Why you should experience InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile by IHG in Chicago, Illinois.
InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile by IHG is where Jazz Age glamour meets contemporary Chicago elegance, where historic grandeur flows into modern luxury, and where every corner of the hotel feels touched by the living spirit of the city, artful, timeless, architectural, and humming with stories.
Anchored directly on the world-famous Magnificent Mile, InterContinental Chicago is not merely a hotel, it is a landmark, a vertical narrative carved from Chicago's cultural, architectural, and artistic history. Originally built in the 1920s as the Medinah Athletic Club, the hotel's towers display contrasting personalities: the Historic Tower, with its Moorish-inspired artistry, ornate stonework, hand-cut details, and ceremonial presence; and the Contemporary Tower, sleek, sophisticated, and seamlessly modern. Inside, that duality unfolds with captivating balance. The lobby welcomes you with marble floors, sweeping decorative motifs, sculptural columns, amber-toned lighting, and an atmosphere that feels both cinematic and quietly majestic. It is the kind of arrival experience that doesn't shout luxury, it murmurs it with effortless, lived-in confidence. Rooms are comfortable, bright, and beautifully appointed, offering a refined blend of historical influence and modern design. Expect plush IHG bedding wrapped in crisp linens; large windows that frame the Magnificent Mile, the Chicago River, or the expansive blues of Lake Michigan; soft neutrals enriched by deep blues and warm metallic accents; and furnishings thoughtfully arranged to emphasize space, light, and calm. Bathrooms vary between classic and contemporary depending on room type, but all offer stone vanities, polished fixtures, quality amenities, and the kind of quiet indulgence that elevates your morning routine. Suites amplify the elegance with expansive living areas, dramatic skyline views, custom furnishings, and architectural details inherited from the building's historical roots, arched windows, intricate moldings, geometric patterns, and design references to the Medinah Athletic Club's original artistry. Dining is exceptional. Michael Jordan's Steak House brings bold flavors and a vibrant energy; its sleek, modern interior mixes deep woods, sculptural lighting, and an atmosphere that feels both lively and refined. The adjacent MJ Bar channels a warm, masculine elegance with crafted cocktails and a social, polished mood. ENCORE Café + Bar adds a more relaxed, European-inspired feel, perfect for coffee, pastries, snacks, or light meals throughout the day. Wellness is a defining feature, especially the hotel's famous junior Olympic-sized indoor pool, one of the most architecturally stunning pools in the country. Mosaic tiles, ornate balconies, arched windows, terracotta details, and historical restoration work create an environment that feels both glamorous and almost mythic. Swimming here is less an activity and more an immersion into Chicago's architectural past. The fitness center is modern, spacious, and complete with natural light, while spa services offer quiet respite for travelers seeking deeper relaxation. Service is polished, warm, culturally informed, and rooted in IHG's signature blend of global professionalism and Chicago authenticity. Staff move with confident ease, merging the charisma of classic hospitality with intuitive attention to detail. And the location, right on Michigan Avenue, is extraordinary. Within steps, you can reach the Chicago Riverwalk, Water Tower Park, Tribune Tower, Wrigley Building, luxury shopping, architectural landmarks, and the city's most iconic dining and cultural corridors. InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile by IHG is grand, stylish, atmospheric, historically rich, and ideal for travelers who want to experience Chicago through a lens of architecture, elegance, and storied luxury.
What you didn't know about InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile.
Few hotels carry a history as layered, dramatic, artistic, and architecturally significant as InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, a property born from the golden age of fraternal architecture, shaped by reinvention, and preserved as one of Chicago's true historic treasures.
