Situated in downtown Chicago’s River North neighborhood, AC Hotel Chicago Downtown boasts boutique style and unique amenities. The convenient location is smack in the center of it all, with easy access to Magnificent Mile, Streeterville, Navy Pier, and Millennium Park. Pet-friendly rooms feature free WiFi, spacious workspaces, and some have private balconies. There’s also a heated indoor pool and a sleek 24-hour fitness center. There’s even a spy-themed restaurant at SafeHouse Chicago. For events, AC Hotel has boutique spaces to accommodate up to 70 guests.
AC Hotel Chicago: Best for… Families
Affordable accommodations at the AC Hotel offer an array of family friendly layouts, including two-double rooms or two-double with pull-out sofa rooms that can easily accommodate a group. The AC can provide cribs as well, upon request. For entertainment rain or shine, take the family for a dip in the expansive heated indoor pool. And, you can travel with your four-legged family members as well. The AC is pet friendly for a fee of $75 per night.
There’s also an ultra-cool on-site spy-themed restaurant, Safehouse. Perfect for kids and adults alike, guests must first locate the red door. Upon entry, you’ll need to whisper the secret password in order to prove you are not a double agent. Before 9pm, the restaurant is kid-friendly and keeps little ones entertained with interactive gadgets. The total spy experience includes magic, scavenger hunts and of course, delicious food. Junior spies get a souvenir coloring up as well as an undercover activity guide.
AC Hotel Chicago Amenities
Rooms at the AC Hotel Chicago Downtown feature clean, minimalistic style and all the essentials. Choose from classic king or double, superior king or superior double with sofa-beds, or the premier one-bedroom suite with a king bed, sofa bed, and courtyard view. Rooms feature a work area with a writing desk and chair. There’s also an in-room safe and complimentary coffee and tea service. Plus, you can bring home leftovers and stash them in your mini-fridge. Large 47-inch flatscreen TVs are equipped with premium movie channels as well as cable and HBO. Many rooms even have a balcony so you can take in the Chicago views al fresco.
All guests can take advantage of the 24-hour fitness center, complete with cardio equipment, free weights, stability balls, medicine balls and yoga mats. Work out on Matrix fitness equipment under a skylight view. Then, take a dip in the expansive heated indoor pool.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, enjoy lunch at one of the on-site eateries. AC Lounge is modeled after a European restaurant to serve up tapas and shared plates. AC Kitchen is perfect for the morning, where you can enjoy a buffet breakfast starting at $15. European-style offerings include cured meats, yogurt and Nespresso coffee. Of course, try out SafeHouse Chicago for lunch or dinner—the city’s only spy-themed restaurant.
AC Hotel Chicago Neighborhood
The River North district boasts an ultra-convenient location for all of the best Chicago sightseeing. To the North, you have Magnificent Mile and all of the entertainment on Michigan Avenue. Walk East to hit the beaches of Lake Michigan as well as the fun on nearby Navy pier, just a mile away. Less than a half-mile walk takes you to the 360 Chicago Observation Deck. And, just a few blocks south you’ll hit the Chicago River and all of the fun and entertainment along the riverfront. Here, take the Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise to learn all about the city’s history from a boat on the river. For kids, you can walk to American Girl Place, Maggie Daley Park, and the Chicago Children’s Museum, all within a mile or so from the hotel.
Nearby hotels include the Hyatt Centric Chicago Magnificent Mile, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Downtown, and Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile. The AC is about in line with competitors, including its fellow Marriott affiliates, when it comes to price.
AC Hotel Chicago: The Verdict
You’ll definitely want to price shop before booking at the AC Hotel. If the timing is right, you might be able to stay at a luxury hotel like the Omni for the same price as the three-star AC Hotel by Marriott. That said, you’ll enjoy all of the standard amenities you’d expect from a Marriott in a great location that’s convenient to everything. There’s also a luxe on-site pool and the ultra-cool SafeHouse spy-themed restaurant. Rooms are minimal in style without much wow factor, but they’re clean, comfy, spacious, and stocked with the necessities.