Smart Chicago Hotels in “the Loop”

Swing straight into the heart of historic Chicago at the Kimpton Hotel Allegro. Stylish art deco rooms and a musical ambience are located next door to Broadway shows at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. A slew of complimentary offerings from the hotel will soothe any festival exhaustion from the free coffee that will keep you going on Day Three, the USB charging port and alarm clocks that will wake you up when you thought you didn’t have it in you to dance anymore (you do!) and the in-room yoga mats for necessary moments of Ohm.

Overlook the whole city from your perch at the Raffaello Hotel on the Magnificent Mile. The hotel is home to the buzziest cocktail bar, found on the 18th floor rooftop in a building built in 1926. Rooms feature kitchenettes, marble bathrooms and goose down duvets dressed in Egyptian cotton bedding — you’ll sleep like royalty! Get on the Red Line at Howard and disembark at Lake with your flower crown strapped firmly on your head, delivered at the gates of your festival weekend.

If you’re looking for a rockstar hotel to match your (wannabe) rockstar lifestyle, the Virgin Hotel Chicago hits all the right notes. From the actually free-and-fully-working WiFi, an all-American diner, a rooftop bar, music venue and coffee bar, everything awaits at the touch of your Virgin mobile app- make reservations, order room service or just live chat with friends in neighboring rooms. Rooms are divided into separate Dressing and Sleeping areas, decked out with a hybrid bed that accommodates any sleeping or sitting position. Stop in for on the house cocktails from 7-8 p.m before walking 10 minutes back to Grant Park to catch your favorite headliner.

Stacked with covetable Paul Mitchell bathroom amenities, an indoor pool and a sundeck with a view, the Courtyard Chicago Downtown River-North follows the brand’s tried-tested-and-true logic for a peaceful stay in a convenient location. Such close access to the Green, Orange, Pink or Purple Lines from State Lake to Randolph/Wabash whisks you to and fro should you forget any necessities or are looking for the quickest way home possible.

What’s more important to a stay in a new city than a hotel with a bang-on location? We’re apt to say bar none and with a five-minute walk over from the Willis Tower (formerly branded as the Sears Tower), the Club Quarters Hotel Central Loop ticks all the boxes. Rooms are spacious and Seamless food delivery is available for that one night when you’ll inevitably remember that you haven’t had deep dish pizza yet.

Wake up and smell the Starbucks at the Sheraton Grand Chicago. What view could be more inspiring than Lake Michigan? Take your time soaking in those views, since you’re only 10 minutes away from seeing your favorite band. An indoor pool and several restaurants and bars onsite mean you barely have to leave your abode when you aren’t yelling along to your favorite stanzas.

Located in an architectural all-glass triangular jewel is the Swissotel Chicago. Bringing discerning guests massive rooms with soaring views of the skyline and lakes, deep beds that sink you into a slumber quicker than you can decide what color your sheep shall be and stately bathrooms begging for a luxurious soak the festival crowds away. A 42nd-floor swimming pool begets the perfect opportunity for some fitness time, should the 8-minute walk to Grant Park not meet your exercise goals for the weekend.

For those looking for a VIP festival experience both on and off the festival grounds, we present you theWit. The boutique property shines with its bold design and the bucket-list worthiness of its rooftop bar- said to be one of the best in the world from its fabulous views to its cocktail list and small plate samplings. Their Sweet Dreams® by Doubletree Sleep Experience signature bedding relieves moshing-aching legs and it’s a convenient 12-minute walk to Grant Park.

Style-savvy travelers should take note of a recent Kimpton property bearing the name The Gray. Built out of Instagrammable Georgia Gray marble, the hotel is a delicate balance between historic and modern. The marble-infused palate continues to all corners of the hotel and is joined by brass and gold. Thanks to the loaner PUBLIC bikes, you can get around the Loop in a jiffy or a longer spin along the Lakefront Trail.

Save money by staying just that wee bit further outside downtown Chicago. Located in the trendy Wicker Park neighborhood is an altogether local experience just waiting to happen. A mix of hostel, where you can bunk down during the festival with your whole group of friends and hotel, should you be coming solo or as a pair, the Holiday Jones Hostel is a great budget pick. Breakfast is on the house every morning and free parking can babysit your car while you hop on the Blue Line that takes you straight to Jackson L Station in 27 minutes.

Nestled in Chicago’s iconic Chinatown is the Jaslin Hotel. This wallet-friendly festival stay is right on the Red Line which sends you straight into the action of Grant Park in just under 15 minutes. Clean facilities and friendly service are held to a high standard.