Mykal Bayne

Sure, Chicago might not seem like the most romantic city on the surface, but give it some time and you’ll notice that it’s got everything you need for a loved-up getaway—great restaurants, lovely parks for those romantic strolls, and stylish places to stay. So, on this list of the Windy City’s most romantic hotels, you’ll find everything from intimate boutiques to lavish, ultra-luxury stays, plus all the couple-minded amenities you can think of—we’re talking hot tubs, pretty rooftops and standout bars that just ooze lurve. Which area is best to stay in Chicago? Central spots are of course the best places to base yourself to be on the doorstep of all the must-sees if you’re new to the city. Opt for one of the many hotels in River North, on Magnificent Mile, or the Loop from our list of top picks. After something a little cozier? We’d recommend Lincoln Park or Wicker Park.  Chicago’s most romantic hotels at a glance: 💎Most luxurious: Viceroy Chicago 👛Most stylish: The Guesthouse Hotel 🏊‍♀️Best restaurant: Nobu Hotel Chicago 🌃Best rooftop: The Hoxton 🤩Most iconic: The Palmer House Hilton 📍 Discover our ultimate guide to the best spa hotels in Chicago How we curate our hotel lists Our team of writers and travel experts review hotels all over the world—new openings, old classics and everything in between—to bring you fresh, honest recommendations, all year round. We have reviewed many of the hotels featured below, but we may not have stayed at every single one. Any we have

Chicago has everything a great city should—an abundance of museums with impressive collections, top-tier places to eat and drink, and lovely parks and gardens to break up the gleaming skyscrapers. But with so much to explore, you need a solid place to stay, and that’s precisely why we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the Windy City’s best hotels. From lesser-known boutiques to towering pillars of luxury hospitality, scroll on for our freshly-curated hotel roundup, including new reviews of The Peninsula and The Guesthouse. Which area is best to stay in Chicago? Lincoln Park and Wicker Park are two brilliant options if you want to be a step back from the bustle of the city, but this is Chicago after all, and the bustle is part of the fun. If you’re visiting for the first time, we’d recommend opting for somewhere central like River North or the Loop.  Chicago’s best hotels at a glance: 💎Most luxurious: The Peninsula Chicago 👛Best budget: Eurostar Magnifiscent Mile 🏊‍♀️Best swimming pool: Viceroy Chicago 🌃Best rooftop: The Gwen  🤩Most iconic: The Palmer House Hilton 📍 Discover our ultimate guide to the best spa hotels in Chicago How we curate our hotel lists Our team of writers and travel experts review hotels all over the world—new openings, old classics and everything in between—to bring you fresh, honest recommendations, all year round. We have reviewed many of the hotels featured below, but we may not have stayed at every single one. Any we haven’t stayed in have b

Imagine waking up to a new view every day—not from a hotel room, but from the deck of a luxury ship. The sun is high, the ocean is impossibly blue and the only decision you have to make is whether to grab another complimentary rum punch or stop by the on-deck soca dance class. Welcome to Epic Carnival Experience, a seven-day all-inclusive cruise that turns the journey to Trinidad Carnival into a floating festival of its own. Photograph: Courtesy Epic Carnival The Floating Resort Planning Trinidad’s Carnival can feel overwhelming—securing accommodations, arranging transportation to the Savannah and figuring out which fetes are worth your time is practically a full-time job, especially for first-timers. Epic Carnival Experience removes that stress entirely, delivering a seamless, curated experience both at sea and on land. From BBQ soca pool parties to late-night DJ sets, the onboard programming feels like a nonstop cultural exchange. The festivities kick off as soon as the ship departs San Juan, Puerto Rico, with Trinidadian icons like comedian JR Lee and GRAMMY Award–winning singer Marlon Asher hosting late-night shows. Caribbean cuisine keeps guests fueled well into the night, while the bar program highlights classic Trinidadian flavors. Here, the team promises an "all-inclusive" paradise: unlimited food, unlimited drinks, and round-the-clock room service. Once docked in Trinidad, the experience continues with VIP access to the island’s biggest celebrations. The 2026 itine

