11 Best Hotels with Indoor Pools in Chicago

Buzzy Chicago is arguably the perfect destination for a quick city break. From the renowned art museums to the awe-inspiring architecture or the thriving restaurant scene and lively nightlife, there’s plenty to occupy travelers. However, as anyone who has ever visited Chicago knows, the weather here can be fickle. Winters are often brutally cold and snowy, while the summer seasons can be unforgiving as well. For this reason, beyond hiding out in the air conditioning, why not stay in one of the best hotels with indoor pool in Chicago IL? Don’t worry; these hotels also happen to be some of the best hotels across the city! They allow you to be entertained, have some exercise, and relax in the soothing water whenever you want! Keep scrolling to read our full list!

The Ritz-Carlton Chicago

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The first hotel on this list is The Ritz-Carlton Chicago. This hotel is attached to Water Tower Place, so you don’t have to go far to find shops such as Macy’s and American Girl Place. Not to mention, there are hundreds of shops on Michigan Avenue just outside the hotel’s door! The Museum of Contemporary Art is across the street, and Oak Street Beach and the Lakefront Path are about a 10-minute walk. Meanwhile, the Loop is about a mile south and easily accessed by the Michigan Avenue bus. In a neighborhood with a heavy concentration of high-end Italian steakhouses, the on-site Torali stands up to the competition! The dinner menu is mainly a mix of steaks, Mediterranean-inspired seafood, and house-made pasta, all with beautiful presentations!

After filling your stomach, make sure also to spend some time burning calories! We highly recommend swimming in the indoor lap pool that’s open every day! It welcomes both kids and adults, and you can access it for free! Apart from that, there’s also a huge fitness room that looks out on the lake, a large spa, and a bar. Moreover, each room at this hotel comes equipped with a desk, sitting area, stocked mini-fridge, and a Nespresso machine. The bed is incredibly comfortable, and some rooms offer Instagram-worthy views of Navy Pier, Lake Michigan, and the city.

Four Seasons Chicago

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A vibrant hub of culture, style, and energy, Four Seasons Chicago is another hotel worth your consideration. Staying here allows you to feel literally on cloud nine! The pampering never stops, and guestrooms begin on the 30th floor, as the hotel sits atop the tony 900 North Michigan Shops. Standard rooms offer either a lake or city view, which is superb. Meanwhile, design fans will want to splurge on the one and two-bedroom suites as they were designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon, whose projects include Four Seasons and indie luxury-boutique properties around the globe. You’re most likely in the pool area when you’re not in the room! As one of the best hotels with indoor pool in Chicago IL, it boasts a 50-foot-long indoor pool with Roman columns. Natural light pours in via skylights, and there’s plenty of lounge furniture, plus a whirlpool.

Apart from the pool, we also adore the spa! Considered a premier spa in Downtown Chicago, it has all the goods for a day-long visit, including sauna and steam rooms, showers, treatment rooms, and a dedicated salon area for mani-pedis. Of course, there’s also a 24/7 gym on the hotel’s eight-floor that keeps adrenaline pumping and muscles toned. Don’t forget to also have a brunch at Allium, the hotel’s lone restaurant. It’s a sea of beautiful people on the weekends while lunch and dinner selections like lobster nachos and a sausage-stuffed chicken leg marry elegance with comfort. Have a kid with you? Then you’ll want to dial up the hotel’s “ice cream man,” who will deliver an ice-cream cart to your room for DIY sundaes! Speaking of which, check out these best family hotels in Chicago too!

Hilton Chicago

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Hilton Chicago is a bustling convention hotel, but it isn’t cookie-cutter! Retaining its distinguished 1920s heritage in a Renaissance-inspired entrance hall and a gold-and-gilt grand ballroom, this hotel is one of the most popular hotels with indoor pool in Chicago IL. One of the highlights of this hotel is none other than its heated indoor pool. It’s perfect for those who want to beat the heat and have fun exercise during their stay. Meanwhile, the seasonal sundeck adjacent to the pool makes the experience even better! If you’re a gym rat, then the fitness center will, without a doubt, impress you! It’s among the largest in the city, clocking in at 28,000 feet, and includes an indoor track.

Despite having 1,000 guestrooms, the rooms aren’t an afterthought at this hotel! Each room is clean, comfy, and big, from the King Room to the Double Room. Some even offer stunning lake views and two baths. We highly recommend staying in the one-bedroom king suite for those who want to pamper themselves. It’s super spacious and comes with free Wi-Fi and a 37-inch flat-screen TV. On top of that, you’ll also have a living area and sofa bed. When you’re hungry, you must visit the on-site Kitty O’Shea’s. The menu includes all-day dining during the week and brunch come weekend. Drinks from one of Chicago’s cult coffee roasters, Sparrow Coffee, are also available, and live-music acts perform here from time to time. In a rush? Herb N’ Kitchen’s grab-and-go sandwiches, pastries, salads, and Starbucks drinks, can be a lifesaver!

