
The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago
Best for travelers wanting a historic, Magnificent Mile address with rooftop dining and direct access to The Shops at North Bridge.
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The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago is an Art Deco, family-welcoming Luxury Collection hotel on the Magnificent Mile; this guide is for travelers who want landmark architecture, rooftop dining and easy shopping access. The St. Regis Chicago is a newer five-star luxury hotel in a landmark tower for guests who prioritize contemporary high-end service, a full-service spa and riverfront views.
Updated · about 0.8 km apart

Best for travelers wanting a historic, Magnificent Mile address with rooftop dining and direct access to The Shops at North Bridge.

Best for travelers seeking contemporary five-star service, in-house full-service spa, and dramatic river and skyline views in a landmark tower.
When The Gwen wins: choose The Gwen if you want to be steps from Magnificent Mile shopping, prefer a boutique/landmark Art Deco setting, enjoy rooftop dining and need a family-welcoming hotel without prioritizing on-site pool or spa facilities.
When The St. Regis wins: choose The St. Regis Chicago if you want a newer five-star property with a full-service spa, indoor pool, 24-hour fitness, and rooms with river or park views in a high-profile architectural tower.
Bottom line: both are upscale downtown choices within walking distance of the same downtown sights; pick The Gwen for historic character and immediate Magnificent Mile access, or The St. Regis for modern five-star wellness facilities and riverfront vistas.
| Category | The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago | The St. Regis Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Historic Art Deco boutique luxury, rooftop social scene | Contemporary five-star luxury in a modern landmark tower |
| Location | 521 North Rush Street — steps from the Magnificent Mile and The Shops at North Bridge | 401 East Upper Wacker Drive — near Chicago Riverwalk, ~0.7 km to Michigan Avenue |
| Size (rooms) | 311 rooms, including 34 suites | 192 rooms |
| Built / Age | Historic 1929 McGraw-Hill Building (landmarked facade) | Newer high-rise landmark tower |
| Pools | No on-site pool | Indoor pool (wheelchair-accessible) |
| Restaurants & bars | Kostali (Mediterranean lobby restaurant), Upstairs at The Gwen (rooftop), Tipsy Tea and a lobby bar | 2 restaurants, 1 bar/lounge including Miru and a coffee shop/cafe (24-hour room service available) |
| Spa & wellness | No full-service on-site spa; 24-hour fitness center with Tonal and Peloton bikes; in-room massage options arranged | Full-service spa with massage, body treatments and facials; 24-hour fitness center and steam room |
| Accessibility & family policy | Family-welcoming; minimum check-in age 21; wheelchair-accessible public areas | All-ages; accessible rooms and wheelchair-accessible public washrooms and services |
| Event & meeting space | Extensive event space (~15,901 sq ft across multiple ballrooms/terraces) | 8 meeting rooms and banquet hall |
| Nearby highlights | Steps from Magnificent Mile shopping, close to Chicago Riverwalk and Millennium Park | Within a 10-minute walk of Chicago Riverwalk and Grant Park; ~0.7 km to Michigan Avenue |
The Gwen sits a block off Michigan Avenue with direct indoor access to The Shops at North Bridge.
Pick The Gwen for the most convenient Magnificent Mile and shopping access.
The St. Regis Chicago is positioned on the riverfront in a landmark tower close to the Chicago Riverwalk.
Pick The St. Regis if you want riverfront location and skyline/river views while staying close to downtown attractions.
The Gwen’s rooms are set inside a restored 1920s building and include suites with terraces.
Choose The Gwen for landmark architecture and larger on-property room inventory with terrace suite options.
The St. Regis Chicago’s rooms are contemporary and include river- or park-view options plus several suite tiers.
Choose The St. Regis for modern five-star rooms with dedicated river or park outlooks and large suite options.
The Gwen focuses on Mediterranean and American dining with a notable rooftop restaurant and themed tea service.
The Gwen is for guests who want rooftop skyline dining and Mediterranean flavors steps from shopping.
The St. Regis Chicago has multiple dining outlets and 24-hour room service for a classic luxury-hotel experience.
The St. Regis offers full in-house dining service and flexible room service typical of a five-star property.
The Gwen does not have an on-site swimming pool; its key amenity is a rooftop terrace and fitness center.
If a pool or spa is essential, The Gwen is not the right choice.
The St. Regis provides an indoor pool and a full-service spa as core wellness features.
The St. Regis is the clear pick for guests prioritizing on-site pool and spa amenities.
The Gwen’s wellness offering centers on its well-equipped 24-hour fitness center and rooftop nightlife.
Choose The Gwen for active travelers who value a strong fitness setup and rooftop nightlife over an on-site spa.
The St. Regis emphasizes in-house wellness through a full spa, plus classic hotel bar/lounge service.
Choose The St. Regis for a hotel-centered wellness and lounge experience typical of five-star properties.

The Gwen — direct lobby access to The Shops at North Bridge and immediate Magnificent Mile proximity.

The St. Regis — full-service spa, indoor pool and steam room are available on property.

The Gwen — housed in the restored 1929 McGraw-Hill Art Deco building with period details.

The St. Regis — newer tower rooms with River View and dedicated suite categories including signature St. Regis suites.
The Gwen is steps from the Magnificent Mile with direct access to The Shops at North Bridge; The St. Regis is a short walk (about 0.7 km) from Michigan Avenue.
Choose The St. Regis Chicago for an on-site full-service spa and an indoor pool. The Gwen does not have a pool and does not operate a full-service spa.
No. Both properties welcome guests of all ages; The Gwen does require the booking guest to be at least 21 to check in.
The Gwen has a rooftop restaurant and bar (Upstairs at The Gwen) with programmed events like live jazz and seasonal firepit experiences; The St. Regis has in-house restaurants and a bar but does not focus on rooftop nightlife in the supplied listing.
Explore how The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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