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The James Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

About your stay

By Erica Levin, Jetsetter Correspondent

This hotel is Jetsetter verified

Our editors have been here and it has met our standards.

95%

Recommended by 95% of 725 members.

Read 345 member reviews

On the bustling corner of Rush and Ontario just off the Magnificent Mile, the James Hotel brings a boutique attitude to Chicago’s most grand neighborhood. It’s a hip escape from the busy below but still puts guests close to the city’s wide-open parks, museums, theaters and irresistible shopping.

The James Chicago

Jetsetter review

On a windy day in Chicago, stepping into the lobby of The James Hotel is guaranteed to warm you up — in more ways than one. The sleek, wood-paneled lobby radiates a kind of chic comfort that just makes you feel at home. It happened to me, anyway, as I strode purposefully in and immediately felt the urge to slow down and savor.

Maybe it's the sheer tastefulness of the place — all those smooth lines — or the knowledge that there's an undercurrent of excess running beneath it all, there for the discovery. I had spent much of the day on the Magnificent Mile, the luxury-shopping mecca that is North Michigan Avenue, and my feet were ready for a break.


Calling all carnivores: David Burke's Primehouse serves a variety of dry-aged steaks.To stay in sync with my designer-label morning, I sipped a glass of Möet & Chandon at David Burke’s Primehouse, the hotel's restaurant. The focus here, no surprise, is on nine variations of top-notch steak dry-aged with Himalayan salt. Gluttonous? Perhaps. Delicious? Absolutely.

If lounging is more your thing, head to JBar just off the lobby. The competent staff mixes signature cocktails such as The James, a concoction with raspberry Stoli, elderflower liqueur, lime and fresh raspberries to serve with comfort food dishes like grilled cheese BLT sliders and truffle French fries. It’s as totally self-indulgent as it sounds.

But don't worry: If need be, The James will arrange for private trainers from a nearby fitness center to help guests burn off the calories — or at least a fraction of them — in the hotel’s 2,500-square-foot gym.

Guestrooms here are designed to make guests feel at home, with warm tones and streamlined angles that make for a cool, clean space. The owner's goal was to create the "ultimate luxury residential experience," and after a night at the James, I’ve got to say it’s a success.

Even after a break from the city, I knew I wanted more — the Art Institute, Millennium Park, Sue the T. Rex at the Field Museum. And what about the bar on the 95th floor of the John Hancock Center (home of the best view this side of the Mississippi)? Can't miss that. Lucky for me, they're all within a five-minute drive from the James.

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What to do

  • Rinse. Not amused by hotel soaps/products that leave a film on your skin? At the James, only the best of the best is provided – lotions, soaps, shampoos and conditioners are all provided by Intelligent Nutrients.
  • Chill. The professionals from Asha Spa will come to your room, massage out those knots and leave you more relaxed than a glass of red wine.
  • Indulge. James Beard Award-winning chef, Carrie Nahabedian, combines her Armenian roots and California lifestyle to create some of the best food Chicago has ever seen at Naha.
  • Dance. Raise the roof, put on your dancing shoes, get jiggy wit' it. With a little bit of liquid courage, JBar at the James lets you do all of the above.
  • See. Calling all art lovers (in particular, those who appreciate a red dot in the middle of a white canvas or hairdryers hanging from the ceiling). Don't miss perusing the Museum of Contemporary Art.
  • Shop. Shop ‘til you drop at Bloomingdale’s, Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Nordstrom, La Perla, Michael Kors and more — all walking distance from the hotel within ten city blocks on The Magnificent Mile.

All tips and reviews are available to members.

Member Reviews (345)

First-hand knowledge from members who’ve been here on a Jetsetter trip.

  • What I liked

    Loved the location and atmosphere. The rooms were very clean and the more minimalist decor made the smallish room seem not so small. Excellent hotel that I will stay in again.

    Anonymous User     26 days ago
    This was helpful

  • What I liked

    Incredible service - really attentive and friendly staff, great concierge help with local restaurants and transportation. The room itself was spacious, simple and modern - really nice bed and bath/body products. The little things like free internet, jogging maps, and super late checkout made it great.

    What I disliked

    honestly nothing. it was amazing.

    Joshua S     28 days ago
    This was helpful

  • What I liked

    Very comfortable room -- felt a bit more roomy than traditional hotel room. Loved that there was a little sitting area. The concierge and doormen were especially friendly and helpful and eager to give directions/recommendations.

    What I disliked

    Our card keys stopped working three different times and had to be replaced. Sometimes the front desk staff wasn't especially helpful. One of them said she wanted to make sure to give us a great room since we were staying a whole week so she was waiting to give us a room on a higher floor. Unfortunately, she didn't tell us it wouldn't be ready until at least two hours after we arrived. We went out for lunch, came back and they said it would still be another hour. So, a different person suggested checking into a lower floor room. I asked what made the higher floor nicer and she said "nothing" -- no view, noise level the same, etc. I'm sure there's something that made it nicer if the first girl wanted to make sure we got a higher floor, but the second girl seemed impatient with us and just wanted to check us in regardless of what room.

    Anonymous User     29 days ago
    This was helpful

  • What I liked

    The service , the bar downstairs, the amazing neighborhood.

    What I disliked

    The mini fridge was way too expensive.

    Dennis B     1 month ago
    This was helpful

  • What I liked

    It was a great hotel at a great price

    What I disliked

    Nothing

    Sue P     2 years ago
    This was helpful

  • What I liked

    Wonderful staff

    Jessica R     1 year ago
    This was helpful

  • What I liked

    The service from beginning to end was impeccable. The bed was comfortable and clean! The Kiehls toiletries were a nice suprise.

    What I disliked

    I was impartial to the seating area. I like having an open room with a couch- the alcove felt a bit claustrophobic.

    Anjali D     2 years ago
    This was helpful

  • What I liked

    The location was good and room service was tasty. Tehy gave us a 2pm checkout which was nice.

    What I disliked

    I wasn't a fan of the layout of our room. It had a sitting area but it wasn't particularly comfy.

    Anonymous User     2 years ago
    This was helpful

  • What I liked

    Location and a clean hotel with large rooms and very helpful staff.

    Dan N     2 years ago
    This was helpful

  • What I liked

    Great staff, a nice room, top location.

    Helainie G     5 months ago
    This was helpful

All tips and reviews are available to members.

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