T+L Hotel Review: The Langham Chicago

Some of the best hotels make you feel more like yourself. It’s the type of hotel that makes you sit up a bit straighter.

Langham Chicago, one of these places is the Langham.

The hotel was a perfect fit for a classic Chicago spring day. A cool, gray sky engulfed the city with fog. The second-floor Langham lobby was brightened by the 6,000 colorful “pebbles” hanging from the ceiling. The staff were also very attentive. It also helps that the building is an iconic address, buttressed by a bend in Chicago River’s Near North Side.

The imposing skyscraper, which dates back to 1971, was once known as IBM Plaza. The 52-story building, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe but completed only after his death in 1969, is now on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The Langham occupies a part of the first floor, as well as the floors 2 through 13. Other commercial tenants occupy the upper portions of the building. It is worth noting that the hotel company refers the 13th floors as “12C”, in order to avoid the use of what some believe to be an unlucky numbers.

The staff on all 13 floors are always happy to help you, whether you need a cup of coffee, want to mail a note, or just want to talk about what’s happening in the city. The T+L readership has had similar experiences and consistently ranks the property as one of the best. 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. This old-school style of hospitality may seem like a thing of the past, but The Langham in Chicago is full of touches that make it feel luxurious. Some old traditions are worth bringing back.

The Rooms

The Langham features 268 rooms including 48 suites. Several of them offer stunning views of Lake Michigan or the Chicago River. The rooms are spacious, and the entry-level ones measure more than 500 square foot. 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. The room I chose was 803, which is a one bedroom suite. It had a stylish chaise lounge that provided a great vantage point to view the Chicago River.

The Regent Suite, which boasts a fireplace, pedestal tub and city views, is one of the top choices. The Infinity Suite, which has a similar extravagant feel, features a bright yellow grand piano.

Food and Drink

Travelle and Pavilion are the two main dining options on-site. Travelle, the main restaurant on the property, serves breakfast and lunch. It is located in the IBM cafeteria, which was a beautifully appointed dining room. The bar and lounge have a great view of the Chicago River and a large selection of spirits with an emphasis on American whiskeys. The Pavilion hosts high tea every Friday and Saturday.

Activities and Experiences

The Langham has a large spa area on the fourth floor. The hotel has a 67 foot lap pool and a fitness center with a wide range of services.

A meeting room, which is often used for weddings is a unique feature. Anthony Zamora told T+L that high tea is especially popular during the holidays. The concierge desk is available to help with bookings in the city, for activities and off-property events. Due to the hotel’s proximity to the Chicago River, guests can walk, run or paddle right outside their front door.

Offerings Family-Friendly

The Langham in Chicago is a place for adults, but children are also welcome. We offer free cribs, infant beds and kid’s tents. “We also offer a cinema suiteIt is a great amenity to bring the family together. Popcorn, snacks, soft drinks, and much more are included.”

The hotel is planning to partner with the Chicago Children’s Museum in August 2025. The Langham says that the partnership will bring “the interactive, educational aspects of the museum directly to the hotel and offer an immersive playing environment designed to delight our youngest guests.”

Accessibility and sustainability

The property is located in a residential area. a detailed outline of accessibility features On its website, the hotel provides information about elevator accessibility, step-free thresholds and in-room amenities. T+L was told by a hotel spokesperson that they have special rooms and suites for guests who need to be mobile.

“One of most important sustainability initiatives at the property was intrinsic: the adaptive reuse of an existing skyscraper rejuvenated IBM Plaza. It now includes, among other amenities on street level, a fascinating sculpture.The Gentlemen” by Taiwanese artists Ju Ming. Other efficiency initiatives are undertaken by The Langham, such as the use of low wattage LED lights, linen reuse, for guests that choose to forgo daily refreshment, low flow water fixtures and various recycling programs, including one for fryer oils. A representative of the hotel stated that “Our Green Team” meets every month to assess current practices and look for new opportunities in sustainability.

Location

The Langham Hotel is located in the center of Chicago on the river, near Wabash Avenue. The Magnificent Mile and Millennium Park are all within walking distance. The public transportation system is easily accessible. The iconic twin towers of Marina City are nearby, as is the Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago. The Chicago River and Lake Michigan are visible from many rooms.

Book Now

The property is a part of the Brilliant by Langham Even guests with the lowest status level can benefit from exclusive rates on rooms, dining discounts and the ability to request specific room types (such as a river view). The Chicago Langham is affiliated with Virtuoso. Guests booking through a travel agent can receive extras like upgrades, credits on the property, early check-in, or late checkout depending on availability. Club floor rooms have access to a private club lounge with a changing buffet of drinks and snacks, as well as workstations, seating areas, and changing facilities for guests who are returning from or starting a long day on the road. The Langham Chicago can also be booked on credit card platforms. This includes American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts which offers Platinum cardholders a $100 resort voucher and a complimentary daily breakfast to two people when booking through Amex Travel.

Each T+L Hotel Review is written by a reporter or editor who has visited the hotel. The hotel chosen must also align with our standards. core values.