If you’re looking for a place to stay in Chicago with history, elegance, and great food, the Gwen Hotel has you covered.
The Gwen Hotel is a Marriott Luxury Collection property in a prime location, just north of the Chicago River off Michigan Avenue. The building is an historic (1929) Art Deco property designed in part by Chicago sculptor Gwen Lux, whose facades and sculptures decorate the exterior.
The hotel entrance is off Rush Street, but if you wander a few feet over to Michigan Avenue you can gaze up and see some of the dramatic architecture, including signs of the Zodiac.
The artsy lobby at The Gwen Hotel in Chicago. Gwen Hotel Photo
The hotel concierge, Ramon Gomez, gives free hotel tours and talks every Wednesday and Saturday at 11 a.m., depending on availability. He regaled my wife and I with stories about Lux, a female sculptor at a time when such a thing was quite rare. Gomez said Lux is the only female artist with a piece on board a U.S. naval vessel, which is pretty cool.
The first floor of the hotel features a photo of her and part of one of her sculptures.
Our room was a nod to Lux, as well, with a likeness of Aries the ram with long, curving horns and cool art works. The room featured a very large bath, with a nice shower and tub. There was tons of counter space, as well, which I love.
The Michigan Avenue exterior of The Gwen Hotel in Chicago. Gwen Hotel Photo
The room had a plus-sized television (nice in a sports crazy town like Chicago) and a mini-fridge, which is a welcome treat when you’re on the road. There was no coffee maker in the room but they can get you one if you wish, and there’s free, strong coffee in the lobby area every morning.
Because it’s a heritage building, the hotel isn’t allowed to alter the electrical outlets without permission, so there aren’t as many places to plug in devices as some newer hotels might have. But the trade off of great design and a fab location more than make up for any minor issues.
There’s a nice fifth-floor patio called Upstairs at the Gwen, with a very good happy hour (try the spicy margarita and the flatbread with fig, prosciutto, and honey), and the on-site restaurant serves a fine breakfast, including avocado toast and perfectly crispy potato chunks.
My room at The Gwen Hotel in Chicago. Jim Byers Photo
There’s a covered bridge connecting the hotel to the North Bridge Shopping Centre, which is home to top-rated stores such as Nordstrom, MAC Cosmetics and also to Eataly. That makes The Gwen Hotel a fine place for anyone who loves a little retail therapy.
Oh, the Billy Goat Tavern, made famous in the Saturday Night Live “cheezborger, cheezborger” sketches with John Belushi, is just steps from the front door.
