Name: Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago
Address: 221 North Columbus Drive, Lakeshore East, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America, Chicago, Cook County, US
Price range: US$241–US$1,020 per night
Rating: 8.33

What guests think

At Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago, reviewers praise the central, walkable location and standout amenities like the rooftop/outdoor pools, gym, and balconies with city views, while noting trade-offs such as occasional facility outages and noise from the nearby fire station.

Rooms are often spacious and comfortable with great views, but several guests mention dated furnishings, weak or slow air conditioning, and sporadic Wi‑Fi. Cleanliness and housekeeping are mixed, ranging from immaculate to missed servicing, and check‑in delays recur; staff is frequently friendly yet service can be slow or unresponsive at times. Expect extra charges such as a daily amenity/resort fee, pricey parking, and a minibar that isn’t suitable for personal items. Overall, this is a well‑located stay with strong amenities if you’re comfortable with occasional service hiccups and added fees.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Facilities

Guests love the outdoor rooftop pool area, large gym and track, and poolside service. Recurring issues include lukewarm or out‑of‑order hot tubs, occasional pool/sauna maintenance and towel shortages, and costly or confusing parking.

Related guest reviews

10

Florencia

28 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Everything was good. Would’ve loved it If I would’ve stayed in a corner room, but was not available, and the inside Jacuzzi was out of order.

10

John

7 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Fantastic hotel! Great room, gorgeous tile floors, plus I even got a balcony with a stunning view. The pool area is wonderful and $25 resort credit turned into 2 tasty beers poolside. Staying here in the summer is an absolute treat!

10

Zaida

4 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Great service, room was very comfortable and very clean. We love the pool area, the walk way and also the gym is great.

8

Robyn

6 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Check in was a bit of an issue. We were told it would be 10 minutes for our room then 30 mins then 40 mins in the same sentence. We came back in 30 mins to find a long line and that they had given our room to someone else in the line. The 2nd person we spoke with was super helpful and got us a room. We did utilize our restaurant credit and the food was delicious, drinks were great! Really, best flatbread pizza I have ever had. The room was really nice and big enough for all of us to be comfortable. The beds were comfortable, nice bathroom and spacious shower. Only issue was the bathroom door was broken and would not close all the way but it didn't bother us enough to complain. My main complaint was the pools, both were lap pools with no stairs in/out and with bad knees, I would not have been able to climb the ladder to get out. The pools were also freezing cold so we were unable to utilize them anyways, after looking forward to a nice swim after walking around the city all day. Also, the indoor hot tub was under construction. The whole area looked really dated. Considering the "resort fee", a pool upgrade would be a good improvement. Overall, we loved this hotel and it was so conveniently located to everything we were doing and easy to get to the train to get to our concert. All staff were super friendly with the exception of the first older lady at the reception desk. Everyone else was great! Would definitely stay again!

10

Adali A

30 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The hot tub/ pool option both inside and outside of the building is a cool feature. The rooms are nice and spacious and with a balcony option! Great views and great room amenities. The hotel even provides a mini fridge upon request for personal beverages. I recommend a stay here!

10

Valorie

31 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Rooms and gym was great!

8

Tim

7 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Overall it's a nice hotel. The rooms though are setup such that the doors make so much noise when they open and shut and are so unwieldy that it's not always quiet in the room. We stayed for the outdoor pool, but if it wasn't for that amenity (the be fair, the pool really is a great spot and backdrop overlooking the city) there are better places nearby by far.

10

Armando

19 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

The hotel is a nice hotel. The business center need to upgrade the printing facility and they need to have paper available. The swimming pool needs to be clean at least three times a day

10

James

30 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

was in Chicago for Oasis concert we enjoyed the rooftop pool enjoyed lunch at Firelake restaurant staff was very friendly was not a far walk from Soldier Field to the hotel would definitely recommend

8

Katie

26 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Great location. Great Gym. The outside hot tub was not hot. The inside hottube was broken and there was no pool towels available. Parking was expensive ($80) and there was an additional $30 + fee that was charged at the hotel as well. So it was not all in pricing.

