
The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago
Best for shoppers and travelers who want an Art Deco boutique stay steps from the Magnificent Mile and a lively rooftop scene.
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The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago is an Art Deco–style Luxury Collection hotel on the Magnificent Mile with rooftop dining and an all-ages, boutique feel; this guide is for shoppers, couples and families who want a landmark, design-forward downtown stay. Loews Chicago Hotel is a polished 4.5-star downtown luxury hotel near the river and lakefront; read on if you want a larger, modern property with conference facilities and a central walkable location.
Updated · about 0.5 km apart (roughly 0.3 mi)

Best for shoppers and travelers who want an Art Deco boutique stay steps from the Magnificent Mile and a lively rooftop scene.

Best for guests who want a contemporary, full-service downtown hotel with large meeting space and a convenient Riverwalk/lakefront location.
When The Gwen wins: choose The Gwen if you want a smaller, design-forward hotel with direct access to The Shops at North Bridge, rooftop dining and an intimate, landmark setting for shopping, city views and special-occasion dining.
When Loews Chicago Hotel wins: pick Loews when you need more rooms, larger event/conference facilities (25,717 sq ft of meeting space listed), a 24-hour business center and easy access to both the Chicago Riverwalk and lakefront trails.
Bottom line: both are solid downtown luxury choices — The Gwen is the boutique, Art Deco option for Magnificent Mile access and rooftop atmosphere; Loews is the bigger, modern downtown hotel better suited to meetings, larger groups and guests prioritizing river/lakefront proximity.
| Category | The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago | Loews Chicago Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Art Deco landmark boutique with rooftop scene and curated dining | Contemporary 4.5-star downtown luxury hotel, larger and business/event oriented |
| Location | 521 North Rush Street — half a block off Michigan Avenue, direct access to The Shops at North Bridge | 455 North Park Drive — steps from Chicago Riverwalk and within easy walk of Michigan Avenue and the lakefront |
| Size (rooms) | 311 rooms, including 34 suites | 400 guestrooms |
| Ages / policy | All-ages property; booking guest must be 21+ to check in | |
| Pools / beach access | No on-site pool; Oak Street Beach is a walkable city beach nearby | Wheelchair-accessible pool listed in supplier amenities; lakefront trails and Navy Pier are walkable |
| Restaurants & bars | Kostali (Mediterranean), Upstairs at The Gwen (rooftop American), Tipsy Tea and a lobby bar | One main restaurant, a coffee shop/cafe and a bar/lounge; room service during limited hours (supplier listing) |
| Spa / wellness | No full-service on-site spa; in-room massages can be arranged; 24-hour fitness center with Tonal & Peloton bikes | Fitness facilities and wellness offerings listed (24-hour fitness); on-site full-service spa: Not published |
| Known for | Landmark 1929 McGraw-Hill Art Deco building, rooftop terrace and Magnificent Mile access | Central location near Chicago Riverwalk and lakefront, large meeting/conference space |
| Event & meeting space | Around 15,901 sq ft across multiple ballrooms and rooftop terraces (wedding-capable spaces) | Conference space of 25,717 sq ft (2,389 m²) and sizeable ballroom/banquet facilities |
| Wi‑Fi & business | Complimentary basic Wi‑Fi; business services and express check-out | |
The Gwen sits half a block off Michigan Avenue with direct access to The Shops at North Bridge and immediate shopping and restaurant options.
Choose The Gwen for the closest shopping and a landmark Magnificent Mile position.
Loews Chicago Hotel is centrally located near the Chicago Riverwalk and within an easy walk of Michigan Avenue and the lakefront.
Choose Loews when you want a central downtown base with quick river and lakefront access.
The Gwen offers 311 rooms in an Art Deco landmark conversion with 34 suites and several terrace suite options.
Pick The Gwen for design details, terrace suites and a boutique room count near the Magnificent Mile.
Loews has 400 guestrooms across a contemporary, larger hotel footprint with a wide range of premium and accessible room types.
Pick Loews for a broader range of room types and accessible configurations in a larger hotel.
Dining at The Gwen centers on rooftop American dining and Mediterranean lobby-level cuisine with seasonal rooftop programming.
The Gwen is stronger for rooftop nights, diverse on-site venues and culinary personality.
Loews lists one main restaurant, a coffee shop/cafe and a bar/lounge; room service is available during limited hours.
Choose Loews when you want a straightforward full-service hotel restaurant setup and convenient on-site dining.
The Gwen does not have an on-site swimming pool; its signature amenity is the rooftop terrace and related seasonal programming.
If a pool or on-site beach is a priority, The Gwen is not the right pick; the rooftop terrace is its standout amenity.
Loews lists a wheelchair-accessible pool among its amenities and features a rooftop terrace as well.
Choose Loews if having a hotel pool plus easy lakefront access matters to you.
The Gwen focuses wellness on a 24-hour fitness center with Tonal and Peloton gear and on curated nightlife via the rooftop bar.
The Gwen is ideal for travelers who want a hotel with fitness equipment and a lively rooftop bar rather than extensive wellness facilities.
Loews provides 24-hour fitness facilities and large-scale meeting and conference amenities for business and events.
Pick Loews for conferences, business travel or when 24-hour business/fitness facilities and larger event capacity are priorities.

The Gwen — direct lobby access to The Shops at North Bridge and steps from Michigan Avenue boutiques.

Loews Chicago Hotel — about 25,717 sq ft of conference space and a 24-hour business center.

The Gwen — Upstairs at The Gwen rooftop restaurant, fire pits and seasonal events like Tipsy Tea and Camp Lux.

Loews Chicago Hotel — bigger room inventory (400 rooms) and many accessible room configurations listed.
The Gwen is steps from the Magnificent Mile with direct access to The Shops at North Bridge; Loews is an easy walk to Michigan Avenue but not as immediate.
The Gwen has no on-site pool; Loews' supplier listing includes a wheelchair-accessible pool and both hotels are walkable to Lake Michigan beaches and the lakefront.
For larger meetings and conferences choose Loews for its extensive meeting space; for weddings or smaller, design-forward events The Gwen's ballrooms and rooftop terraces are strong options.
The Gwen does not operate a full-service on-site spa (in-room massages can be arranged). Loews: on-site full-service spa — Not published.
Explore how The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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