For committed exhibitors, trade shows at McCormick Place represent a complex mix of business and logistics. Achieving success is not a matter of luck. Strategic choices have to be made long before the event. Perhaps the most crucial of these decisions is the choice of hotel.
This is not intended to be a tourist guide. Rather, it is a strategic document for the exhibitor who knows that the hotel is not only a place to rest, but rather a headquarters to operate out of. The hotel’s location, comfort, and amenities will determine your energy and efficiency, and ultimately, your ROI. In this document, we help you navigate the tradeoff between convenience and value so that you have a competitive edge at your next trade show in Chicago.
Skybridge Connected vs. A Short Walk: Which is Best?
The first consideration is not which hotel to stay at, but rather which philosophy of life at McCormick Place to embody; either the comfort of a skybridge-connected hotel or the practicality of a hotel a short stroll away. This decision will have far-reaching consequences on your entire exhibition experience.
The Skybridge-Connected Hotel: The Path of Ultimate Convenience
To be connected by a skybridge is within an event’s ecosystem. It is as close as possible to achieving a truly seamless experience.
- The Unassailable Advantage: In this case, the core advantage is raw: being insulated from the outside world. Chicago’s weather is notoriously unpredictable. A sudden downpour, biting winds, or even a humid heatwave, none of it can reach you. As a result, this means you arrive at the booth perfectly, composed and without a single hair out of place. The five-minute, indoor stroll from your room to the show floor is more than a convenience; it is a luxury that saves precious mental and physical energy.
- Strategic Weakness: The plushness comes at a strategic price: both in cost and in convenience. Rooms are the highest priced in the region as they are booked months, sometimes a year, in advance. There is a gentle subconscious impact as well; the longer you stay in the convention bubble, the more disconnected you become from the reality of the city. Meals consist of a hotel, a convention, or a combination of the two, and the possibility of stepping out into the city for a mental breath is unfortunately, diminished.
The Walking Distance Hotel: The Path of Practical Value
Choosing a hotel within a 5 to 10-minute walking radius opens up a new set of possibilities. In this case, convenience is sacrificed in exchange for different forms of value.
- The Unique Benefits: You save money. A significant portion of a hotel’s nightly rate is its proximity to convention centers, and if an attendee is willing to forgo proximity, a short walk can save a considerable sum. A suspension of geographical concentration also allows attendees a mental pause and refresh, and the short walk to the convention center serves this purpose. Not to mention, every neighborhood is teeming with restaurants, coffee shops and bars which make it easy to grab a drink or bite to eat.
- The Strategic Shortcomings: The weather is out of your control. Under umbrellas usually forgotten, umbrellas forgotten can dampen an important function. This, too, adds new time considerations. The ten-minute walk transforms the last-minute finalization of a presentation or the last-minute grab of coffee into a no-go. During the show, this small time restriction is a constant drain on productivity.
The Verdict: The skybridge is an indispensable resource for solo exhibitors or senior executives who are pressed for time. Meanwhile, the solo traveler who is budget-sensitive or the team traveler who prefers spending time outside the exhibition hall rather than the large, sprawling convention center finds the short walk a more balanced, often wiser choice.
Top 3 Hotels Directly Connected to McCormick Place
For the exhibitor who requires the highest level of convenience, there are three hotels that are connected to the convention center with indoor skybridges. Staying at any of these properties eliminates concerns of weather, traffic, and commuting, and provides unmatched focus on your business objectives. They are, however, not interchangeable. Each comes with a unique challenge in terms of experience, price, and booking. Here is a guide to navigating the top tier of McCormick Place accommodation.
1. Hyatt Regency McCormick Place
Overall Vibe: This is the quintessential convention hotel—energetic, bustling, and the most deeply integrated with McCormick Place. It serves as the central nervous system of the entire campus, and is the best choice for those who want to be at the absolute epicenter of the event activity and networking.
- Price & Booking:
1. Price Range: Premium hotel prices are marked as $$$$.. As the original connected hotel, it often commands the highest rates. Expect to pay a significant premium during any major convention.
