Checking In: The LaSalle Chicago
- Vanessa Gordon
- 4 hours ago
- 4 min read
I checked in at The LaSalle Chicago, Autograph Collection, a polished downtown retreat set above the pace of the Loop at 208 South LaSalle Street.
The hotel is positioned in the heart of Chicago’s Financial District, close to the Theatre District, Willis Tower, the Art Institute of Chicago, Millennium Park, and the Chicago Riverwalk.
The LaSalle immediately feels more private and composed than a typical downtown hotel. Set within a historically significant building, the property brings together business-luxury polish, architectural presence, and a quieter club-like atmosphere. It is also one of only nine Forbes Recommended hotels in Chicago.
The Stay
The stay at The LaSalle Chicago feels intentionally removed from street level. Rather than entering into a large, high-traffic hotel lobby, the experience has more of a private club feeling, with the hotel positioned above the city and designed around a quieter, more tailored rhythm.
Guest rooms and suites are designed with a strong sense of comfort and finish. Details include Beautyrest Black by Simmons beds with Frette luxury bedding, oversized Calacatta marble bathrooms with walk-in showers, plush robes and slippers, LaGaia UNEDITED bath amenities, Lavazza espresso machines, local artisanal minibar items, marble-topped workspaces, oak wood floors, Egyptian area rugs, and 65-inch UHD TVs with streaming capability.
The room experience is especially well-suited for travelers who value quiet, space, and a more grown-up version of luxury.
My Favorite 90 Seconds
My favorite 90 seconds would be arriving upstairs and feeling the city fall away.
There is something very specific about a hotel that begins above the street. In Chicago, especially in the Loop, that elevation changes the mood immediately. Below, LaSalle Street carries the weight of the city’s financial and architectural history. Upstairs, the hotel feels composed, warm, and slightly hidden.
The LaSalle Chicago is not just located downtown; it gives you a quieter vantage point from which to experience downtown.
The Moments That Make It
The best moments at The LaSalle Chicago are quiet, polished, and highly detailed.
Grill on 21, the hotel’s signature restaurant, is one of the most important parts of the stay. Located on the 21st floor, the restaurant is a modern interpretation of the classic American grill, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menu highlights premium steaks and chops, hearth-roasted fish, seafood, poultry, salads, and lighter fare featuring locally grown produce and vegetables.
A few strong menu examples include lobster bisque with Old Bay crouton and chives, colossal shrimp cocktail with garlic aioli and atomic cocktail sauce, burrata and prosciutto toast, and crab cake. The cocktail side also fits the setting well, with classics like a Bloody Mary featuring Stoli, signature Bloody Mary mix, cheese skewers, and olives.
The hotel’s wellness details are another part of what makes the property feel elevated. Amenities include a 24-hour fitness center with Peloton bikes and TechnoGym equipment, complimentary meditation and yoga classes, twice-daily housekeeping, same-day dry cleaning and laundry service, complimentary overnight shoe polish, 24-hour room service, 24-hour concierge service, valet parking, and priority appointment availability at JW Spa, located in the building.
There is also an architectural layer that makes the hotel more interesting than a standard downtown stay. The LaSalle occupies the upper floors of one of Daniel Burnham’s final major Chicago buildings, and Travel Weekly notes that the nearby statue of Ceres, a recognizable figure in Chicago’s skyline, presides over the street below. The Rookery, one of Burnham’s earlier buildings, is across the street, making this pocket of the Loop especially rich for architecture lovers.
Who This Hotel Is Actually For
The LaSalle Chicago is for travelers who want downtown access without the feeling of being in the middle of constant hotel traffic.
It is a strong fit for business travelers, couples, architecture enthusiasts, theatergoers, and leisure travelers who appreciate a more refined Loop location. It also works well for guests who want to be close to Chicago’s major cultural attractions but prefer a hotel that feels calm, polished, and quietly luxurious at the end of the day.
This is not the hotel to book if you want a loud rooftop scene or a nightlife-driven stay. It is the hotel to book if you want a stately downtown retreat with excellent service, strong room design, a serious restaurant, and easy access to Chicago’s classic architecture and cultural landmarks.
Practical Stay Notes
Visited: early May, midweek
Length of stay: 1 night
Room: King guest room / suite with city views
View: Downtown Chicago and the Loop
Purpose: Business trip to Chicago with time to experience the hotel’s dining, design, and downtown location
Reader Takeaways
Best time to visit: Spring through fall, when Chicago is especially walkable and you can easily explore the Loop, Millennium Park, the Riverwalk, and nearby cultural landmarks.
Can’t-miss experience: Dinner or cocktails at Grill on 21, the hotel’s classic American grill located on the 21st floor, followed by a quiet evening above the pace of downtown Chicago.
Best for: Business travelers, couples, architecture lovers, theatergoers, and guests who want a polished downtown Chicago stay with luxury amenities, strong service, and easy access to the city’s cultural core.
Nearby Points of Interest
Willis Tower: Located about 0.3 miles from the hotel, Willis Tower is one of Chicago’s most recognizable landmarks and an easy nearby stop for first-time visitors.
The Chicago Theatre District: Also about 0.3 miles away, the Theatre District makes The LaSalle a convenient stay for guests planning an evening around a show.
State Street Shopping: Roughly 0.3 miles from the hotel, State Street offers a practical shopping corridor close to the Loop.
The Art Institute of Chicago: About 0.4 miles away, the Art Institute is one of the city’s most important cultural institutions and an easy walk from the hotel.
Millennium Park and Grant Park: Millennium Park is about 0.5 miles away, while Grant Park is about 0.6 miles from the hotel, making both easy options for a morning walk, public art, and classic Chicago views.
The Chicago Riverwalk: About 0.7 miles from the hotel, the Riverwalk is ideal for architecture views, a scenic walk, and a stronger sense of the city’s waterfront energy.
The Rookery Building: Across from the hotel, The Rookery adds another layer of architectural interest to the immediate neighborhood. It is one of Daniel Burnham’s earlier buildings, creating a compelling contrast with The LaSalle’s own historic setting