A Room with a View

Written by our Enjoy Illinois Magazine partner, Dotdash Meredith.

Looking to stay near a college campus or a ballpark?

We've got you covered. From 5-star, luxury hotels to unique accommodations and everything in-between, here are the top hotels in Illinois. 

For starters, downtown Chicago hotels like The Ritz-Carlton, Viceroy Chicago and The Langham, Chicago, which are all consistently voted as the top hotels in the state for their luxury accommodations, each boast rooms with incredible views of the city’s skyline and Lake Michigan. The Ritz-Carlton offers an iconic address that unites the city, lake and and sky in a luxurious setting, Viceroy offers up a stylish retreat in the Gold Coast and is a premiere location for its a mere short walk from the shops at the Magnificent Mile. Meanwhile, the Langham offers gorgeous floor-to-ceiling views of the iconic cityscape and star-quality amenities.

But if you’re looking for a room with another kind of view, like that of a Major League ballpark, vineyard, college campus, sandy beach or forest—we've got options! 

For a closer look at the field, Wrigley offers 90-minute public tours. Nongame day tours include checking out the iconic outfield ivy, the press box and the opponents’ clubhouse. Beyond the field, head downtown. It’s a one-block walk to the Red Line (Addison Station).

Greet the morning with the Rise and Shine breakfast before setting out to explore the area, including the Makanda Boardwalk with local shops and artisan wares and nearby Giant City State Park. End the day in the tasting room before retiring to your room to watch the sunset over the lake.

Three blocks from Northwestern University's Arch and two blocks from Lake Michigan, the Graduate Evanston is home to the Wildcats. The 100-plus rooms and suites ooze a retro college vibe with splashes of purple and white, the college’s colors. Explore the historic campus and surrounding neighborhoods on a complimentary bicycle.

Splash and play in the water, drop a line or follow any of the five hiking trails (three are open to bicycles). Refuel at Nolan’s, an on-site restaurant with an outdoor patio. The chips are made in-house and accompany sandwiches like the half-pound burger and turkey club.