Best for
The Gwen suits travelers who want a downtown Chicago base for business and leisure, with on-site meeting space and Michigan Avenue shopping nearby.
Best for
The Gwen suits travelers who want a downtown Chicago base for business and leisure, with on-site meeting space and Michigan Avenue shopping nearby.
What makes it special
Gwen Lux's sculpted Art Deco facade gives the historic McGraw-Hill Building a distinct Chicago identity beyond a conventional hotel entrance.
Room to consider
Choose the Gwen Lux Suite for a private terrace among River North's towers, where you can linger outside after walking the Magnificent Mile.
Insider tip
Book a winter curling session at Upstairs at The Gwen to play on the rooftop, then warm up by a fire pit.
Free membership gives you access to preferred rates, exclusive benefits and current promotions for your stay.
The Gwen is a Luxury Collection hotel on Michigan Avenue in Chicago, set at 521 North Rush Street in the landmark McGraw-Hill Building. The hotel places guests between the Magnificent Mile, River North, the Chicago River, Navy Pier, Millennium Park, and some of the city's strongest shopping and dining. It is known for Art Deco character, a Gwen Lux-inspired facade, rooftop dining at Upstairs at The Gwen, terrace suites, and polished downtown energy.
This is a strong choice for travellers who want Chicago's architecture, restaurants, shopping, and nightlife close at hand. The Gwen feels more boutique than many large Michigan Avenue hotels. It still has the scale, brand support, meeting space, and rooftop scene expected from a central city property. It works for couples, business travellers, design lovers, groups, and guests who want a lively River North base.
The Superior Room has 375 square feet with a king bed or two queen beds, according to your selected rate. Luxury Collection beds and Frette linens are paired with a sitting armchair and side table.
A writing desk gives you a place to work, and a 65-inch TV is provided. There is a charging station for your devices and a Bluetooth speaker for your own music. Wi-Fi is included throughout your stay.
In the bathroom, a marble-topped vanity sits beside the walk-in shower. Molton Brown bath products, robes and slippers are supplied, so these essentials are already in place when you arrive.
A mini fridge holds drinks, and bottled water is provided at no charge. Both bed options have a coffee and tea maker. The king version also has a wet bar; this feature is not listed for the two-queen room.
The Superior Room has 375 square feet with a king bed or two queen beds, according to your selected rate. Luxury Collection beds and Frette...
With 375 square feet, the Deluxe Room pairs a Luxury Collection bed with space to sit and work. Select a king bed or two queen beds through your chosen rate. Frette linens are used for both bed arrangements.
The named Deluxe View versions have city views; the outlook should be confirmed in the selected rate rather than assumed from a generic room name. A plush armchair and side table offer somewhere to sit within the room.
Your bathroom has a marble-topped vanity and a walk-in shower, with Molton Brown bath products. Robes and slippers are included for use during the stay. A mini fridge and complimentary bottled water are also provided.
At the desk, free Wi-Fi supports work or planning. A 65-inch TV, Bluetooth speaker and charging station are available. The king version lists a wet bar and coffee and tea facilities; these are not promised for the two-queen option.
With 375 square feet, the Deluxe Room pairs a Luxury Collection bed with space to sit and work. Select a king bed or two queen...
Art by Gwen Lux and design inspired by the 1930s distinguish the Grand Deluxe Room. At 375 square feet, it comes with either a king bed or two queen beds, depending on the rate you select.
The hotel's named Landmark View versions offer city views. Check that wording in your chosen rate, as a generic room label does not promise the same outlook. An armchair and side table provide a sitting spot inside the room.
A marble-topped vanity and walk-in shower define the bathroom. Molton Brown bath products, robes and slippers are supplied. Luxury Collection beds are dressed with Frette linens for the night.
The work area includes a desk, with free Wi-Fi for keeping in touch. A 65-inch TV, Bluetooth speaker and charging station cover entertainment and device needs. There is also a mini fridge, and bottled water is complimentary.
Art by Gwen Lux and design inspired by the 1930s distinguish the Grand Deluxe Room. At 375 square feet, it comes with either a king...
City views frame the Junior Suite, a 475-square-foot space with one king bed. Its bright sitting area has a plush armchair and side table.
Original art and design inspired by the 1930s give the interior its character. A desk and ergonomic chair provide a dedicated work spot. The wet bar and mini fridge sit within the suite, with a coffee and tea maker also on hand.
The bathroom pairs a marble vanity with a walk-in shower. Molton Brown products are provided for bathing, along with robes and slippers for use during your stay.
Frette linens dress the Luxury Collection bed. For time indoors, there is a 65-inch TV and a Bluetooth speaker. A charging station, free Wi-Fi and complimentary bottled water complete the practical features.
City views frame the Junior Suite, a 475-square-foot space with one king bed. Its bright sitting area has a plush armchair and side table. Original...
A king bed and queen sofa bed make up the Superior Suite's sleeping options. The suite measures 565 to 765 square feet, with views of the city, Magnificent Mile and Chicago skyline from its windows.