A pleasingly short walk away from The Art Institute of Chicago, Cloud Gate (“The Bean”), Crown Fountain and a dozen other iconic Chicago landmarks, Arlo Chicago sits smack dab at the heart of the city’s action. Opened as the brand’s Midwest flagship, this boutique hotel is a stylish base, particularly for first-timers to the Windy City. Here’s what we thought of it.  What are the rooms like at Arlo Chicago? Rooms here range from cozy City King guestrooms to spacious Millennium Suites offering sweeping views across Millennium Park toward Lake Michigan, but no matter the size, all feature a combination of Arlo’s signature rustic midcentury aesthetic with smart-design elements.  You’ll find luscious leather headboards, sleek hardwood floors, and custom artwork reflecting Chicago’s industrial heritage but practical details are the real selling point: whisper-quiet soundproofing blocks out the bustling city, black-out shades guarantee solid rest (you even get two pairs of earbuds per room), and rainfall showers stocked with premium Blind Barber bath products offer instant relaxation after hours on your feet.  Which are the best restaurants and bars at Arlo Chicago? About Last Night (ALN) is a rich ground-floor restaurant and cocktail bar that spans brunch espresso martinis to late-night craft cocktails. Don’t miss the smash burgers with truffle fries or the charred octopus. Oh, and for morning fuel, get a matcha latte or fresh pastry delivered straight to your room with speedy roo

There are some hotels you stay at and others that stay with you—Viceroy Chicago is definitely the latter. I first spotted the property while strolling through the Gold Coast, and it immediately stood out with its golden facade glinting against a blue-sky Chicago afternoon. A few weeks later, I finally got to check in—and let’s just say, it lived up to its dramatic first impression. From the moment I walked into the art deco lobby, I felt like I had stepped into a movie. Not a superhero flick—more like a slow-burn thriller with a well-dressed lead and a martini in hand. If you’re looking for a hotel that offers both substance and serious style, keep reading. Why stay at Viceroy Chicago? Viceroy Chicago isn’t just a place to crash—it’s a luxury boutique hotel with a serious sense of identity. Housed in what was once the historic 1920s-era Cedar Hotel (the original brickwork still graces its base), the property blends old-school Chicago character with modern elegance. Design lovers, take note: this place is a visual treat. Every hallway, fixture and velvet accent feels curated, and the city views are jaw-dropping. It’s a hotel that doesn’t just give you a place to sleep—it gives you a vibe. What are the rooms like at Viceroy Chicago? I stayed in a Grand Lake View King room, and let me tell you—it was hard to leave. Floor-to-ceiling windows revealed sweeping views of downtown and glimpses of Lake Michigan, and the natural light pouring in made everything look even more luxurious.

AmazeVR and the Gen Z K-Pop group TXT (TOMORROW X TOGETHER) are bringing fans face-to-face with the five members through virtual reality now through November 10. Throw away nosebleed seats and overpriced parking passes because this 3D virtual world delivers on a level of intimacy and interactions you’ve never experienced before. The VR concert theater tour, Hyperfocus:TOMORROW X TO GETHER VR Concert, began in August and visited five cities across four months. I was pleasantly surprised by how familiar it felt to an in-person concert. There were a few incredibly kind MOAs, TXT’s fandom name, handing out free gifts and trading photocards with other fans before showtime. Once we got inside the theatre, we were directed on how to put on our VR gear and how to adjust the headset for comfort.  Time Out Tip: Leave your lightstick at home—once inside HYPERFOCUS, you simply move your hand as if you’re holding a lightstick and a virtual one will appear in your hand! That was one amongst the many details that I loved about this show.  Above everything, I loved that we experienced the same impressive live vocals and choreography that we’d see at an in-person show, except with a better vantage point. The audience is constantly moving, flying and dancing alongside the members. The diverse setlist also has a few surprises for even the biggest fans. It really is a once-in-a-lifetime POV. This is on top of lovely fan moments, exclusive photo cards and an official commemorative VR concert tick

