
The Langham, Chicago
Best for spa-oriented stays and guests who prioritize a riverside, modernist design and a quieter luxury vibe.
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The Langham, Chicago is a modernist five-star hotel on the Chicago River with a prominent spa and an indoor pool; this guide is for travelers who want river views, spa-focused stays, or a quieter design-forward address. The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago is a classic five-star near Water Tower Place and the Magnificent Mile; read this if you prefer a traditional luxury hotel with a central Michigan Avenue location.
Updated · about 0.3 km apart (a 5–8 minute walk)

Best for spa-oriented stays and guests who prioritize a riverside, modernist design and a quieter luxury vibe.

Best for travelers who want a traditional luxury address steps from Michigan Avenue shopping and Water Tower Place.
When The Langham, Chicago wins: pick The Langham if you want the Chuan Spa, a dedicated wellness focus (fitness studio with Peloton bikes, hydrotherapy hot tub, saunas), river views and a contemporary design housed in a landmark Mies van der Rohe building.
When The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago wins: choose The Ritz-Carlton if proximity to Michigan Avenue/Water Tower Place, a larger hotel footprint (more rooms) and the recognizability of the Ritz-Carlton brand are your priorities—especially if you plan to be out shopping and sight-seeing.
Bottom line: both are five-star downtown Chicago choices within easy walking distance of the Magnificent Mile; The Langham leans spa-and-design-first, while The Ritz-Carlton is the classic, centrally located luxury pick.
| Category | The Langham, Chicago | The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Modernist riverfront luxury with a strong spa/wellness focus | Traditional five-star hotel with formal, classic luxury touches |
| Location | On the south bank of the Chicago River; steps from Magnificent Mile and river cruises | Near Michigan Avenue and Water Tower Place; a short walk to Lake Michigan |
| Size (guest rooms) | 316 guest rooms and suites | 434 guestrooms |
| Opened / age | Opened 2013 (in a landmark Mies van der Rohe–designed building) | Not published |
| Pools | 67-foot indoor pool (Level 4) with hydrotherapy hot tub; pool hours 6:00 AM–8:00 PM | Indoor swimming pool (indoor pool listed in supplier facts) |
| Restaurants & bars | Travelle (seasonal American) and Pavilion (afternoon tea); Travelle has a show kitchen | Torali Italian-Steak (restaurant) plus a coffee shop/cafe and bar/lounge; room service available limited hours |
| Spa & wellness | Chuan Spa (only U.S. Chuan Spa), full-floor spa and wellness facilities, fitness studio with Peloton | Full-service spa offering massages and facials (spa listed in supplier facts) |
| Known for | River views, Chuan Spa, afternoon tea at Pavilion | Prime Magnificent Mile address, classic Ritz-Carlton service |
| Accessibility & family policy | Guests must be 21+ to reserve/check in (hotel accommodates adults) and property is smoke-free | Check-in minimum age 21; property lists wheelchair-accessible features and family-friendly notes |
| Closest landmarks | Chicago River, Magnificent Mile, Chicago Theatre (about a 4–8 minute walk) | Michigan Avenue, Water Tower Place, Museum of Contemporary Art (steps away) |
The Langham sits on the Chicago River and offers direct river-jetty access for architecture cruises and river views.
Pick The Langham if you want immediate river access and a short walk to the Magnificent Mile in a slightly quieter riverside setting.
The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago is centrally located on the Magnificent Mile/Water Tower block for shopping and museums.
Choose The Ritz-Carlton if being literally steps from Michigan Avenue stores and Water Tower Place is your priority.
The Langham’s 316 rooms emphasize modernist design, river or city views and curated in-room amenities.
The Langham suits travelers who prefer contemporary rooms, river views and a boutique-feel within a 316-room hotel.
The Ritz-Carlton offers a large mix of room and suite categories including city and lake views.
The Ritz-Carlton is the choice for travelers wanting many room-type options and traditional luxury room fittings near Michigan Avenue.
The Langham focuses on a compact set of signature outlets—Travelle and Pavilion—plus seasonal offerings.
Choose The Langham for a focused, design-forward dining program and a notable afternoon tea tradition.
The Ritz-Carlton has Torali Italian-Steak as its main restaurant plus a coffee shop, bar/lounge and limited room service hours.
The Ritz-Carlton is convenient for Magnificent Mile dining access and a classic hotel restaurant/lounge setup.
The Langham highlights its 67-foot indoor pool and an extensive spa and wellness floor.
If a prominent indoor pool plus a large spa footprint matters, The Langham is the clearer pick.
The Ritz-Carlton lists a full-service spa and an indoor pool among its recreational amenities.
The Ritz-Carlton provides standard luxury-hotel wellness amenities, including a spa and indoor pool, with a focus on convenient downtown location.
The Langham centers wellness in its guest experience and keeps nightlife low-key with lounge service and afternoon tea.
Pick The Langham for wellness-first stays and quieter evenings rather than late-night scene.
The Ritz-Carlton offers a full-service spa and a bar/lounge for evening drinks close to downtown attractions.
The Ritz-Carlton works well for guests who want in-hotel spa services plus immediate access to downtown nightlife and theater options.

Chuan Spa, hydrotherapy hot tub, steam and sauna facilities and a dedicated fitness studio with Peloton bikes.

Steps from Michigan Avenue, Water Tower Place and close to many stores and museums.

Direct river-jetty access and rooms with river-view options in a Mies van der Rohe–designed building.

A larger overall room inventory and many lake- and city-view room types, including executive suites.
Both are within an easy walk, but The Ritz-Carlton is literally on the Water Tower/Michigan Avenue block; The Langham is a short 4–8 minute walk to the Magnificent Mile.
The Langham is known for Chuan Spa (the only U.S. Chuan Spa) with an extensive wellness floor; The Ritz-Carlton also has a full-service spa but The Langham emphasizes a larger spa/wellness program.
Both properties allow guests of all ages, but each has a 21-year minimum age to reserve and check in; check the individual hotel policies for details on children and pool rules.
Yes. The Langham has a 67-foot indoor pool with a hydrotherapy hot tub; The Ritz-Carlton lists an indoor pool among its amenities.
Explore how The Langham, Chicago stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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