🇺🇸 Chicago, United States
InterContinental Chicago Hotel
📍 505, North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, 60611
Your stay — InterContinental Chicago Hotel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Chicago.
The Property — InterContinental Chicago Hotel
Michigan Avenue's grand dame with a 1929 Beaux-Arts shell, recently refreshed public spaces and rooms that lean business-smart over boutique-chic. The lobby is a soaring marble-and-mosaic atrium with a vintage ticker-tape board, giving off an ambitious, Roaring Twenties air that suits conference-goers and history-minded tourists who appreciate a central location without fussy design.
Chronicles of Chicago
Chicago rose from a frontier trading post into America's railroad hub, then rebuilt itself after the 1871 Great Fire with the world's first skyscrapers. The 1893 World's Columbian Exposition stamped its civic ambition, while architects like Louis Sullivan, Burnham and Root, and later Mies van der Rohe defined modernism here. Today it's a muscular mix of finance, theatre and deep-dish pizza, with a lakefront that was famously saved for public use—no other city on the Great Lakes has such a deliberately democratic shoreline.
Best Time to Visit
Full Chicago guide →Best months
May, September, October: warm but not muggy, minimal humidity, and city festivals like Blues Fest (June) and Taste of Chicago (July) haven't peaked yet. Lake breezes keep things comfortable.
Peak / festival surge
July–August: Lollapalooza (first weekend of August), summer festivals, and perfect baseball weather pack hotels. InterContinental rates can double; book 3+ months ahead.
Budget shoulder season
April and November: April sees tulips and pre-summer discounts; November has cold but clear skies, lower rates, and pre-holiday shopping without the December frenzy.
Weather & packing
Chicago's weather is famously fickle—a 30°C July day can drop to 18°C with a stiff lake wind. Pack a light jacket or cardigan even in midsummer, plus comfortable walking shoes for the lakefront trail.
Live City Briefing — Chicago
- The CTA is mid-way through a multi-year modernisation of the Red Line, with weekend track closures on the north side through summer 2026—check the 'L' schedule before heading to Wrigley Field.
- Navy Pier's new FlyOver Chicago ride (a motion-theatre flight over the state) opened in 2025 and is drawing extra crowds; book tickets in advance to avoid 90-minute waits.
- A major water-main replacement on Lower Wacker Drive continues through 2026, causing occasional street-level congestion near the Loop—use Michigan Avenue for pedestrian routes.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to InterContinental Chicago Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a high floor room on the south or east side. The south side overlooks the Chicago River and Wrigley Building, the east side faces Lake Michigan. High floors (above 20) reduce street noise from Michigan Avenue.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on lower floors (below 10) on the north or west sides. North-facing rooms look onto the Wrigley Building's rear service alley; west-facing rooms get direct afternoon sun and noise from the lower-level conference centre.
Best views
East-facing rooms (even-numbered rooms, usually) have unobstructed views over the Magnificent Mile rooftops and Lake Michigan. South-facing rooms capture the Chicago River and the distinctive Wrigley Building clock tower.
Quietest floors
Floors 20 to 32 are consistently quiet because they're above the street-level traffic and the hotel's bar and event spaces.
🔊 Noise notes
Michigan Avenue carries constant traffic, including tour buses and emergency sirens. The hotel's main entrance is on this street, so doors open onto foot traffic. The bar can get loud until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
Insider tips
1. Use the Michigan Avenue valet entrance for a quicker check-in; the street-side doorman can call ahead. 2. Request a refrigerator in advance if you need one — not all rooms have them, and the muggy Chicago summer means you'll want cold water.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — InterContinental Chicago Hotel
Complimentary basic WiFi (up to 10 Mbps) for all guests; premium tier (up to 50 Mbps) at $12.95 per day; no login constraints beyond room number
Four passenger lifts serve all 34 floors and both wings; no stairs-only sections
Free digital newsstand via PressReader with room key code; physical newspapers not offered
Check-in 15:00, check-out 11:00; early bag drop allowed from 08:00; late checkout fee of $50 per hour until 14:00, after 14:00 charged full night
Complimentary bell desk storage before check-in and after check-out
Step-free main entrance on Michigan Avenue; automatic doors; accessible rooms and roll-in showers; no structural limitations reported
Valet parking only, $70 per night with in/out privileges; nearest public garage is 100 W Ohio Street (Self Park) at $30 for 24 hours; no EV charging on-site
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 17.5% combined Chicago hotel tax (city + state + county), included in quoted rate; no separate resort fee
Deposit & card hold: First night deposit required for advance booking; a $100 incidental hold per night on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Seventeenth Church of Christ Scientist (460 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: First United Methodist Church of Chicago (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Place of worship: Mathews Chapel (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
- Church: St. Peter's Church (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Millennium Station/Pedway — 483 m · ~6 min walk
Chicago Riverwalk — 449 m · ~6 min walk
Chicago Architecture Center — 226 m · ~3 min walk
Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance — 514 m · ~6 min walk
The Watering Hole — 805 m · ~10 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Chase — 498 m · ~6 min walk
CVS Pharmacy — 258 m · ~3 min walk
7-Eleven — 502 m · ~6 min walk
Mercury Tours 1 — 149 m · ~2 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →US Dollar, USD
Travellers typically withdraw from ATMs or use bank-exchange services; avoid airport and tourist-area bureaux due to poor rates.
Credit/debit cards and contactless mobile payments are widely accepted in most stores, restaurants, and transport.
Restaurants: 15-20% pre-tax; taxis: 10-15%; hotel staff: $1-2 per bag, $2-5 per night for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Drip coffee from a diner or convenience store: around $2.50-$3.50.
