
Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago
Best for active travelers and families who want modern rooms, multiple pools (indoor + seasonal rooftop), and a strong fitness/ wellness setup.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago is a modern, design-forward 4.5-star hotel in the Aqua Tower that suits families, wellness-minded travelers, and conference groups. InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile is a historic 4.5-star hotel on Michigan Avenue that appeals to travelers who want a classic downtown hotel with large meeting spaces and an established brand presence.
Updated · about 0.6 km apart

Best for active travelers and families who want modern rooms, multiple pools (indoor + seasonal rooftop), and a strong fitness/ wellness setup.

Best for travelers who want a large, established Michigan Avenue hotel with extensive meeting rooms, classic rooms and a central Magnificent Mile address.
When Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago wins: choose Radisson Blu if you want a newer design-driven property, an indoor lap pool plus a seasonal rooftop pool and hot tub, a strong fitness complex (24-hour gym, running track, saunas), and family-friendly amenities including kids' meals and a kids' program.
When InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile wins: choose the InterContinental if you need lots of meeting and event space (dozens of meeting rooms and ballrooms), prefer a long-standing luxury brand on Michigan Avenue, or want a very large hotel with many room-type options and on-site American dining and bar options.
Bottom line: both are 4.5-star downtown hotels within easy walking distance of Michigan Avenue and the Riverwalk. Pick Radisson Blu for contemporary design, pools, and fitness; pick InterContinental for historic presence, more meeting rooms and a traditional Magnificent Mile hotel experience.
| Category | Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago | InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Contemporary, design-led hotel inside the Aqua Tower | Historic, large-scale downtown hotel on Michigan Avenue |
| Location | Lakeshore East / Loop — steps to Millennium Park, Riverwalk, Michigan Avenue | On Michigan Avenue (505 N Michigan Ave) — central Magnificent Mile address |
| Size (rooms) | 334 guestrooms, including 18 suites | 792 guestrooms |
| Age / building | Located on the first 18 floors of the Aqua Tower (modern landmark) | Long-standing historic InterContinental property on Michigan Avenue |
| Pools | Three pools: indoor two-lane lap pool (year-round) + seasonal rooftop outdoor pool + hot tub | One indoor pool |
| Restaurants & bars | FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar (main) + Blu Bar, Lavazza coffee bar, seasonal pool/Aqua Bar | Center Court (American) + coffee shop/cafe and bar/lounge (2 restaurants listed) |
| Spa & wellness | In-room spa services via Windy City Massage; 2-story fitness center, running track, saunas | Spa services on site and fitness facilities; sauna listed |
| Meetings & events | Extensive event space across 13 meeting rooms and multiple ballrooms (Atlantic Ballroom capacity up to ~1,650) | 34 meeting rooms and large ballroom/banquet facilities (many event spaces) |
| Known for | Architectural setting in Aqua Tower, family-friendly programming, multiple pools and active facilities | Michigan Avenue address, large meeting inventory, historic downtown presence |
| Accessibility & practical | Connected to Chicago Pedway; EV charging; pet-friendly (fee); Urban Fee includes Wi‑Fi and fitness/pool access | Covered parking, valet, multilingual staff, free Wi‑Fi listed, wheelchair access (may have limitations) |
Radisson Blu sits in Lakeshore East on the lower floors of the Aqua Tower, a short walk to Millennium Park, the Riverwalk and Michigan Avenue.
Choose Radisson Blu for proximity to parks, the Riverwalk and a direct Pedway connection.
InterContinental sits directly on Michigan Avenue (505 N Michigan Ave), placing you on the Magnificent Mile shopping corridor.
Choose InterContinental if you want to be right on Michigan Avenue and steps from downtown shopping.
Radisson Blu offers a smaller, design-focused room inventory with balcony options and suites.
Pick Radisson Blu for newer design rooms and balcony options in a boutique-leaning hotel footprint.
InterContinental has a very large and varied room inventory across its tower(s), with many room-type permutations and suites.
Choose InterContinental if you want a wide range of room types and many suite/ executive tower options.
Radisson Blu’s main restaurant is FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar, an American/Midwestern wood-fired grill, supported by a lobby Blu Bar and pool service.
Radisson Blu is focused on a single signature restaurant with bar and pool-service options popular for families and diners seeking American/Midwestern fare.
InterContinental lists Center Court as an on-site American restaurant plus a coffee shop/cafe and bar/lounge.
InterContinental provides traditional hotel dining choices and in-room service, convenient for business travelers and Magnificent Mile shoppers.
Radisson Blu offers multiple pool experiences: a year-round indoor lap pool plus a seasonal rooftop outdoor pool and hot tub.
Radisson Blu is the better pick if pools and a rooftop seasonal swim experience matter to you.
InterContinental lists one indoor pool on-site for recreation.
InterContinental provides basic indoor pool access alongside its other wellness amenities.
Radisson Blu emphasizes fitness and wellness with a two-level gym, running track, saunas and in-room spa services.
Choose Radisson Blu for an active, wellness-conscious stay and casual evening dining.
InterContinental lists fitness facilities, spa services on site, and a bar/lounge for evening drinks.
InterContinental offers standard hotel wellness amenities and straightforward evening dining/drink spots suitable for business and leisure guests.

Radisson Blu — multiple pools (indoor lap + seasonal rooftop) plus a 24-hour gym, running track and saunas.

InterContinental — very large inventory of meeting rooms (34 listed) and banquet/ballroom capacity for big conferences and weddings.

InterContinental — located at 505 N Michigan Ave, directly on Michigan Avenue shopping and dining.

Radisson Blu — housed in the Aqua Tower, with contemporary rooms, an on-site art gallery and a more boutique feel.
Both are within walking distance, but Radisson Blu is described as roughly a 5-minute walk to Millennium Park; InterContinental is also nearby and within easy walking distance.
Radisson Blu has three pools (an indoor two-lane lap pool plus a seasonal rooftop outdoor pool and hot tub). InterContinental lists one indoor pool.
No. Both hotels welcome guests of all ages (neither property is adults-only).
InterContinental has a very large meeting-room inventory (34 meeting rooms listed), but Radisson Blu also offers significant event space (about 28,000+ sq ft across multiple rooms). Choose InterContinental for the largest meeting needs; Radisson Blu is strong for mid-to-large events with notable ballrooms.
Explore how Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·