🇺🇸 Chicago, United States
The Kimpton Gray Hotel
📍 39, South LaSalle Street, Chicago, 60603
Your stay — The Kimpton Gray 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 — The Kimpton Gray Hotel
The Kimpton Gray Hotel occupies a 1914 Beaux-Arts former bank building, and that bones-and-brass character drives the whole experience: think Chicago architecture with a wink. The lobby, all dark wood, marble and preserved vault doors, feels like a members' club that forgot to check your membership. It suits travellers who want period style without stuffiness, and who’ll appreciate the free morning coffee hour and evening wine reception as much as the rooftop bar.
Chronicles of Chicago
Chicago was incorporated in 1837, a frontier fur-trading outpost that exploded into a transport and meatpacking powerhouse. The Great Fire of 1871 razed the wooden city, clearing ground for a bold rebuild that produced the world’s first skyscraper (the Home Insurance Building, 1885). Architects like Burnham, Sullivan and Wright then gave the Loop its muscular, varied skyline. Today, Chicago is still a city of distinct neighbourhoods, deep-dish pragmatism and a fierce, unsentimental pride in its own grit.
Best Time to Visit
Full Chicago guide →Best months
May and September give you warm, pleasant weather (20-25°C) without the full summer humidity or crowds. Late June also works, just before the July crush.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak for weather and festivals—especially Taste of Chicago (usually early July) and Lollapalooza (first weekend August). Hotel prices in the Loop can double; book months ahead. The Chicago Air and Water Show in mid-August also clogs the lakefront.
Budget shoulder season
April and October offer significant discounts (often 30-40% off peak rates). April can be cool and rainy but the city is quiet; October has crisp autumn days and fewer tourists.
Weather & packing
Chicago summers are humid and can swing from 18°C at dawn to 35°C by afternoon, often with lake-effect coolness near the shore. Pack layers: a light jacket or sweater for evenings, plus breathable shirts and sturdy walking shoes.
Live City Briefing — Chicago
- The Red Line's north-south service is disrupted through summer 2026 for track renewal; use the No. 22 or 36 buses as alternatives along Clark and Dearborn.
- The Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park opens fully in early 2026; shuttle buses from the Loop run every 20 minutes, but book a timed-entry pass online.
- Chicago's new 'Residential Parking Permit Zone 10' now covers parts of the West Loop and Near West Side—check signs if you park on the street.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to The Kimpton Gray Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request an upper-floor room (floor 8 or above) on the west side of the building, overlooking LaSalle Street's canyon – less street noise than the lower floors, and better light.
Rooms to avoid
Stay away from rooms on floors 2–4, especially those facing east or south – these align with the internal atrium and the restaurant/bar area on the second floor, which can get loud until late. Also avoid rooms directly above the main entrance on LaSalle Street below floor 6 – delivery trucks and taxis idle there.
Best views
Ask for a room on the west side (facing LaSalle Street) – you'll look down the historic financial district canyon. North-facing rooms at the front of the hotel overlook the Rookery building's ornate facade but get more street noise. East-facing rooms see the alley and an office block – no view.
Quietest floors
Floors 8 through 12 are quieter – above the street-level buzz and below the top floor where mechanical equipment can hum.
🔊 Noise notes
LaSalle Street is a busy financial district artery – weekday traffic starts around 6am, with delivery trucks and taxis. The hotel's ground-floor bar and restaurant can carry noise up the atrium to rooms on floors 2–4. The lift lobby on the first floor echoes through the atrium too.
Insider tips
1. Check in early and ask for a room on floors 8–12, west side – these are the quietest and best-lit. 2. The hotel's gym is on the second floor but small – skip it and run the lakefront trail instead (10 minutes by taxi or a 20-minute walk east). Valet parking is expensive ($65–$75/night); park at the Grant Park garage on Monroe Street for $20–$30 and walk 5 minutes.
- 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 — The Kimpton Gray Hotel
Free standard Wi-Fi throughout (speed approx. 25 Mbps download). Premium tier ($9.95/night) for up to 50 Mbps. No login required on guest network.
Two passenger lifts serving all guest floors; no stairs-only sections.
Complimentary digital access to PressReader (1000+ newspapers and magazines) via hotel app. No physical newspapers delivered.
Check-in from 15:00; early check-in subject to availability; bag drop available before check-in. Late check-out until 13:00 free, after 13:00 charged half-day rate, after 16:00 full night rate (confirm at front desk).
Complimentary for same-day arrivals before check-in and after check-out; secure left luggage room.
Step-free entrance from LaSalle Street; accessible routes to lobby, restaurant, and all guest floors via lift. Some historic door widths may be tight for large wheelchairs; call ahead for specific room needs.
