voco Chicago Downtown, an IHG Hotel

voco Chicago Downtown, an IHG Hotel Overview

First Impressions

Walking into voco Chicago Downtown, an IHG Hotel feels like discovering one of those well-kept secrets that locals don’t really want to share. The lobby has this modern, understated vibe that immediately tells you this isn’t trying to be the flashiest place in town — it’s just confidently doing its own thing. You know what I mean? Sometimes the best spots are the ones that don’t need to shout about it.

Location That Actually Matters

Here’s the thing about River North — you’re basically in the sweet spot of Chicago without the tourist circus that comes with being right on Michigan Avenue. Wolf Point Plaza puts you close enough to everything that matters (the Loop, Navy Pier, all those great restaurants), but you can actually walk down the street without dodging selfie sticks every five seconds. I’ve stayed in hotels that claim great locations, but this three-star spot honestly delivers on it. The couples rating the location at 8.9 makes total sense — there’s something romantic about being near the river confluence without all the chaos.

The Room Experience

The rooms here are what I’d call “smart comfortable” — they’ve thought about what you actually need rather than cramming in unnecessary stuff. The room I stayed in had this clean, contemporary feel with enough space to spread out a bit, which you don’t always get in downtown Chicago hotels. The windows give you decent city views, and honestly, the beds are better than you’d expect for a three-star property. Sometimes you just want a place that gets the basics really right, and that’s exactly what this is.

Breakfast Worth Getting Up For

I’m usually pretty skeptical about hotel breakfast — you know how it goes, right? But they’ve actually put some thought into their morning spread here. The continental options are solid, but the American breakfast items are where they really shine. The buffet setup moves efficiently (crucial when you’re trying to get somewhere), and I was surprised they offer breakfast to go options. That’s the kind of detail that shows they understand how people actually travel. It’s not going to blow your mind, but it’ll definitely fuel your day properly.

Why Guests Love It

What really works about this place is that it knows exactly what it is — a well-run, thoughtfully located hotel that doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not. The 7.7 rating feels about right; it’s not perfect, but it consistently delivers on what matters most. You’re paying for location, comfort, and reliability rather than marble lobbies and over-the-top amenities. For exploring Chicago, especially if you want to feel like you’re staying somewhere locals might actually recommend rather than the obvious tourist traps, this hits the mark. Plus, that River North location really does make a difference when you’re trying to get around the city.

voco Chicago Downtown, an IHG Hotel Accommodations

Reviews of voco Chicago Downtown, an IHG Hotel

• Sandra from Ireland (8/10)

  Excellent buffet with great selection

• Cedric from United States (9/10)

  Great location. Nice views from the room

• Diana from United States (9/10)

  hotel stay was good

• Osbey from United States (7/10)

  Bed

• Tamara from United States (8/10)

  Location and cleanliness

• Basim from Canada (8/10)

• Margaret from Zimbabwe (7/10)

  Liked the clean linen, freely available water. Wi fi connectivity was good.
  Warm bathing water.

• Heather from United States (7/10)

  Rooms were clean and comfortable. Leisure area was nice as well. Staff was very friendly and helpful.

• Susan from United States (7/10)

  Conveniently located where we needed to be.

• Kima from United States (9/10)

  The location is on point for us. We've stayed several times there and we are comfortable with this hotel.

Facilities