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About
4.5
#27 of 211 hotels in Chicago
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Expect the unexpected in the Windy City. Located just steps from the famous Michigan Avenue Shopping district, Millennium Park, and renowned museums in downtown Chicago, contemporary art will surround and inspire you at 21c Museum Hotel Chicago. Discover a new kind of cultural and travel experience with this multi-venue museum and boutique hotel.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Accor Hotels.
HOTEL STYLE
Mid-range
Business
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
55 E Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60611-2727
21C Museum Hotel Chicago
440 reviews
Getting there
Great for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
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The 21C Museum Hotel Chicago garners acclaim for its exquisite fusion of art and hospitality, offering a modern, clean ambiance and a collection of comfortable amenities, which many guests appreciate. Its prime location is a hit among visitors who are keen to explore nearby attractions, shops, and dining options.
While the hotel's cleanliness and friendly, professional service consistently impress, some guests feel the pricing could better reflect the overall quality. Spacious and modern rooms complete the experience, although occasional noise and the need for updates are noted.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Artistic
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Reasonable
Cleanliness
Spotless
Service
Impeccable
Amenities
Top-notch
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Wow! I must have been one of the first guests at this hotel. I stayed for three nights, the first weekend it was open. There seemed to be very few other guests, since it’s so new. It was blissfully quiet. I travel to Chicago fairly often to visit my daughter, so I’ve stayed in quite a few hotels in Chicago. The room was beautiful, and, of course, brand new. It was a treat to stay in a room that probably no one had ever stayed in before me. Fantastic, super comfortable bed, excellent linens and pillows. Fluffy towels in the bathroom, along with wonderful Malin+Goetz bath products. I stayed in a Studio Suite on the 16th floor. The only problem with that room is that it faces inside the U-shape of the building, thus there is absolutely no view, which I found disappointing. The gallery space and artwork displayed was very high quality, I was impressed. The front desk staff was friendly and attentive. Three issues, probably due to training deficiencies: On arrival, and after valet parking, they didn’t offer to take my bags to my room, they only offered a cart, if I wanted one. I found that odd in such a nice hotel. Second, at 8:15am on the morning when I was to check out, housekeeping came to my room, knocking, asking if they could clean the room. Were they unaware that I would be checking out? Bizarre. Also, on check out, I was charged two $20 fees for “Urban Experience Fee,” which the front desk staff could not explain. Not happy about that, and makes me feel a bit ripped off.
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from 21cChicago, General Manager at 21C Museum Hotel Chicago
Responded Feb 17, 2020
Dear liv2travelalways, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience. We are very glad to have welcomed you for our inaugural weekend while visiting your daughter! Thank you especially for sharing both your positive experiences as well as the areas for us to improve our service execution. Will have taken the necessary training measures to ensure we correct the areas needed. We hope to become your experience of choice while visiting your daughter here in Chicago. Please do reach out to me directly so that I can aide in the possibility. Sincerely, Randall Williams General Manager
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The museum/hotel was fantastic. The front staff were informative and friendly, directing us to discounted parking and suggesting restaurants/shops nearby that may interest us during the stay! Their strict Covid protocols were evident (distancing, masks), anything we needed would be delivered contact free to the room. Beds were very comfortable. Privacy was delightful and the ambience of the room really allows for relaxation. Museum available 24/7 during the stay as well. Restaurant was closed due to Covid, but there’s plenty nearby.
If I had to give a negative, their pillows felt like deflated balloons, so bring your own!
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: March 2021
Value
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Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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We had stayed at this hotel previously when it was the James hotel. It was fine then, but our experience was SUPERB this time. The staff couldn't have been more wonderful. Everyone from Zach at the front desk to Rich delivering waters and ice. The hotel was spotless and we were even provided in-room sanitizing wipes and spray. The finishes were high end and everything was great. The art gallery is no joke, we were surprised at how legit it was. The location can not be beat. Parking was self-park, but it was easy and not far. I can't say enough good things about it. Book your stay now!!!
