W Chicago Lakeshore, Chicago, Illinois

The W Chicago Lakeshore offers a birds-eye (think seagull) view of things. Situated along Lake Shore Drive near the Navy Pier, it's the only hotel in Chicago directly overlooking Lake Michigan, and also provides easy access to the beach itself. So bring your flip-flops (weather permitting) and after you've hit the beach, head for home (that's us). Conceived by Starwood Hotels and Resorts, the W Chicago Lakeshore has helped revolutionized today's business travel.

Recently given a 4-diamond rating from AAA, the W Chicago Lakeshore surrounds guests with impeccable service and distinctive style. From the luxurious down-stuffed beds in each of our 520 deluxe guest rooms and suites, to the versatile meeting spaces equipped with the latest technological wizardry, and High Speed Internet Access in all guest and meeting rooms, we've overlooked nothing.

Relax in our soothing, Zen-like Living Room. Head for the roof-top lounge to drink in astonishing lake and city views and sizzling nightlife. Enjoy an intimate dinner for two at our signature restaurant. Or retreat to your spacious room, fully-stocked with every comfort, including our own W "Munchie" box, a snacker's utopia. And if you need anything else, our Whatever/Whenever desk is on duty 24/7.

Whether you're here for business or pleasure, we're prepared to help you enjoy the best of both worlds. And with a prime lake view location, we're convenient to the best of everything in the city, from the festivities of Navy Pier to the premiere shopping of Michigan Avenue. Have a blast!

View more discount hotels in Chicago, IL.

Check-in

Check-out

Guests

Find all Chicago discount hotel rooms.

During your Chicago vacation, don't miss these great establishments and attractions:

Auditorium Building and Theatre
A truly grand theater with historic landmark status, the Auditorium is worth a visit to experience late-19th-century Chicago opulence. Designed and built in 1889 by Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler, the Auditorium was a wonder of the world: the heaviest (110,000 tons) and most massive modern edifice on earth, the most fireproof building ever constructed, and the tallest building in Chicago. It was also the first large-scale building to be electrically lighted, and its theater was the first in the country to install air-conditioning.The 4,000-seat theater, which today is the scene for Broadway touring musicals, is a marvel of visionary design and engineering. Originally the home of the Chicago Opera Company, Sullivan and Adler's masterpiece is defined by powerful arches lit by thousands of bulbs and features Sullivan's trademark ornamentation -- in this case, elaborate golden stenciling and gold plaster medallions. It's equally renowned for otherworldly acoustics and unobstructed sight lines. In the days when the Auditorium was the leading theater of Chicago, the hydraulically operated stage could be lowered from view, creating a ballroom capable of accommodating 8,000 guests.During World War II, the building sheltered GIs, and its theater stage was turned into a bowling alley. The theater reopened in 1967 following a $3-million renovation made possible through the fundraising efforts of the nonprofit Auditorium Theatre Council. Remnants of the building's halcyon days remain. Don't miss the lobby fronting Michigan Avenue, with its faux ornamental marble columns, molded ceilings, mosaic floors, and Mexican onyx walls. Another inside tip: From the Roosevelt University entrance around the corner on Michigan Avenue, take the elevator to the school's 10th-floor library reading room and have a look at what was once the city's first top-floor dining room. Its palatial, barrel-vaulted ceiling, and marvelous views of Grant Park and the lake will make you want to brush up on your Dewey Decimal System.The best way to see everything is to take a 1-hour guided tour, offered on Mondays between 10am and 4pm (call tel. 312/431-2354 to make reservations). Tours cost $6 for adults, $3 for seniors and students.Allow a half-hour, 1 hour if you take the guided tour.