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Cleanliness

Cleanliness is inconsistent: many report clean rooms, but others mention dirty floors, hair in bathrooms, dusty areas and smudged windows, plus rooms not properly serviced at check‑in. Housekeeping can also miss refreshes during stays.

Related guest reviews

4

Heidi

9 Mar 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

I was very disappointed in my recent stay in 1618 on 3/03 to 3/06. My room was not serviced on 3/05. I told the front desk and she said she would have the remove refreshed. Someone left a couple of new towels in the room. At this price point, I would expect the trash and dirty dishes to be removed and the bed to be made. Thanks.

8

Cathy

1 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Nice hotel housekeeping need to clean better sink dirty and bathtub was not cleaned. Dusk under the bed was dusty. Ulysses front desk was very accommodating. I would come back and stay at this hotel.

4

Osama

23 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Windows from balcony were so dirty you could not Even see out. The floor was dirty. Nice hotel lobby and restaurant but the rooms just were not it.

2

COURTNEY

3 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

the room was terrible the furnishings wer old dated and the it was not clean the floor was dirtyt

6

Jimmy

13 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

The property was beautiful and fancy but way overpriced for what it was. I found stains on the sheets, and the floors were NASTY. It left my feet black and full of debris. We requested supplies a few times and they never brought items we asked for. Payed way too much money to stay in a filthy room and not have requests honored.

8

DiResha

29 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Love the place! But my room was dirty! The bathroom had hair all over

4

James

10 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

We checked in after 7pm, our room was not cleaned properly. Both garbage cans full of trash, used wash cloth, soap-shampo all askew, dirty floor in entry way, later found that one of the water bottles seal was broken. Told front desk staff they said they would get the room taken care of and to check back after dinner. Before returning to room, checked back in with front desk, they apologized and said it had been taken care of. When we did get back to our room it was still not taken care of, 3rd trip to front desk about 10pm, another apology and sent the just arrived night manager to clean our room. Following day, house keeper took our 2 towels and only left 1. Still waiting for the emailed invoice 55 hours after checking out to see what fun mini bar charges we received when we didn't use anything from the mini bar. The hotel has some charm and great views, restaurant and coffee bar there are top notch. If you want a no stress place to stay, this may not be the one, don't let the high daily rate make you think you will enjoy your stay.

2

Mariana

9 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Overall the room was a bit dusty with some old loose candy under the bed. There was hair around the sink. Also, none of the outlets in my room worked meaning our refrigerator didnt work, none of the lamps worked. The only outlet that worked was in the bathroom. For the price I paid, I feel this wasn't convenient at all. Furthermore, about two of the towels we received had rust stains on them.

4

David

7 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Grubby room with floors that need a good revamp

8

Tim

28 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

We spent 3 nights at the Radisson Blu Aqua whilst touring Chicago. I chose this hotel for it's location and because of the positive reviews. The price was also comparable to other hotels in the area. Overall our stay was great. The service at was above average I would say. Every staff member at the hotel was friendly and very helpful. We asked for a high floor when registering at the front desk and were placed on the 18th floor, which was the highest floor available to hotel guests. Just to inform you, the remainder of the floors above 18 are reserved for condo owners. So, if you are expecting a VERY high view at this hotel, you will be a bit disappointed. Our view was southward, we could see most things down Michigan avenue, at least things that weren't blocked by other tall buildings. The windows were a bit dirty, which tainted the great views at bit. We did not have a balcony, which might explain the dirty windows, as it would be a challenge to clean windows at this hotel, due to the design of the outside structure. The room itself on the small side, but being a couple that was no problem. The room was clean and the bed comfortable and shower was spacious. The location was somewhat central to the things we wanted to see in Chicago. We walked most everywhere, including Navy Pier and The Field Museum. It is a walk, but very doable. I would stay at this hotel again, we enjoyed our stay even with the minor issues.

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Rooms

Many rooms are spacious and comfortable with balconies and striking views. Downsides include dated or worn furnishings, weak or slow A/C, occasional noise (elevators and nearby fire station), sliding bathroom doors without locks, and spotty Wi‑Fi.