2. Booking Difficulty: Very High. This is often the first hotel to sell out. For major shows, you should plan to book 9 to 12 months in advance.
3. Where to Book: Your first stop should always be the official World of Hyatt Website. Member rates can sometimes offer better value or more flexible cancellation policies than third-party sites.
- Insider Intel & Tips:
1. Fastest Route: If your booth is in the South Building, the Hyatt offers the most direct, uninterrupted skybridge path. Take the main elevators to the 2nd floor and follow the signs.
2. Best Place to Work: The official business center is well equipped, but frequently packed. For a quieter place to work or take a call, the public seating areas on the second floor offer relative privacy, power outlets, and strategic sightlines to the busy areas.
3. Best for Meetings: The main lobby bar, Shor, is the areas most active networking hub. It is superb for your spontaneous and take-meeting & be-seen needs, but can be too loud for sensitive discussions.
2. Marriott Marquis Chicago
Overall Vibe: Modern, stylish, and sophisticated. The Marriott Marquis has undergone a transformation into a more contemporary convention hotel, offering a stylish atmosphere and featuring a more refined ambiance. It works best for exhibitors who need a polished environment with up-to-date facilities.
- Price & Booking:
1. Price Range: Premium ($$$$). Competitive with the Hyatt, pricing at this location sits firmly in the top tier.
2. Booking Difficulty: Very High. Modern appeal comes with high demand. It is recommended to try a booking window of 8 to 12 months.
3. Where to Book: For booking, try to book directly through the Marriott Bonvoy app or website. This guarantees loyalty points and provides access to member exclusive offers or upgrades.
- Insider Intel & Tips:
1. Fastest Route: Of all the hotels, this one has the most convenient and streamlined access to the West Building. The skybridge connection feels like an architectural part of the hotel, providing a seamless extension.
2. Best Place to Work: The business center on the 2nd floor is calmer and more serene than the one in the Hyatt, making it a better option for focused work or last minute printing.
3. Ideal for Meetings: The lobby features two distinct options. For a quick coffee meeting, 2121 Pantry is bright and ideal. For a more serious, private conversation with a key client, the sophisticated ambiance of the Woven & Bound bar is the better choice.
3. Hilton Garden Inn Chicago McCormick Place
Overall Vibe: The connected hotels’ practical and flexible workhorse. Hilton’s tri-branded complex (which also includes a Hampton Inn and Home2 Suites) is reliable and a value. It works best for teams, and those needing direct-connect convenience at slightly more accessible price point.
- Price & Booking:
1. Price Range: Mid-High ($$$). While still a premium hotel, its rates are ofen slightly below the Hyatt and Marriott. Booking Difficulty:
2. Booking Difficulty: Medium. It’s value proposition means it also books up very quickly. Aim to reserve your rooms 7 to 10 months in advance.
3. Where to Book: The Hilton Honors website will help you book most effectively. An important tip is to look for availability at all three locations in the complex (Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn, Home2 Suites), as sometimes one is available while others are booked. All three share the same skybridge.
- Insider Intel & Tips:
1. Fastest Route: The skybridge from this complex offers direct access to the West Building as well as the main McCormick Place Grand Concourse, providing access to much of the campus.
2. Best Place to Work: The business center located on the premises is useful for short assignments, but the main advantage is the tri-brand structure. If one of the three business centers is busy, you have two other in the same building to try.
3. Best for Meetings: To impress your clients, do not take them to the standard lobby bar. Instead, take them to the VU Rooftop Bar, which is located in the complex. The city views are spectacular and will help you stand out while providing a memorable experience.
Best Value Hotels Within a 10-Minute Walk
Direct bookings may not always be feasible for some guests. In this case, there are many great hotels situated just a short walk from the skybridge. along the Chicago River. A little bit of walking enhances budget flexibility, along with room utility, but it also places you in the vibrant heart of the city. Choosing one of these properties means you are closer to the energy of downtown Chicago.
