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The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago Chicago, Illinois
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Hotel comparison guide

The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago vs The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago

The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago is a design-forward, family-welcoming Luxury Collection hotel steps from the Magnificent Mile with rooftop dining and direct access to The Shops at North Bridge. The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago is a long-established five-star hotel by Water Tower Place offering polished luxury, an indoor pool and a full-service spa; this guide helps travelers choose between a social, design-led stay and a classic five-star experience.

Updated · about 0.3 km apart

Pink sofa and gold metal screen in the lobby lounge at The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago

The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago

design-forward · rooftop dining · family-friendly

Best for travelers who want a design-led hotel with a lively rooftop scene, direct shopping access (The Shops at North Bridge) and family-friendly amenities.

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The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago

polished five-star · lakeside/Michigan Avenue views · full spa & pool

Best for travelers who prioritize classic five-star service, an on-site full-service spa, and an indoor pool near Water Tower Place and Michigan Avenue.

Quick Verdict: The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago vs The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago

When The Gwen wins: Choose The Gwen if you care about characterful Art Deco design, a social rooftop restaurant/bar (Upstairs at The Gwen) and direct access to The Shops at North Bridge. It’s the better pick for shoppers and guests who prefer a lively, design-forward urban hotel.

When The Ritz-Carlton wins: Choose The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago if you want the traditional five-star hotel experience: a larger property with an on-site full-service spa, an indoor pool, and highly polished service steps from Water Tower Place and Michigan Avenue.

Bottom line: Both hotels put you on/near the Magnificent Mile; pick The Gwen for atmosphere, rooftop dining and boutique design in a landmark building, and pick The Ritz-Carlton for a more conventional five-star stay with spa and pool amenities.

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The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago vs The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago – At a Glance

Side-by-side facts for The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago and The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago
CategoryThe Gwen, Michigan Avenue ChicagoThe Ritz-Carlton, Chicago
Overall vibeDesign-forward, social, Art Deco heritagePolished, traditional five-star luxury
Location (Michigan Avenue)Steps from the Magnificent Mile; lobby access to The Shops at North BridgeSteps from Michigan Avenue and adjacent to Water Tower Place
Size311 rooms, including 34 suites434 guestrooms
Building / styleHistoric 1929 McGraw-Hill Art Deco buildingModern luxury hotel tower by Water Tower Place
PoolsNo on-site poolIndoor pool on property
Spa & wellnessNo full-service on-site spa; 24-hour fitness center and in-room massage optionsFull-service spa and fitness facilities
Restaurants & barsUpstairs at The Gwen (rooftop), Kostali (Mediterranean), Tipsy Tea and a lobby barTorali Italian-Steak restaurant, a coffee shop/cafe, and a bar/lounge
Family friendlinessFamily-welcoming; children welcome, kids amenities and kids-stay-free notedAll ages welcome (not adults-only)
Event & wedding spaceExtensive event space (~15,000 sq ft), multiple ballrooms and rooftop terracesWedding services and meeting rooms; event capacity and details vary (supplier listing shows wedding services available)
Wi‑FiComplimentary basic Wi‑Fi included (some channels may apply conditions)Wireless internet access available (surcharge sometimes applies)

A Look Inside The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago

The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago: rooms & suitesRooms & suitesThe Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago: diningDiningThe Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago: spa & wellnessSpa & wellness
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Location: The Gwen vs The Ritz-Carlton

The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago – Location

The Gwen sits half a block off Michigan Avenue with direct lobby access into The Shops at North Bridge.

  • Address: 521 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
  • Steps from Magnificent Mile shopping and a short walk to the Chicago Riverwalk and Millennium Park
  • Complimentary bikes available for exploring nearby attractions

Best if you want immediate shopping access and a landmark Art Deco location near the Magnificent Mile.

The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago – Location

The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago is centrally located by Water Tower Place, a short walk to Michigan Avenue and Lake Michigan.

  • Address: 160 E Pearson Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611
  • Steps from Michigan Avenue, Water Tower Place and close to Lake Michigan
  • Typical walking distance to Navy Pier and Millennium Park (listed in supplier highlights)

Best if you want a central Michigan Avenue base with straightforward access to the lake and shopping mall at Water Tower Place.

Rooms: character and choice

The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago – Rooms

The Gwen offers rooms in a landmark Art Deco building with a curated set of suites and terrace options.

  • 311 rooms, including 34 suites and several terrace suite options
  • Room types include Superior Room, Deluxe Room, Grand Room, Junior Suite, and multiple Superior/Deluxe Suite terrace combinations
  • Complimentary basic in-room Wi‑Fi; housekeeping on request and accessible room options available

Choose The Gwen for rooms with historic character and terrace options close to the Magnificent Mile.

The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago – Rooms

The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago is a larger five-star property with a broad range of city- and lake-view rooms and club/ suite options.

