Hotel Riu Plaza Chicago Review: Affordable Luxury Near Magnificent Mile
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At this point I feel like a broken clock saying this. But simultaneously I don’t care because it’s true: Chicago is my favorite city to visit. There! I said it for the millionth time.
And I’ve stayed at a different hotel for nearly every single one of my visits, which is interesting because I usually stick with one hotel if I like it. That’s actually the case for Hotel Riu Plaza Chicago!
This Spanish-inspired hotel caught my eye when I planned my first full trip to the city. Not only was the interior gorgeous, but the rooms looked spacious and the hotel offered free breakfast.
Yes, you heard me right: FREE BREAKFAST!
Now that I’ve had two amazing stays here, I think it’s time to do a full, in-depth review. I’m basing this review on my August 2025 stay since it was longer than our more recent one.
In case you’re thinking about staying here on your upcoming visit to Chicago, I hope this review tells you everything you need to know before booking.
Ready, friend? Let’s travel to Chicago!
THIS POST CONTAINS MY REVIEW OF HOTEL RIU PLAZA CHICAGO.
VISITING CHICAGO? MY RECOMMENDATIONS:
- 🚶 Getting Around: walk or take public transportation
- ✈️ Best Time to Visit: late spring through fall (May — October)
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hilton Chicago (near Millennium Park), citizenM Chicago Downtown (affordable), Hotel Riu Plaza Chicago (free breakfast + a rooftop)
- 🗺️ Things to Do & See: Millennium Park, The Art Institute of Chicago, Architecture River Cruise & exploring different neighborhoods
- 💵 Budget Tip: buy the Chicago Go City Pass or CityPASS to save money on bundled attractions and experiences
HOTEL RIU PLAZA CHICAGO: OVERVIEW
- HOTEL NAME: Hotel Riu Plaza Chicago
- HOTEL BRAND: Riu Hotels & Resorts
- LOCATION: 150 E Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60611
- SIZE: 390 Rooms / 28 Floors
- CONTACT: Phone: (312) 363-3480 / Email: hotel.plazachicago@riu.com
- CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT: 3PM / 12PM CT
- AVERAGE NIGHTLY RATE IN AUGUST: $220
- TOTAL FOR A FOUR-NIGHT STAY: $874.34 (plus $340 for resort fees)
- HOW I BOOKED: Direct on Riu’s mobile app
- OVERALL RATING: 8.5/10
- WOULD YOU STAY AGAIN: Yes
PROS & CONS OF STAYING AT HOTEL RIU PLAZA CHICAGO
| PROS | CONS |
| Concierge | Bathroom can feel a bit cramped |
| Free breakfast with a daily rotating menu (starts at 7AM) | No room service |
| Comfortable beds | The beds sometimes shift around, which can be annoying |
| Nice-sized rooms | Breakfast ends somewhat early at 10AM (ends at 10:30 on Saturday & Sunday) |
| Friendly staff who clearly enjoy their job | The mobile app and website can be frustrating to use |
| Early check-in and late check-out available for a fee | The internet, while free, isn’t the best |
| Luggage storage | The tvs in the rooms can be difficult to use |
| Lots to do, eat and see in the area (check the end of this post for ideas) | Limited public transportation (you’ll rely on walking and taking the bus) |
ABOUT RIU HOTELS & RESORTS
Before we get into the actual review, I wanted to give you some informations about Riu Hotels & Resorts incase you’re unfamiliar.
I’m going to pull a quote from the official website because I think it sums everything up pretty well:
“Luis Riu Güell is CEO and owner of the international hotel chain RIU Hotels & Resorts. He is a member of the third generation of the Riu family that founded the company in 1953.”
There are over 100 Riu hotels and resorts in 21 countries around the world. They definitely aren’t the largest hotel chain, but the properties they DO have are quite nice.
I must say, the rooms are pretty consistent across the board, which I personally think is nice because you know exactly what to expect.
It’s kind of like citizenM hotels — there may be a few differences from hotel to hotel, but for the most part, they look nearly identical.
Hotel Riu Plaza Chicago opened on July 31, 2024. So if you’re staying here (which I’m assuming you’re at least considering since you’re reading this review), just know that the hotel will look VERY tidy and modern.
HOTEL RIU PLAZA CHICAGO: A FULL REVIEW AFTER TWO STAYS
THE BOOKING PROCESS
So, there are a few ways you can make a reservation at Hotel Riu Plaza Chicago:
- On a third-party platform like Expedia, Hotels.com or Booking.com
- Directly on Riu’s website
- Directly on Riu’s mobile app
For some reason every time I try to book this hotel on Riu’s website, it crashes and doesn’t let me make a reservation. So I’d recommend just using their app instead.