The living room has a sofa and armchair grouped around a side table. Original art and design rooted in the hotel's 1930s heritage add character to this space. A wet bar and mini fridge are provided, along with a coffee and tea maker.
You can use the walk-in shower or settle into the deep soaking tub. Robes and slippers accompany the bathroom setup. The main bed is a Luxury Collection design made up with Frette linens.
A writing desk and ergonomic chair support working in the suite. Wi-Fi is free, and bottled water is included. A 65-inch TV, Bluetooth speaker and charging station provide the other useful connections for an indoor evening.
A king bed and queen sofa bed make up the Superior Suite's sleeping options. The suite measures 565 to 765 square feet, with views of...
The Deluxe Suite looks out across the Magnificent Mile and Chicago skyline. Its published size ranges from 765 to 875 square feet. Sleeping options comprise one king bed and a queen sofa bed.
In the living room, a plush sofa and armchair sit beside a side table. Original art adds detail to the interior, whose design recalls the hotel's 1930s heritage. A writing desk with an ergonomic chair gives work its own place.
The bathroom offers a choice between a walk-in shower and a deep soaking tub. Robes and slippers are ready for use. Frette linens and a Luxury Collection bed form the main sleeping setup.
A wet bar, mini fridge and coffee and tea maker are provided. Wi-Fi and bottled water are complimentary. For entertainment, the suite has a 65-inch TV, Bluetooth speaker and charging station for your devices.
The Deluxe Suite looks out across the Magnificent Mile and Chicago skyline. Its published size ranges from 765 to 875 square feet. Sleeping options comprise...
French doors open onto the Junior Terrace Suite's private outdoor space, furnished with seating and a bistro table. The suite is listed at 920 to 967 square feet and has a king bed, with city views beyond the windows.
Floor-to-ceiling glass brings light into the living room. A sofa, armchair and side table create a place to spend time indoors, surrounded by design drawn from the 1930s.
A marble vanity and walk-in shower form the bathroom setup. Molton Brown bath products are supplied, as are robes and slippers. Your Luxury Collection bed is made with Frette linens.
The desk comes with an ergonomic chair, while a wet bar and mini fridge support time in the suite. Coffee and tea facilities are provided. Free Wi-Fi, a 65-inch TV, Bluetooth speaker and charging station keep work and entertainment close at hand.
French doors open onto the Junior Terrace Suite's private outdoor space, furnished with seating and a bistro table. The suite is listed at 920 to...
A private terrace overlooks the Magnificent Mile from the Superior Terrace Suite. French doors lead out to comfortable seating and a bistro table. The published suite size is 920 to 967 square feet, with one king bed and a queen sofa bed.
Large windows light the living room, where a sofa and armchair provide indoor seating. The design takes its cue from the 1930s. A desk with an ergonomic chair provides a work spot within the suite.
The bathroom has a marble vanity, walk-in shower and Molton Brown products. Robes and slippers are supplied. An extra half bathroom serves as a powder room, bringing the total to one and a half baths.
A wet bar, mini fridge and coffee and tea maker are at hand. Complimentary water and Wi-Fi are included. The suite also provides a 65-inch TV, Bluetooth speaker and charging station.
A private terrace overlooks the Magnificent Mile from the Superior Terrace Suite. French doors lead out to comfortable seating and a bistro table. The published...
On the 16th floor, the 2 Bedroom Gwen Suite combines panoramic city views with 1,200 square feet of indoor space. Each bedroom has a king bed, its own seating area and a bathroom. There are two and a half bathrooms in all.
Floor-to-ceiling windows surround the main living space. Full seating and an indoor dining table for six sit within an interior shaped by 1930s Art Deco design. A wet bar, mini fridge and coffee and tea maker serve this shared area.
The private terrace extends the suite outdoors. Armchairs and coffee tables provide places to sit, and a separate outdoor dining table seats six.
Bedroom bathrooms have oversized showers and soaking tubs, with robes and slippers supplied. Luxury Collection beds feature Frette linens. Free Wi-Fi, a 65-inch TV, Bluetooth speaker and charging station are also provided.
On the 16th floor, the 2 Bedroom Gwen Suite combines panoramic city views with 1,200 square feet of indoor space. Each bedroom has a king...
The hotel sits where North Rush Street meets the Michigan Avenue district, close to The Shops at North Bridge. From here, guests can walk to the Magnificent Mile, the Chicago Riverwalk, Tribune Tower, the Wrigley Building, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Navy Pier, Millennium Park, and theatres.
This location gives The Gwen a useful city rhythm. Shopping, restaurants, bars, galleries, offices, river cruises, and cultural sights are all nearby. Guests can spend the day between meetings, museums, lakefront walks, and architecture tours. They can then return to the hotel for rooftop drinks or a quiet room above the city.
Arrival is urban and stylish. The hotel belongs to a historic building, but the experience feels modern from the lobby upward. It is well suited to guests who want Chicago energy without choosing a huge convention hotel or a very formal lakefront classic.
