Is InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile worth it? Honest pros and cons
Yes — InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile is worth it for travelers who want a centrally located, historic hotel with large event spaces, multiple on-site restaurants (including Michael Jordan's Steak House & Bar and Casa Chi), and a notable indoor Junior Olympic-size pool. Budget-minded travelers should factor in mandatory resort/amenity fees, valet parking, and other extras before deciding.
In this guide
- Location — steps from the Magnificent Mile
- Rooms and towers — many room types across two towers
- Dining and nightlife — on-site choices from breakfast to steakhouse
- Amenities — pool, spa, fitness and accessibility
- Events, weddings and meeting spaces
- Pricing, fees, parking and practicalities
- Who should stay here — pros and cons summary
Location — steps from the Magnificent Mile
The hotel sits at 505 N Michigan Ave in Streeterville, with a designated entrance onto the Magnificent Mile shopping district and easy access to the Chicago River and Tribune Tower. The property is within short walking distance of the Riverwalk, Shops at Northbridge, and many downtown attractions.
If your priority is sightseeing or shopping, this location saves time: the John Hancock Observatory (360 Chicago) and Millennium Park are walkable, and architecture boat tours on the Chicago River depart nearby.
- Designated entrance directly onto the Magnificent Mile
- Tribune Tower: about a 1-minute walk
- Chicago Riverwalk: roughly 5 minutes on foot
- John Hancock / 360 Chicago Observation Deck: ~10-minute walk
| Nearby spot | Typical walk time |
|---|---|
| Tribune Tower | 1 minute |
| Chicago Riverwalk | 5 minutes |
| Shops at Northbridge | Steps |
Rooms and towers — many room types across two towers
Rooms are split across two towers (commonly referenced as the Historic Tower and the Executive/Grand Tower). Room names include Classic Room, Premium Room, Executive Room, Junior Suite, Suite, Executive Suite, and Premier Suite, among others.
Some tower/room combinations are described specifically (for example, Classic Room, Tower (Grand Tower) and Executive Room, City View, Tower). If you have strong preferences (city views, tub vs. no tub, or a specific tower), confirm the exact room type when booking.
- 16 named room types listed, including Classic Room, Premium Room, Executive Room, Junior Suite, Suite, Executive Suite, Premier Suite
- Some rooms explicitly list bed arrangements (e.g., Executive Room, City View, Tower: 1 King Bed or 2 Double Beds)
- Rooms and suites may differ by tower (Historic Tower vs. Executive/Grand Tower)
| Example room name | Notes (from property listing) |
|---|---|
| Classic Room | Multiple configurations; some Classic Room listings include tubs |
| Executive Room, City View, Tower | Lists 1 King Bed or 2 Double Beds; city views |
| Premier Suite, 1 Bedroom, City View (Grand Tower) | 495 sq. ft.; city view; 1 King Bed |
Dining and nightlife — on-site choices from breakfast to steakhouse
On-site dining includes Michael Jordan's Steak House & Bar (American steakhouse at street level), Casa Chi (Nikkei, cocktail-forward), Center Court for breakfast, and an on-site Starbucks. Room service is available daily from 6:00 AM to 12:30 AM.
Both Michael Jordan's Steak House & Bar and Casa Chi take reservations (OpenTable) and offer private dining options. Dress codes are listed (Business Casual at the steakhouse; Casual at Casa Chi) but guest reports indicate they are often loosely enforced.
- Michael Jordan's Steak House & Bar: lunch & dinner; bar hours vary; reservations recommended
- Casa Chi: Nikkei menu, sake cocktails; happy hour and weekend brunch-style offerings reported
- Center Court: full-service breakfast (hours listed separately), family-friendly
- In-room dining (6:00 AM–12:30 AM) and an on-site Starbucks
| Restaurant | Typical hours / service |
|---|---|
| Center Court | Breakfast daily (7:00 AM–11:00 AM; weekends until noon) |
| Michael Jordan's Steak House & Bar | Dinner evenings; bar hours extend later |
| Casa Chi | Dinner; varied hours including later weekend service |
Amenities — pool, spa, fitness and accessibility
The hotel features a historic, indoor Junior Olympic-size pool with 1920s Spanish Majolica tiles located in the Executive Tower fitness complex; it is family-friendly, has no lifeguard on duty, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Published pool hours vary by source, so check current hours before planning a swim.
