If you’ve always wanted to use the word ‘undulating’ in conversation but never had good reason to, it’s time to book a stay at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel. There’s no better way to describe the wave-like balconies that ebb and flow around the blue-glass facade of the building—one of the most stunning contemporary additions to a city known for its architecture. With the Chicago River to the north, Lake Michigan to the east and three pools on premise, you’re surrounded by water every which way. And whether you plan to take advantage of all things aquatic or keep your feet firmly on land, Radisson Blu Aqua provides a proper home base for work or play in Chicago.
Why stay at the Radisson Blu Aqua?
Opened in 2011, the Radisson Blu Aqua comprises the first 18 floors of the 81-story Aqua Tower in Lakeshore East, a microneighborhood of highrises just north of Millennium Park and east of the Loop, the city’s business district. Floors 19 through 81 belong to Aqua at Lakeshore East, apartment residences that share the building’s cushy amenities with the hotel.
Don’t expect under-the-sea decor, though. Inside, the nods to the water theme are limited to aqua glass in the bathrooms, blue lights in the hotel bar and meeting rooms named after bodies of water, from Mediterranean to Bering. The lobby is all concrete floors and exposed brick columns and shimmery modern chandeliers, accented with printing-press block-letter signage (a nod to Chicago’s Printer’s Row neighborhood) and rows of chairs with Alice-in-Wonderland-esque high backs. On the walk from the lobby to the hotel’s event spaces, you can walk through a white-walled art gallery featuring photos by Vivian Maier, known for her street photography of Chicago.
What are the rooms like at the Radisson Blu Aqua?
The hotel’s 334 rooms are decked out with chrome-legged furniture and blonde wood floors and cabinetry, including floating wardrobes with interior lighting that make unpacking less of a drag. I stayed in one of the hotel’s two-room Ambassador Suites, which have a Nespresso Vertuo coffeemaker, automated Toto Washlet and deep soaking tub (pick up some bubble bath at the CVS pharmacy downstairs and you’ll thank me later). Rooms on the hotel’s south side face the Michigan Avenue skyline, with Jay Pritzker Pavilion's metal frill in the foreground. The floor-to-ceiing windows have thick black-out drapes and thanks to a quiet hours policy after 10pm, I rarely heard my neighbors.
What is the food like at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel?
The hotel’s restaurant, FireLake, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in a sultry, sunken dining room just a few steps down from the lobby. Cocktail names take their inspiration from nostalgic American TV shows, but they’re mostly familiar standbys, like the Wonder Woman (an Aperol spritz) and Fresh Prince (a pina colada). One outlier from the naming convention is the Fire & Lake Alarm, the hotel’s take on an old fashioned—a very sweet one at that—with a single oversized ice cube.
A few dishes were less impressive on the plate than they sounded on the menu (namely the one-note chicken wings and watermelon salad). But since FireLake is named for its emphasis on wood-fired cooking and freshwater fish, I went for the seared whitefish. With its Cajun spices, citrusy pearl cous cous and not-too-crisp, not-too-soggy broccolini, it was worthy of its designation as a house specialty. A stout slice of Key lime cheesecake was a richer-than-rich ending to the meal; no complaints there.
The weekends bring special dining experiences such as Boozy Brunch with $25 bottomless mimosas and Afternoon Tea ($59 per person, reservations recommended). Dishes from FireLake can also be ordered for room service (from 7am-10pm daily), including hangover helpers like a buttermilk biscuit sandwich with avocado, sausage and egg and prime rib chilaquiles with queso fresco and guajillo sauce.
What are the pool, gym and other amenities like at the Radisson Blu Aqua?
The third-floor sun deck is lined with rows of lounge chairs as well as six mesh-sided cabanas for shade seekers surrounding a large rectangular pool, plus a shallower wading pool for little ones. During the day, you can see glimpses of Lake Michigan between the surrounding highrises and views of grassy Lakeshore East Park below, but after sunset, you won’t regret a late-night dip in the hot tub with the city lights glowing around you on all sides. Inside, there’s a two-lane lap pool and a second hot tub (though the latter was out of order during our visit). The only bummer was that the staff seemed to have a hard time keeping the towel closet stocked; it was empty all but one time we went by. Just outside the pool gate, there’s a picnic and grill area and outdoor walking/running path that extends around the entire building, weaving through garden beds of black-eyed susans, fluffy hydrangeas and coral daylilies.
Down on the second floor, the sprawling gym puts the typical one-room hotel fitness center to shame, with a cardio area, weight room, half basketball court, locker rooms, sauna and steam room. The site doesn’t have a full-service spa, but thanks to a partnership with outside provider Windy City Massage, guests can book a massage or other spa treatments in advance.
What is the service like at the Radisson Blu Aqua Chicago?
Service here was personable and prompt. My room-service breakfast arrived sooner than the promised 30 minutes, delivered by a server so radiantly smiley that I couldn’t help but overlook the fact that my waffle was sprinkled with toasted chickpeas instead of the advertised candied nuts. Even the pool staffer who had to shoo me and other guests out of the hot tub at closing time (11 pm) did so with a grin, reminding us that it was only a few hours until it reopened at 5am.
What is the area like around the Radisson Blu Aqua?
It’s a 10-minute walk to the closest L or subway station, but several bus stops are within blocks and a walk to the lakefront proper is about 15 minutes. If the weather’s cold or wet and you’re good with a map, you can navigate the Pedway, a series of underground walkways, to get from the Aqua Tower to dozens of buildings in the Loop. The hotel is right next to a fire station, but I didn’t notice any more sirens than staying elsewhere downtown.
The Michigan Avenue docks for river cruises are just a short walk north (the Chicago Architecture Foundation’s tour is a favorite of locals and visitors alike), while Millennium Park and Maggie Daley Park are just south. Millennium Park is where you’ll find public art such as the wondrously reflective Cloudgate sculpture and the interactive Crown Fountain, while families with young children will never want to leave Maggie Daley Park and its six different play areas with water features, suspension bridges and spectacular slides.
Why you should book a stay at the Radisson Blu Aqua Chicago
The Radisson Blu Aqua’s proximity to the lakefront and the city’s best parks is one of its best assets, along with sweet amenities such as its pool and garden-lined walking path. The picnic and grilling area is a boon for families who have had their fill of dining out with wiggly kids; it’s easy to make a grocery run to Mariano’s at the neighboring Lakeshore East complex to buy some goods to grill and enjoy a DIY meal al fresco. While it falls a bit short of flawless and the lack of in-room fridges and microwaves make it less practical for long stays, we recommend it for travellers who value being near the most popular downtown attractions.
DETAILS
Address: 225 N. Columbus Drive, Chicago, IL 60601
Price per night: Starting from $159 during low season (November-February) and $249 during high season (May-October)
Closest transport: 10-minute walk to State/Lake L station (Brown, Green, Orange, Pink and Purple Line trains) or Lake Red Line subway; 1-hour taxi ride from O’Hare Airport and 40-minute drive from Midway Airport; 3 blocks to Millennium Station (Metra Rail)
Book now: via Booking.com
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