The Business Traveler’s Guide to Chicago

The Windy City is a booming, yet affordable place to work and live. It's filled with generous people, waterfront parks and piers, and is a growing national hub for healthcare, manufacturing, sports and real estate development. In fact, Chicago continues to grow as a leader in a variety of other industries as well. If you find yourself going to Chicago for your next business meeting or conference, prepare to be impressed.

Affordable Business-Class Luxury

The surprising joy of staying in Chicago is that hotel prices are below the national average, which allows you to enjoy more luxurious accommodations at prices that feel like a bargain. Many hotels are centrally located near top-ranked restaurants and attractions for you to enjoy after your meetings wrap up. Consider staying in one of these great hotels:

Hyatt Regency McCormick Place

Located adjacent to the McCormick Place convention center, the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place is a perfect meeting spot for business. The hotel features two restaurants, oversized work desks, and gorgeous views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan. Whether you’re staying overnight or just having your conferences here, you’ll feel perfectly placed to get some of your best work done while making use of their modern and comfortable facilities.

The Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown

In the heart of the city center — right where the Chicago River and North Michigan Avenue meet — the modern Royal Sonesta (formerly the Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront) provides spacious guestrooms with stunning views and all-American dining in a relaxed atmosphere. Walk to the Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park, and many other attractions when the workday is finished.

Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel

Located steps from the financial district, the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel is a striking building with a modern, fresh design created by famed architect Jeanne Gang of Studio Gang Architects. Upgrade to the Business Class lounge and 24-hour valet parking, or work off some steam in the rooftop swimming pool overlooking the famous city skyline. Plus, if you’re driving to Chicago, the Radisson Blu Aqua also boasts electric car charging stations in keeping with their eco-friendly practices.

Make Transport a Breeze

Chicago has the second-largest public transportation network in the nation, but it's still a car-friendly city. Renting a car gets you where you need to go fast. Bookmark a map of downtown parking lots, and you can easily create a plan to arrive right on time for your business meetings.

Rent a Car with Hertz

There are nearly two dozen locations to pick up a Hertz rental car in Chicago, including the bustling O'Hare International Airport. If you’re arriving on a private flight, you can pick up your rental car from Atlantic Aviation, or head straight downtown to McCormick Place, Lincoln Square, or one of the city's other top hotels.

Get Elevated on the “L”

You can't miss the eight "L" lines running through Chicago - although not all of them are actually elevated. The Chicago Transit Authority oversees the metro as well as an extensive bus system, and there's a Metra commuter rail as well. In the warmer months, a fun way to get around is the Chicago Water Taxi which makes the river its road.

Lunch Out of the Loop

Most of the offices in downtown Chicago are situated on what is known as "The Loop." As a result, that's also where some of the fastest lunch spots are located. When it comes to treating your clients, head outside The Loop to enjoy the right ambiance for business meals, while also impressing them with your local knowledge.

The Albert

It's easy to look and feel smart when you're surrounded by stacks of books and scientific lab equipment in the Hotel EMC2's The Albert. This refined dinner spot serves up delicious Italian fare with elegance and finesse. Tantalize your tastebuds and celebrate the end of a successful business dinner with one of their decadent desserts or something extravagant from their well-stocked bar.

Taste 222

The business casual vibe at Taste 222 boasts a comfortable space and a state-of-the-art kitchen. Simple yet delicious options range from salads and sandwiches to Korean BBQ wings and Brussels sprouts flatbread. For more of a business-casual lunch vibe without compromising on style or flavor, Taste 222 is the place to be.

Somerset

Pop over to the Gold Coast neighborhood to bask in the opulence of Somerset, situated on the site of the 1920s-era Cedar Hotel. Its American country club style is as vibrant as the food on the plates. From delicious brunches with a Midwestern twist to modern and fresh dinners where local produce is the star, Somerset is impressive without being intimidating.

Celebrate Fine Dining in Chicago

Chicago is one of the top food destinations in the nation, so make it a special occasion while visiting for business. The locals may be down to earth and relaxed, but the food certainly rises to the top. Try some of these impressive spots:

Oriole

Located in the West Loop neighborhood, the entryway to Oriole is through a tricky-to-find back-alley doorway. Keep looking until you find it because you don’t want to miss out on what lies within. Boasting a sublime tasting menu that is balanced and sophisticated, Executive Chef and Owner Noah Sandoval has truly earned his two Michelin Stars thanks to his exciting and ever-evolving attitude to food.

Alinea

Alinea is maybe the jewel in Chicago’s culinary crown. Boasting three Michelin stars, Chef Grant Achatz has created a sumptuous and special restaurant in The Windy City that is truly deserving of a visit. Bold and dynamic flavors are presented as a theatre or a work of art, bringing a real sense of whimsy to a very elegant dinnertime.

Porto

A taste of Europe in the Midwest, this Portuguese-inspired, Michelin-starred restaurant gives diners a taste of the chef’s homeland in a relaxed and refined environment. Discover classically Portuguese flavors, enhanced by open-flame cooking, with an inventive twist.

Nighttime in the City

Chicago comes alive at night, with a jazz scene that rivals its deep-dish pizza in fame. There's lots to see and enjoy in the Windy City, either with clients or in between big meetings, so let down your hair and have some fun.

Chicago Skydeck

Challenge your fear of heights by stepping outside the tallest building in Chicago. Walk 1,353 feet in the air by way of a glass box called the "Ledge" that extends 4.3 feet from the Skydeck. See up to 50 miles and into four states at once — if you can open your eyes long enough to look.

Adler After Dark

If you happen to be in the city on the third Thursday of the month, head to the Adler Planetarium for an evening that includes a look through the telescope at the Doane Observatory, which is the largest available for public viewing in the Midwest. It's a breathtaking look at the solar system, complete with appetizers.

Get Jazzed

With live jazz seven days a week, you can't go wrong at Andy's Jazz Club. Based in the River North district, this club has been part of the jazz scene for more than 40 years. Two bands perform multiple shows each night, providing plenty of opportunities to snap your fingers and smile.

Blown away by the Windy City? See what other industry leaders think of Chicago for business trips on our Facebook page.