Best Value: Best Western Grant Park Hotel
Best Western Grant Hotel Park stands out, and for a good reason. The hotel checks all the boxes for budget-friendly accommodation. Additionally, the hotel has one of the lowest prices in the area at 7-9 minute walk distance from the exhibition center, making it a great choice for all exhibitors.
Best for Teams and Longer Stays: Homewood Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown/South Loop
For longer stays, this hotel is an excellent choice as it is comprised of all suites. The appliances in the suites make them cost effective as well, and can be used for making snacks, giving the guests an area for informal team meetings. The 10-12 minute walk is further outweighed by the flexibility and ample space offered.
Best for Boutique Experience: Hotel Blake
Memorable Hotel Blake’s experience starts with the historic building it is located in, near Millennium Park. In contrast with standard convention hotels, this one is unique in providing a breathtaking experience. Convention attendees can find refuge in the spacious, high-ceilinged rooms. Design focused clients can be easily impressed with the character Hotel Blake has. It is ideal for valuing character and refinement for a design-focused client.
In this form, the information is very straightforward:
| Hotel | Best For | Est. Walk Time to McCormick Place | Key Value Proposition |
| Best Western Grant Park Hotel | Overall Value | 7-9 minutes | Delivers reliable comfort and all necessary amenities at a highly competitive price point. The savings can be substantial. |
| Homewood Suites by Hilton | Teams & Extended Stays | 10-12 minutes | All-suite property with kitchenettes and separate living areas, ideal for team coordination and reducing dining costs. |
| Hotel Blake | Boutique Experience | 10-12 minutes | A historic, elegant hotel offering a unique personality and a refined escape from the typical convention atmosphere. |
Key Hotel Amenities for a Successful Trade Show
A discerning exhibitor prioritizes a hotel’s features that serve her business. While purely recreational amenities like a swimming pool or spa may be secondary, a well-equipped fitness center can be crucial for managing the physical and mental demands of a trade show. Business needs dictate that certain basic equipment and services are absolutely necessary. When choosing where to set up your operations, consider these facts:
- The 24-Hour Business Center: Trade shows and conventions run outside normal business hours. It is common for an exhibitor to suffer a 2 AM worked up with the realization that she needs 50 pristine copies of a revised sell-sheet. A business center with a dependable printer and copier always available to the exhibitor is a must.
- An In-Room Functional Work Hub: The stylish armchair in the corner of the room is not useful for work, unlike a regular desk. An ergonomic swivel chair, power outlets, and ample desk space are all required. This desk is frequently used, as a multitude of arms engagements must be prepared for.
- Reliable, High-Speed Wifi: Slow, faulty Wi-Fi can make a vital video call or upload a late-night presentation impossible. You can check guest reviews and look for the most recent comments that mention the Wi-Fi; it is a far more reliable indicator than the hotel’s own marketing claims.
- Late Night Work and Recovery Energizing Fuel: Normally, the instant a user comes off a 12 hour stand and talk session, grabbing a meal seems appealing. This is except for a cheeseburger. Hotels that offer room service must also offer energizing food that helps with replenishment and room recovery.
- Efficient Dry-Cleaning Services: Traveling requires a person to be in not only a neutral but a professional outfit as well. An active dry-cleaning service helps attend to wardrobe emergencies that are as a result of lunch or breakfast spills and helps with looking professional and sharp to pitch vital client meetings.
Streamlining Your Exhibit Logistics from Your Hotel
Now that you’ve selected your hotel, your personal logistics, which serve as your base camp, are your hotel. However, there is still professional logistics that require your attention, which is the booth. The transformation of an ingenious design idea into a fully realized, captivating structure that draws attention on the McCormick Place showcase is an art in its own right. Professionals still stand out from the rest in how they determine the right design to delegate for construction.
Engaging a Local Exhibit Builder
Choosing the right hotel takes care of the accommodation logistics. Ensuring that your booth logistics are taken care of is the next exhibitor concern. For many, the greater challenge lies in designing the booth, as well as the coordination for shipment and the actual setup of the booth in the larger space of McCormick Place venue.
