
Aloft Chicago Mag Mile
Best for social, budget-conscious travelers who want a lively bar scene and 24-hour grab-and-go dining steps from the Magnificent Mile.
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Aloft Chicago Mag Mile is a casual, social-minded downtown hotel on the Magnificent Mile; read this if you want easygoing nightlife, 24-hour grab-and-go dining, and a family-friendly stay near shopping. Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago is an upscale, design-forward hotel in the distinctive Aqua tower near Millennium Park; read this if you care about architecture, larger meeting spaces, and a more design-focused downtown experience.
Updated · about 0.7 km apart

Best for social, budget-conscious travelers who want a lively bar scene and 24-hour grab-and-go dining steps from the Magnificent Mile.

Best for design-minded travelers and groups who want upscale rooms, significant conference space, and a central Millennium Park location.
When Aloft Chicago Mag Mile wins: choose Aloft if you want a livelier, more casual hotel with a top-floor indoor pool, late-night grab-and-go food, live-music bar nights, and a location focused on Magnificent Mile shopping.
When Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago wins: choose Radisson Blu Aqua if you prefer a design-forward, upscale hotel with a large meeting footprint, both indoor and seasonal outdoor pools, and a setting closer to Millennium Park and the Riverwalk.
Bottom line: both are contemporary downtown Chicago hotels a short walk apart; pick Aloft for social energy and easy, round-the-clock basics, or Radisson Blu Aqua for architecture, event facilities, and a slightly more upscale on-site offering.
| Category | Aloft Chicago Mag Mile | Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Casual, social, music-friendly | Design-focused, upscale, architecturally notable |
| Location (neighborhood) | Streeterville / Magnificent Mile (243 E. Ontario St.) | Near Millennium Park / Chicago Riverwalk (221 N Columbus Dr) |
| Size (rooms) | 337 rooms | 334 rooms |
| Ages / policy | All ages welcome; primary guest must be 21 to check in | All ages welcome (not adults-only); minimum check-in age 21 reported for property |
| Pools | Indoor pool (Splash) on the 19th floor; complimentary (hours typically 7:00 AM–10:00 PM) | Indoor pool plus outdoor seasonal pool (seasonal outdoor pool open June–September); pool hoist and accessible features listed |
| Restaurants & bars | Re:Fuel (24-hour grab-and-go) and W XYZ Bar (evening bar with live music) | FireLake (on-site restaurant) plus bar/lounge and limited room service; weekday/weekend breakfast available for a fee |
| Spa / treatments | No standalone spa published | Not published |
| Meetings & events | 7 meeting rooms, ~5,500–5,609 sq ft total; Warhol is largest (up to 120 reception) | Extensive conference facilities: 13 meeting rooms, ~27,997 sq ft (2,601 m²) of event space; sizable ballroom options |
| Accessible features | Accessible rooms, pool, and public areas; elevators and registration accessible | Wheelchair accessible rooms/restaurant/pool; assistive listening devices available |
| Nearby highlights | Magnificent Mile shopping, Ohio Street Beach, Navy Pier, Museum of Contemporary Art | Millennium Park, Grant Park, Chicago Riverwalk, Michigan Avenue |
Aloft sits on the Magnificent Mile in Streeterville, steps from shopping and a short walk to lakefront attractions.
Aloft is ideal if you want to be in the heart of Magnificent Mile retail and within quick walking distance of the lakefront.
Radisson Blu Aqua sits in the Aqua tower close to Millennium Park and the Chicago Riverwalk.
Radisson Blu Aqua is a better pick if you want to be nearest to Millennium Park, the Riverwalk, and lakeshore parks.
Aloft’s rooms skew modern-casual with several high-floor and two-sided window options.
Rooms at Aloft are functional, modern, and aimed at social, short-stay guests and families.
Radisson Blu Aqua’s rooms emphasize design and offer many room-type permutations including balcony and premium corner options.
Radisson Blu Aqua offers a broad set of room types that aim for an upscale, design-minded stay with more in-room amenities listed.
Aloft focuses on convenience and a social bar atmosphere.
Aloft is tailored for quick, flexible meals and evening bar socializing rather than fine dining.
Radisson Blu Aqua offers an on-site restaurant and bar with fuller food and beverage options.
Radisson Blu Aqua provides a more traditional hotel dining setup suited to travelers wanting sit-down meals on property.
Aloft’s headline amenity is its top-floor indoor pool.
Aloft’s 19th-floor indoor pool is a practical perk for families and leisure stays in any season.
Radisson Blu Aqua lists both indoor and outdoor seasonal pool options.
Radisson Blu Aqua gives guests both indoor and outdoor seasonal pool choices, which is useful in summer months.
Aloft combines a 24-hour fitness room with a music-forward bar scene.
Aloft is suited to guests who want a fit-and-social stay without a formal spa program.
Radisson Blu Aqua lists a 24-hour health club and a range of on-site services for business and leisure travelers.
Radisson Blu Aqua offers more business- and event-oriented services alongside standard fitness amenities.

Aloft Chicago Mag Mile — steps from Michigan Avenue stores and quick access to lakefront promenades.

Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago — located in the architecturally distinct Aqua tower with a design focus throughout the property.

Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago — substantially larger meeting and conference footprint (13 rooms, ~27,997 sq ft).

Aloft Chicago Mag Mile — 24-hour Re:Fuel grab-and-go market and lively W XYZ Bar for evening socializing.
Radisson Blu Aqua is closer to Millennium Park and Grant Park; Aloft is nearer the Magnificent Mile shopping corridor.
Radisson Blu Aqua lists an outdoor seasonal pool (open June–September); Aloft offers an indoor top-floor pool only.
No. Both properties welcome guests of all ages; the primary guest typically must be 21 to check in.
Radisson Blu Aqua has a much larger dedicated event space (13 meeting rooms and about 27,997 sq ft) compared with Aloft’s 7 rooms and ~5,500 sq ft.
Explore how Aloft Chicago Mag Mile stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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