
Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago
Best for families and active travelers who want rooftop pool access, a large fitness complex and casual on-site dining.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago is a design-forward, family-friendly hotel inside Jeanne Gang’s Aqua Tower with multiple pools and active onsite facilities. The Langham, Chicago is a polished five-star riverfront luxury hotel with a full-service spa and classic service—readers deciding between a lively, amenity-rich downtown stay and a more formal luxury riverside option should read on.
Updated

Best for families and active travelers who want rooftop pool access, a large fitness complex and casual on-site dining.

Best for travelers seeking traditional five-star riverside luxury, an indoor pool and a full-service spa with refined dining.
When Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago wins: Choose Radisson Blu Aqua if you want a visually striking hotel inside the Aqua Tower with multiple pools (indoor lap pool plus a seasonal rooftop pool and hot tub), a large fitness facility and more casual, family-friendly dining and programming.
When The Langham, Chicago wins: Pick The Langham for a classic five-star riverfront experience—deep-soaking tubs, a full-service spa, an indoor pool, refined Mediterranean-influenced dining at Travelle and a quieter, more formal luxury tone.
Bottom line: Both hotels sit steps from the Chicago Riverwalk and downtown attractions. Radisson Blu Aqua is the more activity- and family-oriented choice with conspicuous architectural character and multiple pools; The Langham is the better choice for travelers prioritizing traditional five-star service, a full-service spa and a riverside luxury address.
| Category | Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago | The Langham, Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Contemporary, design-forward, active and family-friendly | Classic five-star, polished and quietly formal |
| Location | Lakeshore East/Loop: steps to Millennium Park, Chicago Riverwalk and Pedway | Riverfront on North Wabash Avenue, a short walk to Michigan Avenue and Millennium Park |
| Size (rooms) | 334 rooms (including 18 suites) across first 18 floors of Aqua Tower | 316 individually decorated guestrooms |
| Star rating / guest rating | About 4.5-star / mainstream upscale | 5-star / guest rating 9.8 |
| Pools | Three pools: year-round indoor lap pool + seasonal rooftop outdoor pool and hot tub | Indoor pool and hot tub (one indoor pool listed) |
| Restaurants & bars | FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar (American/Midwestern, breakfast/lunch/dinner), Blu Bar, pool/rooftop bar service | Travelle (Mediterranean-influenced restaurant), one bar/lounge and room service |
| Spa & wellness | In-room spa services via Windy City Massage; large fitness complex with running track, saunas and 2-story gym | Full-service spa with treatment rooms, health club, sauna and indoor pool |
| Meeting & event space | Extensive event space (28,000+ sq ft across ~13 meeting rooms; Atlantic Ballroom for large weddings/events) | 15 meeting rooms and about 15,000 sq ft of conference space (ballroom and multiple meeting rooms) |
| Family policy | Family-friendly; children welcome (children 17 and under included in family rate policy), cribs available | |
| Signature features | Part of Jeanne Gang’s Aqua Tower with prominent architectural design and rooftop recreation deck | Riverfront address with deep-soak tubs in rooms, fireplace in lobby and formal luxury service |
Radisson Blu sits in Lakeshore East inside the Aqua Tower, a short walk from Millennium Park and the Chicago Riverwalk.
Best if you want immediate access to downtown attractions, Pedway connections and a notable architectural setting.
The Langham occupies a riverfront parcel on North Wabash Avenue, directly serving guests who want classic river views and easy access to the Magnificent Mile.
Best if you prioritize a formal riverfront location within walking distance of Chicago’s main cultural and shopping corridors.
Radisson Blu’s rooms emphasize modern design and city views with a range of room types, including balcony and suite options.
Rooms lean contemporary and functional, with several balcony and suite choices for families or longer stays.
The Langham’s rooms are individually decorated with luxury touches and bathroom features like deep soaking tubs and rainfall showerheads.
Rooms skew toward traditional five-star finishes and service, with several river-view and club/ suite configurations.
Radisson Blu’s main restaurant is FireLake, a Midwest-focused American grill with casual hours and weekend brunch.
Choose Radisson Blu for casual, family-friendly dining and a wood-fired American menu.
The Langham offers Travelle, a Mediterranean-influenced restaurant and a single bar/lounge plus room service.
Choose The Langham for a quieter, more formal dining environment leaning toward refined service.
Radisson Blu provides multiple pool options, including a year-round indoor lap pool plus a seasonal rooftop pool and hot tub.
Radisson Blu suits guests who want an active stay with multiple pool experiences and a rooftop recreation deck.
The Langham lists an indoor pool and hot tub as part of its wellness offering, paired with a full-service spa.
The Langham favors a quieter spa-and-pool experience typical of five-star city hotels.
Radisson Blu centers wellness around a 2-story fitness center, outdoor running track and in-room spa services.
Good for guests who prioritize fitness facilities and flexible casual evening dining.
The Langham focuses on a full-service spa plus a calm evening environment with refined dining and a single bar/lounge.
Best for travelers wanting a proper spa program and a calm, hotel-led evening experience.

Radisson Blu: rooftop pool, indoor lap pool, kids’ meals and active facilities like a running track and basketball area.

The Langham: full-service spa, refined dining and individually decorated rooms with deep-soaking tubs.

Radisson Blu: large meeting footprint and Atlantic Ballroom space for big weddings and conferences (28,000+ sq ft/event capacity up to ~1,650).

The Langham: a formal riverfront address close to Michigan Avenue with polished, personalized service.
Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago is more family-focused with kids’ meals, multiple pools and activity spaces; The Langham is family-friendly but leans toward a quieter luxury experience.
The Langham has an on-site full-service spa with treatment rooms and a reservation system; Radisson Blu offers in-room spa services through Windy City Massage and extensive fitness facilities.
Yes. Both properties are within easy walking distance of Millennium Park and Michigan Avenue shopping and are close to the Chicago Riverwalk.
Radisson Blu has three pool options (indoor lap pool plus a seasonal rooftop outdoor pool and hot tub); The Langham lists one indoor pool and a hot tub.
Explore how Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·