The hotel's origins trace back to 1929, when it opened as the Medinah Athletic Club, an exclusive gathering place for members of the Shrine organization. The building was envisioned not merely as a clubhouse, but as an architectural masterpiece, a physical expression of Moorish-inspired design, global influences, and monumental detail. Its construction reflected the extravagant ambitions of the era, incorporating rare materials, ornate carvings, mosaic artistry, theatrical corridors, vaulted ceilings, and ceremonial rooms crafted with meticulous craftsmanship. After financial challenges during the Great Depression, the building changed hands several times, ultimately evolving into a hotel, but much of its original artistry remained intact, hidden beneath renovations until restoration efforts in the late 20th century brought those treasures back to life. The Historic Tower houses some of the most extraordinary spaces in Chicago hospitality: the famed pool, adorned with Spanish Majolica tiles and inspired by Venetian design; the King Arthur Court, a medieval-themed hall with carved wood, candle-like lighting, and grand architectural detailing; and the soaring Camelot Room, which once served as an opulent dining hall. Even the exterior holds secrets. Terracotta figures and crest-like details nod to the building's fraternal symbolism. The corner dome blends Middle Eastern and European architectural cues, a rare aesthetic hybrid in American skyscrapers. The Contemporary Tower, constructed later, adds functional height and modern amenities, but was intentionally designed to complement the historic structure. Another lesser-known detail: during restoration, architects discovered hidden murals, forgotten passages, and original decorative skylights sealed during mid-century renovations. Many of these elements were painstakingly preserved or replicated to honor the building's legacy. The swimming pool, now one of the most photographed hotel pools in the world, still showcases its original 1929 tilework and arched windows. The chandeliers adorning major event spaces are inspired by the building's earlier ceremonial lighting concepts. The hotel's dramatic staircases retain their geometric ironwork. Chicago historians often refer to the property as a living archive of pre-Depression architectural exuberance. The hotel also holds symbolic importance within the evolution of the Magnificent Mile. When the Medinah Athletic Club was built, Michigan Avenue was only beginning to transform into an iconic boulevard. The building's presence helped solidify the area's shift from quiet residential stretches into a cultural and architectural powerhouse. Nearby landmarks, including the Wrigley Building and Tribune Tower, rose around the same time, collectively forging the Magnificent Mile's early identity. InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile by IHG remains today a rare architectural hybrid: part Moorish palace, part Art Deco icon, part modern urban hotel. Its history is not simply preserved, it is lived, breathed, and experienced by every guest who walks through its storied halls.
How to fold InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile into your trip.
InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile becomes your historic-luxe Chicago sanctuary, where mornings begin with shimmering river views, afternoons unravel through architectural stories and lakefront wanderings, and evenings settle into vibrant dining, soft lighting, and the timeless glamour of the Magnificent Mile.
Start your morning with breakfast at ENCORE Café + Bar, savoring pastries, fruit, and warm dishes in a relaxed, European-inspired setting. Step outside onto Michigan Avenue and take a short walk to the Wrigley Building or the Tribune Tower, where intricate façades tell the story of Chicago's architectural ambition. From there, stroll toward the Riverwalk, letting the soft sound of water and the shifting reflections of skyscrapers create a peaceful beginning to your day. As midday approaches, explore the nearby Historic Water Tower, shop along the Magnificent Mile, or journey south toward Millennium Park to see Cloud Gate, Lurie Garden, and the soaring lines of the Pritzker Pavilion. For art lovers, the Art Institute of Chicago is an essential stop, filled with world-class collections and rotating exhibitions. Return to the hotel for a swim in the exquisite junior Olympic-sized pool, a moment of pure immersion into Chicago's architectural past, and allow the glow of its mosaics and vaulted windows to envelop you. Afterward, relax in your room or suite, enjoying skyline views bathed in late-afternoon light. Evening invites you to indulge. Begin with a handcrafted cocktail at MJ Bar, where warm lighting and contemporary elegance create a stylish pre-dinner ambiance. Then enjoy dinner at Michael Jordan's Steak House, savoring bold flavors and iconic dishes that pair beautifully with the restaurant's modern, energetic atmosphere. Afterward, take a nighttime walk along Michigan Avenue or the Riverwalk, where the city glows with architectural drama and shimmering reflections on the water. End your night back at the hotel, wrapped in the quiet comfort of your room as the city hums softly below. By the time you depart, InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile by IHG will feel like your personal bridge between Chicago's past and present, grand, atmospheric, warm, and steeped in the architectural magic that defines this extraordinary city.
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