Honeymoon at The Gwen: what to expect
The Gwen on Michigan Avenue is a landmark Art Deco hotel steps from the Magnificent Mile with rooftop dining and skyline views — expect no on-site pool or full-service spa, a 24-hour fitness center, and several room types from Superior Room to suites with terraces. For a honeymoon, plan rooftop meals at Upstairs at The Gwen, a room upgrade for a terrace or suite, and expect standard check-in at 3:00 PM and check-out at 12:00 PM.
In this guide
Where it sits and why it works for a city honeymoon
The Gwen is at 521 North Rush Street, a block off Michigan Avenue and directly connected to The Shops at North Bridge. You’ll be within an easy walk of the Magnificent Mile, the Chicago Riverwalk, Millennium Park, and Navy Pier.
The hotel occupies the restored 1929 McGraw-Hill Building, so the public spaces and event rooms carry Art Deco details; rooftop and terrace areas give skyline views useful for sunset photos or a quiet evening drink.
- Direct lobby access to The Shops at North Bridge
- About an 8-minute walk to the Chicago Riverwalk (crossing DuSable Bridge)
- Steps from Magnificent Mile shopping and dining
| Nearby spot | Typical walk time from the hotel |
|---|---|
| Michigan Avenue / Magnificent Mile | 1–2 minutes |
| Chicago Riverwalk | Around 8 minutes |
| Navy Pier | 15–20 minutes |
Rooms and suites: pick what fits your plans
Room types range from the Superior Room and Deluxe Room to Grand Room, 1 King Bed and Grand Room, 2 Queen Beds, plus suites including Junior Suite and several terrace and sofa-bed–equipped suites. If you want an outdoor step from your room, look for Junior Suite, Terrace or Superior Suite, with Sofa bed, Terrace — these names appear in the hotel’s room list.
Rooms emphasize city views and modern conveniences; the property includes 311 rooms and multiple suite configurations. Ask at booking or arrival about specific views and whether your room has a terrace or a sofa bed if you need extra sleeping space.
- Room names to reference when booking: Superior Room, Deluxe Room, Grand Room, 1 King Bed; Grand Room, 2 Queen Beds; Junior Suite; Superior Suite, with Sofa bed; Deluxe Suite, with Sofa bed; Junior Suite, Terrace; Superior Suite, with Sofa bed, Terrace
- 311 rooms total, with 34 suites in the hotel’s inventory
- If privacy and outdoor space matter, request one of the Terrace suites when available
| Category | Typical bed setup |
|---|---|
| Superior Room | 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds |
| Grand Room, 1 King Bed | 1 King Bed |
| Superior Suite, with Sofa bed | 1 King Bed + 1 Double Sofa Bed |
Dining and celebrations during your stay
Upstairs at The Gwen is the rooftop restaurant and bar where many couples will choose to dine for sunrise, brunch, or sunset — it serves American cuisine, cocktails, fire-pit seating on the terrace, and has extended weekend hours. Reservations are accepted and recommended.
Kostali on the lobby level is the hotel’s Mediterranean restaurant and requires reservations; Tipsy Tea is a weekend afternoon tea experience (Sat–Sun) held in the hotel’s public dining spaces and can be a celebratory addition to a honeymoon itinerary.
- Upstairs at The Gwen: rooftop American dining, cocktails, fire pits; hours vary by day (the hotel lists breakfast through late-night hours depending on weekday/weekend)
- Kostali: Mediterranean dining on the lobby level; Smart Casual dress and reservations required
- Tipsy Tea: weekend afternoon tea experience with music and tea-inspired cocktails (Sat–Sun, midday)
| Venue | What it’s good for |
|---|---|
| Upstairs at The Gwen | Rooftop dinners, cocktails, skyline views, fire pits |
| Kostali | Mediterranean dinner, reservation recommended |
| Tipsy Tea | Weekend afternoon tea with a DJ and themed towers |
Hotel amenities and practical notes
There is no on-site swimming pool and the property does not operate a full-service spa; wellness is centered on a 24-hour fitness center equipped with treadmills, a Tonal, two Peloton bikes, and free weights. In-room or off-site massages can be arranged through external providers.
The hotel offers complimentary basic Wi‑Fi as a standard amenity. There is valet parking (fee), a daily destination fee that applies to on-site amenities, and laundry/dry-cleaning services for a fee.
- No pool on property — nearby Lake Michigan and Oak Street Beach are accessible from Michigan Avenue
- Fitness center: 24-hour, cardio and strength equipment including Tonal and Peloton bikes
- Valet parking is available (fee); electric-car self-parking and charging details vary
- Daily destination fee applies; check your booking channel for specifics on what it includes
| Service | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Wi‑Fi | Complimentary basic in-room and property Wi‑Fi (channels may apply conditions) |
| Parking | Valet parking for a daily fee; rates vary by date and channel |
| Spa services | No full-service on-site spa; in-room massage can be arranged |
Pet, family and check-in policies
The Gwen is family-welcoming: children of all ages are allowed to stay, though the registered guest checking in must be at least 21 years old. Standard check-in is 3:00 PM and check-out is 12:00 PM (noon); the hotel may accommodate early check-in or late check-out when possible.
The property allows pets under its pet policy; the hotel’s FAQ lists a non-refundable cleaning fee and a per-day pet charge (details and weight limits are specified on the hotel’s official pages and can vary between channels).
- Minimum age to check in as the registered guest: 21
- Children are welcome (hotel and booking sites list kids-friendly policies and amenities)
- Pet policy: hotel lists a non-refundable cleaning fee plus a per-day pet charge; check the hotel for current amounts and limits
| Topic | Policy / hours |
|---|---|
| Check-in | 3:00 PM |
| Check-out | 12:00 PM (noon) |
| Children | Welcome (booking guest must be 21+) |
Romance and wedding-friendly details
For honeymooners, the rooftop terrace at Upstairs at The Gwen is a natural choice for a skyline dinner or late-night drink. The hotel also runs Tipsy Tea on weekends which can be a light, celebratory daytime option.
The Gwen offers several event spaces and terrace options for weddings and small private ceremonies; wedding packages commonly include a Terrace Suite for the couple’s night and a range of event services. If you’re combining a honeymoon stay with a private event or elopement, discuss Terrace Suite or similar terrace-equipped suites when you talk to the events team.
- Rooftop dinners and fire-pit seating are available at Upstairs at The Gwen
- The hotel’s event spaces include ballrooms and rooftop terraces of varying capacities — event planning is handled by the hotel’s sales team
- Ask about a Terrace suite or a terrace-equipped Superior/Junior Suite if you want private outdoor space
| Event option | Good for |
|---|---|
| Gallery Ballroom / Grand Salon | Larger wedding receptions and formal events |
| Gallery Terrace / rooftop terrace | Smaller outdoor ceremonies and cocktail hours |
| Terrace Suite | Newlywed night or intimate in-room terrace photos |