The Hotel at Midtown

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Unlike other hotels with indoor pool in Chicago, The Hotel at Midtown isn’t located in Downtown Chicago. Instead, it’s set in Bucktown, about five miles northwest of the Loop. Being far from the heart of the city’s tourism and business traffic doesn’t stop this hotel from being great. Although the immediate surroundings are chain stores and fast-food restaurants, a 10-minute walk will take you to a vast array of excellent restaurants, bars, and boutiques. Parking is included here, which is a huge bonus, and you can drive to the Loop in about 15 minutes. Using public transportation, you can reach downtown in about 30 minutes.

Fitness is front and center at this new property. It boasts enormous indoor and outdoor pools, allowing you to take a dip whenever you want to chillax. As one of the best hotels with indoor pool in Chicago IL, both pools have full twenty-five-yard lap lanes, whirlpools, and aquatic fitness classes to keep it tight and toned. On top of that, the three levels of fitness also include 16 indoor tennis courts, weights and cardio machines for days, studios for yoga and other group exercise classes, a boxing ring, and more. After sweating it out, relax for a little bit in the guestroom. All of the rooms at this hotel are average in size but feel ample, thanks to the clean design. Each of them also comes with a coffee maker, mini-fridge, and flat-screen TV. For dinner, visit the on-site Chromium that serves locally sourced, modern American dishes.

JW Marriott Chicago

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Another great addition to our list of the best hotels with indoor pool in Chicago IL is JW Marriott Chicago. Once you step inside, you’ll be amazed by the elaborate chandeliers that illuminate the grand lobby, which is filled with dozens of living-room-style couches and chairs and stunning marble columns. Because of its financial district location, the hotel tends to fill up with business types during the week while the weekends are more relaxed. The location also gives business travelers easy access to the Chicago Board of Trade, Federal Reserve, and other financial institutions. Need to fill your stomach? Head to the second-floor restaurant, The Florentine. Here, everything is made in-house, from the pasta to the gelato. Plus, the restaurant also serves breakfast and lunch throughout the week and brunch on weekends.

At this Chicago business hotel, facilities are top-notch. They include an enormous spa with 14 treatment rooms, a spa dining menu, and an unexpected Chicago find: a hammam complete with a fireplace! However, our favorite is the half-sized lap pool. It’s the perfect spot for guests to relax after that stressful meeting. As one of the best hotels with indoor pool in Chicago IL, this property allows you to access the pool for free! In addition to that, there’s an on-site fitness center as well. Along with cardio and weights, the gym hosts free classes like yoga and kickboxing in its studio for group fitness. Furthermore, the 610 guestrooms are elegant and spacious. Beds are extra comfortable, with pillow tops and luxury linens, and each room has an alarm clock with Bluetooth, a coffee maker, an Internet TV, and access to 24-hour room service.

Loews Chicago Hotel

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Set in a shiny new building with huge, light-filled rooms, Loews Chicago Hotel hits all the right notes! This hotel sits in a quiet area of downtown near the Chicago River and lakefront, surrounded by high-rises. Both the Riverwalk and the Michigan Avenue shopping bounty from this hostel are only a five-minute stroll away, while Navy Pier is a 10-minute walk away. Other nearby attractions include the Art Institute, Millennium Park, Museum of Contemporary Art, and Hancock Center observatory, which you can reach in under 20 minutes. Location-wise, this hotel is unbeatable. Then, what about its facilities?

After a day of sightseeing and exploring, head to the hotel’s indoor pool area! The 75-foot indoor lap pool is part of the luxury spa complex, a perfect reprieve for guests looking for a weekend hideaway. Apart from the amazing pool, there’s also a sizeable fitness center. For the ultimate rejuvenation, have a massage or facial in one of the three treatment rooms. Moreover, the contemporary rooms at this hotel are pretty large, with space enough for a snug bed, comfy work desk, and sitting area. Meanwhile, the floor-to-ceiling windows ensure a light, airy feel. Bathrooms are ample in size, and some rooms even come with a bathtub! When it’s time for food, visit the warm, wood-filed ETA Restaurant + Bar! It serves rustic American fare that’ll make your stomach happy.

Royal Sonesta Chicago River North

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Vibrant and eye-catching, Royal Sonesta Chicago River North is beloved as one of the best hotels with indoor pool in Chicago. This stunning hotel gives a new meaning to upscale with its sleek checkerboard entryway, gilded accents, modern fireplace, and Renaissance chandeliers. Not to mention, its expansive, elegant guestrooms and suites will provide the ultimate in comfort. All 261 rooms and suites are stylish and offer tons of layouts to choose from. Even the most basic rooms have beds with triple Frette sheeting and down comforters, a large desk, and a 37-inch flat-screen TV. If you dare to splurge, we recommend the City View rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and a soaking tub.