This moment is where working with a reputable, local service provider shifts the scene entirely. Aplus Expo, which is based in Chicago, is a member of the professional teams that specialize in trade exhibition booth design and construction. Aplus Expo is an exhibition booth contractor with manufacturing and warehouse facilities in Chicago. Their comprehensive service package includes custom booths, graphics printing, transportation, and vital install-and-dismantle services. Aplus works as part of your resources and actively help achieve the shared goal of improved ROI. Their architectural approach emphasizes that a booth should do more than dazzle. It should embody the brand and showcase the products. Rather than dealing with booth logistics, you can focus on what matters the most, building client relationships while Aplus manages your booth.
Where to Wine & Dine: Top Spots for Client Meetings
The bustling show floor is the least likely to be where the deal is completed, and instead is most likely to be finalized over food and drinks during a more private encounter. Provided below are tailored suggestions for all business needs that are within an easy reach of McCormick Place.
For Sealing the Deal: The Classic Steakhouse
When the conversation turns to contracts, the timeless ambiance of a classic Chicago steakhouse sets the right tone of substance and success. Many of the city’s most acclaimed dining establishments are found along the famed michigan Avenue or within landmark towers like the trump International Hotel, where the impressive setting itself helps seal the deal.
For Festivities with the Team: The Casual Bar
After a long and productive day, the group needs a space to relax, celebrate the wins, and engage in some leisure activities that do not require the formality of a reservation-only, full-service dining establishment.
For a Quick and Efficient Lunch: The Power Sandwich Shop
If time is of the essence, and work needs to be done outside of the convention center, these locations provide the best value in terms of quality and time.
| Restaurant | Category | Price Range | Approx. Distance from McCormick Place | Why It Works |
| Swift & Sons | Deal-Closing Steakhouse | $$$$ | ~3.5 miles / 15-min drive | Modern, sophisticated ambiance with impeccable service. Impressive and refined. |
| Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse | Deal-Closing Steakhouse | $$$$ | ~4.5 miles / 20-min drive | A legendary Chicago institution. The atmosphere is electric and confident. |
| Vice District Brewing Co. | Team Celebration Bar | $$ | ~1 mile / 5-min drive | Relaxed, local brewery with a great craft beer selection. Casual and authentic. |
| Moody Tongue Brewing Co. | Team Celebration Bar | $$$ | ~0.5 miles / 10-min walk | Upscale brewery with unique “culinary” beers. A more memorable experience. |
| Manny’s Cafeteria & Deli | Power Lunch | $$ | ~2 miles / 10-min drive | A Chicago landmark. Famous for its massive, no-nonsense deli sandwiches. Fast and iconic. |
| Cafecito | Power Lunch | $ | ~2.5 miles / 12-min drive | Vibrant Cuban cafe with fantastic pressed sandwiches and strong coffee. Quick and energizing. |
An Exhibitor’s Final Booking Checklist
After making the reservation, check this list to make sure that the reservation aligns with the objectives and provides value with the tailored strategic balances.
[ ] Confirm Your Hall: Within McCormick Place, make sure that you have marked the exact booth’s coordinates (e.g. North Hall, Lakeside Center).
[ ] Map the Path: From the hotel lobby to the specific hall entrance, not the building, measure the walking route and time to ensure efficiency.
[ ] Prioritize Your Amenity: Determine the single most important amenity (e.g. 24/7 business center, in-room kitchenette, or a high-end bar). Choose a hotel that is best suited to excel in that amenity.
[ ] Book Well in Advance: Book 6-12 months in advance for skybridge-connected hotels. For hotels that are in walking distance, 3-6 months is sensible.
[ ] Clarify Team Logistics: Ensure that the selected hotel can keep rooms close together and manage payments as a single group, provided that they qualify to book a team.
[ ] Secure Your Booth Partner: Personally arrange your transport, engage with your exhibition partner Aplus Expo for onsite presence planning. Both logistics need to be covered for a flawless execution.
English 
Spanish 
German 
French