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Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown Chicago, Illinois
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Hotel comparison guide

Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown vs InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile

Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown is a 39-story, family-friendly hotel on East Wacker Drive beside the Chicago Riverwalk; read this if you want riverfront Loop access, meeting space and event venues. InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile is a landmark upscale hotel on North Michigan Avenue; read this if you prefer a Michigan Avenue address, larger room inventory and on-site spa and pool facilities.

Updated · about 0.4 km apart

Chicago River and downtown skyline view from Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown room window at dusk

Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown

Riverwalk · Meeting & wedding spaces · Family-friendly

Best for travelers who want direct access to the Chicago Riverwalk, strong event facilities in the Loop, and river-view dining.

See rooms & suites
InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, Chicago, Illinois

InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile

Magnificent Mile address · Large property · Spa & indoor pool

Best for visitors who want a landmark Michigan Avenue location with an on-site spa, indoor pool and a very large room inventory.

Quick Verdict: Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown vs InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile

When Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown wins: choose Royal Sonesta if you want riverfront Loop convenience, a smaller, easier-to-navigate hotel and substantial flexible meeting/wedding space including a distinctive Penthouse Ballroom.

When InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile wins: choose the InterContinental if you need in-house wellness and pool facilities, more room and suite choices, or prefer to be directly on Michigan Avenue for shopping and sightseeing.

Bottom line: both are centrally located and event-capable. Pick Royal Sonesta for riverwalk access and a more compact, meeting-focused property; pick the InterContinental for a Michigan Avenue landmark stay with spa and pool amenities.

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Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown vs InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile – At a Glance

Side-by-side facts for Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown and InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile
CategoryRoyal Sonesta Chicago DowntownInterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile
Overall vibeContemporary, business- and event-friendly riverfront hotelLandmark, upscale hotel on Michigan Avenue
LocationOn the Chicago Riverwalk at East Wacker Drive (Loop)On North Michigan Avenue (Magnificent Mile)
Size (rooms)381 rooms (34 suites)792 guestrooms
Ages / policyAll ages welcome; reservation holder must be 21+
PoolsNo on-site poolIndoor pool (1)
Restaurants & barsHoyt's Chicago (onsite) + Market Place barCenter Court (one of 2 restaurants) + bar/lounge + coffee shop
Spa & wellnessNo on-site spa publishedSpa services on site (massages, body treatments, facials)
Meetings & events16,000+ sq ft, 18 meeting rooms, Grand Ballroom & Penthouse Ballroom34 meeting rooms, banquet and ballroom options
Known forRiverwalk access and skyline/penthouse event spaces (Penthouse Ballroom used in film)Michigan Avenue address and large historic presence in central Chicago
Airport connectionsClose to CTA rapid transit to O'Hare and Midway

A Look Inside Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown

Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown: rooms & suitesRooms & suitesRoyal Sonesta Chicago Downtown: diningDiningRoyal Sonesta Chicago Downtown: spa & wellnessSpa & wellness
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Location: Riverwalk vs Magnificent Mile

Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown – Location

Royal Sonesta sits at 71 E Wacker Drive where the Chicago River meets Michigan Avenue, placing you on the Chicago Riverwalk.

  • Step directly onto the Chicago Riverwalk for walking, jogging and river-cruise access.
  • About a 4-minute walk to the Magnificent Mile and roughly 7 minutes to Millennium Park.
  • Loop neighborhood location with quick access to theaters, museums and CTA stations.

Choose Royal Sonesta for riverfront access and a Loop address a short walk from Michigan Avenue.

InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile – Location

InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile sits on North Michigan Avenue, immediately in the shopping and sightseeing corridor.

  • Directly on Michigan Avenue close to Water Tower Place and Tribune Tower.
  • Walking distance to Millennium Park and the Art Institute of Chicago.
  • Preferred airport listed as O'Hare (ORD); hotel is centrally located for sightseeing.

Choose the InterContinental to be in the middle of the Magnificent Mile with immediate shopping and dining options.

Rooms: selection and scale

Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown – Rooms

Royal Sonesta has 381 rooms including 34 suites and several themed suites (Family, Fitness, Skyline).

  • Room types include Premier Room, Deluxe Room, Junior Suite, multiple Superior Suites and 2-bedroom suites.
  • Notable suite options include Superior Suite (River View) and Suite (Skyline).
  • Smaller property footprint makes navigation and service more straightforward for many guests.

Royal Sonesta is a mid-size hotel with a clear range of river-view and family-focused suite options.

InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile – Rooms

InterContinental offers a much larger inventory with hundreds of room types across tower and executive categories.