Related guest reviews

8

Vishnu

25 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Everything about our stay was excellent! The location is perfect, walkable to so many great spots around downtown. The room was clean, and comfortable. Only one suggestion: the bathroom setup with a single sliding door shared between the shower and toilet wasn’t very convenient, especially since it had no lock. It might be a modern design trend, but personally, I prefer more privacy. Otherwise, we had a great experience

8

Irene

26 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

beautiful hotel. everything was up to par except the internet. not sure why but this beautiful hotel barely had service.. even without the wi-fi. another downside, no fridge!! how??? makes no sense. other than that, the restaurant downstairs was delicious!! make sure you get some food from there, you won’t be disappointed. the hotel is close to everything in the downtown area. don’t uber, just walk out & enjoy the views!! 9/10 for me :)

8

Jeremiah

27 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Aqua is a great place to stay and centrally located to walk wherever you want to go. We stayed there 5 years ago and again this weekend. The hotel shows a lot more wear. It may be time to update the furniture.

8

Karma

9 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

A comfortable hotel - staff was friendly and attentive. Our room was VERY noisy - ask to not be near an elevator bank as they are extremely loud. The manager was helpful and asked if we’d like to switch rooms - as I said, thy are quite accommodating. The 1st floor restaurant is quite nice with good food and great wait staff. The pool is a big plus of this hotel - inside and outside. There are plenty of chairs - several covered cabanas - grills and even a running track. It is designed quite well. Plus you can’t beat the location.

8

Andreas

7 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Ok hotel. A bit dated. Location is very convenient and biggest plus is the great and well equipped gym. That’s the reason why I usually stay there

8

Laura

13 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The hotel is a little run down. I'd say it's not entirely clean either. The elevator looked like they hadn't been wiped down or vacuumed in a while. There were some gross smudges on the walls and buttons for elevators on our floor. Our room was a bit dirty. The floors weren't that clean and show a LOT of wear could use some refinishing. The desk in our room had rust ALL over the legs. There were places that looked like liquid had been spilled and hit the wall and never wiped off. Also, the bathroom shower and bath never got HOT water. It was barely warm no matter how long we let it run.

8

Luis

5 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 5 nights

The only downside was that we got to the hotel at 6pm and our room wasn’t ready, even though check in was at 3. We still had to wait an additional 45 minutes. Room AC also was slow but tolerable, may be a different story when it’s hotter outside. Overall, a good spot

10

Dana

17 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great location, nice size rooms with balconies.

6

Elizabeth

5 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The AC does not work well with only one vent in a single room. Had to buy a fan.

6

Victoria

4 May 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The upcharge for the balcony was not worth it. Also for the price I thought the room would be nicer. Wall paper seemed like it was peeling and bed was not that great. Location is the only positive for this hotel. Could find a much better hotel at a cheaper price.

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Service

Staff are frequently friendly and helpful, and some issues are resolved with credits or upgrades. However, long waits and rooms not ready at or after check‑in time recur, and responsiveness can be uneven with occasional rudeness or unreturned calls.

Related guest reviews

10

Cammie

18 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Staff was amazing

2

Deznick

29 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Check in was @ 3p.m. , didn’t get my room until 7:30p.m. Had to reschedule Birthday dinner reservation etc.

10

Dan

29 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

We had to wait 45 minutes for our room, but they gave us a $75 restaurant credit to make up for it - which we were extremely grateful for after a long day.

2

Michael

14 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Extremely understaffed. From valet to front desk to housekeeping. Room was very hot and humid even with thermostat turned down to 65°. Lots of scratches on wood floors. Unfriendly staff at front desk and at bar. Bar area was hot and humid. Room was not made up until almost 5 pm. Towels just thrown on the sink instead of hung up. Valet when checking out was 45 minutes. Definitely not worth the amount they charge!

6

Allyson

5 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Check in was at 3 and i git a room at 5

2

Andrew

16 Apr 2025

·

I stayed here for work and needed a receipt. Upon checkout they claimed they couldn't provide a receipt due to a system issue, but advised that one would be emailed to me. I have received no such email and have been contacting this hotel for the past week with nothing but a runaround. I have more than an hour of my time on hold with this hotel and still have no receipt to show for it. They had no issues charging my card though... 3/17-3/19, RM 421.