A pizza slice or sandwich combo from a deli: about $8-$12.
A main course at a casual sit-down restaurant: about $14-$22.
Look for food trucks or stalls near parks and office plazas (e.g., near Michigan Avenue) for $8-$12 meals.
Chain supermarkets like Jewel-Osco and Whole Foods are common in the area.
Affordable high-street shopping includes department stores like Macy's on State Street and nearby outlet-style shops.
Cheapest is the CTA day pass ($5 for 1-day, $15 for 3-day); from O'Hare, take the CTA Blue Line ($5, about 45 min) or from Midway, take the Orange Line ($2.50, 30 min).
1. Use the CTA's unlimited-ride passes for multiple trips. 2. Eat lunch at food trucks or delis instead of full-service restaurants. 3. Visit free attractions like the Chicago Riverwalk or Lincoln Park Zoo.
Good to know — Chicago
Type A/B · 120V
safe
USD ($)
Emergency Contacts
ChicagoAll emergency services in Chicago, United States are reached by dialing 911. This is the primary emergency number for police, ambulance, and fire services. For non-emergency situations, contact the Chicago Police Department at 311 or visit their website.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Chicago, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at InterContinental Chicago Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Chase — 498 m · ~6 min walk — pharmacy · CVS Pharmacy — 258 m · ~3 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Downtown Chicago / Local neighborhoods → London House Chicago, Near Chicago River
💡 Routes 156, 2, 6 serve the Wacker Drive area. Ventra card recommended for faster boarding. Best for local exploration.
Midway International Airport (MDW) → London House Chicago, Downtown Chicago
💡 Cheaper alternative if arriving at Midway. Orange Line connects to Red/Brown lines for downtown access.
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) → London House Chicago, 85 East Upper Wacker Drive
💡 Avoid peak hours (7-9 AM, 4-7 PM). Airport taxis offer flat rates from taxi stand on baggage claim level.
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) → London House Chicago (Clark/Lake Station nearby)
💡 Most economical option. Blue Line runs 24/7; transfer at Clark/Lake for walking distance to hotel. Download Ventra card app.
About Chicago
Wikipedia ↗
Chicago is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, it is the third-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 2.74 million at the 2020 census. The Chicago metropolitan area has approxi...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at InterContinental Chicago Hotel?
Request a high floor room on the south or east side. The south side overlooks the Chicago River and Wrigley Building, the east side faces Lake Michigan. High floors (above 20) reduce street noise from Michigan Avenue.
Which rooms should I avoid at InterContinental Chicago Hotel?
Avoid rooms on lower floors (below 10) on the north or west sides. North-facing rooms look onto the Wrigley Building's rear service alley; west-facing rooms get direct afternoon sun and noise from the lower-level conference centre.
Is InterContinental Chicago Hotel noisy?
Michigan Avenue carries constant traffic, including tour buses and emergency sirens. The hotel's main entrance is on this street, so doors open onto foot traffic. The bar can get loud until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
Which rooms have the best views at InterContinental Chicago Hotel?
East-facing rooms (even-numbered rooms, usually) have unobstructed views over the Magnificent Mile rooftops and Lake Michigan. South-facing rooms capture the Chicago River and the distinctive Wrigley Building clock tower.
What are insider tips for staying at InterContinental Chicago Hotel?
1. Use the Michigan Avenue valet entrance for a quicker check-in; the street-side doorman can call ahead. 2. Request a refrigerator in advance if you need one — not all rooms have them, and the muggy Chicago summer means you'll want cold water.
What time is check-in at InterContinental Chicago Hotel?
Check-in at InterContinental Chicago Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does InterContinental Chicago Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Complimentary basic WiFi (up to 10 Mbps) for all guests; premium tier (up to 50 Mbps) at $12.95 per day; no login constraints beyond room number
Is there a city or tourist tax at InterContinental Chicago Hotel?
17.5% combined Chicago hotel tax (city + state + county), included in quoted rate; no separate resort fee
Where can I eat cheaply near InterContinental Chicago Hotel?
A pizza slice or sandwich combo from a deli: about $8-$12.
What is the cheapest way to get around from InterContinental Chicago Hotel?
Cheapest is the CTA day pass ($5 for 1-day, $15 for 3-day); from O'Hare, take the CTA Blue Line ($5, about 45 min) or from Midway, take the Orange Line ($2.50, 30 min).
When is the best time to visit Chicago?
May, September, October: warm but not muggy, minimal humidity, and city festivals like Blues Fest (June) and Taste of Chicago (July) haven't peaked yet. Lake breezes keep things comfortable.
Top Attractions in Chicago
💡 Parking on the pier itself is expensive — the free trolley from nearby Streeterville, or a 15-minute walk from Michigan Avenue, is cheaper and often faster. Summer weekends get very crowded by afternoon; mornings are quieter.
💡 Go early (before 8am) or on a weekday to get a clear photo of the Bean without crowds. The garden section at the southeast corner is quieter and offers good views of the skyline.
💡 Start at the Riverwalk entrance near Michigan Avenue bridge. Go at sunset for good lighting on the skyscrapers. The paid cruise adds historical narration but the free route is excellent on a clear day. Allow 1 hour.
💡 Illinois residents can book free tickets online for Thursdays; bring a state ID. Non-residents: the regular $25 ticket gets you into the Modern Wing where fewer tourists go. Give yourself 2-3 hours.
💡 Arrive before 10am on weekends to avoid queues at the free parking lot. The zoo is compact; two hours is enough for a thorough visit.
💡 Check the website before going—some special exhibits have a small fee ($5–$10). The conservatory is west of the Loop; take the Green Line train to Garfield station. Allow 1–2 hours.