
The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago
Best for travelers who want a boutique, design-forward hotel with rooftop views and immediate access to The Shops at North Bridge.
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The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago is a smaller, Art Deco–era Luxury Collection hotel with rooftop dining and a 24-hour fitness center; travelers who want a boutique-feel stay steps from the Magnificent Mile should read this. InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile is a large, historic upscale landmark on Michigan Avenue with broad meeting space, an indoor pool and on-site spa services; read on if you need a full-service, centrally located Magnificent Mile option.
Updated · about 0.2 km apart

Best for travelers who want a boutique, design-forward hotel with rooftop views and immediate access to The Shops at North Bridge.

Best for travelers who want a full-service, traditional downtown hotel with extensive meeting space, an indoor pool, and on-site spa services.
When The Gwen wins: Choose The Gwen if you prefer a smaller, design-driven hotel with signature rooftop dining (Upstairs at The Gwen) and a more intimate event/wedding footprint while staying steps from Magnificent Mile shopping.
When InterContinental wins: Choose the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile if you need large-capacity meeting rooms, an on-site indoor pool and spa services, or prefer a landmark hotel directly on Michigan Avenue with extensive facilities.
Bottom line: Both hotels put you in the heart of the Magnificent Mile; pick The Gwen for a boutique, rooftop-focused stay and the InterContinental for broader on-site amenities and convention/event capacity.
| Category | The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago | InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Smaller Art Deco–heritage hotel with a rooftop focus and curated dining. | Historic, upscale landmark hotel with a large, traditional full-service profile. |
| Location | Half a block off the Magnificent Mile with direct access to The Shops at North Bridge. | Directly on Michigan Avenue, in the heart of the Magnificent Mile. |
| Size (rooms) | 311 rooms (including 34 suites). | 792 guestrooms. |
| Check-in minimum age | 21 (booking guest must be at least 21). | |
| Pools | No on-site pool. | Indoor pool (listed as Number of indoor pools - 1). |
| Restaurants & bars | Upstairs at The Gwen (rooftop), Kostali (Mediterranean lobby restaurant), Tipsy Tea and a lobby bar. | Two restaurants, a bar/lounge and a coffee shop/cafe (Center Court named in supplier highlights). |
| Spa & wellness | No full-service on-site spa; 24-hour fitness center and in-room massage options. | Spa services on site, sauna and fitness facilities. |
| Event & meeting space | About 15,901 sq ft of event space across multiple ballrooms and terraces (Gallery Ballroom, Grand Salon, rooftop terrace). | Extensive: 34 meeting rooms and 1 banquet/reception hall (supplier listing); large-capacity spaces for events. |
| Known for | Rooftop dining and Art Deco architecture inside a landmark 1929 McGraw-Hill building. | Grand, historic Magnificent Mile address with wide-ranging on-site amenities. |
| Family & kids | Family-welcoming; children are welcome though booking guest must be 21 to check in. | |
The Gwen sits half a block off Michigan Avenue with direct lobby access to The Shops at North Bridge.
A top pick if you want immediate shopping access and a slightly quieter position just off the busiest stretch of Michigan Avenue.
InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile sits directly on Michigan Avenue, putting many sightseeing and shopping options at your door.
Choose this if you want the convenience and visibility of a hotel that faces Michigan Avenue itself.
The Gwen has 311 rooms including 34 suites, many with terraces or rooftop-facing views.
Better if you prefer a smaller hotel with curated room types and terrace options.
InterContinental has a much larger inventory — 792 guestrooms across tower(s) and multiple room tiers.
Better for travelers who need a broader selection of room types and accessible options at a single property.
The Gwen leans on signature venues—Upstairs at The Gwen rooftop, Kostali (Mediterranean) and the Tipsy Tea experience.
A focused, high-design dining program with a standout rooftop scene.
InterContinental offers multiple on-site eating and drinking outlets (2 restaurants, 1 bar/lounge and a coffee shop/cafe).
Better if you want several on-site dining options and convenient breakfast service.
The Gwen does not have an on-site pool; its rooftop and terraces are the signature public spaces.
Not suitable if you prioritize a hotel pool; choose The Gwen for rooftop dining and city terraces instead.
InterContinental includes on-site wellness amenities including a listed indoor pool and spa services.
Better if you want a hotel with an on-site pool and a staffed spa.
The Gwen centers wellness around a 24-hour fitness center and rooftop events (Live Jazz, Wine Wednesdays, Tipsy Tea).
A good pick for fitness-minded guests and those who value rooftop nightlife and programming.
InterContinental provides on-site spa treatments, a sauna and broader leisure facilities alongside bars and lounges.
Better if you want a property with staffed spa services and more conventional hotel nightlife/meeting programming.

The Gwen — Upstairs at The Gwen plus terrace programming give this hotel a rooftop-first identity.

InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile — lists an indoor pool, sauna and on-site spa services.

InterContinental — dozens of meeting rooms and large ballroom/banquet capacity suit conferences and big events.

The Gwen — multiple rooftop terraces and Art Deco ballrooms provide intimate, design-forward wedding settings.
InterContinental is directly on Michigan Avenue; The Gwen sits half a block off Michigan Avenue with direct access to The Shops at North Bridge.
Pick InterContinental: supplier information lists an indoor pool. The Gwen has no on-site pool.
The Gwen is geared toward smaller, design-focused weddings with rooftop terraces and Art Deco ballrooms; InterContinental is better for larger events.
No. Both hotels are general/family-welcoming; The Gwen requires the booking guest to be at least 21 to check in.
Explore how The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·