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Date of stay: March 2021
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Checked into 21c Chicago. Arrived by private car. No bellman or parking attendant. Left the car at the curb, flashers on, and went to checkin. Only one clerk servicing waiting customers. Once it was my turn, the process was efficient and I was informed how to find self park garage. At no time did the desk clerk mention that no housekeeping would be offered during my 3 night stay. I found this out on the next day. You must request to have trash picked up, or get clean towels, or have coffee and cups replenished. Despite getting no perks, the hotel still charges a $20 per night " urban experience fee". For nothing other than the privilege of staying in downtown Chicago. I realize we are still dealing with Covid and necessary precautions, but it seems to me that hotels are taking advantage of the situation by offering less services than in the past and
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Date of stay: July 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It's hard not to rave about this place. Chic rooms, glamorous settings and genuinely world-class art by artists who are shown in major museums. We spent a good hour engaging with the 1st and 2nd floor art exhibits. Rooms are attractively decorated in grays and white with large well-lit bathrooms and excellent amenities. Pro tip: no ice machines but you can get cold bottled water at the front desk. We were there on a weekend with two opening parties and the parties did move into the halls until rather late. Keep this in mind if you're bringing young children. Parking is valet and somewhat expensive but you're short walking distance from Chicago's excellent mass transit and Ubers/taxis are easy. Francesco at the front desk is a delight. My one serious negative: we had a very expensive breakfast in their restaurant. The service was extremely slow and not very cooperative, with reasonable requests (toast instead of bacon e.g.) quickly turned down because the chef "wouldn't like it". The food quality was mediocre at best and definitely not worth the long wait. There are MANY good restaurants and cafes in walking distance so definitely breakfast elsewhere.
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Date of stay: October 2022
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Understand that weekends are very lively and noisy until late
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nikolaus Kern, General Manager at 21C Museum Hotel Chicago
Responded Oct 26, 2022
Hello Irritabletraveler, Thank you so much for sharing your kind comments from your stay at the 21c Museum Hotel Chicago. I'm so pleased to see you connected with various works of art throughout the galleries. Be sure to plan a visit next spring when our we premiere a new exhibit. I've also shared your feedback with the restaurant leadership team so they can provide additional coaching going forward. I'll be sure to share you words of praise with Fracesco, I agree he is an amazing addition to our team. We look forward to welcoming you back soon, when your travels return you to the Windy City!
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Stayed at 21c Museum Hotel for one night for work and glad I did. The hotel is brand new and in their soft opening. The restaurant is not open just yet, but there is plenty of locations within walking distance.
Upon arrival to the hotel and front desk, you walk into an art gallery, in fact the art is situated throughout the entire hotel. So I recommend walking around and checking it all out.
Checkin was fast and the gal working the desk was friendly.
Rooms were nicely decorated and the bath amenities and rubber ducky in the shower were pleasant surprises. Mini bars are not stocked just yet, but assuming this will be rectified with their opening.
Only two areas of constructive feedback I have are, 1) there really was no desk space for me to work on my laptop. There is a small table and couch in front of the tv, but I prefer to sit at a desk with a desk chair and have room to spread out my paperwork, and a place to plug in my laptop while working. 2) some of the staff seem unknowledgeable of the local area. When we arrived, we inquired about breakfast locations, since the restaurant wasn’t opened, and the gal suggested a place that didn’t open until 11am. Also, when I asked the bellmen outside where I could find the nearest pharmacy, he did not know. I then asked a gentleman inside the lobby (staff member), and he directed me to the nearest one. Thank you! Two feedback items are minor but worth mention I thought.
Hotel is located near/along the magnificent mile so easily walkable to shops and restaurant and tourist attractions. I could still hear some construction going on, during the morning, but by no means was it loud or obtrusive.
Great stay and can’t wait to return when the hotel is fully opened.
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Date of stay: March 2020Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from 21cChicago, General Manager at 21C Museum Hotel Chicago
Responded Mar 9, 2020
DearTravelgal52000, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience. It's so great to read that overall, you enjoyed your 21c Chicago experience! Thank you as well for sharing both your experience with our designed space for your work needs as well as the interaction with our front office team. We'll definitely look at viable options to make the space more conducive towards your needs as well as taken the necessary training measures to ensure we correct your breakfast and pharmacy inquiry experience. Whether it be for business again or leisure, we hope to become your experience of choice while visiting Chicago. Please do reach out to me directly so that I can aide in the possibility. Sincerely, Randall Williams General Manager
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This hotel charges premium prices but provides the service of a two star hotel. We were there for four nights and, upon arrival, were informed that the room would be cleaned only once during our stay because of COVID. Neither the safe in the room nor the refrigerator functioned, and the hallway on our floor was dirty; it obviously had not been vacuumed recently.
