Is Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk worth it? Honest pros and cons
Yes — Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk is worth considering if you want a large, convention-capable downtown hotel with direct access to the Chicago Riverwalk, multiple on-site dining options, and sizeable meeting/event space. It’s less strong if you prioritize a boutique feel or free extras — expect destination fees, paid parking, and a busy, urban environment.
In this guide
Location — Riverwalk and downtown access
The hotel sits at 301 E North Water St directly on the Chicago Riverwalk in the River North/Streeterville area. River architecture tours and the Riverwalk itself are essentially at the doorstep.
Major tourist areas are walkable: the Magnificent Mile (Michigan Avenue) is about a 5–7 minute walk, Millennium Park roughly 10 minutes, and Navy Pier approximately a 14-minute walk (about one mile). This makes the property convenient for sightseeing without relying on car travel.
- Direct access to the Chicago Riverwalk
- 5–7 minute walk to Michigan Avenue / Magnificent Mile
- About 10 minutes to Millennium Park; ~14 minutes to Navy Pier
| Nearby | Approximate walk |
|---|---|
| Chicago Riverwalk | At the hotel |
| Michigan Avenue (Magnificent Mile) | 5–7 min |
| Millennium Park | ≈10 min |
Rooms and views — many room types, river and city sights
Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk has a wide range of room categories, from Traditional Room (1 King Bed or 2 Double Beds) up through multiple named suites such as Suite, 1 Bedroom, River View (Ambassador) and Presidential Suite, 1 Bedroom, Club Lounge Access (Skyline View, High Floor). Many rooms offer river or skyline views.
If views are important, look for Deluxe Room, River View or Deluxe Room (Skyline View, High Floor) types and consider rooms with 'High Floor' or 'River View' in the name. Club-level rooms include Sheraton Club Lounge access on the 33rd floor for guests who book eligible room types.
- Room names to note: Traditional Room; Deluxe Room, River View; Deluxe Room (Skyline View, High Floor); Suite, 1 Bedroom, River View (Ambassador); Presidential Suite, 1 Bedroom, Club Lounge Access (Skyline View, High Floor).
- 1,218 guest rooms across 34 floors (property size — useful for conventions/groups).
- Sheraton Club Lounge on the 33rd floor for eligible bookings.
| Example room types | Beds |
|---|---|
| Traditional Room | 1 King Bed or 2 Double Beds |
| Deluxe Room, River View | 1 King Bed or 2 Double Beds |
| Suite, 1 Bedroom, River View (Ambassador) | 1 King Bed and 1 Twin Murphy Bed |
Facilities — pool, fitness, dining and meetings
Facilities include one indoor heated pool on the 7th floor (oversized windows with downtown/Lake Michigan views) and the Sheraton Fitness Center on the 7th floor — a two-story gym with Peloton bikes, Life Fitness equipment and a dry sauna. The gym is described as complimentary for guests and often reported open 24 hours.
Dining options cover a range from quick coffee to fine dining: Link Café for Starbucks®-style service, Riverside Café for breakfast/lunch/brunch with river views, CHI Bar in the lobby, Shula's Steak House for evening fine dining, and a seasonal Chicago Burger Company along the Riverwalk.
- Indoor heated pool (7th floor) — towels provided; typical hours published as 7:00 AM–10:00 PM (some sources list slight variation).
- Sheraton Fitness Center (two-story, Peloton bikes, dry sauna) — complimentary.
- On-site dining: Shula's Steak House (5:30 PM–11:00 PM), Riverside Café (breakfast/lunch/brunch hours), Link Café (6:00 AM–4:00 PM), CHI Bar (Tue–Sat evenings).