After a fun but tiring day exploring the top things to do in Chicago, escape to the 17th-floor urban oasis featuring an indoor heated swimming pool and spacious sundeck! The blue-lit heated indoor pool is open year-round and welcomes anyone that wants to relax. After you’re done taking a dip, grab your towel and relax at the poolside seating area while enjoying the views of the hotel’s surroundings. Don’t forget to break a sweat at the state-of-the-art fitness center during your stay! It features Peloton bikes, strength training equipment, cardio gear, free weights, and more. Best of all, this is also one of the best pet-friendly hotels in Chicago! You have zero reasons not to spend your nights here, considering everything it offers!

InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile

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Blessed with an enviable location just off Chicago’s iconic Magnificent Mile, it’s no shocker why InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile has remained a stalwart for nearly a century! As one of the best hotels with indoor pool in Chicago, this hotel’s swimming pool is an architectural wonder. Way up on the 14th floor, the junior Olympic-sized pool welcomes everyone who wants to take a dip and rejuvenate themselves. To this day, it’s the oldest pool in the city and is also one of the biggest hotel pools in Chicago! Hit the gym instead when you’re not in the mood to swim! It’s stocked with all the necessities, including cardio machines, weights, and certified trainers. Also, feel free to book a custom massage at the I-Club Spa!

This hotel has a split personality divided between its two towers. The executive tower is more modern, featuring rooms with slate textured walls and white linens. The guestrooms on this side come complete with water, fruit, robes, Keurig coffee makers, and a minibar. On the other hand, the grand tower is outfitted with bright chartreuse and contrasting slate texturing inspired by the property’s historic design. There are also contemporary local artwork and photography, nodding to the original hotel. Rooms here are smaller but still have the same upscale luxury akin to its sibling.

Waldorf Astoria Chicago

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One of Chicago’s newest luxury hotels is also one of its most stylish! Waldorf Astoria Chicago is easily one of the most fashionable hotels in the city. As one of the best hotels with indoor pool in Chicago IL, the hotel has a grand Parisian feeling and scale. During your stay, you’ll be treated like royalty! Located in the heart of Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood, this hotel is within walking distance of many shopping and restaurants. The city’s designer-lined Oak Street is right outside the hotel’s door, and famous restaurants such as Spiaggia are just down the block! Speaking of restaurants, this fancy property is also home to celebrity chef Michael Mina’s first Chicago eatery, Margeaux Brasserie. It serves classic French fare on the hotel’s third floor, so make sure to give this restaurant a visit!

Apart from the restaurant, be sure also to visit the lavish spa! It’s a getaway with Greek columns and a mosaic pool covered in thousands of tiles. Leisure and lap swimmers are both welcome here. Additionally, the hotel also offers aqua fitness to compliment an immersive pilates and Gyrotonic program. You can take yoga, tai chi, or fitness classes along the lakefront or the parks with instructors when the weather’s nice. Moving on to the guestrooms, all of them are more like suites. They’re spacious and have an extremely clean and sophisticated style. A large gray velvet sofa anchors the living room, and a pair of armchairs is perfectly positioned for you to enjoy the fire or the 42-inch flat-screen TV. 

The Langham Chicago

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The Langham Chicago is one of the best hotels with indoor pool in Chicago IL that occupies the first 12 floors of a landmark building that sits beside the Chicago River. Designed by Midcentury Modern master architect Mies van der Rohe, you can see nods to the building’s heritage. The elegant guestrooms have subtle bronze accents, while the gorgeous travertine tiles are found in bathrooms and public spaces. This is a luxury hotel, so you can expect nothing but lavish amenities. That said, among all of the guestrooms, our favorite has to be the suite that comes with a lake view. It offers you more space than you could ever imagine (which is good) and comes complete with a sofa, seating area, and cable TV. After a good night’s sleep, use the coffee maker to make your morning coffee and admire the lake from the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Another awesome facility that this expensive Chicago hotel offers is the award-winning wellness retreat, Chuan Spa. It features healing holistic treatments to relax, renew, and pamper, making this hotel one of the best spa hotels in Chicago. The crown jewel of the spa is none other than the 67-foot swimming pool. It’s the perfect spot to unwind after a long, tiring day exploring Chicago. After a cool dip, the Himalayan Salt Stone Sauna, Oriental Steam Room, and Aromatherapy Showers await, all part of a fully immersive bathing ritual. Meanwhile, the heated hydrotherapy jacuzzi offers a gentle massage to melt your cares away. Those who want to lift weights can also visit the state-of-the-art fitness studio.