  • Room list includes Classic Room, Executive Room (Tower/Executive Tower), many premium city/view options and a wide suite selection (Junior, Executive, Premier, One Bedroom).
  • Large inventory suits group blocks and varied traveler needs.
  • Higher-tier executive towers and city-view premium rooms are available for upgrades.

InterContinental is better if you want the widest choice of room types and more suites on property.

Dining & drinks: river views vs Michigan Avenue options

Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown – Dining & drinks

Royal Sonesta's on-site dining centers on Hoyt's Chicago with river views plus the Market Place bar.

  • Hoyt's Chicago serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with seasonal American plates, craft cocktails and local brews.
  • In-room dining from Hoyt's available 6:30 a.m.–11:00 p.m.
  • Destination Fee includes a $10 food & beverage credit toward Hoyt's.

Pick Royal Sonesta if you want river-view American dining and convenient in-room delivery from the hotel restaurant.

InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile – Dining & drinks

InterContinental has multiple on-site dining outlets including Center Court and a bar/lounge.

  • Center Court serves American cuisine; the property lists two restaurants and room service (limited hours).
  • Buffet breakfast is available for a fee (weekday and weekend schedules listed).
  • Coffee shop/cafe and bar/lounge round out on-site choices.

InterContinental provides more on-site dining options and a lobby-level presence suited to Magnificent Mile guests.

Pools & signature amenity

Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown – Pools & signature amenity

Royal Sonesta does not have an on-site swimming pool; its signature asset is the adjacent Riverwalk and skyline event spaces.

  • No on-site pool is published in the hotel's FAQ.
  • Access to the Chicago Riverwalk offers outdoor recreation and river-cruise pickup nearby.
  • Indoor fitness center (24/7) with Peloton and strength/cardio equipment is available.

Royal Sonesta's outdoor riverfront location replaces an on-site pool with direct Riverwalk access.

InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile – Pools & signature amenity

InterContinental lists an indoor pool and on-site spa services, making wellness a clear in-house option.

  • Indoor pool and sauna are listed among featured amenities.
  • Spa services include massages, body treatments and facials (onsite).
  • Fitness facilities are also available for guests.

InterContinental is the better pick if an on-site pool and spa are priorities.

Wellness & nightlife

Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown – Wellness & nightlife

Royal Sonesta focuses on fitness and nearby outdoor activity rather than an on-site spa.

  • 24/7 fitness center with Peloton bike; jogging along the Riverwalk is encouraged.
  • Market Place bar offers cocktails and locally-sourced drinks with late-night weekend hours.
  • No spa is published for this property.

Royal Sonesta suits active travelers who value a gym and outdoor running routes rather than spa treatments.

InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile – Wellness & nightlife

InterContinental pairs a fitness center with spa treatments and a hotel bar/lounge for evening drinks.

  • On-site spa services and an indoor pool support relaxation and recovery.
  • Bar/lounge and restaurant outlets serve guests and visitors on Michigan Avenue.
  • Large scale and location attract both leisure and business crowds into the evening.

InterContinental is stronger for guests who want spa treatment options and a built-in pool plus evening hotel dining.

Who Wins? Best Pick by Travel Style

Best for riverfront access
Hotel lobby seating area with long linear fireplace at Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown

Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown

Royal Sonesta — direct access to the Chicago Riverwalk and river-cruise departure nearby.

Best for on-site wellness & pool
InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, Chicago, Illinois

InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile

InterContinental — indoor pool, sauna and on-site spa services.

Best for meetings & weddings
Hotel front desk and concierge area with decorative art at Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown

Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown

Royal Sonesta — 16,000+ sq ft of flexible event space including Grand Ballroom and Penthouse Ballroom.

Best for a Magnificent Mile stay
InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, Chicago, Illinois

InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile

InterContinental — immediate Michigan Avenue address for shopping and sightseeing.

Frequently asked questions

Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown vs InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile: FAQs

See all FAQs →
Which hotel is closer to Michigan Avenue shopping?

Both are within easy walking distance, but InterContinental sits directly on North Michigan Avenue while Royal Sonesta is about a one-block/short walk east to the Magnificent Mile.

Which hotel has a pool or spa?

InterContinental has an indoor pool and on-site spa services; Royal Sonesta does not list an on-site pool or spa.

Which hotel is better for meetings and weddings?

Royal Sonesta highlights 16,000+ sq ft of meeting space with ballrooms and rooftop Penthouse Ballroom; InterContinental also offers many meeting rooms, and its choice depends on your preferred location and capacity needs.

Are both hotels family-friendly?

Yes — both welcome guests of all ages, though the primary guest checking in typically must be at least 21.

More Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown Comparison Guides

Explore how Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown stacks up against other hotels nearby:

Pool table in a bright game room at Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown
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