No on-site parking. Valet parking via self-park garage next door (entrance on LaSalle): approx. $62/night with in/out privileges. Nearest public garage: 'The LaSalle Street Garage' at 30 S LaSalle St (24hrs, ~$40/night). No EV charging on property.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (hotel collects 16.4% combined tax on room rate; no separate city/tourist tax listed)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment for advance purchase rates; standard bookings require valid card at check-in for room + $100/night incidental hold
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Grace Episcopal Church (534 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: The Loop Church of the Nazarene (576 m · ~7 min walk)
- Mosque: Downtown Islamic Center (714 m · ~9 min walk)
- Synagogue: Loop Synagogue (845 m · ~11 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Southgate Market — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Southbank Park — 405 m · ~5 min walk
Chicago Board of Trade Building Museum — 317 m · ~4 min walk
Auditorium Theatre — 798 m · ~10 min walk
Cradle Nest — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Chase — 509 m · ~6 min walk
CVS Pharmacy — 522 m · ~7 min walk
South Loop Market — 258 m · ~3 min walk
LaSalle Street Station — 91 m · ~1 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →US Dollar, USD
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid currency exchange booths at airports and tourist areas — they charge high fees and poor rates.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted everywhere, including contactless; smaller cafés or street vendors may be cash-only.
Restaurants: 15-20% before tax. Taxis: 10-15% of fare. Hotel staff: $1-2 per bag for bellhops, $2-5 per night for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Drip coffee from a diner or chain coffee shop — around $2.50–3.50.
A sandwich or slice of pizza from a deli or pizza-by-the-slice joint — $8–12.
A burger or pasta main at a casual pub or tavern — $12–18.
The Loop has food trucks on weekdays near office plazas; pricier than typical street food but still cheap for lunch.
Jewel-Osco and Aldi are common budget supermarkets in the area.
Target and TJ Maxx are reliable for affordable basics; the outlet mall on State Street offers discounts on brand names.
CTA single ride $2.50, 1-day pass $5 from Ventra vending machines. From O'Hare, take the Blue Line ($5) — much cheaper than a taxi ($40+).
1. Buy a Ventra day pass if taking more than 2 rides. 2. Eat at diners or delis instead of sit-down restaurants for lunch. 3. Walk between downtown attractions — the Loop is compact.
Good to know — Chicago
Type A/B · 120V
safe
USD ($)
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 The Kimpton Gray Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Chase — 509 m · ~6 min walk — pharmacy · CVS Pharmacy — 522 m · ~7 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 The Kimpton Gray Hotel?
Request an upper-floor room (floor 8 or above) on the west side of the building, overlooking LaSalle Street's canyon – less street noise than the lower floors, and better light.
Which rooms should I avoid at The Kimpton Gray Hotel?
Stay away from rooms on floors 2–4, especially those facing east or south – these align with the internal atrium and the restaurant/bar area on the second floor, which can get loud until late. Also avoid rooms directly above the main entrance on LaSalle Street below floor 6 – delivery trucks and taxis idle there.
Is The Kimpton Gray Hotel noisy?
LaSalle Street is a busy financial district artery – weekday traffic starts around 6am, with delivery trucks and taxis. The hotel's ground-floor bar and restaurant can carry noise up the atrium to rooms on floors 2–4. The lift lobby on the first floor echoes through the atrium too.
Which rooms have the best views at The Kimpton Gray Hotel?
Ask for a room on the west side (facing LaSalle Street) – you'll look down the historic financial district canyon. North-facing rooms at the front of the hotel overlook the Rookery building's ornate facade but get more street noise. East-facing rooms see the alley and an office block – no view.
What are insider tips for staying at The Kimpton Gray Hotel?
1. Check in early and ask for a room on floors 8–12, west side – these are the quietest and best-lit. 2. The hotel's gym is on the second floor but small – skip it and run the lakefront trail instead (10 minutes by taxi or a 20-minute walk east). Valet parking is expensive ($65–$75/night); park at the Grant Park garage on Monroe Street for $20–$30 and walk 5 minutes.
What time is check-in at The Kimpton Gray Hotel?
Check-in at The Kimpton Gray Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does The Kimpton Gray Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free standard Wi-Fi throughout (speed approx. 25 Mbps download). Premium tier ($9.95/night) for up to 50 Mbps. No login required on guest network.
Is there a city or tourist tax at The Kimpton Gray Hotel?
None (hotel collects 16.4% combined tax on room rate; no separate city/tourist tax listed)
Where can I eat cheaply near The Kimpton Gray Hotel?
A sandwich or slice of pizza from a deli or pizza-by-the-slice joint — $8–12.
What is the cheapest way to get around from The Kimpton Gray Hotel?
CTA single ride $2.50, 1-day pass $5 from Ventra vending machines. From O'Hare, take the Blue Line ($5) — much cheaper than a taxi ($40+).
When is the best time to visit Chicago?
May and September give you warm, pleasant weather (20-25°C) without the full summer humidity or crowds. Late June also works, just before the July crush.
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.