Mark your calendars because Dallas is about to get a little crazier. Red Bull Flugtag, the world-renowned spectacle of homemade, human-powered flight, is making a triumphant return to North Texas for the first time since 2013. On September 13, the skies over Lake Carolyn in Las Colinas will be filled with ambition, ingenuity and a whole lot of whimsy as over 30 teams launch their handcrafted aircraft off a 30-foot ramp in hopes of defying gravity. For the uninitiated, Flugtag (German for "flying day") challenges teams of five to design, build and pilot their own entirely human-powered, flying machines. The result is a wild and awe-inspiring festival of creativity. From the mechanics needed to strategize a running start off the ramp to the flair required during the thrilling (and inevitable) plunge into the water—this is akin to an adult science fair. "This isn't your average air show," said a spokesperson. "It's a celebration of sheer audacity. Competitors are judged equally on three criteria: the actual flight distance, the creativity of their aircraft, and their pure showmanship." Plan your day at Red Bull: FlugTag The event is free and open to all ages, offering a full day of entertainment beyond the main competition. The Fan Zone opens at 11am with interactive challenges and official merchandise. The action kicks up a notch at 11:45am with a skydiving demonstration by the legendary Red Bull Air Force, who will drop in over Lake Carolyn. The first flying machine will take

If you’re traveling for music festival season next year, you might want to consider heading north to visit our friends in Canada for this one-of-a-kind concert experience. Festival d'été de Québec, or FEQ 2025, delivered an enchanting 11-night experience (July 3–13) with over 150 performances across six stages, including two free-access venues—making the festival feel both grand and inclusive. Headliners spanned generations and genres: Rod Stewart, Shania Twain, Avril Lavigne, Hozier, Kygo, Slayer, Benson Boone, Farruko and Ice Spice graced the iconic Plains of Abraham, which hosts a capacity of 100,000. Photograph: Dylan Stewart PageFestival d'été de Québec Amenities, actually cool brand pop-ups and culture The festival’s charm lies in its seamless integration into Quebec City—where historic architecture provides a gorgeous backdrop. Brand activations, pop-up installations, freebies, and interactive art enhanced the ambiance—plus a “Pop-Up FEQ” treasure hunt and surprise concerts added delightful spontaneity. Culinary offerings were plentiful both within the festival and in nearby eateries—from street-food trucks at Cœur du FEQ to sit-down venues like Bistro L’Atelier, Le Bedeau and Chez Ashton, all offering regional specialties and vegan/vegetarian options. There are dedicated FEQ merch boutiques throughout the grounds, plenty of water-filling stations and restrooms for comfort and convenience. Photograph: Sébastien DionFestival d'été de Québec Getting around the festiv

Plenty of hotels opt to wash your towels and sheets only upon request and say they’re saving the planet. Others will fill their property with flora and call it being “green.” But a new hotel in Denver is so genuinely committed to eco-friendly practices that it claims to remove more carbon from the atmosphere than it creates. That’s the mission behind Populus, the first carbon positive hotel in the United States. Not only does the architecturally distinct building check a bunch of eco-friendly boxes—from locally-sourced construction materials to an on-site biodigester for food waste—but its “One Night, One Tree” program plants a tree elsewhere in Colorado for every overnight stay. Maybe just as important for the average Mile High City visitor, Populus is an admittedly pretty stylish place to stay, with absolutely lovely hospitality and just a bit of a luxurious touch. That’s what Time Out video editor Mykal Bane thought after she was invited to spend a few nights at the 265-room hotel around its opening last October—and shared her experience with me for this story. “Sometimes there’s this idea that your life is now harder because you’re doing all the things for the environment that may not always be the most convenient thing for people,” Mykal says. “But I think they made the eco-friendly aspect very easy: It felt like a normal day.” Photograph: Courtesy Jason O’Rear Photograph: Courtesy Steve Hall The hotel certainly doesn’t look normal, though. The 13-story tower, situat