The Gwen takes its name from Gwen Lux, the sculptor whose work is tied to the McGraw-Hill Building's Art Deco facade. That heritage gives the hotel a clear design story. The look blends 1930s Chicago glamour with modern colour, clean lines, art, and strong city views.
The public spaces feel lively but composed. Art Deco references are present without turning the hotel into a period set. Guests find marble, metal, velvet, art, and a rooftop terrace that brings the city into the stay. This design identity helps The Gwen stand apart from more standard downtown hotels.
The atmosphere is polished but not stiff. It can support a business trip, a weekend with friends, a shopping break, or a special occasion. The hotel feels social in its restaurants and terrace spaces, then calmer in the rooms. That contrast is useful in such a busy part of Chicago.
The Gwen offers guest rooms and suites with city views, modern comfort, and Art Deco-inspired detail. Rooms include Frette linens, Luxury Collection beds, oversized showers, work areas, complimentary Wi-Fi, and 65-inch televisions. The style is polished, clean, and never stiff.
Room choice should depend on space and view. Standard and deluxe categories work well for short city stays. Suites add more living space. Terrace suites are the signature choice for guests who want outdoor space in downtown Chicago. This is not common in many central hotels, so the terraces give The Gwen a real point of difference.
The Gwen Lux Suite is the hotel's standout accommodation. It has two bedrooms, generous indoor space, and a large private terrace on the sixteenth floor. It is built for entertaining, longer stays, celebrations, or travellers who want a more residential Chicago stay with skyline views.
Upstairs at The Gwen is the hotel's main dining and social space. Set on the fifth floor, it includes a rooftop terrace, bar, lounge, fire pits, all-day dining, and views of downtown Chicago. It is one of the clearest reasons to choose the hotel, especially in warmer months.
The space works throughout the day. Guests can have breakfast, meet for drinks, sit by the fire pits, or use the terrace as a base before heading into River North or the Magnificent Mile. The rooftop gives the hotel a more relaxed side without losing its city polish.
Chicago has a deep restaurant scene, and The Gwen is close to many of its best-known areas for dining. The hotel does not need to replace that scene. Instead, Upstairs gives guests an easy in-house option that still feels connected to the city, while the surrounding streets offer many choices within a short walk.
The rooftop also gives the hotel a seasonal rhythm. In summer, it becomes a sunny place for long afternoons and evening drinks. In colder months, the fire pits and lounge setting help keep the space useful. That matters in Chicago, where weather can change the way guests use a hotel during the day.
The Gwen works well for guests who want shopping and architecture in the same stay. Michigan Avenue, River North, and the Chicago River are all nearby, making it easy to build days around stores, galleries, river cruises, restaurants, and lakefront walks. The hotel also suits guests who want a strong sense of downtown without being directly on the river.
Business travellers benefit from the central address, meeting spaces, and practical room setup. Groups and event guests benefit from the rooftop and suite options. Couples and leisure travellers get design, location, and a lively social space above the street. The hotel can handle several kinds of stay without feeling generic.
The hotel is also useful for guests who want a softer alternative to larger convention properties. It keeps guests close to downtown offices and shopping, but it has a more designed identity than many business hotels. That mix of function and personality is one of its best qualities.
The Gwen is best for travellers who want a luxury Chicago stay with Art Deco identity, rooftop energy, and quick access to Michigan Avenue and River North. Its strengths are clear: McGraw-Hill Building heritage, city-view rooms, terrace suites, The Gwen Lux Suite, Upstairs at The Gwen, and walks to the Magnificent Mile, Chicago Riverwalk, Millennium Park, and Navy Pier. For a stylish downtown Chicago stay, it gives the city a confident modern frame.
Upstairs at The Gwen pairs American dining and cocktails with skyline views, offering a rooftop pause without leaving the hotel.
Direct enclosed access to The Shops at North Bridge keeps shopping and casual dining convenient when Chicago weather turns unpleasant.
Deep tubs in the suites give guests an in-room way to wind down after long walks through downtown Chicago.
521 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
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Yes. The Gwen Chicago is a strong choice for travelers who want Art Deco style near the Magnificent Mile. It has 311 renovated rooms and suites, a North Rush Street address, rooftop dining, event spaces, and easy city access.
The Gwen Chicago is at 521 North Rush Street in the River North area of downtown Chicago. The hotel is connected to the Magnificent Mile area, close to Michigan Avenue shopping, restaurants, galleries, and the Chicago River.
The Gwen Chicago has 311 renovated rooms and suites with a design inspired by Chicago glamour from the 1930s. Guests can choose standard rooms, larger suites, terrace categories, and specialty spaces for more open-air city atmosphere.
The hotel is set in the historic McGraw-Hill Building, which gives it a strong Art Deco identity. Inside, the style feels polished and modern, with sculptural details, rooftop energy, and a location made for city exploring.
Yes. The Gwen Chicago is very close to the Magnificent Mile and Michigan Avenue shopping. This makes it practical for guests who want boutiques, department stores, restaurants, architecture walks, and city sights nearby.
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