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Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown Chicago, Illinois
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Hotel comparison guide

Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown vs Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk

Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown is a 39-story, 381-room riverfront hotel with a rooftop penthouse ballroom and an on-site American restaurant—good for travelers who want central Loop access and event spaces with skyline views. Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk is a large, familiar four‑star brand property next to the Riverwalk with many meeting rooms and indoor-pool facilities—best for guests who want big-hotel services and conference capacity.

Updated · about 0.5 km apart

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

Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown

Riverwalk · 39-story tower · Penthouse event views

Best for skyline-event views and mid‑sized wedding or conference groups seeking downtown riverfront photo ops.

See rooms & suites
Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk, Chicago, Illinois

Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk

Riverwalk · Large four-star hotel · Extensive meeting space

Best for guests who prioritize on-site meeting rooms, an indoor pool and familiar Marriott/Sheraton brand amenities.

Quick Verdict: Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown vs Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk

When Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown wins: choose Royal Sonesta when you want a compact, downtown tower with a distinctive 39th-floor Penthouse Ballroom, river-view dining at Hoyt's Chicago, and a location a step from the Riverwalk and Michigan Avenue.

When Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk wins: pick the Sheraton Grand for large conferences or groups, more on-site meeting rooms and facilities, an indoor pool, and multiple restaurants and bars under one roof.

Bottom line: both hotels put you on the Chicago Riverwalk and keep key Loop attractions within easy reach; pick Royal Sonesta for skyline-event settings and a smaller, hotelier-focused stay, and pick Sheraton Grand for larger-group logistics, pool access, and broad meeting/banquet capacity.

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Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown vs Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk – At a Glance

Side-by-side facts for Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown and Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk
CategoryRoyal Sonesta Chicago DowntownSheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk
Overall vibe39-story downtown tower with penthouse event spaces and a mid-size-hotel feel.Large-brand four-star hotel focused on meetings and full-service amenities.
Location71 E Wacker Drive, steps from the Chicago Riverwalk and Michigan Avenue.
Size (rooms)381 guest rooms, including 34 suites.1,218 guestrooms (supplier listing).
Ages / policyAll ages welcome; reservation holder must be 21+ to check in.
PoolsNo on-site swimming pool (hotel FAQ).Indoor pool available (supplier listing).
Restaurants & barsHoyt's Chicago (onsite American restaurant) plus Market Place bar/lounge and in-room dining.Three restaurants and two bars/lounges on property (supplier listing).
Spa / treatmentsNo spa (third‑party data shows 'No spa').Not published
Meeting & event space16,000+ sq ft and 18 meeting rooms; Penthouse Ballroom on 39th floor and a Grand Ballroom.125,000 sq ft of conference space and 43 meeting rooms (supplier listing).
Known forPenthouse Ballroom with skyline and river views (used as a film set in 'The Dark Knight').Large-scale meeting capacity and central Riverwalk location.
Fitness24/7 fitness center with Peloton and riverwalk jogging access.

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: Royal Sonesta vs Sheraton Grand

Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown – Location

Royal Sonesta sits at 71 E Wacker Drive where the Chicago River meets Michigan Avenue, placing guests steps from the Riverwalk and close to Millennium Park.

  • Direct Riverwalk access and short walks to Michigan Avenue and Cloud Gate (the Bean).
  • Millennium Park and the Art Institute reachable on foot.
  • Close to CTA stations and Millennium Station for regional transit.

Royal Sonesta is a direct Riverwalk address with immediate access to Loop attractions and transit.

Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk – Location

Sheraton Grand occupies 301 E North Water St with Riverwalk access and short walks to Michigan Avenue and Millennium Park.

  • Central Riverwalk location and within easy walking distance of Michigan Avenue.
  • Sheraton highlights note proximity to Millennium Park and the Art Institute.
  • Preferred airport listed as O'Hare; standard downtown access to transit.

Sheraton Grand offers the same central Riverwalk convenience within a larger hotel footprint.

Rooms: what to expect

Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown – Rooms

Royal Sonesta has 381 rooms across a 39-story tower, with 34 suites and several river- or skyline-view room types.

  • Room types include Premier Room (River View), Deluxe Room, multiple suite types such as Skyline Suite and Family Suite.
  • Some rooms and suites are themed (Family Suite, Fitness Suite, Skyline Suite).
  • Mandatory Destination Fee includes basic Wi‑Fi, bottled water and a small dining credit.

Choose Royal Sonesta for skyline or river views in a mid‑sized tower with themed suites and a destination fee that bundles basic services.

Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk – Rooms

Sheraton Grand lists many room types including deluxe river- and lake‑view rooms, club/concierge options and multiple suites.