The booking process is pretty simple and looks essentially the same as any other hotel, so I don’t really think I need to go further into detail. If you have any issues, you can contact their customer support email and they’ll be happy to resolve your issues.
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS & LOBBY
When we first arrived at the hotel, our jaws were dropped to the ground. Not only is the hotel in a great location (just off Michigan Avenue/Magnificent Mile), but the exterior looks pretty nice.
Not that it matters too much, but I figured it was worth noting.
Before we even got a chance to get out of our Uber, a bellhop was already standing and waiting to assist us with our bags. I’d never experienced that, so I was impressed. He was SO unbelievably kind and friendly.
Then when we walked into the hotel, our jaws dropped even lower. The interior of Hotel Riu Plaza Chicago is simply unmatched. I don’t think any other hotel in the area has as nice of a lobby. Oh, and I have to mention, it smelled great.
There wasn’t a crazy number of people there but we definitely saw more foot traffic throughout our stay. That made sense, though, as we visited in early August, which is Chicago’s peak tourist season thanks to Lollapalooza and the weather.
CHECKING IN
Checking in was pretty easy. I actually got an email asking to check in and I did, but we still had to stop at the front desk to pay for our room and place an incidental hold.
The process only took about five minutes. We arrived around 2:40PM and they had a room ready.
I will say, though, on our second stay, we had to leave our luggage and hit the ground running since there weren’t any rooms available (granted, we arrived a few hours before standard check-in which is at 3PM).
GUEST ROOMS
All photos via DeMarcus Austin
We stayed in a double-queen room since there were three of us. Had I been alone, I obviously would’ve just stuck with a king room.
There are suites, but no matter whether I’m traveling alone or with someone, I don’t think staying in one is worth it. There’s frankly no need for all that room!
We loved our room. It was spacious, clean and just enough for our stay. Oh, and the beds? Very comfortable!
On our second stay, however, we noticed the beds shifted around quite a bit, so keep that in mind.
I liked that there was hardwood flooring since it’s, you know, a lot more sanitary than carpet. I’d rate the rooms a 10/10 because there’s truly nothing I would change. And trust me: I’d let you know if there was anything to point out.
COMMON AREAS & AMENITIES
FITNESS CENTER
Located on the sixth floor, the fitness center at Hotel Riu Plaza Chicago is a decent place to get a workout in if you’re a fitness geek or want to get the most out of your money.
I must say, the fitness center here is a bit lackluster compared to others in the area (like at citizenM, just a 20-minute walk away).
There are only a few machines and there are absolutely NO windows, so you have to rely on the rather dark lighting in the gym.
That said, there IS a water station here which I really appreciate in any hotel. I don’t like paying $5 for a bottle of water all the time (or wasting plastic), so I’m happy any time a hotel offers free water.
FOOD
I mentioned free breakfast earlier and, yes, it’s true. Hotel Riu Plaza Chicago serves free, tasty breakfast every day from 6-9AM.
The menu changes every morning, so you’re not stuck eating the same thing every day. You’ll find things like pancakes, waffles, cereal, fresh fruit and other typical breakfast items. The food is actually GOOD, by the way, unlike some garbage continental breakfast.
ROOFTOP
We enjoyed the rooftop. Granted, it can get crowded at times (and it also isn’t the largest in the area), but that’s to be expected.
There’s a restaurant/bar up there and, to be honest, I wasn’t a big fan of the food. I ordered some boneless hot wings with truffle fries and neither were pleasing — especially the wings, which were particularly disappointing.
I think LH Rooftop is better in almost every regard, but it’s still nice that there’s one at Riu.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
I think this is actually the biggest drawback of this hotel. Located in Streeterville, the public transportation isn’t amazing because there aren’t many train stations nearby.
To get around, you’ll have to take the bus, walk, or Uber. Thankfully, downtown Chicago is extremely walkable, so you should fine just walking.
WHAT TO DO & EAT NEAR HOTEL RIU PLAZA CHICAGO
Now you’re fully convinced to stay at this hotel. Great, my job is done!
But before I let you go, here are some of my favorite activities to do near Hotel Riu Plaza Chicago:
- Oak Street Beach
- Starbucks Reserve Roastery
- The Shops at North Ridge
- 360 CHICAGO
- Walk around Gold Coast
- 3 Arts Club Cafe
- Catch a show in the Theatre District
And in case you’re looking for restaurants in the area:
- Doc B’s Restaurant + Bar
- Beatrix
- Stan’s Donuts
- Giordano’s
- Indian Garden Restaurant
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT HOTEL RIU PLAZA CHICAGO
- Does this hotel have a pool? No, this hotel unfortunately does NOT have a pool. I actually think this is one of the few additions that could make this hotel even better. Several other hotels — like Hilton Chicago and Marriott’s River North Courtyard location — have pools.