Navy Pier
Built during World War I, this 3,000-foot-long pier was used by the Navy during World War II as a training center for pilots. But any military aura is long gone, now that the place has been transformed into a bustling tourist mecca. A combination of carnival, food court, and boat dock, the pier makes a fun place to stroll (if you don't mind crowds), but you'll have to walk all the way to the end to get the best views back to the city.Midway down the pier are the Crystal Gardens, with 70 full-size palm trees, dancing fountains, and other flora in a glass-enclosed atrium; a white-canopied open-air Skyline Stage that hosts concerts, dance performances, and film screenings; a carousel; and a 15-story Ferris wheel that's a replica of the original that debuted at Chicago's 1893 World's Fair. The 50 acres of pier and lakefront property also are home to the Chicago Children's Museum, a 3D IMAX theater (tel. 312/595-5629), a small ice-skating rink, and the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. The shops tend to be bland and touristy. Dining options include a food court, an outpost of Lincoln Park's popular Charlie's Ale House, and the white-tablecloth seafood restaurant Riva. You'll also find a beer garden with live music; Joe's Be-Bop Cafe & Jazz Emporium, a Southern-style barbecue restaurant with live music that is run by Joe and Wayne Segal of Jazz Showcase fame; and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. & Market, a casual family seafood joint. Summer is one long party at the pier, with fireworks on Wednesday and Saturday evenings.The Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows may sound incredibly dull, but decorative art aficionados shouldn't miss this remarkable installation of more than 150 stained-glass windows set in illuminated display cases. Occupying an 800-foot-long expanse on the ground floor of Navy Pier, the free museum features works by Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan, John LaFarge, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.Navy Pier hosts a variety of conventions and trade shows, including an international art exposition in May, pro-tennis exhibitions, and a flower and garden show. There's something for everyone, but the commercialism of the place might be too much for some people. If that's the case for you, take the half-mile stroll to the end of the pier, east of the ballroom, where you can find a little respite and enjoy the wind, the waves, and the city view, which is the real delight of a place like this. Or unwind in Olive Park, a small sylvan haven with a sliver of beach that lies just to the north of Navy Pier.You'll find, moored along the south dock, more than half a dozen different sailing vessels, including a couple of dinner cruise ships, the pristine white-masted tall ship Windy, and the 70-foot speedboats Seadog I, II, and III. In the summer months, water taxis speed between Navy Pier and other Chicago sights.Allow 1 hour.

Wendella Sightseeing Boats
Wendella is the granddaddy of all sightseeing operators in Chicago. Started in 1935, it's run by the original owner's son, Bob Borgstrom, whose own two sons serve as captains. You won't find a more authoritative source on the Chicago River than Borgstrom.Wendella operates a 1-hour tour along the Chicago River, and a 1 1/2-tour along the river and out onto Lake Michigan. (One of the most dramatic events during the boat tours is passing through the locks that separate the river from the lake.) Boats run from late April to early October. The 2-hour sunset tour runs Memorial Day to Labor Day starting at 7:45pm. Scheduling for cruises depends on the season and the weather, but cruises usually leave every hour during the summer.

Other discount hotel options in Chicago:

Hotel 71
Overlooking the Chicago River just off Michigan Avenue at Wacker Drive, Hotel 71 is a destination for those looking for an alternative to the mainstream four-star hotels. Travelers enjoy a unique and memorable experience melding style, comfort, functionality, and a high level of service and breath-taking views of Chicago without sacrificing a single amenity. With its central location on the Chicago River on Wacker Drive just off Michigan Avenue, Hotel 71 breaks with ordinary ...

Wyndham Chicago Downtown Hotel
Conveniently located in Chicago's Magnificent Mile corridor and only one block east of Michigan Avenue, the Wyndham Chicago is close to Chicago's Loop financial district, over 50 restaurants, Water Tower Place and famous shopping attractions. The hotel is within walking distance of public transportation, has immediate access to I-90/94 Expressway and is only 25 minutes from O'Hare International ...

