Family-friendly activities and the Junior Suite (Family) at the hotel
Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown welcomes families and offers a dedicated Junior Suite (Family) designed for parents and kids, plus easy access to family-friendly attractions like the Chicago Riverwalk, Millennium Park and river architecture cruises. The hotel has family-friendly dining at Hoyt's Chicago, a 24/7 fitness center, and a mandatory Destination Fee that includes basic Wi‑Fi and a Hoyt’s dining credit.
In this guide
At-a-glance: family-friendly facts
Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown is a family-friendly 39‑story hotel at 71 E Wacker Drive in the Loop. Children of all ages are welcome; the main guest checking in must be at least 21 years old.
Practical notes for families: children 17 and under can stay free using existing bedding when sharing a parent or guardian’s room. The hotel does not have an on-site swimming pool.
- Address: 71 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601
- Check-in / check-out: 4:00 PM / 11:00 AM
- Children 17 & under stay free with existing bedding
- No on-site pool; Riverwalk access for walking and jogging
| Policy | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum age to check in | 21 (reservation holder/main guest) |
| Destination Fee | Mandatory; includes basic Wi‑Fi, fitness access, two arrival waters and a $10 Hoyt’s credit |
| Pet policy | Pets allowed (up to two); non-refundable $100 fee per stay |
The Junior Suite (Family): layout and family use
The Junior Suite (Family) is the specific family-themed suite offered by the property. It provides space for parents and kids compared with a standard room and is shown in hotel images with family-friendly setup.
Images on file show the suite configured with bunk or kid-friendly sleeping arrangements alongside parent sleeping space and a sitting area, making it a practical choice for families who want a separate area for children to play or sleep.
- Room name to request: Junior Suite (Family)
- Bed type listed for the suite: 1 King Bed (hotel room inventory)
- Photos for reference include a children-at-play image and suite desk/window views
| Feature | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Sleeping configuration | 1 King Bed for parents; hotel imagery shows additional child sleep/play area |
| Living space | Separate seating area suitable for a small family |
| Work / desk area | Desk and window work nook available in-suite |
Hotel facilities useful for families
Hoyt’s Chicago is the on-site restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner; it accepts reservations and offers in-room dining (delivery hours listed by the hotel). The hotel also has a Market Place bar/lounge for snack or drink options.
The property operates a 24/7 fitness center with cardio and strength equipment (including a Peloton bike) and staff can suggest family-friendly walking or jogging routes along the adjacent Chicago Riverwalk.
- Hoyt’s Chicago: breakfast 6:30–11:00 AM daily; lunch and dinner hours vary (see concierge). In-room dining from Hoyt’s runs 6:30 AM–11:00 PM.
- 24/7 fitness center included with the Destination Fee.
- No on-site pool or spa (no official spa services verified).
- 24-hour front desk and concierge can help with attraction tickets and stroller rental suggestions (if available locally).
| Facility | Family relevance |
|---|---|
| Hoyt's Chicago | River-view dining and menu options for kids; in-room delivery available |
| Fitness center | Open 24/7; cardio and strength equipment plus Peloton |
| Concierge / 24-hour desk | Helps with reservations, tours and child-friendly attraction planning |
Family-friendly nearby attractions
The hotel sits on the Chicago Riverwalk and is within easy walking distance of major family sights: Millennium Park and Cloud Gate ('The Bean'), the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Magnificent Mile shopping corridor.
Architecture cruises depart very near the hotel and are a family-friendly way to see the skyline. Navy Pier — with rides, gardens and family attractions — is also walkable from the Loop.
- Chicago Riverwalk: right outside the hotel — good for stroller-friendly strolls and short walks.
- Millennium Park / Cloud Gate: about a 5–7 minute walk from the property.
- Chicago Architecture River Cruise: departure point roughly a few blocks from the hotel.
- Navy Pier: about a 15-minute walk (roughly 1 mile) for family attractions and the Ferris wheel.
| Attraction | Approximate walk time from hotel |
|---|---|
| Chicago Riverwalk | Directly accessible / step outside |
| Cloud Gate (Millennium Park) | About 5–7 minutes |
| Navy Pier | About 15 minutes |
Planning tips for families
Be aware of the hotel’s mandatory Destination Fee; it covers basic Wi‑Fi for unlimited devices, access to the fitness center, two arrival waters and a $10 Hoyt’s dining credit. The reservation holder must be at least 21 at check-in.
The hotel does not have a pool, so if swimming is important plan visits to city beaches (Lake Michigan beaches are free) or book attractions with pools separately.
- Confirm bed setup and request rollaway or crib with the hotel if needed — the hotel policy allows children of all ages but rollaway/crib availability is not stated here.
- Kids 17 & under stay free using existing bedding; children 18+ are charged as adults.
- Valet parking and off-site self-parking options exist; check height limits for the hotel garage (6'3") if driving.
| What to check before arrival | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Junior Suite (Family) availability | Ensures the family-themed layout is confirmed for your dates |
| In-room dining hours | Hoyt’s delivers 6:30 AM–11:00 PM; useful for late arrivals or picky little eaters |
| Destination Fee coverage | You get Wi‑Fi and a $10 Hoyt’s credit included; factor this into budget |
Dining with kids at the hotel
Hoyt’s Chicago serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with river views and accepts reservations. The restaurant is family-friendly and children may dine with parents during regular service hours.
If you prefer to eat in your room, in-room dining from Hoyt’s is available daily from 6:30 AM to 11:00 PM, which can be handy for families with early bedtimes or restless travelers.
- Hoyt’s breakfast hours: 6:30–11:00 AM daily.
- Lunch and dinner hours vary; check with the concierge or Hoyt’s for current service times and kids’ menu options.
- Destination Fee includes a $10 Hoyt’s credit per day — useful toward kid-friendly meals.
| Service | Typical hours |
|---|---|
| Hoyt’s Chicago — Breakfast | 6:30–11:00 AM |
| In-room dining from Hoyt’s | 6:30 AM–11:00 PM |
| Bar / Market Place hours | Varies; bar opens mornings on select days and runs late on weekends |
