
Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago
Best for families and travelers who prioritize on-site pools, a fitness-focused amenity set, and distinctive Aqua Tower architecture.
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Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago is a 4.5-star, family-friendly hotel occupying the first 18 floors of the Aqua Tower, notable for its design, multiple pools and active fitness facilities. Fairmont Chicago at Millennium Park is a long-established 4.5-star luxury hotel beside Millennium Park—read this if you’re deciding between a design-forward, pool-forward stay (Radisson Blu) and a classic downtown luxury stay with larger meeting/ballroom capacity (Fairmont).
Updated · about 0.1 km apart

Best for families and travelers who prioritize on-site pools, a fitness-focused amenity set, and distinctive Aqua Tower architecture.

Best for travelers seeking full-service downtown luxury with large meeting/event spaces and rooms with Park or lake views.
When Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago wins: choose Radisson Blu if you want an architecturally distinctive hotel with multiple pools (year-round indoor lap pool plus a seasonal rooftop pool and hot tub), a strong fitness/spa partnership for in-room treatments, and a family-friendly program that includes kids’ meals and kids’ amenities.
When Fairmont Chicago at Millennium Park wins: pick the Fairmont if you want a larger, traditional luxury hotel with extensive meeting and ballroom capacity, a full-service spa, and more rooms with direct views toward Millennium Park and Lake Michigan.
Bottom line: both hotels are excellent downtown choices within a very short walk of Millennium Park; pick Radisson Blu for pools, active amenities and Aqua Tower design, or pick Fairmont for a conventional luxury experience with larger event spaces and park/lake-facing room options.
| Category | Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago | Fairmont Chicago at Millennium Park |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Design-forward, active, family-friendly | Traditional full-service luxury |
| Location (to Millennium Park) | Steps to Millennium Park and the Chicago Riverwalk; Lakeshore East/Loop | |
| Size (rooms) | 334 rooms (including 18 suites) | 686 guestrooms |
| Typical guest | Families, fitness-minded travelers, design-conscious guests | Business and leisure travelers seeking classic luxury and park views |
| Pools & aquatic | Three pools: year-round indoor lap pool + seasonal outdoor rooftop pool and hot tub | Not published |
| Restaurants & bars | FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar (main restaurant) + Blu Bar, pool bar service when open | 1 restaurant and 2 bars/lounges (Lobby Bar + cafe listed) |
| Spa & wellness | In-room spa services via Windy City Massage; 2-story fitness center, running track, saunas | Full-service spa with treatment rooms; 24-hour fitness facilities |
| Events & meetings | 13 meeting rooms and ~28,000+ sq ft event space; Atlantic Ballroom for large receptions | 15 meeting rooms and ~63,000 sq ft of conference space |
| Known for | Aqua Tower architecture, pools and fitness amenities | Large ballroom capacity and rooms with park/lake views |
| Parking | Self and valet parking (fees listed on hotel site) | |
Radisson Blu sits in the Lakeshore East/Loop area inside the Aqua Tower, a short walk to Millennium Park, Grant Park and the Riverwalk.
Choose Radisson Blu for quick access to parks and the Riverwalk plus the Pedway connection.
Fairmont Chicago at Millennium Park is a centrally located luxury hotel on North Columbus Drive, immediately adjacent to Millennium Park.
Choose Fairmont for direct park access and rooms that can have views of Millennium Park and the lake.
Radisson Blu has 334 guest rooms (including 18 suites) on the first 18 floors of the Aqua Tower, with several balcony and premium options.
Pick Radisson Blu for boutique-scale inventory with design-focused rooms and balcony options.
Fairmont offers a large inventory of rooms and suites, including Parkview and Signature View options for Millennium Park and lake vistas.
Choose Fairmont if you want a wide selection of room types and more chances to secure a direct park or lake view.
Radisson Blu’s signature restaurant is FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar with locally inspired American grill fare plus casual Blu Bar and poolside service.
Radisson Blu is good for wood-fired, Midwestern-influenced meals and casual on-site coffee/bar options.
Fairmont lists one main restaurant and two bars/lounges on property, with daily cooked-to-order breakfast available for a fee.
Fairmont suits travelers wanting classic hotel dining and lobby bar service with park-adjacent views.
Radisson Blu highlights aquatic facilities with an indoor lap pool plus a seasonal rooftop pool and hot tub, plus poolside service when open.
Pick Radisson Blu if on-site pools and year-round lap swimming matter to you.
Fairmont is positioned as a full-service luxury hotel with a full-service spa and fitness facilities; supplier listing does not publish an on-site pool.
Choose Fairmont for a traditional luxury hotel experience with a full spa; pool availability is not published in the supplier listing.
Radisson Blu emphasizes fitness and active amenities alongside in-room spa services from a local provider.
Radisson Blu is well suited for guests prioritizing fitness options and poolside relaxation.
Fairmont offers a traditional full-service spa plus 24-hour fitness facilities and lobby-bar evening options.
Fairmont works for guests who want hotel-based spa treatments and classic evening dining or bar service.

Radisson Blu — indoor lap pool year-round plus a seasonal rooftop pool, hot tub and running track.

Fairmont — many Parkview and Signature View room types with sightlines to Millennium Park and Lake Michigan.

Fairmont — supplier listing shows ~63,000 sq ft of conference space and 15 meeting rooms for large events.

Radisson Blu — explicitly family-friendly with kids’ meals, kids’ amenities and family-oriented facilities.
Both hotels are steps from Millennium Park; they’re about 0.1 km (a few minutes’ walk) from each other.
Radisson Blu has multiple pools (indoor lap pool year-round plus a seasonal rooftop pool and hot tub). The Fairmont supplier listing does not publish an on-site pool.
Fairmont lists about 63,000 sq ft of conference space and 15 meeting rooms, so it’s the stronger pick for very large meetings; Radisson Blu also has large ballrooms and ~28,000+ sq ft of event space for weddings and mid-size conferences.
Yes. Radisson Blu is explicitly family-friendly; Fairmont’s supplier listing notes children 17 and under stay free in existing bedding, so both accept families.
Explore how Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·