Walk to the Magnificent Mile from our iconic hotel in downtown Chicago

Dive into the rich culture of downtown Chicago from the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago, which is walking distance from Millennium Park, the Magnificent Mile, and Navy Pier. Designed by famed architect Jeanne Gang, our striking hotel places guests in the heart of the city with easy access to Financial District businesses and attractions like “The Bean” and the Chicago Riverwalk. As the first Radisson Blu in the United States, the Aqua Hotel is the standard for upscale accommodations in Chicago. Our eco-friendly practices, such as our electric car-charging stations, have earned platinum-level status with TripAdvisor’s GreenLeaders Program.

During your stay, take advantage of our indoor pool to swim laps and our rooftop pool to enjoy amazing views. Our fitness center adds fun to your workout with a full-size basketball court, an outdoor running track, and a steam and sauna room. The hotel’s lifestyle garden provides a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the day, and the on-site FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar offers Midwestern cuisine in an inviting atmosphere. Hosting a large wedding or gala in Chicago? Our expansive meeting facilities and delicious catering options are sure to make your event shine.

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Awards and recognitions

These acknowledgements recognize our hotel’s commitment to providing an exceptional guest experience.
America's Website Photography[US] - 2021 Hospitality Excellence Award

Hospitality Excellence Award

Our Hospitality Excellence Award is presented to top performing hotels that deliver a superior level of hospitality to guests.

America's Website Photography[US] - Premium Level Badge

Safehotels Premium Certification

Safehotels is the world's leading hotel safety and security certification.

America's Website Photography[US] - Travelers Choice 2021

Travelers’ Choice Award

Tripadvisor bestows Travelers’ Choice Awards on hotels that consistently receive outstanding reviews from travelers around the globe.

America's Website Photography[US] - AAA Four Diamond Certification

AAA Four Diamond

To achieve a Diamond designation, hotels prove their merit in quality, cleanliness inspections, and hospitality.

Take in stunning views from our beautifully designed rooms and suites

Sleek and modern, our 334 rooms and suites feature exceptional views of Lakeshore East Park, Millennium Park, or the Chicago cityscape. Whether you’re traveling for business or leisure, you’ll appreciate our free Wi-Fi, Lavazza coffee and premium teas, and pet-friendly options. For an upgraded stay, consider a room with a balcony or a suite with a separate living room.
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King Bed

  •  350 ft²
  • 1 king
  • 2 adults, 1 child
Sip a cup of tea of Lavazza coffee while you relax on plush bedding in this standard room.

2 Queen Beds

  •  400 ft²
  • 2 queen
  • 4 adults
This standard room with calming hues, a sleek design, and amenities like free Wi-Fi is a welcome retreat.

King Bed with Balcony

  •  350 ft²
  • 1 king
  • 2 adults, 1 child
From this standard room, you can enjoy fantastic views of downtown from the balcony.

2 Queen Beds with Balcony

  •  400 ft²
  • 2 queen
  • 4 adults
Greet the morning with a cup of coffee and beautiful views on the balcony of your standard room.

Premium Room-King Bed

  •  350 ft²
  • 1 king
  • 2 adults, 1 child
Minimalist design and stunning park views make these premium rooms an ideal choice.

Premium Corner Room with Balcony-King Bed

  •  350 ft²
  • 1 king
  • 2 adults, 1 child
You’ll love the views of Lakeshore East Park or Millennium Park from the wraparound balcony of this room.
Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago - 2 Queen Beds

Premium Room with Balcony-2 Queen Beds

  •  400 ft²
  • 2 queen
  • 4 adults
Relax on the balcony of this premium room while you take in views of Lakeshore East Park or Millennium Park.

Executive Room-King Bed

  •  350 ft²
  • 1 king
  • 2 adults, 1 child
Located on the upper floors of the hotel, these exclusive rooms offer a Nespresso coffeemaker and a plush bathrobe.

Executive Room-2 Queen Beds

  •  400 ft²
  • 2 queen
  • 4 adults
To make corporate travel more enjoyable, book an executive room with a soft bathrobe and a spacious work desk.

Ambassador Suite-King Bed

  •  565 ft²
  • 1 king
  • 2 adults, 1 child
Find warm neutrals, a deep bathtub, and separate living and sleeping areas in our elegant Ambassador Suite.

Presidential Suite-King Bed

  •  1,366 ft²
  • 1 king
  • 2 adults, 1 child
Our Presidential Suite features separate living and dining areas, a half bath, and access to an exclusive lounge.

Royal Suite-King Bed

  •  1,723 ft²
  • 1 king
  • 2 adults, 1 child
The expansive Royal Suite offers park and city views from the balcony along with separate living and dining areas.