The InterContinental Spa and fitness center are part of a multi-level wellness complex. The fitness center is listed as open 24 hours; the spa lists treatment rooms, a couples room, and Finnish saunas, with varying published hours across sources.
- Junior Olympic-size indoor pool (historic tile work) — no lifeguard on duty
- Fitness center: 24-hour access reported
- InterContinental Spa: treatment rooms, couples room, Finnish saunas — check current spa hours
- Pool and fitness complex located within the Executive Tower per some sources
| Amenity | Notes |
|---|---|
| Pool | Historic Junior Olympic-size; family access; no lifeguard |
| Fitness Center | Cardio and weight equipment; 24-hour access listed |
| Spa | Multiple treatment rooms and saunas; hours vary by source |
Events, weddings and meeting spaces
InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile offers extensive event space across multiple floors with historic ballrooms and many breakout rooms. The Grand Ballroom (7th floor) and Renaissance Ballroom (5th floor) are commonly used for weddings and large events and include ornate historic details.
Capacities and specifics are published by the hotel: for example, the Grand Ballroom is listed with up to 450 guests for weddings (and higher capacities for some meeting configurations), while the Renaissance Ballroom and King Arthur Court have their own listed wedding capacities.
- Grand Ballroom (7th floor): listed wedding capacity ~450 guests; banquet/meeting capacities listed by the hotel
- Renaissance Ballroom (5th floor): listed wedding capacity ~220 guests
- King Arthur Court: historic 3rd-floor space advertised for weddings and events
- Total meeting space about 45,000 sq ft across many floors; 34 meeting rooms listed on the hotel's meeting pages
| Venue | Wedding capacity (listed by hotel) |
|---|---|
| Grand Ballroom | 450 guests |
| Renaissance Ballroom | 220 guests |
| Tower Lounge (32nd floor) | 40 guests (receptions) |
Pricing, fees, parking and practicalities
Expect mandatory extra charges beyond the nightly rate: published sources list a resort/amenity fee (reported in research as approximately $32–$35 per room, per night) and a deposit requirement, plus charges for valet parking. Confirm current amounts with the hotel before booking.
Valet parking is available for an additional daily fee (sources list a typical covered valet rate), pets incur a fee (IHG lists $150 per stay and a 40-lb weight limit), and the hotel requires a credit card or deposit at check-in for incidentals. The property does not provide an airport shuttle.
- Mandatory resort/amenity fee reported by third-party sources (confirm current amount with hotel)
- Valet parking only (no free self-parking); electric vehicle charging station on site reported
- Pet fee listed on IHG as $150 per stay; pets commonly limited to 40 lbs (confirm directly)
- No on-site airport shuttle; closest major airport is O'Hare (drive times vary)
| Service | Typical note |
|---|---|
| Resort / amenity fee | Reported by third parties (amounts cited; verify with hotel) |
| Valet parking | Covered valet for a daily fee; in/out privileges |
| Pets | IHG lists pet fee $150 per stay; weight limit noted in some sources |
Who should stay here — pros and cons summary
This hotel works well for travelers who value a prime Magnificent Mile address, historic architecture, large event facilities, on-site restaurants, and a substantial wellness complex with a notable indoor pool. Business travelers, wedding groups, and shoppers will find the location and meeting/event spaces convenient.
It may be less suitable for budget travelers or guests who want fully inclusive pricing: mandatory fees, parking costs, and a central downtown location can add to the total trip cost. Also verify pet availability and specific room features when traveling with pets or family.
- Pros: central Magnificent Mile location; historic architecture and ballrooms; multiple on-site restaurants; indoor Junior Olympic-size pool and 24-hour fitness center; large meeting/event space
- Cons: additional mandatory fees (resort/amenity fee, deposits), valet parking costs, no airport shuttle, some published variations in spa/pool hours and policies — confirm before arrival
- Best for: shoppers, wedding/event groups, visitors who want downtown access and on-site dining
- Less ideal for: travelers on a tight budget or those expecting inclusive rates
| Good fit if... | Not ideal if... |
|---|---|
| You want to be steps from Michigan Avenue shopping and river tours | You want low all-in nightly costs with parking included |
| You need large or historic event spaces for weddings or conferences | You need an airport shuttle provided by the hotel |
| You prioritize on-site dining options and a historic pool | You are traveling with a large pet and need confirmation of pet rooms |
