Spa and wellness: what's available at The Gwen
The Gwen does not have a full-service on-site spa; wellness offerings center on a 24-hour fitness center with treadmills, a Tonal, two Peloton bikes and free weights, plus the option to arrange in-room massage treatments or use off-site partner spas. For low-key relaxation, the hotel’s rooftop dining terraces (Upstairs at The Gwen) and public terraces provide places to unwind, but there is no on-site pool.
In this guide
At-a-glance: spa and wellness at The Gwen
The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago does not operate a full-service spa on the property. The hotel’s public wellness amenities focus primarily on its fitness center and on-site relaxation spaces such as rooftop terraces.
If you want traditional spa services (massages, facials, body treatments) you’ll need to arrange in-room treatments through the hotel or visit nearby day spas; historically the property has worked with outside providers rather than running its own spa facility.
- No on-site indoor or outdoor swimming pool
- 24-hour fitness center with strength and cardio equipment
- In-room massage treatments can be arranged on request
- Rooftop terraces and Upstairs at The Gwen offer places to relax with skyline views
| Wellness option | On-site? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full-service spa | No | No dedicated spa facility on property |
| Fitness center | Yes | 24-hour; treadmills, Tonal, 2 Peloton bikes, free weights |
| In-room massage | Yes (arranged) | Can be scheduled through the hotel with external providers |
Fitness center: what to expect
The Gwen’s fitness center is open 24 hours and targets guests who want to keep up cardio and strength training while in Chicago. Equipment listings include treadmills, a Tonal system, two Peloton bikes and free weights.
Third-party listings describe the room as roughly 2,000 square feet on an upper floor; the hotel lists it as a standard amenity. If you have specific equipment needs (e.g., accessory weights or specialty classes) contact the hotel in advance to confirm availability.
- Hours: 24-hour access
- Equipment: treadmills, Tonal, two Peloton bikes, free weights
- Location: listed as an on-site fitness center (confirm floor or access with front desk)
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | 24 hours |
| Key equipment | Treadmills, Tonal, 2 Peloton bikes, free weights |
| Approximate size | Third-party listing ≈ 2,000 sq ft |
In-room treatments and external partners
The Gwen can arrange in-room massage treatments for guests; these are typically coordinated with outside therapists or local providers rather than delivered by an on-site spa team. Ask the concierge or front desk to book services and to confirm availability, treatment types and timing.
Some travel write-ups note past partnerships with nearby spas (including department-store spas) or local massage companies. Because the hotel does not operate its own spa, offerings, providers and service hours can vary; request provider details and cancellation policies when booking.
- How to book: request through the front desk or concierge
- Typical options: massages and limited in-room spa services (varies by provider)
- Ask about pricing, therapist credentials and any travel/arrival fees
| Service | Availability at The Gwen |
|---|---|
| In-room massage | Can be arranged; delivered by outside providers |
| Facials / body treatments | May be available via local spas — confirm on booking |
| Spa packages | Not offered by an on-site spa; packages would come from external partners |
Rooftop relaxation, bars and Tipsy Tea
For downtime that isn’t a spa treatment, Upstairs at The Gwen (the rooftop restaurant/bar) and the hotel terraces provide seating areas, fire pits and skyline views where guests can relax, have cocktails, or take part in weekend Tipsy Tea.
Upstairs at The Gwen serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and runs a rooftop terrace and bar with extended hours on weekends; Tipsy Tea is a themed afternoon tea experience offered on Saturdays and Sundays. These spaces are suited to social relaxation rather than formal wellness treatments.
- Upstairs at The Gwen: rooftop dining, fire pits, cocktails; reservation recommended
- Tipsy Tea: weekend afternoon tea experience (Sat–Sun) with tea towers and DJ
- Terraces: outdoor seating and views—good for fresh air and light stretching or meditation
| Venue | Typical hours / notes |
|---|---|
| Upstairs at The Gwen | Breakfast–dinner with later weekend hours; reservations recommended |
| Tipsy Tea | Saturday & Sunday afternoon experience (typically 12:00–4:00 PM) |
| Rooftop terraces | Open seasonally; used for dining and relaxation |
Nearby options: pools, day spas and outdoor wellness
Because The Gwen has no on-site pool and no full spa, many guests combine hotel stays with nearby wellness options. Oak Street Beach and Lake Michigan are a short walk from the hotel for outdoor activity, walks or runs along the lakefront.
Chicago’s River North and Streeterville neighborhoods host several day spas and wellness studios; the concierge can recommend and book nearby massage therapists, facialists, or spa facilities if you prefer a full-service spa visit off-site.
- Beach: Oak Street Beach is within walking distance for lakeside walks or runs
- Local day spas: available in the River North / Magnificent Mile area—ask the concierge for recommendations and reservations
- Outdoor options: rooftop terrace, nearby Riverwalk and Millennium Park for walking, yoga or light exercise
| Activity | Distance / note |
|---|---|
| Oak Street Beach | Short walk from the hotel (Lake Michigan access) |
| Chicago Riverwalk | About an 8-minute walk; good for scenic walks |
| Nearby day spas | Numerous options in River North / Magnificent Mile; concierge can assist |
Practical info: accessibility, fees and family notes
The Gwen is a family-welcoming Luxury Collection hotel and provides accessible public areas and accessible rooms. Children are welcome, though the registered guest checking in must meet the property’s minimum age (21).
Guests should account for the hotel’s daily destination fee and potential separate charges for valet parking, pet fees and any third-party spa or in-room treatment costs. The hotel does not include meals or treatments in standard room rates.
- Accessibility: barrier-free public areas and accessible rooms available
- Fees to note: daily destination/resort fee, valet parking, and charges for pet stays or external spa services
- No pool on property — important if a pool or on-site spa is a trip requirement
| Topic | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Destination fee | Daily fee applies; unlocks certain on-site amenities (amount varies by booking channel) |
| Valet parking | Available for a surcharge; electric-vehicle self-parking/charging policies differ |
| Pets | Allowed with applicable cleaning fee and per-day charge (see hotel policy) |
