
Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown
Best for riverfront access, large meetings and wedding groups — plus family suites and a 24/7 fitness center.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown is a 39-story, river-adjacent hotel with large event spaces and family-friendly rooms; read this if you want easy access to the Riverwalk, meetings or wedding venues. The St. Regis Chicago is a modern five-star luxury hotel in a landmark downtown tower; read this if you prioritize contemporary luxury, a full-service spa and skyline-focused rooms.
Updated · about 0.4 km apart (roughly a 5–10 minute walk)

Best for riverfront access, large meetings and wedding groups — plus family suites and a 24/7 fitness center.

Best for high-end luxury stays, spa treatments, indoor pool and dramatic skyline/river views from a signature tower.
When Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown wins: choose Royal Sonesta if you need lots of event or wedding space, want direct access to the Chicago Riverwalk, or are traveling with family and want larger room options and a central Loop address with a well-reviewed on-site American restaurant (Hoyt's Chicago).
When The St. Regis Chicago wins: pick The St. Regis for a modern five-star experience — smaller, more intimate room inventory, a full-service spa, an indoor pool and a focus on luxury service and design in a landmark tower.
Bottom line: both put you in the heart of downtown close to Millennium Park and Michigan Avenue; Royal Sonesta is the practical choice for events, families and riverfront convenience, while The St. Regis is the choice for travelers who want a high-end, spa-and-amenity-driven stay in an architectural tower.
| Category | Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown | The St. Regis Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Riverfront, event- and business-friendly downtown hotel | Contemporary five-star luxury in a landmark tower |
| Location | 71 E Wacker Drive — directly on the Chicago Riverwalk, one block from the Magnificent Mile | |
| Size (rooms) | 381 rooms, including 34 suites | 192 rooms |
| Ages / check-in | All ages welcome; main guest must be 21+ to check in | |
| Pools | No on-site swimming pool | Indoor pool (1) |
| Restaurants & bars | Hoyt's Chicago (main restaurant) + Market Place bar/lounge; in-room dining from Hoyt's | Miru (one of 2 restaurants), 1 bar/lounge, 24-hour room service |
| Spa & wellness | No on-site spa listed | Full-service spa with treatments, steam room and 24-hour fitness center |
| Known for | Large meeting and wedding spaces (Penthouse Ballroom, Grand Ballroom) and Riverwalk access | Modern luxury design, landmark tower and skyline/river views |
| Meeting & event capacity | 16,000+ sq ft, 18 meeting rooms, large ballrooms (Grand Ballroom, Penthouse Ballroom) | 8 meeting rooms available |
| Destination/resort fees | Daily Destination Fee (covers fitness access, basic Wi‑Fi, bottled water, $10 Hoyt's credit) | Not published |
Royal Sonesta sits on East Wacker Drive where the Chicago River meets Michigan Avenue, with direct access to the Chicago Riverwalk.
Choose Royal Sonesta for immediate riverfront access and easy walking access to major downtown attractions.
The St. Regis Chicago is centrally located on Upper Wacker Drive with easy access to the Riverwalk and downtown attractions.
Choose The St. Regis if you want a luxury base in a landmark tower with quick access to the same downtown highlights.
Royal Sonesta offers a large inventory of room types and themed suites aimed at families and events.
Royal Sonesta is better if you want more room-type choices and family-oriented suite options.
The St. Regis has fewer rooms with a luxury focus and a selection of river- and park-view categories.
The St. Regis is aimed at travelers who prefer a smaller, more bespoke room inventory and suite upgrades.
Royal Sonesta’s on-site dining centers on Hoyt's Chicago plus an on-site bar/lounge.
Pick Royal Sonesta for dependable American fare with river views and convenient in-room dining tied to a destination fee benefit.
The St. Regis offers higher-end dining options and 24-hour room service.
Choose The St. Regis if you want multiple upscale dining options and round-the-clock room service.
Royal Sonesta does not have an on-site swimming pool; its riverfront setting replaces a pool experience.
If an on-site pool is a must, Royal Sonesta is not the right choice; the Riverwalk is the nearby outdoor alternative.
The St. Regis provides a traditional indoor pool plus a larger set of wellness amenities.
The St. Regis is the better pick if you want an on-site pool and a full-service spa experience.
Royal Sonesta covers basics well and offers nearby nightlife along the river and Michigan Avenue.
Good for guests who mix fitness with easy access to city nightlife rather than in-hotel luxury spa nights.
The St. Regis emphasizes in-house wellness and quieter, high-end evening options.
Pick The St. Regis for an in-house wellness focus and a more private, upscale evening experience.

Royal Sonesta — over 16,000 sq ft of flexible event space, 18 meeting rooms and two ballrooms, including the Penthouse Ballroom with skyline views.

The St. Regis Chicago — full-service spa, steam room and an indoor pool for guests.

Royal Sonesta — direct access to the Chicago Riverwalk and very short walks to Millennium Park and the Magnificent Mile.

The St. Regis Chicago — smaller, luxury-focused inventory with several named suites and designer in-room amenities.
Royal Sonesta — it has far larger meeting and event facilities (18 meeting rooms and multiple ballrooms) and experience handling wedding blocks.
The St. Regis Chicago — it lists an indoor pool and a full-service spa; Royal Sonesta does not have an on-site pool or a listed spa.
Yes. Royal Sonesta is explicitly family-friendly with a Family Suite and children 17 and under staying free using existing bedding; The St. Regis accepts families as well, though it focuses on five-star luxury.
Yes. Both properties list 24-hour fitness facilities; Royal Sonesta highlights cardio, strength equipment and a Peloton bike.
Explore how Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·