Is LondonHouse Chicago worth it? Honest pros and cons
Yes — LondonHouse Chicago is worth it if you want a central, riverfront downtown base with a notable tri-level rooftop bar, solid on-site dining, and convenient access to Millennium Park and the Magnificent Mile. If you prioritize an on-site pool, low nightly fees, or a budget property, this hotel may feel pricey because of mandatory destination charges and valet-only parking.
In this guide
Location — riverfront and walkable to top sights
LondonHouse Chicago sits at 85 East Wacker Drive on the corner of East Wacker Drive and North Michigan Avenue beside the Chicago River, so many rooms have river or skyline views and you step right onto the Riverwalk.
Major downtown attractions are within easy walking distance: Millennium Park is about a 5–10 minute walk and the Magnificent Mile shopping district is also walkable. Transit options nearby include the Clark/Lake 'L' station and the Michigan Avenue Water Taxi dock.
- Address: 85 East Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois, 60601, US
- Walking to Millennium Park: roughly 5–10 minutes
- Nearest 'L' stop: Clark/Lake (about a 9-minute walk)
- Water Taxi dock near Michigan Avenue for river/water transport
| Nearby | Typical distance/time |
|---|---|
| Millennium Park | About 5–10 minute walk |
| Magnificent Mile | Walking distance (roughly 8 minutes to parts of the Mag Mile) |
| Navy Pier | About 1.4 miles |
Rooms and room types — choices across historic and newer tower
LondonHouse has a variety of guest rooms and suites across its historic 1923 London Guarantee Building and an adjoining glass tower, with 452 rooms on 23 floors. Room types include Room, 1 King Bed; Room, 2 Double Beds; Room, River View; Room (Hydrow Wellness Room); Studio, Corner; 1 Bedroom Suite; Suite; Suite, 1 Bedroom; and Presidential Suite.
Select rooms include in-room fitness options: King Peloton Wellness rooms and Hydrow-type wellness rooms are available for guests who want to maintain a workout routine without going to the gym.
- Room names (examples): Room, 1 King Bed; Room, River View; 1 Bedroom Suite; Presidential Suite; Room (Hydrow Wellness Room)
- Many rooms offer river or skyline views depending on placement
- Free in-room Wi‑Fi is provided; a premium faster tier is available for an extra nightly cost
| Room type | Bed setup (as listed) |
|---|---|
| Room, 1 King Bed | 1 King Bed or 2 Double Beds |
| Room, River View | 1 King Bed |
| Room, 2 Double Beds | 2 Double Beds |
Dining and rooftop — strong reasons to stay
On-site dining includes LH on 21 (a Contemporary American restaurant on the 21st floor), Bridges Lobby Bar on the 2nd floor overlooking the river, and LH Rooftop, the hotel's tri-level rooftop bar that spans an indoor bar, an outdoor terrace, and the 23rd-floor Cupola.
LH Rooftop operates daily and runs a weekend brunch; note the rooftop enforces a 21+ minimum for entry in the evenings and maintains a Smart Casual dress code.
- LH Rooftop: open daily 11:00 AM–12:00 AM (food service until 11:00 PM); tri-level bar with skyline views
- LH on 21: Contemporary American restaurant on the 21st floor (hours vary; see concierge)
- Bridges Lobby Bar: river-facing windows; Afternoon Tea is offered (reservations recommended)
| Venue | Typical service |
|---|---|
| LH Rooftop | Signature cocktails, small bites, weekend brunch |
| LH on 21 | Lunch & dinner, Contemporary American |
| Bridges Lobby Bar | Cocktails, small plates, Afternoon Tea |
Amenities — spa, fitness, and business facilities
LH Spa by Windy City Massage is on the 4th floor and offers massages (including Swedish and Chinese cupping therapy), facials, body treatments, manicures and pedicures, and a multi-hour Total Relaxation package. The spa has multiple treatment rooms and offers set hours.
A 24-hour fitness center is available with TechnoGym cardio equipment, spinning cycles, free weights, a row machine, and a yoga station. The property also provides event and meeting space totaling about 25,000 sq ft across ballrooms and meeting rooms.
- Spa: LH Spa by Windy City Massage (spa hours: Mon–Fri 8am–8pm; Sat 8am–7pm; Sun 8am–6pm)
- Fitness center: 24-hour TechnoGym equipment, row machine, cardio bike, 2 spinning cycles, yoga station
- Event space: roughly 25,000 sq ft, including Juliette Grand Ballroom and Whistler Ballroom
| Amenity | Notes |
|---|---|
| Spa credit | $20 daily spa credit included with the mandatory destination charge |
| Fitness | 24-hour access with cardio and strength equipment |
| Meeting rooms | Multiple ballrooms and meeting rooms for events and weddings |
Costs and fees to factor in
Rooms are subject to a Daily Mandatory Destination Charge that includes premium internet access, a $10 daily F&B credit usable on-site, a $20 spa credit, two bottles of water daily, and a laundry/dry-cleaning credit. That fee is separate from room rate and taxes.
Valet parking is the only on-site parking option; overnight valet is typically listed around $80 per night and includes in/out privileges. There is no on-site airport shuttle and no on-site pool.
- Daily Mandatory Destination Charge includes: premium internet, $10 F&B credit, $20 spa credit, two bottles of water, $15 laundry/dry-cleaning credit
- Valet-only parking (no self-parking on site); overnight valet rates commonly listed near $80/night
- No on-site pool; airport transfers must be arranged via rideshare, taxi, or public transit
| Common added charges | What they cover |
|---|---|
| Destination charge | Premium Wi‑Fi tier, on-site F&B credit, spa credit, water, laundry credit |
| Valet parking | Overnight parking with in/out privileges (valet only) |
| Premium Wi‑Fi | Faster internet tier available for an extra nightly cost |
Who should pick LondonHouse — and who should look elsewhere
Choose LondonHouse if you want a central riverfront hotel with easy walking access to downtown attractions, on-site restaurants and a notable rooftop experience, plus spa and 24-hour fitness facilities.
Look elsewhere if you need an on-site swimming pool, strict budget nightly rates without mandatory destination fees, or self-parking. Also note the rooftop bar enforces a 21+ entry policy in the evenings.
- Good fit: travelers who value location, rooftop views, on-site dining, and event space
- Less good fit: travelers wanting on-site pool, lower incidental fees, or self-parking
- Rooftop access: 21+ age minimum enforced for entry during evening hours
| Traveler type | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Sightseeing in downtown Chicago | Recommended — central, riverfront location |
| Budget travelers avoiding extra fees | Consider other options — destination charge and valet parking add cost |
| Guest needing on-site pool | Not suitable — hotel has no pool |
