
The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago
Best for skyline cocktails, rooftop brunches and a design-minded downtown stay steps from the Magnificent Mile.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago is an Art Deco–style Luxury Collection hotel near the Magnificent Mile with rooftop dining and an all-ages policy; Four Seasons Hotel Chicago is a classic five-star property on the Gold Coast with full spa services and residential-style rooms. Read this if you’re choosing between a landmark, design-forward option with rooftop social life (The Gwen) and a traditional five-star stay focused on service and full wellness facilities (Four Seasons).
Updated · about 0.8 km apart

Best for skyline cocktails, rooftop brunches and a design-minded downtown stay steps from the Magnificent Mile.

Best for travelers who prioritize a full-service spa, an indoor pool and classic five-star service near Michigan Avenue.
When The Gwen wins: Choose The Gwen if you want a landmark Art Deco setting, rooftop dining and easy, direct access to The Shops at North Bridge and Magnificent Mile shopping. It’s the better pick for social rooftop evenings and design-focused city stays.
When Four Seasons wins: Choose Four Seasons Hotel Chicago if you want a full-service spa, an indoor pool, larger suites with lake or city views, and the reassurance of a traditional five-star program of services and facilities.
Bottom line: Both hotels suit luxury travelers who want to be near Michigan Avenue; pick The Gwen for rooftop energy and historic style, and pick Four Seasons for spa/pool amenities and a classic five-star experience.
| Category | The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago | Four Seasons Hotel Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Historic Art Deco, design-forward, social rooftop energy | Classic five-star, residential elegance, service-focused |
| Location | 521 North Rush Street — a block off Michigan Avenue; direct access to The Shops at North Bridge | 120 East Delaware Place — steps from Michigan Avenue and close to Lake Michigan |
| Size | 311 rooms including 34 suites | 345 rooms |
| Check-in / age policy | 3:00 PM; booking guest must be at least 21 to check in | |
| Pools | No on-site swimming pool | Indoor pool (on-site) |
| Restaurants & bars | Upstairs at The Gwen (rooftop American), Kostali (Mediterranean), Tipsy Tea; a lobby bar | 1 restaurant + bar/lounge, 24-hour room service |
| Spa & wellness | No full-service on-site spa; 24-hour fitness center (Tonal, Peloton bikes, free weights); in-room massages can be arranged | Full-service spa with treatments, 24-hour health club, sauna, steam room |
| Known for | Rooftop cocktails, Art Deco design and direct mall access to Magnificent Mile | Classic five-star service, lake or city view rooms and comprehensive wellness facilities |
| Event & meeting space | About 13,954–15,901 sq ft of event space across many rooms and multiple ballrooms/terraces | 12500 sq ft of conference space and 15 meeting rooms |
| Family / kids policy | Family-welcoming; children allowed (booking guest must be 21+) | |
The Gwen sits half a block off the Magnificent Mile with direct lobby access to The Shops at North Bridge.
Choose The Gwen if being in the heart of Magnificent Mile shopping and quick retail access matters most.
Four Seasons Hotel Chicago is on the Gold Coast a short walk from Michigan Avenue and Lake Michigan.
Choose Four Seasons if you want very close access to both Michigan Avenue and lakeshore walking options.
The Gwen offers 311 rooms (34 suites) across a landmark Art Deco building with a mix of city-view and terrace suites.
Pick The Gwen for design-led rooms in a landmark building and a smaller, boutique feel.
Four Seasons has 345 rooms with a broad range of city- and lake-view rooms and multiple executive and premier suites.
Pick Four Seasons for more suite options, consistent five-star room standards and lake-view possibilities.
The Gwen’s food-and-drink program centers on rooftop dining and a Mediterranean lobby restaurant.
Choose The Gwen if rooftop views, social dining and a Mediterranean option are priorities.
Four Seasons provides a traditional hotel restaurant and bar with 24-hour room service.
Choose Four Seasons if you value classic hotel dining service and 24-hour room service.
The Gwen does not have an on-site swimming pool; its signature public amenity is the rooftop dining and terrace spaces.
Avoid The Gwen if an on-site pool is a must-have; choose it for rooftop social space instead.
Four Seasons includes an indoor pool as part of its leisure offering and emphasizes full wellness amenities.
Choose Four Seasons when an on-site pool and broader wet‑area facilities are important to your stay.
Wellness at The Gwen centers on a well-equipped 24-hour fitness center; nightlife is rooftop-focused.
The Gwen is for guests who want to keep up fitness routines and enjoy rooftop nightlife rather than formal spa services.
Four Seasons pairs a 24-hour health club with a full-service spa and more traditional hotel evening offerings.
Choose Four Seasons for an on-site spa program and more traditional, service-led evening experiences.

Upstairs at The Gwen provides skyline views, fire pits and regular rooftop events—ideal for skyline drinks and social nights.

Four Seasons has an on-site full-service spa, indoor pool, sauna and steam room for guests prioritizing wellness amenities.

The Gwen offers direct lobby access into The Shops at North Bridge and is a block off Michigan Avenue for quick shopping trips.

Four Seasons’ residential-style rooms, lake-view options and service program suit travelers seeking a traditional luxury hotel experience.
Four Seasons Hotel Chicago has an indoor pool. The Gwen does not have an on-site swimming pool.
Yes. Both properties accommodate children, though the booking guest must be at least 21 to check in at each hotel.
The Gwen is better for rooftop dining, cocktails and programmed rooftop events like Tipsy Tea and seasonal firepit experiences.
Four Seasons operates a full-service spa on-site. The Gwen does not operate a full-service spa and relies on in-room or off-site providers for treatments.
Explore how The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·