Conventions and meetings at Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk: a planner's quick guide
Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk is a large downtown convention hotel at 301 E North Water St that offers about 125,000 sq ft of meeting space across 43 rooms, multiple ballrooms (including the Sheraton Chicago Ballroom and Chicago Ballroom), and on-site catering and dining options suitable for conferences, banquets, and weddings. Planners should confirm capacities, meeting-package minimums, the hotel's destination fee, parking charges, and minimums with the hotel's events team when requesting proposals.
In this guide
Meeting spaces and capacities
The hotel lists roughly 125,000 square feet of meeting and event space across 43 rooms. Named large venues include the Sheraton Chicago Ballroom and the Chicago Ballroom, plus multiple Chicago Ballrooms (VI–X) and Sheraton Ballrooms I–V.
Capacities vary by configuration; the Sheraton Chicago Ballroom is described as the property’s largest event space and the Chicago Ballroom is noted as roughly 40,000 sq ft with floor-to-ceiling windows along the Promenade.
- Sheraton Chicago Ballroom: listed among the largest on-property ballroom spaces
- Chicago Ballroom: ~40,000 sq ft (floor-to-ceiling windows; large configurable space)
- Sheraton Ballroom I, II & III and IV & V: flexible subdividable ballrooms
- Chicago Ballroom VI–X and Riverwalk A & B: multiple river-facing ballrooms
| Venue | Noted capacity or size |
|---|---|
| Sheraton Chicago Ballroom | Largest on-property ballroom (capacity listed on site) |
| Chicago Ballroom | ~40,000 sq ft; large configurable riverfront ballroom |
| Riverwalk A / Riverwalk B | River-facing ballroom options (listed as major event rooms) |
Booking, contracts, and common fees
Groups should request a written event contract that lists the food & beverage minimum, service charges, and any required deposits. Published vendor listings note a minimum group size of 10 for event bookings.
The property charges a daily destination fee that bundles items such as in-room Wi‑Fi and other amenities; parking (self and valet) and some services are charged separately and can be substantial.
- Confirm the hotel's daily destination fee and what it includes when you negotiate the contract.
- Ask whether in-room Wi‑Fi and meeting-room internet are included or billed separately.
- Clarify parking rates (self-parking and valet) and whether they can be reduced for contracted room blocks.
| Fee type | Notes |
|---|---|
| Destination fee | Hotel lists a daily destination fee that includes in-room Wi‑Fi and bundled amenities |
| Parking | On-site self-parking and valet available; both carry daily surcharges |
| Rollaway bed | Rollaway beds can be requested; a fee is published per night |
On-site services & amenities for groups
Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk provides on-site catering, private dining rooms (for example Riverside Café private dining for up to 44 guests), a 33rd-floor Sheraton Club Lounge, and concierge and porter services to help with arrivals and logistics.
For stays and small meetings the hotel has an indoor heated pool and a two-story Sheraton Fitness Center on the 7th floor; these public amenities are available to guests but should be confirmed for exclusive group use or for scheduling during an event.
- Private dining: Riverside Café private room (up to 44) and other buyout options
- Club Lounge: Sheraton Club on 33rd floor for eligible room types or added access
- Pool & fitness: indoor heated pool on 7th floor and two-story fitness center (Peloton and Life Fitness equipment)
| Service | On-site detail |
|---|---|
| Catering & private dining | In-house catering, private dining rooms, full banquet service |
| Club Lounge | Sheraton Club on the 33rd floor (club access room types available) |
| Wellness | Indoor heated pool (7th floor) and complimentary fitness center |
Food & beverage options for events
On-site outlets include Shula's Steak House (fine-dining steakhouse open evenings), Riverside Café (breakfast, lunch, weekend brunch with river views), Link Café (Starbucks® drinks and quick bites), CHI Bar, and the seasonal Chicago Burger Company along the Riverwalk.
Shula's offers private dining for medium-size groups and a private-dining capacity listed on external reservation platforms; Riverside Café can be configured for private dining or buyout receptions. Confirm menu options, vegetarian/vegan choices, and plated/buffet formats with the events team.
- Shula's Steak House: dinner service, private dining options, smart-casual/business-casual dress guidance
- Riverside Café: breakfast/lunch/brunch with river views; private dining room up to 44
- Chicago Burger Company: seasonal Riverwalk location (may be closed out of season)
| Outlet | Typical use for events |
|---|---|
| Shula's Steak House | Evening private dinners, plated receptions |
| Riverside Café | Breakfasts, brunches, small private dining |
| Link Café / CHI Bar | Coffee breaks, cocktail receptions, casual gatherings |
Technology, A/V and room setups
The hotel provides a wide range of meeting-room configurations including classroom, theater, U-shape and boardroom styles; large ballrooms are equipped to host stages, screens and professional lighting. Discuss on-site A/V staffing and preferred vendor lists with the events manager.
If you require hardwired internet, dedicated bandwidth, or simultaneous translation, request technical specifications and a quote ahead of contract signing. Some third-party listings show in-room internet may be subject to separate charges.
- Standard set types: theater, classroom, banquet, boardroom, U-shape
- Request A/V rider and bandwidth specs early (in-room Wi‑Fi may be bundled or charged separately)
- Confirm load-in/load-out access, staging, rigging limits and prefunction space availability
| Setup | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Classroom | Training sessions, exams, speaker-led workshops |
| Theater | Keynotes and large presentations |
| Banquet | Seated dinners and receptions |
Location, transport, and local logistics
Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk sits at 301 E North Water St directly on the Chicago Riverwalk in the River North/Streeterville area, within easy walking distance of the Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park, Navy Pier, and riverboat architecture tours.
Airport transfers, shuttles and car services are available for a fee; the hotel also offers on-site self-parking and valet parking for daily charges. The nearest CTA Red Line station (Grand) is about 0.7 miles (roughly a 12-minute walk) from the property.
- Address: 301 E North Water St, Chicago, IL 60611
- Nearby: Chicago Riverwalk, Magnificent Mile (5–7 minute walk), Millennium Park (~10 minute walk), Navy Pier (~14 minute walk)
- Transport notes: airport shuttles and car services available for a fee; CTA Red Line Grand station ~0.7 mi
| Local point | Typical walking time noted |
|---|---|
| Chicago Riverwalk | Immediate / at the hotel doorstep |
| Magnificent Mile (Michigan Ave) | About 5–7 minute walk |
| Navy Pier | Around a 14-minute walk per hotel materials |