Conrad Chicago
As one of the most prestigious addresses within Chicago's Magnificent Mile, the Conrad Chicago is located at 521 North Rush Street at Michigan Avenue above Westfield North Bridge. With a main entrance on Rush Street at Grand Avenue and pedestrian entrance on Michigan Avenue, the hotel is located in the heart of Chicago's most exclusive shopping, dining and entertainment venues and is within convenient walking distance to "The Loop" business district, Merchandise Mart, and Lake ...

Most recent user reviews

Score

5 out of 5

Great Girls Getaway

Anonymous

Easy to get a cab. Starbucks on the next corner and an italian cafe with excellent recommendations!

The W Lakeshore was a complete surprise. It offers two spectacular views - Chicago skyline or lakeshore. Walking distance to Michigan Avenue for shopping, dining, etc. The Bliss Spa on the 8th floor was fabulous!!!! The staff and concierge went out of their way to accommodate every request. The room was very modern and chic.

Score

5 out of 5

Review

Anonymous, 2007-02-18

No review provided by user

Check-in

Check-out

Guests

Score

5 out of 5

Perfect Getaway

Anonymous, Chicago, IL, 2006-11-04

There is great dining at the hotel and on every street surrounding... great location.

The W Lakeshore was the perfect getaway for my boyfriend's birthday. We both live in the area and just wanted to relax for an evening in a different atmosphere. We were treated like royalty and everyone was eager to help if needed. Very comfortable and great views of Navey Pier and the Lake.

Score

5 out of 5

Excellent staff

Ruby, Columbia, SC, 2006-10-15

We are walkers, so we planned to walk everywhere. Shopping and dining are in walking distance.

At the Lakeshore W Hotel, they mean business when they say "whatever/whenever". Every request was met immediately. We were moved to a higher floor so we could have a better view of the lake and the city. The beds are the best and look so inviting. Toiletries are also top line. Three women stayed in one room and the only complaint was the size of the bathroom. We needed more vanity space. All-in-all, this was an excellent stay.

Score

5 out of 5

Review

John, New York, NY, 2006-07-23

No review provided by user

Score

5 out of 5

Love the dog friendliness

Anonymous, 2006-07-04

Navy Pier. Brief walk. Want to come back and go to the Childrens Museum with my son again.

The check in was very pleasant. Love that I can bring my dog and staff were very accomodating. Valet guys were exceptionally professional. Cant wait to come back.

Score

5 out of 5

very fung shwe

Erik, Detroit, MI, 2006-06-15

ther is a pier with a carnival on it i didnt have time to go see it but i could see it from my hotel window. very cool part of chicago.

I was in chicago for one day to see a concert and the w was awsome jery cool decoratin nice and not to bad on the price. and they give u so many towels and we used them all. the showers where great too. the only thing is that room service and there w bar are expencive it was 100 for dinner for 2 people. but maybe thats just me. i love the look and the atmospher of this hotel i ouwld recomend it to anyone.

Score

5 out of 5

Great location and staff

wendy, Chicago, IL, 2006-05-07

There's a great breakfast place down the road called The WEst Egg. You won't be unhappy with the food or the price.

This hotel was very well run with an extremely accomodating staff. We loved the location which is across from Lake Michigan and close to many restaurants and shopping. The hotel is undergoing some renovation, but it will only make it better in the near future. The bar on the top floor was a bonus by the way.

Score

5 out of 5

Relaxing and iniviting

Anonymous, Durham/Raleigh, NC, 2006-04-24

Short walk to Michigan avenue where all the shops located

Fantastic Place to stay. CLose to everything and overlooking the water. Was kind of bued because they were working on the pook while I was there but will stay there agian the next time I am in Chicago

Score

5 out of 5

great business amenities

Brandon, Wagga Wagga, 2005-12-16

perfect for entertaining clients everything you need is just a short walk away.

the w is the perfect hotel for the businessman on the go. they are very customer oriented and time effective. they don't make you stand around and wait. this is very important when time is money.

Welcome to Orbitz.