  • Room inventory shows traditional, deluxe, junior and executive suites with skyline, river or lake views.
  • Club lounge/concierge room options are explicitly listed in several room types.
  • Supplier listing notes 1,218 total guestrooms (large inventory).

Sheraton Grand offers a wide variety of room types and club-level options across a very large room inventory.

Dining & drinks: Hoyt's vs Sheraton outlets

Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown – Dining & drinks

Royal Sonesta's on-site dining centers on Hoyt's Chicago, an American restaurant with river views and in-room dining.

  • Hoyt's Chicago serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and happy hour with set service hours.
  • Market Place is the hotel's bar/lounge with cocktails and local beer.
  • In-room dining from Hoyt's available 6:30 a.m.–11:00 p.m.

Royal Sonesta provides focused on-site dining with river views and a hotel bar for casual drinks.

Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk – Dining & drinks

Sheraton Grand lists three restaurants and two bars, plus a coffee shop/cafe and limited room service hours.

  • Shula’s Steak House is one of the named outlets (American steakhouse style).
  • Continental breakfasts offered for a fee; coffee shop/cafe for snacks.
  • Two bars/lounges on site for drinks and light socializing.

Sheraton Grand gives more on-site variety—multiple restaurants and bars—suitable for guests who want choices without leaving the hotel.

Pools and signature amenity

Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown – Pools and signature amenity

Royal Sonesta does not have an on-site swimming pool; guests use the Riverwalk for outdoor activity and the 24/7 fitness center for workouts.

  • No on-site pool per the hotel FAQ.
  • 24/7 fitness center with cardio and strength equipment, including a Peloton bike.
  • Jogging and walking directly on the Chicago Riverwalk outside the hotel.

No pool—Royal Sonesta leans on the Riverwalk and a comprehensive gym for active guests.

Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk – Pools and signature amenity

Sheraton Grand includes an indoor pool as part of its listed amenities.

  • Indoor pool available (supplier listing).
  • 24-hour fitness facilities are also listed.
  • Pool access hours noted in policies (6:00 AM–10:00 PM).

Sheraton Grand is the choice if an on-site pool is important.

Wellness, nightlife & practicalities

Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown – Wellness, nightlife & practicalities

Royal Sonesta provides 24/7 front desk and fitness access, concierge services, valet parking, and a daily destination fee covering certain services.

  • 24-hour front desk and business center services.
  • Valet parking available; self-parking off-site with discount options noted.
  • Mandatory Destination Fee covers fitness access and basic Wi‑Fi.

Royal Sonesta focuses on round‑the‑clock service, event support and convenient access to downtown transit.

Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk – Wellness, nightlife & practicalities

Sheraton Grand lists multilingual staff, concierge services, business center, and a range of accessibility features alongside large meeting facilities.

  • Extensive meeting and conference capacity (125,000 sq ft, 43 meeting rooms).
  • Multilingual staff, porter/bellhop and concierge services listed.
  • On-site shops, snack/deli and multiple dining outlets for late-night needs.

Sheraton Grand is set up for business travelers and groups that need wide service coverage and many meeting rooms.

Who Wins? Best Pick by Travel Style

Best for skyline-event photography
Hotel lobby seating area with long linear fireplace at Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown

Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown

Royal Sonesta — Penthouse Ballroom and terrace on the 39th floor provide skyline and river views for events and photos.

Best for conferences and large meetings
Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk, Chicago, Illinois

Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk

Sheraton Grand — far larger conference footprint (125,000 sq ft) and 43 meeting rooms make logistics easier for big groups.

Best for an on-site pool
Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk, Chicago, Illinois

Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk

Sheraton Grand — indoor pool available for guest use.

Best for a compact downtown stay with river-view dining
Hotel front desk and concierge area with decorative art at Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown

Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown

Royal Sonesta — Hoyt's Chicago and the tower location put river views and Loop attractions within easy reach.

Frequently asked questions

Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown vs Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk: FAQs

See all FAQs →
Which hotel is better for a wedding with skyline views?

Royal Sonesta — the Penthouse Ballroom and terrace on the 39th floor give river and skyline views suited to wedding photos and receptions.

Which hotel has an on-site pool?

Sheraton Grand has an indoor pool; Royal Sonesta does not have a swimming pool.

Do both hotels have fitness centers?

Yes. Royal Sonesta has a 24/7 fitness center (Peloton included) and Sheraton Grand lists 24-hour fitness facilities.

Are both hotels good for conferences?

Sheraton Grand has much larger conference space (125,000 sq ft, 43 meeting rooms); Royal Sonesta has 16,000+ sq ft and 18 meeting rooms—both work for meetings but at different scales.

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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