
Marriott Marquis Chicago
Best for large meetings, conventions, and travelers who want direct access to McCormick Place and arena events.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Marriott Marquis Chicago is a large, convention-focused 4-star hotel in the South Loop geared toward groups, business travelers and families. The Gwen, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Michigan Avenue Chicago is a 4.5-star, style-forward Luxury Collection property on Michigan Avenue for shoppers, couples and city-break travelers.
Updated · about 3.5 km apart

Best for large meetings, conventions, and travelers who want direct access to McCormick Place and arena events.

Best for shoppers, couples and travelers who want a luxury stay steps from Michigan Avenue and the Chicago Riverwalk.
When Marriott Marquis Chicago wins: Choose Marriott Marquis if you need a practical base for a convention or large event, want direct skybridge access to McCormick Place/Wintrust Arena, or need lots of on-site meeting and ballroom capacity.
When The Gwen wins: Pick The Gwen for a smaller, more design-forward Luxury Collection experience on Michigan Avenue—closer to downtown shopping, the Chicago Riverwalk and classic Loop sights.
Bottom line: Both are Marriott-family hotels, but they serve different purposes—Marriott Marquis is scale and function for groups and lakefront convention access; The Gwen is a compact luxury choice for shopping, sightseeing and romance in the Magnificent Mile area.
| Category | Marriott Marquis Chicago | The Gwen, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Michigan Avenue Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Large, practical, convention-focused | Stylish, boutique-luxury on Michigan Avenue |
| Location | South Loop; connected to McCormick Place and Wintrust Arena | Downtown / Magnificent Mile; steps from Michigan Avenue and Chicago Riverwalk |
| Size (rooms) | 1,205 rooms | 311 guestrooms |
| Who it’s for | Convention attendees, families, groups | Shoppers, couples, luxury-minded city travelers |
| Pools | No on-site pool | Not published |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple outlets including Woven and Bound, 2121 Pantry and Showroom Food Hall | 2 restaurants and 1 bar/lounge (Kostali and bar/lounge; 24‑hour room service available) |
| Spa / wellness | No on-site spa; 24-hour fitness center (fourth floor) with Lake Michigan views | 24-hour fitness facilities; on-site spa not published |
| Known for | Extensive meeting/ballroom space and skybridge to McCormick Place | Location on Michigan Avenue, rooftop terrace and Mediterranean restaurant Kostali |
| Accessibility & family policy | Family-friendly; accessible rooms and facilities; minimum check-in age 21 | All-ages property; wheelchair-accessible public areas and rooms (may have limitations) |
| Typical guest rating | Well-reviewed for meeting services and practical amenities (public ratings vary) | Guest rating 9.6 / 10 (supplier listing) |
Marriott Marquis sits in the South Loop with a direct skybridge to McCormick Place and walkable links to Wintrust Arena.
Choose Marriott Marquis when proximity to McCormick Place and event venues matters more than Magnificent Mile shopping.
The Gwen is on Michigan Avenue, putting shops, restaurants and the Chicago Riverwalk within easy walking distance.
Pick The Gwen for a downtown, Magnificent Mile base for sightseeing and shopping on foot.
Marriott Marquis offers a very large room inventory with many room types and views, built for volume and variety.
If you need many rooms or varied room types for a group, Marriott Marquis is set up for that.
The Gwen has a smaller, more intimate room set consistent with a Luxury Collection property.
The Gwen suits travelers who prefer a compact luxury collection of rooms in a prime downtown location.
Marriott Marquis emphasizes variety and scale with a full food hall, a main restaurant and casual café.
Marriott Marquis gives you range and convenience for groups and families who value quick options and a main dining room.
The Gwen offers fewer outlets but a focused, higher-end restaurant and rooftop terrace options.
The Gwen is better for quieter, table-service meals and a downtown dining experience rather than venue-scale casual options.
Marriott Marquis emphasizes large meeting spaces and a 24-hour fitness center; it does not have an on-site pool.
Expect a strong meetings and fitness offering but no hotel pool at Marriott Marquis.
The Gwen lists a rooftop terrace and 24-hour fitness facilities among its leisure features.
The Gwen focuses on rooftop/terrace views and fitness; pool details are not published.
Marriott Marquis supplies a full 24-hour fitness center and on-site casual nightlife via bars in the food hall and Great Room.
Good fitness access and casual evening dining; plan off-site for spa treatments.
The Gwen has 24-hour fitness facilities and a rooftop terrace; on-site spa services are not published.
Expect gym access and a rooftop spot for drinks; spa services appear to be off-site or not published.

Marriott Marquis — direct skybridge to McCormick Place and nearly 90,000 sq ft of meeting space.

The Gwen — steps from Michigan Avenue, the Chicago Riverwalk and Magnificent Mile shopping.

Marriott Marquis — 1,205 rooms across 39–40 floors, built to accommodate big blocks.

The Gwen — a 311-room Luxury Collection property with a stylish downtown address.
Marriott Marquis is directly connected to McCormick Place via a skybridge; The Gwen is several kilometers away and better suited for downtown sightseeing.
Neither property is adults-only. Neither is beachfront; both are city hotels on Chicago’s lakefront/riverfront corridor.
Marriott Marquis does not have an on-site pool. The Gwen's supplier listing does not publish pool information.
The Gwen is the better pick for shopping and sightseeing on Michigan Avenue; it's within easy walking distance of the Magnificent Mile and Riverwalk.
Explore how Marriott Marquis Chicago stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·