
Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk
Best for conventions, large groups, families and guests who want immediate Chicago Riverwalk access and many on-site dining options.
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Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk is a large, riverfront Marriott property that suits convention groups, families, and travelers who want direct access to the Chicago Riverwalk. Waldorf Astoria Chicago is a five-star Gold Coast luxury hotel with a quieter, residential luxury feel—read this if you prefer boutique five-star service over a busy convention hotel.
Updated · about 1.2 miles (≈1.9 km) apart

Best for conventions, large groups, families and guests who want immediate Chicago Riverwalk access and many on-site dining options.

Best for travelers who want a five-star, residential-style stay near Michigan Avenue with a full-service spa and quieter neighborhood setting.
When Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk wins: choose the Sheraton for big events, convention groups, larger rooms inventory, easier river access, and a wider variety of on-site casual dining options.
When Waldorf Astoria Chicago wins: choose the Waldorf for a quieter, five-star Gold Coast experience, a full-service spa, and a smaller property that feels more residential and luxurious.
Bottom line: pick Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk if you need space, riverfront activity, or group facilities; pick Waldorf Astoria Chicago if you want a refined five-star stay close to the Magnificent Mile and boutique-service amenities.
| Category | Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk | Waldorf Astoria Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Busy, convention- and family-oriented riverfront hotel | Quiet, five-star Gold Coast luxury with a residential feel |
| Location | Directly on the Chicago Riverwalk (Streeterville/River North) | Oak Street / Magnificent Mile area (about 1.2 miles from the Riverwalk) |
| Size | Large — about 1,218 rooms across 34 floors | Smaller — 214 guestrooms |
| Ages / audience | All ages; family-friendly (kids stay free up to age 17 in many cases) | All ages (not adults-only); positioned as five-star luxury |
| Pools | One indoor heated pool (7th floor) with downtown/Lake Michigan views | Indoor pool (1 indoor pool listed) |
| Spa / wellness | Massage services available; no dedicated named spa | Full-service spa on site (massages, body treatments, facials) |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple outlets (Shula's Steak House, Riverside Café, CHI Bar, Link Café, seasonal Chicago Burger Company, etc.) | Single main restaurant (Brass Tack), 24-hour room service, bar/lounge |
| Meeting & event space | Extensive — roughly 120k–125k sq ft and many ballrooms (large-capacity convention hotel) | Conference space — 7,911 sq ft with 9 meeting rooms |
| Free Wi‑Fi | Public-area Wi‑Fi included; in-room Wi‑Fi bundled through destination fee (policies vary) | Complimentary wired and wireless internet access listed |
| Parking | On-site self-parking and valet (daily fees apply) | Valet parking (surcharge) listed |
Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk sits directly on the Chicago Riverwalk in Streeterville/River North, close to river tours and the Magnificent Mile.
Choose Sheraton for immediate river access and central downtown sightseeing.
Waldorf Astoria Chicago is in the Gold Coast near Oak Street and within a short walk of the Magnificent Mile.
Choose Waldorf when you want a quieter base close to high-end shopping and dining.
Sheraton Grand offers a very large inventory across many room types and club-level options.
Choose Sheraton for more room-type options and availability for larger groups.
Waldorf Astoria has 214 guestrooms focused on five-star finishes and a residential feel.
Choose Waldorf for a more intimate, luxury room experience and smaller property scale.
Sheraton Grand has several on-site dining outlets that range from quick coffee to a fine-dining steakhouse.
Choose Sheraton if you want multiple on-property casual and formal dining options.
Waldorf Astoria Chicago offers a single main restaurant (Brass Tack), room service and a bar/lounge.
Choose Waldorf for a focused, upscale dining program and 24-hour room service.
Sheraton Grand features a single indoor heated pool with large windows and city/Lake Michigan views.
Choose Sheraton when you want a city-view indoor pool and a strong fitness offering.
Waldorf Astoria lists one indoor pool and a full-service spa as signature wellness offerings.
Choose Waldorf if you prioritize a full-service spa plus an indoor pool in a five-star setting.
Sheraton Grand emphasizes a large fitness facility and casual evening options rather than a spa-driven program.
Pick Sheraton for strong fitness facilities and casual evening dining/drink options.
Waldorf Astoria centers wellness around a full-service spa and scheduled fitness classes.
Pick Waldorf for a fuller spa program and quieter evening atmosphere.

Sheraton Grand — very large meeting and ballroom capacity (over 120k sq ft) and extensive event options.

Waldorf Astoria — smaller guest count, five-star service and a full-service spa for a more refined stay.

Sheraton Grand — sits directly on the Chicago Riverwalk with immediate access to river tours and riverfront dining.

Waldorf Astoria — in the Oak Street / Magnificent Mile area with a more residential neighborhood feel.
Sheraton Grand is explicitly family-friendly with a large room inventory and family-oriented dining; Waldorf accepts families but is positioned as five-star luxury.
Waldorf Astoria Chicago has a full-service spa on site; Sheraton Grand offers massage services but does not operate a named, dedicated spa.
Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk sits directly on the Chicago Riverwalk; Waldorf Astoria is about 1.2 miles (≈1.9 km) from the Riverwalk.
Sheraton Grand is the clear choice for large meetings and events because of its extensive meeting and ballroom space.
Explore how Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·