The Peninsula Chicago

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Stay in the heart of Chicago and enjoy all the best things the city has to offer with The Peninsula Chicago! Located along the Magnificent Mile, this Chicago hotel features an indoor pool that offers a bird’s eye view of Lake Michigan and the city with sprawling 20-foot floor-to-ceiling windows. Located on the 19th floor, the pool is half the length of an Olympic pool! Meanwhile, the adjacent sundeck is the perfect place to post up and watch all the pretty people below! As one of the best hotels with indoor pool in Chicago IL, this accommodation allows you to swim laps in the morning, get your groove on in an aqua fitness class in the afternoon, and decompress in the Jacuzzi evening.

Each guestroom at this hotel looks modern and is spotless. But if you want to go all out, we highly recommend booking the Deluxe Suite! It’s the biggest room at this hotel, featuring a separate living room with a sofa and a seating area. In addition to that, this suite also offers a 42-inch flat-screen TV, charging station, a built-in bedside charging station, and tablet technology to control the room temperature and lighting. We’re sure you’ll also be amazed by the marble bathroom that includes a soaking tub and in-mirror TV. When you’re ready to hit the town, the hotel’s Keys to the City program provides exclusive access to Chicago’s top attractions. From VIP entry at the Art Institute, house seats at Broadway in Chicago, and even helicopter tours, the Peninsula knows how to make you feel like an A-lister.

Where to Stay in Chicago

Are you wondering where to stay in Chicago? Well, Downtown is undoubtedly the most famous neighborhood! Home to the city’s business district, this area is packed with skyscrapers, lively theatres, and picturesque architectural landmarks. It’s also dotted with incredible restaurants where you can sample some of the city’s most delicious and iconic foods. Designed in a grid pattern, navigating Downtown Chicago couldn’t be easier! If you like to explore on foot, you’ll love wandering the city streets and steeping yourself in Chicago’s rich history and diverse culture.

Aside from downtown, we also recommend River North. Well known for its art galleries, museums, and boutique shopping, River North is also the epicenter for nightlife, making it one of the best areas to stay in Chicago for those who want to party. You can easily find a great selection of bars, clubs, and pubs throughout this neighborhood. It’s where you can dance the night away under the stars and listen to great live music below the streets.

Last but not least, consider staying in Magnificent Mile, Chicago’s premier commercial district. It’s a spectacular showcase of style, flavor, entertainment, and fun. With more than 460 stores, 275 restaurants, 60 hotels, and unique entertainment and attractions packed and stacked along its length; the Magnificent Mile has an indulgence for every passion and pocket!

Recommended Restaurants / Bars in Chicago

• Superdawg Drive-In – Superdawg Drive-In, like the name implies, is a throwback dining experience where customers park their cars and talk to staff through crackling drive-in speakers and carhops bring out trays of food. Its offering isn’t a traditional Chicago-style dog. Rather than a Vienna Beef frank, Superdawg uses a thick, proprietary all-beef sausage that comes with mustard, pickled green tomato, and chopped Spanish onions. This is all cradled in a box of crinkle fries!
• Luella’s Southern Kitchen – This tiny restaurant serves some of the city’s best Southern food, including cream shrimp and grits, chicken gumbo, and a mighty platter of fried chicken and waffles. This Black-owned restaurant on the North Side is also a popular brunch destination. It’s a casual spot with counter ordering, but it brings a serious menu where everyone can find something hearty and delectable.
• Pat’s Pizza and Ristorante – Calling all pizza lovers! Pat’s Pizza sports some of the crispiest, thinnest pizzas around. It uses its own sausage blend for the pizza, which also helps set this place apart. Pies are available for carryout, delivery, patio, and indoor dining.

Recommended Activities in Chicago

• Chicago River: 1.5-Hour Guided Architecture Cruise – Experience Chicago’s legendary architecture from the best seat in the house: the river! Enjoy a comprehensive tour with a live fun guide as you navigate through the heart of the city covering all three branches of the Chicago River.
• Chicago: Navy Pier Centennial Wheel Regular & Express Ticket – Brace yourself to soar to heights of nearly 200 feet over Navy Pier, with unparalleled, 360-degree views of Chicago and Lake Michigan! Choose between pre-purchasing a Regular or a Fastpass Express ticket to experience this iconic part of the Chicago skyline.
• Chicago: Gangsters and Ghosts 2-Hour Walking Tour – Join this tour to explore Chicago from the perspective of ghosts and gangsters! Take a history-based guided tour and discover Chicago’s gangsters and ghost stories. See the city’s darker side as you walk through the famous Chicago Loop district!