- Does this hotel offer free breakfast? Yes, this hotel offers free breakfast. It’s one of the most appealing things about the property — especially considering other hotels in the area don’t offer it. It starts at 7AM and ends at 10AM, but ends at 10:30AM on Saturday and Sunday.
- When is check-in and check-out? Is early check-in or late check-out available? Check-in is at 4PM and check-out is at 11AM. Early check-in and late check-out are available depending on how busy the hotel is. If space is available, you can pay a fee for these services.
- Does this hotel offer free parking? No, this hotel does NOT offer free parking. And there aren’t many parking garages nearby, either. I left this segment out of the main part of this review because I focus on car-independent cities. If you MUST bring your car or get a rental, I recommend SpotHero to find nearby parking garages.
🗺️ 3-DAY CHICAGO PDF ITINERARY
Planning a trip to Chicago? As someone who’s been five times and frequently visits, I put together what I believe is the ultimate 3-day itinerary that allows you to hit some of the most iconic landmarks and try some of Chicago’s best food without feeling exhausted halfway through your adventure or breaking the bank.
Get the itinerary in the TSS Freebie Library by submitting the form below. By joining the library, you will also be added to my weekly travel newsletter. If you only want the freebie, simply unsubscribe after gaining access.
FINAL THOUGHTS: HOTEL RIU PLAZA CHICAGO
In this post, I reviewed Hotel Riu Plaza Chicago. I’ve visited Chicago a number of times before and this is, by far, my FAVORITE hotel. I highly recommend that you stay here if you’re visiting soon.
Now, friend, it’s your turn. I’m opening the floor for you to start a conversation in the comments. Here are some discussion topics:
- Have you stayed at Hotel Riu Plaza Chicago? When did you go, and how was your experience? What were your favorite and least favorite things about the property? What would you change next time for a smoother trip?
- Are you currently planning a trip to Chicago? What do you plan on doing? How long are you staying?
- After reading this hotel, are you convinced to stay at Hotel Riu Plaza Chicago? Did I leave out any information that’d help finalize your decision?
I’d love to hear your thoughts! If you feel more comfortable chatting with me directly, shoot me a DM on Instagram or email me at demarcus@thesolosolstice.com.
PLANNING A TRIP SOON? THESE ARE MY FAVORITE RESOURCES!
If you’re planning a trip soon, I suggest using some of my favorite travel resources. I use these for every trip and I couldn’t live without them!
- FLIGHTS: I use Google Flights and Skyscanner to find flight deals. I also use Hopper to decide the best time to book flights. All three services have flight alerts that can be sent directly to your email.
- ACCOMMODATION: I use Hotels.com and Airbnb to find accommodations, but I prefer hotels since they’re a safer and more responsible choice. I also use Kayak to find hotel deals and decide the best time to book a room.
- PACKING: I always use my Solo Travel Packing List in the TSS Freebie Library. It has everything you could ever need for almost any kind of trip and ensures you never forget anything!
- ACTIVITIES & TOURS: I use GetYourGuide and Viator to book special experiences like walking tours and guided museum tours. I also use CityPASS and GoCity passes for bundled activities, as they’re often cheaper than booking things individually.
- TRAVEL INSURANCE: I typically use either IMG Travel Insurance or World Nomads Insurance, depending on which is a better deal. If my travel plans aren’t final, I’ll get CFAR insurance, which will give me up to 75% back on nonrefundable trip expenses like airfare and accommodations.
- TRAVEL CREDIT CARD: I use the US Bank Altitude Connect for all of my travel expenses, including hotels, ride-hailing services, activities and dining. I’ve also used the Chase Sapphire Preferred, which is excellent for beginners. Both offer travel insurance!
Want more travel resources? Check out this post for 50+ of my favorite travel planning apps and resources.
ABOUT DEMARCUS
DeMarcus is a Midwest-based travel content creator and the founder of the solo travel blog, The Solo Solstice. He began his solo travel journey in December 2025 and since has been creating practical, in-depth travel guides for a like-minded community of first-time solo adventurers.
Visit the About Page to learn more about DeMarcus, and visit the Ethical & Responsible Tourism Page to learn more about his efforts to promote responsible tourism.
