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When you’re planning a mom-and-daughter weekend in Chicago, location is everything. When we visit, we want to walk to all the best attractions without hailing a single cab.
On our recent girls’ trip, my daughters and I stayed at The Gwen, a Luxury Collection Hotel, and it turned out to be the perfect mix of style, comfort, and convenience.
Tucked inside the historic McGraw-Hill Building right off Michigan Avenue, The Gwen feels both glamorous and welcoming. It’s a modern nod to Chicago’s 1930s art deco era, with a touch of feminine warmth that makes it feel unique.
The Gwen and Olio e Piu kindly hosted us for this visit, but every opinion here is based on our own experience.
First Impressions: Vintage Glamour Meets Modern Comfort
The Gwen describes itself as “a sculptural masterpiece, exuding the vintage glamour of Chicago’s 1930s prime with contemporary elegance.” That’s spot-on. The decor is opulent yet modern, with plenty of marble, brass, velvet, and clean lines.
Our room was spacious and thoughtfully designed, with a modern bathroom and plenty of room to spread out. We especially loved the evening turn-down service complete with dimmed lights, fresh ice and glasses, chocolates on the pillow, and even a sweet surprise when staff tucked in my daughter’s stuffed animal.
Those little touches set The Gwen apart. From the complimentary chocolate chip cookies at check-in to the seasonal apple cider and cinnamon sticks in the lobby (which my kids checked for every single time we walked by), it all felt personal and thoughtful.
💡Tip: Complimentary coffee in the lobby starts at 6:30 AM – if you’re an early riser, request a Keurig for your room.
The Location: Right in the Heart of Everything
One of the biggest perks of staying at The Gwen is its incredible location. You’re essentially in the Shops at North Bridge – the hotel’s lobby is on the 5th floor, and you can enter either from Rush Street or through the Nordstrom/Michigan Avenue mall entrance.
This setup is ideal for families. It means easy access to shopping and dining without ever stepping outside (a lifesaver in bad weather), and you might even stumble into fun pop-ups — like the Jellycat or Rent the Runway events we found during our stay. (Because of our access to the mall, we were second in line at the Jellycat Pop-up!)
Things to Do Near The Gwen Chicago (All Within Walking Distance)
We walked everywhere – and that’s half the fun of staying here. Here are our favorite walkable spots near The Gwen Chicago:
- American Girl Place & Water Tower Place: Perfect for a little retail therapy and doll adventures.
- 360 Chicago Observation Deck: Just up the street with unforgettable skyline views.
- Museum of Ice Cream: Basically across the street – a kid favorite.
- Millennium Park & Maggie Daley Park: A must for a mix of art, play, and fresh air.
- Nutella Café: You can even get a personalized jar of Nutella with your name on it!
- Build-A-Bear Workshop: Just steps away – my daughter loved making one to remember the trip.
- Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop: A short walk for a treat after dinner.
- Robert’s Pizza & Dough Co.: Voted the #6 pizza in the U.S., and every bite was worth the hype.
Our Favorite Dinner: Olio e Più
For our final night, we dressed up a little and walked to Olio e Più, an Italian spot just a couple blocks away. It’s the perfect “special occasion” dinner – old-world meets modern, with a warm, romantic atmosphere.
The kids were mesmerized by the tableside cacio e pepe, and the steak and ravioli were simply unforgettable. It was one of those meals you talk about for weeks afterward – a perfect ending to our mom-and-daughter getaway.
Why We’d Stay Again
Between the thoughtful service, beautiful decor, and walkable location, The Gwen is an ideal home base for families who want luxury without stuffiness. It’s refined but still welcoming to kids, and it made our Chicago weekend feel extra special.
We left already dreaming about our next visit (and hoping those seasonal lobby drinks stick around all day next time).
Planning Your Stay: Tips for Families Visiting Chicago
Address: 521 N Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Website: thegwenchicago.com
Parking: Valet available or nearby public garages and lots
If your family’s schedule allows, plan your stay to include at least one weekday. We noticed a huge difference in crowds between Sunday and Monday – places like the Starbucks Reserve Roastery, Skydeck Chicago, and the Nutella Café were much quieter at the start of the week. It made exploring downtown so much easier (and more fun).
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Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
