| Amenity | What’s included |
|---|---|
| Destination Fee | Wi‑Fi, fitness access, two arrival waters, $10 Hoyt’s credit |
| Hoyt's Chicago | Breakfast/lunch/dinner; in-room delivery 6:30 a.m.–11 p.m. |
| Fitness center | 24/7 cardio and strength equipment including Peloton |
