T+L’s Hotel Review of The Langham, Chicago

Sometimes, the best hotels are the ones that make you feel like a better version of yourself. The sort of place that makes you stand up a little straighter, where you look around the lobby to see who else is in the room.

The Langham, Chicago is one of those places.

I checked into the hotel on a quintessential Chicago spring day: cool, gray weather shrouded the city in fog. Inside the second-floor lobby of The Langham, though, all was bright thanks to the sparkle of the 6,000 colorful glass “pebbles” suspended from the ceiling and the chipper attentiveness of the assured staff. It helps that the building itself is something of a pillar in the city, an iconic address buttressed against a bend in the Chicago River on the Near North Side.

Now known as 330 North Wabash, the muscular skyscraper that dates to 1971 was once called IBM Plaza. Designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, but only completed after the architect’s death, in 1969, the 52-story building is today on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The Langham occupies part of the ground floor as well as floors two through 13, with other commercial tenants in the higher portions of the building. (Worth noting: the hotel company refers to the 13th floor as “12C,” in order to avoid using what some consider an unlucky number.)

Across those 13 floors, the staff seems always ready to assist, whether you’re looking for a coffee, hoping to mail a letter, or simply chatting about what’s new in the city. T+L readers have had similar experiences, and they consistently rank the property among the best hotels in Chicago.

What most impressed me, though, was how everyone on staff went out of their way to ask my name—so that the next time we ran into each other they could give me a personal greeting. That kind of old-school hospitality can sometimes feel like something from a bygone era, but it’s one of the many touches here that make The Langham, Chicago feel so luxurious. Sometimes, it seems, the old ways are worth reviving.

The Rooms

The Langham has 268 rooms and 48 suites, many of which have fantastic views of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. Space is a theme throughout, with entry-level rooms clocking in at more than 500 square feet. A calming color palette of cream, beige, and gray is offset by occasional pops of plum—and the dynamic look of the Alaska White granite and travertine tile baths. I stayed in room 803, a one-bedroom suite, and was enamored with the stylish chaise lounge in the bedroom that offered a panoramic perch from which to watch boats navigate the Chicago River.

There are several high-end suites, with more than 1,000 square feet of space, including two top-tier choices: the Regent Suite counts among its amenities a fireplace and pedestal tub with city views; the similarly over-the-top Infinity Suite features a bright-yellow grand piano.

Food and Drink

There are two principal dining venues on property, Travelle and the Pavilion. Travelle is the main restaurant, serving breakfast and lunch in a well-appointed dining room that was, at one time, the IBM cafeteria. It also has an excellent bar and lounge, with views over the Chicago River, and an enormous selection of spirits, with a particular focus on American whiskeys. The Pavilion is the place for high tea, which The Langham serves with enormous flourish on Fridays and weekends.

Activities and Experiences

The hotel has a large wellness area and The Langham’s signature Chuan Spa fills the fourth floor. Among the standout features are a 67-foot lap pool, a well-equipped fitness center, and plentiful options when it comes to spa services, such as massages and other treatments.

Meeting space, which is also popular for weddings, is another distinctive amenity. High tea service, as mentioned above, is particularly popular during the holiday season, the hotel’s general manager, Anthony Zamora, told T+L during a tour of the property. A concierge desk can assist with bookings around town, activities, and other off-property activities; the hotel’s location along the Chicago River means that walking, running, or paddling are available right outside the front door.

Family-friendly Offerings

The Langham, Chicago is in many ways a grown-up kind of place, but families with children are welcome. “We offer kid-friendly dining options, free cribs and infant beds, along with our kid’s tents, children’s robes, and slippers,” a spokesperson shared with T+L. “We also have a cinema suite, which is a fun amenity for families that includes popcorn, snacks, soda, and more.”

The hotel plans to launch, in August 2025, a partnership with the Chicago Children’s Museum. It will “bring the interactive, educational elements of the museum directly into the hotel, offering an immersive play environment designed to delight the hotel’s youngest guests,” according to a statement from The Langham.

Accessibility and Sustainability

The property has a detailed outline of accessibility features on its website, including information on elevator access, step-free thresholds, and details about in-room services. “We do have rooms and suites that we hold specifically for mobility-needs guests,” a spokesperson told T+L.

One of the most significant sustainability efforts at the property is intrinsic: The adaptive reuse of the existing skyscraper has rejuvenated the historic IBM Plaza, which now features, among other street-level amenities, an interesting sculpture, “The Gentlemen,” by Taiwanese artist Ju Ming. Elsewhere The Langham engages in several meaningful efficiency efforts, including the use of low-wattage LED lighting; linen reuse for guests who opt out of daily refreshes; low-flow water fixtures; and various recycling efforts, including a program for fryer oil. “Our Green Team meets monthly to evaluate current practices and explore new sustainability opportunities,” a representative from the hotel shared by email.

Location

In the heart of Chicago, along the river and Wabash Avenue, The Langham is well situated for many occasions, with key attractions such as the Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park, and the theater district all within walking distance. It’s easily accessible by public transit, as well. The iconic twin towers of Marina City are nearby, as is the Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago. Many rooms have views of the skyline, the Chicago River, and Lake Michigan.

Book Now

The property is part of the Brilliant by Langham loyalty program, and guests at even the lowest level of status can secure exclusive room rates, dining discounts, and the option to request a specific room type (such as river view, for example). Langham properties worldwide, including the Chicago location, are affiliated with Virtuoso, and guests booking with a travel advisor can unlock extras such as upgrades, on-property credits, and early check-in and/or late checkout, depending on availability. The property’s club floor rooms come with access to a private lounge that has an ever-changing buffet, a rotating selection of drinks, sitting areas, work stations, and changing rooms for those coming off or beginning a long travel day. The Langham, Chicago is also bookable on credit card platforms, including American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts, which offers a $100 resort credit and complimentary daily breakfast for two to Platinum card holders who book through Amex Travel.

Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.