Why you should experience LondonHouse Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton in Chicago, Illinois.
LondonHouse Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton is where riverfront history meets contemporary glamour, where a 1920s architectural icon fuses seamlessly with a sleek modern tower, and where every window, every terrace, every softly lit corner transforms Chicago's skyline into a living, breathing work of art.
Anchored at the confluence of Michigan Avenue and the Chicago River, LondonHouse Chicago occupies one of the most coveted architectural positions in the city, an address that has defined the curvature of the Grand Mile for nearly a century. The historic west tower, a 1923 Beaux-Arts masterpiece by Alfred S. Alschuler, rises in limestone grandeur beside the river, while the connected modern glass tower reflects the skyline in shimmering silver-blue tones. Together, the two structures create an architectural duet of heritage and progress, Chicago's past and future in a single silhouette. Step inside and the lobby envelops you with golden warmth, marble underfoot, sculptural lighting overhead, and contemporary furnishings that echo the building's historic curves. The atmosphere is both glamorous and intimate, like a private club where architecture, design, and emotion work in harmony. Rooms are elegant, calm, and composed with a quietly opulent touch. Expect sweeping views of the river, skyline, or Michigan Avenue through floor-to-ceiling windows; plush Hilton bedding wrapped in crisp linens; contemporary furnishings in cream, charcoal, and brushed gold; and soft lighting that creates a warm, cinematic glow from sunrise to evening. The building's unique footprint means some rooms curve gently with the architecture, creating spaces that feel sculptural and deeply memorable. Bathrooms are spa-like, with marble vanities, glass-enclosed showers, deep tubs in select rooms, warm metallic fixtures, and amenities that elevate even the simplest routines into rituals of calm. Suites are extraordinary. Some offer corner views that seem to float above the river; others sit within the historic rotunda, where curved windows and Art Deco geometry create a sense of inhabiting a living architectural artifact. The Presidential Suite, perched high in the tower, unfolds into a sequence of expansive living areas, skyline-facing bedrooms, dining spaces, and windows that turn the city into an immersive panorama. Dining is centered around LH Rooftop, the hotel's renowned three-level bar and restaurant. The indoor floor is sleek and luminous, golden lighting, sculptural seating, and an atmosphere designed for intimate conversations and crafted cocktails. The outdoor terrace is an architectural marvel: perched above the curve of the river, offering unobstructed views of the Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, the river's soft glimmer, and the Grand Mile rising in a theatrical sweep of stone and glass. On summer nights, this terrace feels like the crown of the city, wind off the lake, bridges opening and closing below, lights flickering across the water. Land & Lake, the hotel's approachable American restaurant, offers warm hospitality and elevated comfort cuisine on the ground floor. Wellness is refined and serene. The fitness center is spacious, modern, and bathed in natural light. The hotel's spa continues the theme of restorative elegance with soothing palettes, aromatherapeutic treatments, calm treatment rooms, and rituals designed to slow the pulse of time itself.
What you should know about LondonHouse Chicago.
LondonHouse Chicago occupies one of the most historically significant corners in the city, land that shaped Chicago's commercial identity, architectural evolution, and the very philosophy of how Michigan Avenue would meet the river.
The original west tower, completed in 1923, was designed for the London Guarantee & Accident Company and soon became known as the London Guarantee Building. Its Beaux-Arts façade, corinthian pilasters, ornate cornices, sculpted stonework, arched windows, embodied the opulent architectural ideals of the early 20th century. Crowning the building is the famed “Belvedere,” a domed temple-like rooftop structure inspired by classical architecture that remained closed to the public for nearly a century before being restored as part of the hotel's rebirth. Beneath the hotel's foundations ran the historic convergence of Cityfront rail lines, which once connected the riverfront to Chicago's thriving shipping and printing industries. For decades, freight trains, newspaper trucks, and cargo vessels dominated this stretch of the river, making the site one of the earliest logistical hearts of downtown commerce. In the 1950s and 60s, the neighborhood's rapid growth gave rise to a modernist wave of architecture. During this period, plans were drafted to convert the west tower into a multi-use building with possible skybridges extending toward Michigan Avenue. Those plans never materialized, but they led to early conceptual drawings showing a two-tower configuration remarkably similar to what LondonHouse has become today. When the building was designated a city landmark, developers faced a grand challenge: merge a historic tower with a new glass skyscraper while preserving every protected detail of the façade. The narrow site, historic restrictions, and proximity to the river required extraordinary engineering innovation. The resulting modern east tower, completed in the 2010s, was built with over 50% of its weight resting on a cantilevered structural core, an engineering marvel designed to protect the west tower's foundations while allowing the new structure to rise beside it. Another lesser-known detail: the building played a significant role in Chicago's jazz history. The London House jazz club, operating mid-century on the ground floors, hosted legends including Oscar Peterson, Ramsey Lewis, and Marian McPartland. For years, recordings from London House were considered among the finest live jazz captures in the country. During renovation, architectural conservators uncovered original stone carvings hidden behind panels added during 20th-century modernization efforts. These carvings, depicting mythological forms, maritime motifs, and classical ornamentation, were meticulously restored and now appear in the hotel's interior design. The rooftop cupola had been locked and unused for decades; dust-covered architectural elements, forgotten equipment, and old ledgers were found inside when restoration began. Today, this once-inaccessible relic is part of LH Rooftop's penthouse level. The two-tower composition symbolizes Chicago's architectural identity: reverence for history paired with a commitment to innovation. LondonHouse Chicago is more than a hotel, it is a living archive of the city's transformation, embodying the spirit of reinvention that has shaped Chicago for more than a century.
How to fold LondonHouse Chicago into your trip.
LondonHouse Chicago becomes your cinematic riverfront stage, where mornings begin with soft light dancing across the Wrigley Building, afternoons unravel through art, architecture, and lakeside paths, and evenings crescendo into rooftop cocktails and glowing skyline reflections that feel almost unreal.
Start the morning with breakfast at Land & Lake, savoring comforting Midwestern dishes before stepping out onto Michigan Avenue, where the Grand Mile begins its ascent into architectural poetry. Walk toward the Wrigley Building, its white terracotta façade catching the sun, then wander onto the Chicago Riverwalk, where early morning light illuminates the bridges, the river glimmers quietly, and the city feels both peaceful and intensely alive. Midday, explore the Art Institute, stroll through Millennium Park, or wander north along the river toward Wolf Point. For shoppers, the Grand Mile's boutiques and flagship stores offer boundless inspiration; for architecture lovers, the boat tours departing just steps from the hotel reveal Chicago's skyline from its most breathtaking angle. Return to LondonHouse for an afternoon reset, rest by a window overlooking the river, freshen up in your serene bathroom sanctuary, or simply breathe deeply in your room as the city shifts from daytime shine to evening glamour. As sunset approaches, ascend to LH Rooftop, where cocktails, skyline views, and the golden glow over the river create one of Chicago's most unforgettable moments. Stay for dinner or descend to the indoor bar level for a moodier, more intimate evening. Afterward, wander the Riverwalk under shimmering lights, pause on a bridge to watch the reflections ripple below, or stroll along Michigan Avenue where nighttime energy carries a certain magic. Return to your room and let the skyline settle around you, soft lights glowing through your window, river currents whispering below, and the city unfolding in all its depth and brilliance.
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