The Langham, Chicago is a five-star hotel at 330 N Wabash Avenue, in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, overlooking the Chicago River. Opened in 2013, it occupies the lower floors of the former IBM Building, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s landmark modernist skyscraper completed in 1972. Travelers come for unusually spacious rooms, river-facing dining, afternoon tea, and a substantial spa, with the Loop and Michigan Avenue within walking distance.
What to Expect at The Langham, Chicago
The black steel-and-glass exterior is classic Mies: a disciplined structural grid rather than decorative flourishes. Inside, warm wood, pale stone, contemporary art, and generous seating soften the architectural austerity. The hotel has 316 rooms and suites across the building’s lower floors. Entry-level rooms start at approximately 516 square feet, with floor-to-ceiling windows and marble bathrooms featuring separate soaking tubs and showers. Choose a river-facing category for the strongest sense of place; a Chicago address does not automatically mean an unobstructed lake view. Couples will appreciate the larger suites, while business travelers can consider Club accommodation for lounge access.
Travelle combines seasonal American cooking with river views and a bar suited to cocktails before dinner. Its menus change, making the restaurant a better choice for contemporary dining than for a fixed Chicago specialty. Pavilion presents the hotel’s afternoon-tea tradition through finger sandwiches, scones, pastries, and tea service. Reserve either experience separately from your room. At Chuan Spa, treatments draw on traditional Chinese medicine concepts, complemented by a fitness studio and a 67-foot indoor swimming pool. Concierge assistance helps with restaurant bookings, architecture excursions, and transportation.
- Mies van der Rohe architecture: Stay inside the former IBM tower, an important example of Chicago’s modernist architectural history.
- Spacious accommodation: Large standard rooms, separate bathing areas, and suite options make longer stays more comfortable.
- Langham Club: Club bookings add access to a dedicated lounge with food presentations and personalized service.
- Pavilion afternoon tea: A leisurely alternative to sightseeing, particularly useful during cold or wet Chicago afternoons.
- Chuan wellness facilities: Combine a spa appointment with the indoor pool and fitness facilities rather than treating wellness as an afterthought.
The Langham, Chicago at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 330 N Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611 |
| Neighborhood / Area | River North, beside the Chicago River |
| Operating Hours | Hotel reception daily, 24 hours; check-in from 3 p.m.; checkout by noon. Dining and spa hours vary. |
| Admission / Price Range | $$$$; luxury nightly rates vary by date and room category. Dining, treatments, and parking cost extra. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 2–3 nights; 1.5–2 hours for a meal or afternoon tea |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Grand station, CTA Red Line; Merchandise Mart, Brown and Purple lines. Paid hotel valet parking available. |
| Official Website & Phone | The Langham, Chicago official website; +1 312-923-9988 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Reserve river-view rooms, Club categories, spa treatments, and afternoon tea ahead of weekends and major conventions. Ask about connecting accommodation when traveling with children rather than assuming adjacent rooms connect. Grand station on the Red Line is approximately a seven-minute walk; Merchandise Mart’s Brown and Purple Line platforms are roughly ten minutes away. The Purple Line’s downtown service operates during weekday rush periods. Drivers can use paid valet parking, but should ask about overnight charges and in-and-out privileges before arrival. Allow extra driving time during downtown events.
The hotel has elevators and accessible accommodation, including rooms with mobility-adapted bathroom configurations; request the precise shower, doorway, and transfer-space arrangement you need when booking. Elevator access makes the upper-level lobby and guest floors manageable without stairs. Across the river, the Chicago Riverwalk is about five minutes away, though street-level stairs are not its only entrances: wheelchair users should plan a ramp-access route. The Wrigley Building and Tribune Tower are approximately eight to ten minutes east, a compact pairing for comparing Chicago’s ornate early skyscrapers with the hotel’s restrained modernism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hours, and when is the best time to arrive?
Reception operates around the clock, with check-in from 3 p.m. and checkout by noon. Arrive after check-in time for the smoothest room arrival; contact the hotel about luggage storage if you reach Chicago earlier.
How expensive is it, and are reservations necessary?
This is a $$$$ luxury hotel, with rates changing by date, room, and package. Book accommodation directly through the official website and reserve afternoon tea, dinner, and spa appointments separately.
How long should I stay?
Two or three nights allow time for downtown architecture, dining, and the pool without rushing. Nonresident visitors should allow approximately 90 minutes to two hours for afternoon tea or dinner.
Is the hotel suitable for families and wheelchair users?
Spacious rooms, suites, and the indoor pool make it a practical luxury option for families. Accessible rooms and elevators support wheelchair access; discuss individual bathroom requirements and pool access arrangements before reserving.
When planning your Chicago travel guide or browsing verified hotels in Chicago, pair this stop with standout local spots including Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel, Chicago Architecture Center, Milton Lee Olive Park, and Trump International Hotel & Tower® Chicago (nearby).
