
LondonHouse Chicago
Best for skyline & riverfront views, rooftop cocktails, and an active dining/drink scene.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
LondonHouse Chicago is a landmark riverfront hotel with a rare tri-level rooftop bar and an on-site spa — good for travelers who want skyline and river views with lively dining and bar scenes. The Gwen, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Michigan Avenue Chicago is a 4.5-star luxury lifestyle property steps from the Magnificent Mile — aimed at guests who want polished service and direct access to Michigan Avenue shopping.
Updated · about 0.6 km apart

Best for skyline & riverfront views, rooftop cocktails, and an active dining/drink scene.

Best for a refined Magnificent Mile stay with meeting space, rooftop terrace access, and Luxury Collection amenities.
When LondonHouse Chicago wins: choose LondonHouse if you prioritize dramatic river and skyline views, the only tri-level rooftop experience in the city, and a full-service on-site spa and widely known dining venues tied to the riverfront setting.
When The Gwen wins: pick The Gwen if you want a quieter luxury-lifestyle base steps from Michigan Avenue shopping, abundant meeting and event rooms, a rooftop terrace with city views, and a compact set of polished hotel services.
Bottom line: both are solid upscale downtown choices within easy walking distance of key attractions; LondonHouse is the pick for rooftop-driven nightlife and riverfront character, The Gwen for a quieter, Mile-side Luxury Collection stay near the Mag Mile.
| Category | LondonHouse Chicago | The Gwen, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Michigan Avenue Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Historic-meets-contemporary riverfront hotel with lively rooftop and social spaces | 4.5-star luxury lifestyle hotel focused on polished service near the Magnificent Mile |
| Location | Corner of E Wacker Drive & Michigan Avenue beside the Chicago River | 521 North Rush Street, steps from Michigan Avenue and shopping |
| Size (rooms) | 452 rooms across 23 floors | 311 guestrooms |
| Age policy | All ages welcome; minimum check-in age 21 (rooftop entry 21+ in evenings) | |
| Pools | No on-site swimming pool | |
| Restaurants & bars | LH Rooftop (tri-level), LH on 21, Bridges Lobby Bar | 2 restaurants, 1 bar/lounge, rooftop terrace |
| Spa & wellness | LH Spa by Windy City Massage (4th floor) with multiple treatments and a $20 spa credit included in destination fee | Not published |
| Known for | Chicago's only tri-level rooftop bar and strong riverfront location | Steps from Michigan Avenue and Luxury Collection branding |
| Event & meeting space | About 25,000 sq ft of flexible event space including two ballrooms and multiple meeting rooms | Conference space 3,388 sq ft and 14 meeting rooms |
| Parking | Valet parking only (no self-parking on-site) | Valet parking (surcharge); covered/secured parking available |
LondonHouse sits directly on the Chicago River at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive, putting riverwalk access and skyline views at your doorstep.
Choose LondonHouse for immediate riverfront access and river-view rooms.
The Gwen sits a block off Michigan Avenue at 521 N Rush Street, giving direct, short walks to the Mag Mile's shopping and dining.
Choose The Gwen for an especially convenient Magnificent Mile location and a short walk to the river without occupying a riverfront corner lot.
LondonHouse offers 452 rooms across a historic building and a 22-story glass tower with many river or skyline views and several suite options.
Rooms at LondonHouse suit guests who want river or skyline-facing accommodations and wellness-focused options (Peloton rooms).
The Gwen offers 311 guestrooms across standard, deluxe, grand rooms and suites with a Luxury Collection presentation.
The Gwen is a polished choice for travelers who want classic luxury-room categories near the Mag Mile.
LondonHouse centers much of its social life around its dining venues — notably the tri-level LH Rooftop plus LH on 21 and Bridges Lobby Bar.
LondonHouse is the pick for guests who want a memorable rooftop bar experience linked to multiple in-hotel dining outlets.
The Gwen lists two restaurants, a bar/lounge and a rooftop terrace — a compact F&B program aligned with upscale hotel service.
Choose The Gwen if you want convenient on-site dining and a quieter rooftop/terrace environment right by the Mag Mile.
LondonHouse's signature amenity is its tri-level rooftop bar and riverfront terraces rather than a pool.
LondonHouse's rooftop spaces are its primary draw for outdoor views and events — not a pool.
The Gwen emphasizes a rooftop terrace and a garden plus sizable meeting facilities rather than pool leisure.
The Gwen is stronger for meetings and a quieter rooftop/terrace spot close to Michigan Avenue; it does not publish an on-site pool.
LondonHouse offers an on-site LH Spa and a 24-hour TechnoGym fitness center to support wellness-minded guests.
LondonHouse blends a full-service spa and 24-hour gym with a lively rooftop nightlife scene.
The Gwen lists fitness facilities and public wellness-friendly amenities but does not publish an on-site spa in the supplier listing.
Pick The Gwen if you want standard hotel fitness plus a calm rooftop terrace; check with the hotel directly for spa offerings.

LondonHouse — the city's only tri-level rooftop bar with a domed Cupola and multiple outdoor/indoor rooftop levels.

The Gwen — steps from Michigan Avenue retailers and convenient for shoppers who want immediate access to the Mag Mile.

LondonHouse — LH Spa by Windy City Massage with multiple treatment rooms and a published spa menu and hours.

The Gwen — 14 meeting rooms and 3,388 sq ft of conference space for smaller corporate and social events close to the Mag Mile.
The Gwen is a block off Michigan Avenue and offers immediate access to the Magnificent Mile; LondonHouse is also within walking distance but sits on the river corner.
LondonHouse has the more active rooftop scene with the tri-level LH Rooftop and evening hours; The Gwen has a rooftop terrace but a more subdued offering.
Neither LondonHouse nor The Gwen publishes an on-site swimming pool in their official listings.
The Gwen lists 14 meeting rooms and 3,388 sq ft of conference space, while LondonHouse offers a larger overall event footprint (approximately 25,000 sq ft) including multiple ballrooms and terraces for larger events.
Explore how LondonHouse Chicago stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·