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The Gwen, A Luxury Collection Hotel

Chicago • River North • SPLURGE

avg. $346 / night

Includes $18 / night in cash back

Cash back is redeemable via Virtual Visa, Venmo, or bank transfer starting 24-48 hours after check-out

Marriott Bonvoy® property

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Cash back

5% cash back on all completed stays (redeemable via Virtual Visa, Venmo, or bank transfer starting 24-48 hours after check-out)

Credit card points

Credit and debit card charges are processed directly by the hotel (i.e. not PressBeyond), meaning that any travel-specific credit card points or incentives that you normally get as a cardholder for direct hotel bookings are preserved

Hotel loyalty points

Points accrual and status eligibility with major hotel loyalty programs: Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt, and others

Free breakfast

Breakfast-included rate options available

Room upgrades

Complimentary room upgrades (subject to property availability)

Extend your stay

Early check-in and late check-out (subject to property availability)

Part of The Luxury Collection

Location

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At a glance

A 1929 Art Deco landmark reimagined with contemporary interiors, rooftop views of the Wrigley Building, and custom botanical murals.

Best for: Architecture enthusiasts and collectors visiting Chicago

Highlights:

  • 1929 Art Deco McGraw-Hill Building landmark by Thielbar and Fugard
  • Rooms with custom botanical murals and brass-detailed nightstands by Bill Rooney
  • Rooftop terrace with Wrigley Building clock tower views and fire pits
Art-Deco-modernurbane

PB hotel design editorial

Carved into the lower floors of the McGraw-Hill Building — a 1929 Art Deco tower by Thielbar and Fugard that rises above North Michigan Avenue with the characteristic limestone-and-terra-cotta authority of Chicago's pre-war commercial ambition — The Gwen takes its name from the sculpted female figures, known as the Gwen reliefs, that ornament the building's facade. The property's 311 rooms were refurbished in a renovation that brought interior designer Bill Rooney's vision of calibrated urban glamour to what had previously operated as a Marriott property, translating the building's period bones into a contemporary luxury register. The guest rooms layer geometric patterned carpets in warm grey with upholstered platform beds, brass-detailed nightstands, and custom wall murals featuring fluid botanical and figurative line drawings that echo the sculptural vocabulary of the building's exterior ornament. Blush barrel chairs and multi-arm black floor lamps in a mid-century idiom provide counterpoint to the neutral ground. Downstairs, the bar deploys bouclé lounge chairs alongside green velvet barstool seating with gilt cage bases, the back bar framed in arched rattan panels that soften an otherwise dark-lacquered surround. The rooftop terrace, with the Wrigley Building's illuminated clock tower composing the skyline behind it, arranges leather bucket chairs around fire pits beneath oversized drum-shade heaters — a layout that understands Michigan Avenue as the spectacle it has always been.

Travel notes

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About

The Gwen, a Luxury Collection Hotel, a one MICHELIN Key hotel, is a sculptural masterpiece blending 1930s Chicago glamour with contemporary elegance. With seasonal activations and celebrations, it stands as an iconic Art Deco landmark, crafted by trailblazing sculptress Gwen Lux. Located at 521 North Rush Street between Grand Avenue and Illinois Street and can also be accessed through The Shops at North Bridge on Michigan Avenue. Walking distance to The Loop, Millennium Park, Lake Michigan, and Navy Pier. Located within the renowned Magnificent Mile, The Gwen is steps to over 460 retailers, restaurants, and nightlife venues. A standout among rooftop terraces & lounges in downtown Chicago, Upstairs at The Gwen focuses on the art of craft cocktails paired with all-day dining and cityscape views from among the Art Deco-infused architecture. Open year-round.

Amenities

Pets Allowed

Free Internet

Wifi

Free Wifi

Meeting rooms

Concierge

Suites

Paid Internet

Non-smoking rooms

Dry cleaning

The Gwen, A Luxury Collection Hotel Reviews

2,609 reviews

"Scott and Hannah took great care of us. They were so attentive and kind. Scott really helped us out to get our group seated outside. It was so great to come back to our hometown and have this experience with our friends. Thank you for your extra efforts to make it all work. We’re so thankful. And we’ll be back again!"

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Jul 25, 2026

"Had such a great experience at the Gwn. As soon as we walked in to check-in we were greeted by Luigi and Anthony at the front desk, they made sure to accommodate us and went above and beyond."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Jul 24, 2026

"We booked a reservation for 7 for a friends birthday and had an amazing experience! Our hostess, Judie, was great and welcoming from the start and had us seated immediately, even after we were a few minutes late. Scott later offered us to switch to a table outside which worked out great for our group! Our server Kayla was great and prompt with service and so personable!"

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Jul 23, 2026

"Great stay at The Gwen. We arrived as a group of seven with three rooms booked, and Luigi at the front desk went out of his way to get two of our rooms ready by 11 AM so we could settle in early. After a morning of travel with kids and grandparents, that made a real difference. Friendly, warm, and genuinely helpful — thank you, Luigi!"

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Jul 23, 2026

"It pains me to give a negative review as I had such high expectations based on reviews on here. Sadly, we did not have that experience. Starting with the positives: The Gwen’s location is excellent for a visit to Chicago. Luigi was so friendly and helpful when we checked in and offered to assist with anything we needed. Ramon was able to secure a prime seating dinner reservation for us. Now, here is where they are lacking: It’s not easy to get in/out of the hotel. You’re constantly having to navigate multiple elevators and exits. My other big frustration was the air conditioning. I called the front desk and they sent a repairman. He agreed that it wasn’t working and said that he fixed it. When we got back from dinner, the room was even warmer than before. I called the front desk and they offered to give us a new room but I had to go down and get the new keys. While there, the lady at the desk made an off handed comment that room temperature was a “personal preference” and was sorry I wasn’t happy. Really??? For $800 a night, I don’t want to sweat in my hotel room. When we got to our new room, it was much smaller and clearly not the level of room that we booked and paid for. At that point, we were exhausted from our day of travel and didn’t want to argue. The air conditioning worked and we crashed. As many times as we have visited Chicago, there are better hotels in this price point."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Jul 20, 2026

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