1/5

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

Exclusive PressBeyond Benefits

Get to where you see yourself

Ultra-clean, global, hand-picked hotel curation & imagery designed to help you visualize enticing environments and the elevated social experiences they create

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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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

2,534 reviews

"Dear extended family were coming to The Gwen for a birthday celebration and I wanted to have a little welcome surprise waiting for them. I am so thankful that Concierge Russell Zwolinski answered my call! He sent me the most helpful link and walked me through the menu! He went above and beyond, and had the patience of a saint, dealing with a tech challenged lady. He is a gem! If the treats are as sweet as he is, it will be an even more outstanding weekend for the guests! Russell you are wonderful!! Thank you so very much!"

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Mar 20, 2026

"We had a great stay at The Gwen Chicago. We were in town for the Big 10 basketball tournament. Excellent hotel. Very quiet – we heard no noise from the street (this is a city after all) or from rooms adjacent to ours (sides or above). This was a big deal for us as we stayed at The Pendry a few years ago (also a beautiful hotel), but we often awoke from sleep from the sound of police and ambulance sirens. This did not happen at The Gwen. Location is also excellent. You can walk inside to the large mall across the street. Close to tons of restaurants and one block off the magnificent mile. I would be remiss in not recognizing the services of the concierge (Russell). He was fantastic. So helpful and a really nice guy. Thanks Russell for your excellent service and advice during our stay."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Mar 16, 2026

"Thank you Meredith for your lovely service and good recommendation."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Mar 09, 2026

"I stayed at The Gwen for business and had a great experience from check in, to doorman, to the complementary coffee and hot tea the atmosphere was very welcoming. My matress was very comfortable, room was great, no complaints! On my last night at the hotel, my colleagues recommended I stop at their rooftop. I met Judie at the hostess stand who welcomed me and gave me a walkthrough of the layout. She kindly said there was plenty of room for a solo traveler and I enjoyed a cozy seat by the fire pit. Then my server Daviel B. quickly came and gave me 5 star service. I look forward to staying here again! Thanks Daviel B. and Judie!!"

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Mar 05, 2026

"We have stayed at The Gwen Hotel three times recently, in December, January, and February, and each visit has been absolutely incredible. It is hands down our favorite hotel in Chicago. The property itself is stunning. The Art Deco design is elegant yet warm, the rooms are beautiful and impeccably maintained, and the overall atmosphere feels both luxurious and welcoming. The rooftop is truly one of the best in the city. The views, the ambiance, and the service up there are unmatched. What truly sets The Gwen apart, though, is the people. Our January stay was especially meaningful because we were celebrating my son’s birthday. When we walked into our room, it had been decorated for him, and they surprised him with his favorite dessert. It was thoughtful, personal, and so far beyond what we expected. Iris went above and beyond to make it special, and her attention to detail and genuine care meant more than she probably knows. She made our son feel celebrated and important, and that created a memory our family will never forget. Luigi has also been wonderful each time we’ve stayed. Both he and Iris consistently make us feel welcomed back, remembered, and valued. That level of hospitality is rare. After three stays in three months, I can confidently say the service is consistently exceptional. The Gwen is not just a beautiful hotel, it is an experience. We are already coming back again this month, which says everything. We would not stay anywhere else in Chicago."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Mar 03, 2026

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