Meet with style in our spacious event facilities

Spanning two floors and more than 28,000 square feet, the 13 flexible meeting rooms at the Radisson Blu are a popular choice for major events in Chicago. Views of downtown add a special touch to each gathering, and amenities such as audiovisual equipment and planning assistance from our dedicated team make your event one to remember. If you’re saying “I do” in the Windy City, ask about our comprehensive wedding packages.
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Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago - Meeting Room

Services

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Every stay earns you 5,000 bonus points
Offers and Packages[US] - RRA 5K Per Stay Web Hero

Restaurant and bar

Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago - FireLake Restaurant
From a hearty breakfast each morning to fine dining each evening, FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar is sure to please your palate with a variety of farm-to-table dishes. We even offer a weekend brunch to fuel your sightseeing adventures. If you need to put the finishing touches on a presentation or want to indulge in breakfast in bed, order from our room service menu. We also offer Starbucks® drinks and a variety of to-go items at Blu Bar.

Things to do in Chicago

Thanks to our prime location in the heart of downtown, the Radisson Blu gives you quick access to Chicago’s Financial District, the famous North Michigan Avenue, and Lake Michigan. Start a day of sightseeing at Navy Pier, and then tour the Art Institute of Chicago before heading downtown to experience the city’s nightlife. Explore these attractions during your stay:

Shedd Aquarium

1.33 mi / 2.15 km from the hotel
Explore the waters of the world and see more than 32,000 amazing animals, including beluga whales, sea turtles, penguins, sharks, dolphins, and seahorses.

The Field Museum

1.4 mi / 2.26 km from the hotel
With an international reputation for excellence, this natural history museum is a Chicago treasure, featuring exhibits that range from dinosaur skeletons to ancient Egyptian artifacts.

Art Institute of Chicago

0.49 mi / 0.79 km from the hotel
Join the more than 1.5 million visitors who annually stream into these halls to see ancient sculptures, medieval weaponry, and rooftop gardens filled with modern art. You can also admire classic works by Monet, Picasso, Van Gogh, and Renoir.

Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago

6.89 mi / 11.09 km from the hotel
Discover your inner scientist when you visit this award-winning museum, where you can see the world’s largest pinball machine, get lost in a mirror maze, or take a VR trip to space.

Willis Tower Skydeck

0.94 mi / 1.52 km from the hotel
For the ultimate (and most terrifying) view of the Chicago skyline, step out onto the glass ledge of the Skydeck at the top of the third-tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. From there, you can see four states, Lake Michigan, and the Chicago River.

Lincoln Park Zoo

2.54 mi / 4.08 km from the hotel
From aardvarks to zebras, Lincoln Park Zoo has something wild in store for every visitor. Start your journey in Africa, where you’ll see black rhinos and pygmy hippos, and then head to the Macaque Forest to watch the antics of the snow monkeys.
See all attractions in a map

How to get to the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago

221 N Columbus Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601, United States

Whether you’re in Chicago for a meeting in the Financial District or a sightseeing excursion along Lake Michigan, our hotel offers an ideal location in the heart of downtown. Flying into the area? We’re within 17 miles of both O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Midway International Airport (MDW).

Finding the hotel
Locating our hotel by GPS can be difficult due to the surrounding multilevel streets. For optimal instructions, please use the address 225 N Columbus Drive, Chicago, IL 60601. If you need assistance, please call our front desk at +1 (312) 565-5258 and we’ll be happy to help guide you.

Parking
If you’re staying overnight and plan to self-park, a garage attached to the hotel is available for USD 59 per day with in-and-out privileges. The north elevators bring you to the back of the Aqua building, where you can then walk through our lobby to find the reception area. Parking tickets are to be paid at the front desk.

From Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)

By train:

Take the Orange Line to the State/Lake station, which is only 0.5 miles from the hotel.

By car:

  • Go north on S Cicero Avenue to I-55 N/Stevenson Expressway, and continue for 6.6 miles.
  • Use the left two lanes to take the US 41 N/Lake Shore Drive exit, and continue for 0.5 miles.
  • Merge onto US 41 N/S Lake Shore Drive.
  • Exit onto E Monroe Street.
  • Turn right onto S Michigan Avenue.
  • Turn right onto E Randolph Street.
  • Stay right to go up the ramp to upper E Randolph Street.
  • Turn left onto N Columbus Drive (this will be the first light after you come up the ramp).
  • The hotel is on the right.

From O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

By train:

Take the Blue Line to the Washington station, which is only 0.5 miles from the hotel.

By car:

  • Take I-90 E/94 E.
  • Follow the signs to Chicago for 12.4 miles.
  • Exit at W Ohio Street (Exit 50B) toward 600 N, and continue for 1.2 miles.
  • Turn right on N Michigan Avenue.
  • Turn left onto E South Water Street, and continue for 0.5 miles.
  • Keep left at the fork to continue on E South Water Street.
  • At the stop sign, stay straight to travel onto the middle section of E South Water Street. This is a ramp that will take you to the upper level.
  • Turn right onto upper N Columbus Drive.
  • At the second median (by CVS), make a U-turn. The main entrance of the hotel is on the right.

From Union Station

On foot:

Walking to the hotel from Union Station will take about half an hour. During the 1.5-mile walk, you’ll get to see major attractions along the way.

By bus:

There are several bus options:

  • From the Union Station Transit Center, get on bus 151. Get off at the Michigan & Randolph stop, which is only 0.3 miles from the hotel.
  • Head to the Canal & Adams stop to board bus 60. Get off at the Randolph & Field Boulevard stop for a quick 0.2-mile walk to the hotel.

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