
Aloft Chicago Mag Mile
Best for shoppers and families who want contemporary, social spaces and a convenient Magnificent Mile location without luxury prices.
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Aloft Chicago Mag Mile is a newer, casual Marriott-brand hotel in Streeterville with playful public spaces and a top-floor indoor pool — good for shoppers, families and younger travelers. InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile is a historic, upscale IHG property located directly on Michigan Avenue — read this if you want classic downtown luxury and lots of meeting/event capacity.
Updated · about 0.2 km apart

Best for shoppers and families who want contemporary, social spaces and a convenient Magnificent Mile location without luxury prices.

Best for travelers who want a large, historic luxury hotel right on Michigan Avenue with extensive meeting space and full-service facilities.
When Aloft Chicago Mag Mile wins: choose Aloft if you prefer a more modern, social-casual atmosphere, straightforward grab-and-go dining (Re:Fuel), a top-floor indoor pool (Splash) and compact, well-priced rooms close to the Magnificent Mile.
When InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile wins: pick InterContinental if you want a large, upscale property directly on Michigan Avenue with formal restaurants, a spa offering treatments, more room types/suites, and substantial meeting/banquet facilities.
Bottom line: Aloft is the younger, livelier, value-oriented pick for shoppers and families; InterContinental is the traditional, full-service downtown luxury option for business groups and guests who prioritize a Michigan Avenue address and on-site spa/restaurant choices.
| Category | Aloft Chicago Mag Mile | InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Contemporary, social-casual and playful | Historic, upscale and formal |
| Location | 243 E. Ontario St (Streeterville), ~1–3 min walk to Magnificent Mile | 505 N Michigan Ave (directly on Michigan Avenue/Tribune Tower vicinity) |
| Size (rooms) | 337 rooms across 19 floors | 792 guestrooms (multiple towers) |
| Ages / check-in | All ages welcome; primary guest must be 21 to check in | All ages welcome; check-in age policy: Not published |
| Pools | Splash — indoor pool on the 19th floor (complimentary; hours typically morning to evening) | Indoor pool available (listed as 1 indoor pool) |
| Restaurants & bars | Re:Fuel (24-hour grab-and-go) and W XYZ Bar (lively bar, evening hours) | Two restaurants, a bar/lounge and a coffee shop/cafe (room service available limited hours) |
| Spa & wellness | No confirmed on-site spa (fitness center Re:charge is 24-hour) | Spa services on site plus fitness facilities, sauna |
| Known for | Modern design, live-music bar and top-floor pool near the Magnificent Mile | Historic luxury, large meeting rooms and direct Michigan Avenue address |
| Event & meeting space | 7 event rooms (~5,500–5,609 sq ft); Warhol is largest (up to 120 reception) | 34 meeting rooms and extensive banquet/ballroom capacity |
Aloft sits in Streeterville just off the Magnificent Mile, a short walk from shopping and the lakefront.
Aloft is a very walkable base for Magnificent Mile shopping and lakefront sights.
InterContinental is located directly on Michigan Avenue, putting you steps from landmark storefronts and the Tribune Tower.
InterContinental’s Michigan Avenue address is the key location draw for visitors who want to be in the thick of downtown.
Aloft’s room types skew modern and compact, with several high-floor and accessible options.
Rooms at Aloft are contemporary and aimed at leisure and short-stay business travelers.
InterContinental offers a wide range of room types and suites across its towers, including executive and premium city-view options.
InterContinental provides broader room choice and more suite-level options for guests wanting extra space.
Aloft focuses on fast, flexible food and a social bar scene.
Aloft is best if you want flexible, informal dining and a casual bar atmosphere.
InterContinental lists multiple on-site dining options, including formal restaurant choices and a coffee shop.
InterContinental suits guests who prefer full-service dining and more formal restaurant choices on-site.
Aloft’s signature amenity is its 19th-floor indoor pool, Splash, plus a top-floor fitness center.
Aloft offers a high-floor pool and a 24-hour fitness room that appeal to active and family travelers.
InterContinental lists on-site wellness facilities including an indoor pool, fitness options and spa services.
InterContinental’s wellness and spa offerings are stronger if you want full-service relaxation options.
Aloft pairs a 24-hour fitness center with an active bar scene and occasional live music.
Aloft is geared to guests who value workout options and an energetic evening bar.
InterContinental offers a traditional hotel nightlife/dining mix and on-site spa services for quieter evenings.
InterContinental is better for travelers who want spa treatments and more formal evening dining.

Aloft — contemporary rooms, grab-and-go dining and a lively bar near the shops.

InterContinental — dozens of meeting rooms and larger banquet/ballroom space.

InterContinental — lists spa services, sauna, indoor pool and concierge offerings.

Aloft — live-music bar (W XYZ) and social lobby spaces aimed at younger travelers.
Both are very close, but InterContinental sits directly on Michigan Avenue; Aloft is a short walk (about 3 minutes) from the Magnificent Mile.
InterContinental lists on-site spa services (massages, facials and body treatments); Aloft has no confirmed standalone spa.
Both properties list indoor pools: Aloft’s Splash is on the 19th floor and is a guest-focused amenity; InterContinental also lists an indoor pool along with a sauna.
InterContinental has far more meeting rooms (34) and larger ballroom/banquet capacity; Aloft has smaller event offerings (7 rooms, Warhol the largest).
Explore how Aloft Chicago Mag Mile stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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