- Extensive meeting & event space (~125,000 sq ft across many rooms), large ballrooms suitable for weddings and conventions.
| Facility | Notes |
|---|---|
| Indoor heated pool (7th floor) | Oversized windows; towels provided; published hours 7:00 AM–10:00 PM |
| Sheraton Fitness Center | Two-story gym with Peloton bikes, Life Fitness equipment, dry sauna; complimentary |
| Shula's Steak House | Fine-dining steakhouse; dinner service 5:30 PM–11:00 PM; smart casual dress code |
Who it’s good for — families, groups, business events
The property is family-friendly: up to two children age 17 or younger stay free using existing bedding, and family-oriented services and events are sometimes offered. The hotel is large and convention-oriented, so it suits groups, weddings, and business travelers.
If you’re attending a convention or booking a wedding, the hotel’s vast meeting and ballroom inventory (including the Sheraton Chicago Ballroom and Chicago Ballroom) and many guest rooms make it a practical choice. For travelers seeking small boutique hotels or quiet, intimate properties, this may feel too large or busy.
- Good fit: families, conventions, weddings, business travel, guests wanting riverfront access.
- Less suitable: travelers seeking boutique charm, tranquil small hotels, or complimentary parking included in the room rate.
| Guest type | Why it works |
|---|---|
| Families | Kids stay free (up to 2 children ≤17 on existing bedding); family dining options |
| Conventions / weddings | Large meeting space (≈125k sq ft) and many rooms available |
| Leisure couples | Riverwalk location and dining; may prefer quieter boutique alternatives |
Costs and practical considerations
Expect additional daily fees on top of the base room rate: the hotel charges a destination fee that includes in-room Wi‑Fi and other bundled items. Parking (self or valet) carries a separate daily charge per published hotel info and third-party listings.
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM and check-out is by 12:00 PM (noon); the minimum age to check in is 21 and a photo ID plus credit card are required. Pets are allowed (up to 2 per room; maximum weight per pet documented), though pet-fee policies vary by source and may change.
- Daily destination fee is charged and includes in-room Wi‑Fi and some bundled items.
- On-site parking and valet are available for a daily surcharge (rates cited on hotel pages/aggregators).
- Minimum check-in age 21; check-in 4:00 PM / check-out noon (confirm at booking).
| Charge | Notes |
|---|---|
| Destination fee | Daily fee applies; includes in-room Wi‑Fi and bundled items (hotel disclosure) |
| Parking | Self-park and valet available for a daily surcharge (published on hotel listing) |
| Rollaway bed | Fee applies if requested (reported USD 25 per night on some sources) |
Pros — why many travelers choose it
Direct Riverwalk access and a central downtown location make it easy to reach major Chicago sights on foot and to join riverboat architecture tours nearby.
Large property with many room types, ample meeting space, multiple dining options (including a steakhouse), a heated indoor pool with views, and a two-story fitness center provide convenience for conventions, weddings and family stays.
- Excellent downtown, riverside location with easy walking access to attractions
- Extensive event and ballroom space for large groups
- Indoor heated pool and substantial fitness facility
- Multiple on-site dining options from café to steakhouse
| Benefit | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Location | On the Chicago Riverwalk and close to Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park |
| Event capacity | Large ballrooms and ~125k sq ft meeting space for conventions/weddings |
| Facilities | Pool and two-story fitness center on-site |
Cons — what to watch for
The hotel is large and busy; guests sometimes report the atmosphere feels more convention-hotel than small upscale boutique. Expect high daily fees for parking and the destination fee on top of room rates.
If you want a quiet, intimate stay or complimentary on-site parking, this property may not match those needs. Also, the seasonal Chicago Burger Company can be closed off-season, so don’t count on that Riverwalk eatery year-round.
- Large, convention-oriented hotel — can be busy or noisy during events
- Destination fee and separately charged parking increase total cost
- Some Riverwalk dining (Chicago Burger Company) is seasonal and may be closed depending on timing
| Potential downside | Impact |
|---|---|
| Convention activity | Higher foot traffic, event noise or crowded public spaces at times |
| Extra fees | Destination fee and parking raise total nightly cost beyond base rate |
| Seasonal dining | Riverwalk restaurants may be closed outside peak season |