10

Martha

31 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The ice machine was out, very minor, and the night audit was not guest-friendly. The manager Josh allowed me to vent and he acknowledged the problem without any excuse. Thank you, Jose and I will return to your beautiful hotel.

8

Luis

5 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 5 nights

The only downside was that we got to the hotel at 6pm and our room wasn’t ready, even though check in was at 3. We still had to wait an additional 45 minutes. Room AC also was slow but tolerable, may be a different story when it’s hotter outside. Overall, a good spot

8

Tim

28 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

We spent 3 nights at the Radisson Blu Aqua whilst touring Chicago. I chose this hotel for it's location and because of the positive reviews. The price was also comparable to other hotels in the area. Overall our stay was great. The service at was above average I would say. Every staff member at the hotel was friendly and very helpful. We asked for a high floor when registering at the front desk and were placed on the 18th floor, which was the highest floor available to hotel guests. Just to inform you, the remainder of the floors above 18 are reserved for condo owners. So, if you are expecting a VERY high view at this hotel, you will be a bit disappointed. Our view was southward, we could see most things down Michigan avenue, at least things that weren't blocked by other tall buildings. The windows were a bit dirty, which tainted the great views at bit. We did not have a balcony, which might explain the dirty windows, as it would be a challenge to clean windows at this hotel, due to the design of the outside structure. The room itself on the small side, but being a couple that was no problem. The room was clean and the bed comfortable and shower was spacious. The location was somewhat central to the things we wanted to see in Chicago. We walked most everywhere, including Navy Pier and The Field Museum. It is a walk, but very doable. I would stay at this hotel again, we enjoyed our stay even with the minor issues.

10

Chin Hwa

16 Nov 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

The front office staff were excellent!

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Location

Widely praised central location near Millennium Park, the Riverwalk and Magnificent Mile, with easy walking access to attractions. Some guests note multi‑level streets can be tricky and intermittent sirens from the adjacent fire station.

Related guest reviews

10

Jenn

1 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Very nice luxury hotel in a great location to downtown Chicago and in walking distance to Michigan Ave and the riverwalk.

10

Amanda

20 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Close to bean and shopping!

10

Dawn

7 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Excellent from every aspect. Courteous staff, clean rooms, clean building, easy parking connected to the hotel, Starbucks and a restaurant, quiet, easy access to shopping/dining, very walkable and safe area. Highly recommend.

10

Bob

5 Jul 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Nice rooms, especially if you have a balcony. Close to Michigan Ave and Millennium Park. Pool was great and restaurant was good. Only negative is that there is a fire station right next to the hotel, which can be a little noisy depending on how many calls they respond to.

10

Kenneth

20 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Located in the Heart of the Magnificent Mile. Great Staff. Walkable area. Nice restaurant. I will be back.

8

Tim

28 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

We spent 3 nights at the Radisson Blu Aqua whilst touring Chicago. I chose this hotel for it's location and because of the positive reviews. The price was also comparable to other hotels in the area. Overall our stay was great. The service at was above average I would say. Every staff member at the hotel was friendly and very helpful. We asked for a high floor when registering at the front desk and were placed on the 18th floor, which was the highest floor available to hotel guests. Just to inform you, the remainder of the floors above 18 are reserved for condo owners. So, if you are expecting a VERY high view at this hotel, you will be a bit disappointed. Our view was southward, we could see most things down Michigan avenue, at least things that weren't blocked by other tall buildings. The windows were a bit dirty, which tainted the great views at bit. We did not have a balcony, which might explain the dirty windows, as it would be a challenge to clean windows at this hotel, due to the design of the outside structure. The room itself on the small side, but being a couple that was no problem. The room was clean and the bed comfortable and shower was spacious. The location was somewhat central to the things we wanted to see in Chicago. We walked most everywhere, including Navy Pier and The Field Museum. It is a walk, but very doable. I would stay at this hotel again, we enjoyed our stay even with the minor issues.

10

Maureen

16 Dec 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

A great location, good service and clean room with a view for a good price.

10

Allison

26 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 5 nights

We had a great stay! The hotel was in a great location. Very easy to get to all of the things….