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Date of stay: October 2021
Location
Cleanliness
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I had to ask multiple different times to get clean linen and towels from the young man who was working the front desk. He told me that he put our names down and never did. It was extremely frustrating to show a friend around the city and then come back to a room that hadn't been cleaned even after we begged for service. We also asked to extend our stay one night and it took the same front desk staffer over an hour to simply book a room. 21c is a cool spot but I will not be staying here again after this. I was upcharged on my rebooking of the extra night and the same staffer did not even try to get us a deal or ask about AAA or anything. He just charged us the max price. Even after we finally got that resolved we came back after dinner to find that our key cards no longer worked because the same guy forgot to update the key cards. The updating of key cards took another hour of our time as this employee is beyond incompetent and rude. It is customary in the hotel and dining business to try and remember customers faces and every time we approached him he acted as if this was the first time he met us, and we always had to re-explain ourselves to him. The rest of the staff is fantastic but this gentleman absolutely ruined our stay. Please consider removing him from your staff.
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Review collected in partnership with Accorhotels.com
Date of stay: July 2022
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Wayne Leming, General Manager at 21C Museum Hotel Chicago
Responded Aug 9, 2022
Hello gbronken, I'm not sure I can convey how disappointed I am to read of our failure to deliver a comfortable and outstanding experience at our hotel. Clearly we had a breakdown in our communication which negatively impacted your stay with us. I am truly sorry and hope that we can demonstrate a positive experience in the future.
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New to Chicago, 21C museum hotel is centrally located in the loop area which is close to lots of shopping and sightseeing. The hotel has a boutique vibe and the room was nicely decorated in what I refer to as hipster chic. There is a nice restaurant next door (Lure Fish Bar), an Eatly around the corner, and a Trader Joe's across the street... so what ever your price point or fancy, you can find something close to the hotel. Location is also good for L access, with the red line stopping 2-3 blocks away. Inside of the lobby and on an additional level is an art collection with a guided tour of the collection offered Thursday evenings.
What made 21C Museum Hotel 10 star for my stay was how incredible the staff were. Unhappily, I broke my foot soon after arriving in Chicago. Holly and all of the staff at the front desk were so incredibly kind and helpful in every way. Unlimited buckets of ice were brought to my room and they even provided a wheelchair we could use which made it possible to have a dinner out and see Grant Park! Initially after my accident I was very happy I did not cheap out on my hotel selection when I was in the hotel room icing my foot because at least the room was pleasant to be in, but the care and consideration of the staff in helping me deal with this accident made it bearable. I cant say enough kind thinks about this hotel and the staff here and will book at 21C properties whenever I can in the future.
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Date of stay: July 2021
Cleanliness
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Randall Williams, General Manager at 21C Museum Hotel Chicago
Responded Feb 16, 2022
Dear BBCNY, It was such a delight to read of your experience here at 21c Chicago! Thank you especially for specifically recognizing Holly as well as our other colleagues that showed such great care towards you. We so look forward to welcoming you back to 21c Chicago!
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The museum is interesting, but you can walk in off the street to see it so you don’t have to stay there to see it. Everything else about this place is terrible. We upgraded to a suite so we could check in early and for a quieter room location. So they put us on a floor with a huge bachelor party group. The design of their rooms is so bad it is almost funny. I got up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and triggered a motion detector which turned on floodlights waking my wife, but she reciprocated by waking me up (going to the bathroom) later.
The TV in the 4x4 suite area of the room is huge but it is 3 feet away from where you can sit. It is already unwatchable due to no channel guide in the room nor on the TV so you have to scroll through every channel (no movie channels) to see something. The TV in the bed area is small and had no way to increase the volume so when the air conditioning went on, it drowned out the TV.
No refrigerator or microwave or ice machine but they do have a refrigerated minibar that was partially stocked. I saw a metal box that looked like it would hold mints. But it was a couple’s love box with a condom and lube gel. Nice, but in a cold minibar? Also no maid service or notice about that. When we called with a request for ice and towels, they didn’t answer the phone. I gave it two stars because it was so bad it made me laugh.
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Date of stay: June 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello, we do have a Nespresso machine in the room. We provide various capsules of regular and decaf, and always have more if you are needing an extra pick me up!
There are more places to choose from in the Chicago area.
PRICE RANGE
C$318 - C$524 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
The James Chicago-Magnificent Mile
LOCATION
United StatesIllinoisChicagoCentral / Near North Side
NUMBER OF ROOMS
297
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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