
InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile
Best for shoppers, wedding groups, and guests who want a landmark building with a large historic pool and multiple classic restaurants.
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InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile is a landmark 4.5‑star hotel on Michigan Avenue with a historic building, big event spaces, and a family‑friendly indoor pool. Loews Chicago Hotel is an upscale 4.5‑star contemporary hotel near the river and lake, aimed at travelers who want a modern downtown base.
Updated · about 0.5 km apart

Best for shoppers, wedding groups, and guests who want a landmark building with a large historic pool and multiple classic restaurants.

Best for travelers who want a modern downtown base steps from the Riverwalk and quick access to the lake and rooftop terrace.
When InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile wins: choose InterContinental if you value historic architecture, a landmark indoor Junior Olympic pool, multiple on‑site restaurants (including Michael Jordan’s Steak House & Bar and Casa Chi), and very large event/wedding spaces.
When Loews Chicago Hotel wins: pick Loews if you prefer a contemporary, compact downtown hotel with an on‑site rooftop terrace, a strong fitness offering, and a central Streeterville/River North location minutes from the Riverwalk and Michigan Avenue.
Bottom line: both are 4.5‑star downtown options within a short walk of each other—InterContinental leans historic and social (shopping, weddings, large groups), Loews is a more modern, streamlined stay for sightseers and business travelers.
| Category | InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile | Loews Chicago Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Historic 1929 landmark with formal ballrooms and classic public rooms | Upscale contemporary downtown hotel with modern public spaces |
| Location | On Michigan Avenue with a dedicated entrance onto the Magnificent Mile shopping district | Streeterville/River North near Chicago Riverwalk and a short walk to Michigan Avenue |
| Size (guest rooms) | 792 guest rooms across two towers | About 400 guestrooms |
| Check‑in age | Primary guest must be 21 to check in | |
| Pool | Historic indoor Junior Olympic‑size pool with 1920s Spanish Majolica tiles (family‑friendly; no lifeguard on duty) | Wheelchair‑accessible on‑site pool (details listed by supplier) |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple outlets including Michael Jordan's Steak House & Bar, Casa Chi, Center Court breakfast, and an on‑site Starbucks | One main restaurant, a bar/lounge and a coffee shop/cafe; room service during limited hours |
| Spa & fitness | InterContinental Spa with treatment rooms, couples room, Finnish saunas; 24‑hour fitness center | Fitness facilities and spa services; 24‑hour fitness center and rooftop terrace |
| Meeting & event space | Very large: roughly 45,000 sq ft across many historic ballrooms and 34 meeting rooms (multiple wedding venues) | Conference space (approx. 25,717 sq ft / 2,389 m²) suitable for meetings and events |
| Accessibility & family | Family‑friendly (children welcome; pool day passes available), wheelchair‑accessible features listed | Not adults‑only; wheelchair access and accessible rooms and meeting spaces available |
| Nearby highlights | Direct access to Magnificent Mile shops, Chicago River, Tribune Tower, Shops at Northbridge | 5‑minute walk to the Chicago Riverwalk and short walk to Michigan Avenue and lakefront |
InterContinental sits at 505 N Michigan Ave with a designated entrance directly onto the Magnificent Mile.
Choose InterContinental for immediate Magnificent Mile shopping and landmark‑district location.
Loews Chicago Hotel (455 North Park Drive) is in Streeterville/River North near the river and lake.
Choose Loews for an easy walk to the Riverwalk and quick access to lakefront paths.
InterContinental offers 16 room types across two towers, mixing historic charm with modern amenities.
InterContinental is best if you want larger variety of room types and a mix of historic and tower rooms.
Loews lists about 400 guestrooms with many 'Superior', 'Premium', 'Grand' and suite options.
Loews gives a compact, modern room set with accessible options and a few lake‑view suites.
InterContinental has several on‑site dining options ranging from breakfast to steakhouse and Nikkei cuisine.
Pick InterContinental for more on‑site variety and distinct dining venues in one property.
Loews offers a single main restaurant, a bar/lounge and a coffee shop/cafe with limited room service hours.
Choose Loews if you want straightforward, modern dining and a nearby neighborhood restaurant scene.
InterContinental’s signature amenity is its historic indoor Junior Olympic‑size pool with 1920s tiles.
The InterContinental pool is a unique historic feature and a strong draw for families and guests seeking a distinctive indoor pool.
Loews lists a wheelchair‑accessible on‑site pool and a seasonal rooftop terrace (rooftop lounge seasonal, weather permitting).
Loews is a better fit if you want rooftop terrace time and modern pool facilities, though specifics vary by season.
InterContinental pairs a multi‑level fitness complex with the InterContinental Spa and historic social spaces.
InterContinental offers a full spa + fitness + evening dining program inside a historic setting.
Loews lists spa services, a 24‑hour fitness center, concierge services and seasonal rooftop lounge hours.
Loews suits guests who want a modern fitness/spa baseline plus easy access to River North nightlife and a seasonal rooftop.

InterContinental — direct entrance onto Michigan Avenue and steps from flagship stores.

Loews — compact contemporary hotel a short walk to the Chicago Riverwalk and lakefront paths.

InterContinental — extensive historic ballrooms and roughly 45,000 sq ft of event space across many rooms.

Loews — many accessible room configurations listed and a simpler modern room lineup, including lake‑view suites.
InterContinental is explicitly family‑friendly with a historic indoor Junior Olympic pool and family‑oriented dining; both hotels allow children but the InterContinental highlights pool day‑passes for kids.
Both are a short walk; Loews is about a 5‑minute walk to the Riverwalk and InterContinental is steps away to the River and Magnificent Mile—both are within easy walking distance.
Yes—InterContinental has a much larger, historic set of ballrooms and dozens of meeting rooms for weddings and large events; Loews has substantial conference space (about 25,717 sq ft) but on a smaller scale.
Yes—both hotels list on‑site spa services and 24‑hour fitness centers, though the InterContinental emphasizes a linked multi‑level spa/pool complex.
Explore how InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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