10

Amy

29 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Lovely hotel and in the most convenient location

10

Anna

25 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Convenient location near millennium park and Chicago river walk. Driving using gps and walking is tricky due to different street levels. Remember to ask about any vip perks via expedia as they didn't mention it. No fridge in our room and i didn't bother to ask.

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Dining

On‑site dining and bar are often described as tasty, with several compliments for breakfast and poolside service. Some guests felt restaurant prices and service were inconsistent.

Related guest reviews

10

John

7 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Fantastic hotel! Great room, gorgeous tile floors, plus I even got a balcony with a stunning view. The pool area is wonderful and $25 resort credit turned into 2 tasty beers poolside. Staying here in the summer is an absolute treat!

10

Shannon

12 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Food at the restaurant was good. Rotisserie chicken

10

Victor

30 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Jazz band at bar

8

Robyn

6 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Check in was a bit of an issue. We were told it would be 10 minutes for our room then 30 mins then 40 mins in the same sentence. We came back in 30 mins to find a long line and that they had given our room to someone else in the line. The 2nd person we spoke with was super helpful and got us a room. We did utilize our restaurant credit and the food was delicious, drinks were great! Really, best flatbread pizza I have ever had. The room was really nice and big enough for all of us to be comfortable. The beds were comfortable, nice bathroom and spacious shower. Only issue was the bathroom door was broken and would not close all the way but it didn't bother us enough to complain. My main complaint was the pools, both were lap pools with no stairs in/out and with bad knees, I would not have been able to climb the ladder to get out. The pools were also freezing cold so we were unable to utilize them anyways, after looking forward to a nice swim after walking around the city all day. Also, the indoor hot tub was under construction. The whole area looked really dated. Considering the "resort fee", a pool upgrade would be a good improvement. Overall, we loved this hotel and it was so conveniently located to everything we were doing and easy to get to the train to get to our concert. All staff were super friendly with the exception of the first older lady at the reception desk. Everyone else was great! Would definitely stay again!

10

Yecenia

10 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Wonderful experience! Staff friendly, clean and food great!

8

Lori

14 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Property was nice and the room was spacious. Hard to find trash bins within the hotel. Parking fee is outrageous for no reason!!! Hotel restaurant overpriced and unimpressive. Breakfast was great but the steaks at dinner were mediocre.

10

Rhiana

1 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The Radisson Blu was a very comfortable stay. It was easy to check in, the front desk was friendly and helpful. There was an easy list of information given, on amenities which made it easy to enjoy our stay. They explained a pool party was happening when we checked in, which was fun with a live dj and fun drink samples being given. They had full beverage and food service at the pool, through their restaurant in-house. We enjoyed the sun while it lasted, and it was a lovely experience. The room had a nice shower, comfortable bed, but the refrigerator is only a minibar, no room for snacks or beverages of your own. We ordered from in-room dining and it was fast and the food was pretty good. Overall a great stay, we would stay again!

10

Oswald

18 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

My favorite hotel in Chicago. Great location. Fair pricing. I love the restaurant. In fact, it was the only restaurant I went to. The food is excellent.

10

Cari

23 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Amazing hotel. Great city views. Great pool. Great breakfast. Clean rooms and common areas.

10

Dan p

4 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 7 nights

Fire and lake had great breakfast!!! Had a great time, just walking around the city

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Month	Average price
January	US$127
February	US$157
March	US$184
April	US$241
May	US$386
June	US$410
July	US$377
August	US$362
September	US$303
October	US$301
November	US$188
December	US$149

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11 $298	12 $320
13 $363	14	15	16	17 $1,017	18 $491	19 $416
20 $292	21 $1,020	22 $492	23 $532	24 $420	25 $351	26 $361
27 $323	28 $488	29 $554	30 $430

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1 $356	2 $315	3 $375
4 $397	5 $521	6 $1,020	7 $493	8 $467	9 $629	10 $1,016
11 $1,020	12 $405	13 $496	14 $479	15 $405	16 $363	17 $438
18 $438	19 $534	20 $1,020	21 $532	22 $413	23 $321	24 $265
25 $273	26 $337	27 $405	28 $513	29 $295	30 $273	31 $241

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Monthly average prices

About this property

Location

Guest reviews

Very good

Who stays here?

What guests think

Property policies

Check-in instructions

Security deposit

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