  • Supplier listing shows many room types including Room, 1 King Bed, Lake View and multiple Club and Suite options
  • All guestrooms feature minibars, Smart TVs, pillowtop beds, down comforters and designer toiletries
  • Club rooms and executive suites are available for upgraded service and views

Choose The Ritz-Carlton for a wider selection of traditional luxury room types, including lake-view and club options.

Dining & drinks: rooftop energy vs classic steakhouse

The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago – Dining & drinks

The Gwen emphasizes rooftop and Mediterranean dining with social evening programming.

  • Upstairs at The Gwen: rooftop American dining, signature cocktails, sunrise-to-sundown service and fire pits
  • Kostali: lobby-level Mediterranean restaurant (reservation required) in partnership with noted chefs
  • Tipsy Tea: weekend boozy afternoon tea experience with a DJ

The Gwen is better if you want lively rooftop dining, themed weekend events and Mediterranean cuisine on-site.

The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago – Dining & drinks

The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago offers classic, polished dining with an on-site Italian-steak restaurant and room service.

  • Torali Italian-Steak serves lunch and dinner with a focus on Italian cuisine and steakhouse items
  • Coffee shop/cafe and a bar/lounge are available for lighter dining and drinks
  • Full breakfasts are offered daily for a fee; room service available during limited hours

The Ritz-Carlton is a good choice for classic hotel dining and a quieter, traditional hotel restaurant experience.

Pools & signature amenity

The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago – Pools & signature amenity

The Gwen does not have an on-site swimming pool; its main leisure draw is the rooftop and fitness facilities.

  • No indoor or outdoor pool on site
  • Rooftop terrace and terrace suite for outdoor views and gatherings
  • Nearby Oak Street Beach and Lake Michigan are reachable by walk or short transit ride

Not the right pick for travelers who need a hotel pool; better for city-focused stays and rooftop socializing.

The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago – Pools & signature amenity

The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago provides an indoor pool as part of its recreational amenities.

  • Indoor pool available on property (supplier listing)
  • Spa services and full-service spa treatments are offered
  • Fitness center and recreational amenities complement the pool and spa experience

A stronger choice if an on-site pool and a full spa are priorities for your stay.

Wellness & nightlife

The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago – Wellness & nightlife

Wellness at The Gwen centers on a well-equipped 24-hour fitness center and occasional in-room treatments.

  • 24-hour fitness center with Tonal, Peloton bikes and free weights (approx. 2,000 sq ft per third-party listing)
  • No full-service on-site spa — in-room massage and off-site partners may be arranged
  • On-site nightlife is centered on Upstairs at The Gwen’s rooftop bar, happy hour and live music events

Pick The Gwen if you want strong fitness facilities and a lively rooftop bar rather than a hotel spa and pool.

The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago – Wellness & nightlife

The Ritz-Carlton combines a full-service spa with wellness classes and a quieter evening bar/lounge.

  • Full-service spa offering massages, body treatments and facials (supplier highlights)
  • On-site fitness facilities and yoga classes/instruction listed among amenities
  • Bar/lounge provides evening drinks in a more traditional hotel setting

Choose The Ritz-Carlton for a fuller spa-and-wellness program and a calmer evening bar scene.

Who Wins? Best Pick by Travel Style

Best for rooftop dining & social nights
Chandelier and blue lounge chairs around a sculpture in The Gwen lobby

The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago

Upstairs at The Gwen offers skyline views, fire pits, events like Wine Wednesdays and a lively weekend Tipsy Tea.

Best for spa and pool access
The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago

The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago provides a full-service spa and an on-site indoor pool for guests who prioritize those amenities.

Best for shopping proximity
Pink sofa, gold screen and mirrored bar visible in The Gwen lobby seating area

The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago

The Gwen’s lobby connects directly to The Shops at North Bridge and places you steps from Magnificent Mile retail.

Best for classic five-star rooms & views
The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago

The Ritz-Carlton has a larger room inventory with lake-view, Michigan Avenue–view and club-suite options.

Frequently asked questions

The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago vs The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago: FAQs

See all FAQs →
Which hotel is better for families with children?

The Gwen is explicitly family-welcoming with kids amenities and kids-stay-free policies; The Ritz-Carlton is also family-friendly but is a more traditional five-star option.

Do either hotel have pools and spas on site?

The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago has an indoor pool and full-service spa. The Gwen does not have an on-site pool or a full-service spa; it offers a 24-hour fitness center and can arrange in-room massages.

Which hotel is closer to Michigan Avenue shopping?

Both are on/near Michigan Avenue; The Gwen has direct lobby access to The Shops at North Bridge, while The Ritz-Carlton sits adjacent to Water Tower Place.

Will I find lively nightlife and rooftop bars?

Yes — The Gwen emphasizes a social rooftop restaurant/bar (Upstairs at The Gwen) with events. The Ritz-Carlton offers a bar/lounge with a quieter, classic hotel atmosphere.

More The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago Comparison Guides

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Outdoor terrace with potted plants and downtown Chicago skyline at The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago
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