WiFi
Gym
On-site dining
Laundry
Guest room entertainment
Chicago Hotel on Michigan Avenue near Grant Park and Museum Campus
Le Méridien Essex Chicago sits at 800 South Michigan Avenue, steps from the Art Institute, Buckingham Fountain, and the Museum Campus. The 4-star, 274-room property was renovated in 2019 and traces its roots to the Essex Inn of the 1960s.
What You Get
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A stay at Le Méridien Essex Chicago on South Michigan Avenue, a 4-star, 274-room hotel renovated in 2019
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Grant Park Bistro on site serving French cuisine, plus room service and a bar for dining without leaving the hotel
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Free WiFi throughout public areas, plus a fitness center with cardiovascular equipment included in your stay
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Daily housekeeping and concierge service with same-day dry-cleaning and 24-hour front-desk staffing
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Walk to Chicago's icons including the Art Institute (0.5 mi), Buckingham Fountain (0.4 mi), and Cloud Gate (0.8 mi)
Plan Your Stay
Amenities
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Amenities
- WiFi: Free in all public areas
- Gym: Cardiovascular equipment throughout
- On-site dining: Grant Park Bistro, French cuisine
- Laundry: Same-day dry-cleaning available
- Accessibility features: Disabled facilities and hypoallergenic rooms
- Concierge: Full concierge service available
- Business center and meeting rooms: Fax, photocopying, banquet facilities
- Daily housekeeping: Provided each day of stay
- Guest room entertainment (smart TVs): 55-inch smart TVs in all rooms
- Front-desk staffed 24/7: Round-the-clock front-desk coverage
Room Details
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Room Details
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Standard King Room
- Occupancy: 1x King Bed
- Room amenities: Espresso Machine, 55" Smart TV, In-Room Safe, Refrigerator
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Standard Two-Double Room
- Occupancy: 2x Double Bed
- Up to 2 kids 17 or younger stay free.
- Room amenities: Kids Stay Free, Espresso Machine, 55" Smart TV, Refrigerator
- Occupancy: 2x Double Bed
Getting There
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Getting There
- Nearest Airport: Chicago Midway International (MDW) — 9 miles away
- Distance from Chicago: 1 mile
Location Highlights
Attractions Nearby
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Attractions Nearby
Art Institute of Chicago (0.5 mi from hotel) — One of the largest art museums in the U.S., with roughly 300,000 works and its iconic bronze lions flanking the Michigan Avenue entrance.
Millennium Park & Cloud Gate ("The Bean") (0.8 mi from hotel) — A 24.5-acre civic park whose centerpiece, Anish Kapoor's Cloud Gate, reflects the Chicago skyline in 168 polished stainless-steel plates.
Buckingham Fountain (0.4 mi from hotel) — A 1927 Chicago Landmark in Grant Park built in rococo style, performing a lit water display each evening in season.
Field Museum of Natural History (0.5 mi from hotel) — Home to SUE, the most complete T. rex skeleton ever found, in a Classical landmark building on the Museum Campus since 1921.
Hidden Gems
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Hidden Gems
Dearborn Station (0.2 mi from hotel) — Chicago's oldest surviving downtown rail terminal, opened in 1885, its Romanesque clock tower now anchoring Dearborn Park as shops and event space.
Willie Dixon's Blues Heaven Foundation — The former Chess Records studio on South Michigan Avenue's Record Row, where Muddy Waters and Chuck Berry recorded American blues.
Trip Ideas
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Trip Ideas
Grant Park & Museum Campus classics — A half-day walk from the hotel through Grant Park hitting the Art Institute, Buckingham Fountain, Cloud Gate, and the Field Museum's SUE the T. rex.
South Loop hidden history — A half-day loop through Dearborn Station, Glessner House, the former Chess Records studio, and the Spertus Institute's glass facade.
How It Works
1.
Select Your Stay — Choose your room type directly from the options listed.
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Pick Your Dates — Use the calendar to find available days for your selection.
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Instant Confirmation — Your booking is instantly confirmed with the hotel, guaranteeing they have your details and are expecting your arrival.
Image credits
- Art Institute of Chicago — Ajay Suresh / CC BY · source
- Millennium Park & Cloud Gate ("The Bean") — Ken Lund / CC BY-SA · source
- Buckingham Fountain — H. Michael Miley / CC BY-SA · source
- Field Museum of Natural History — Sea Cow / CC BY-SA · source
- Dearborn Station — Marc Rochkind / CC BY-SA · source
- Willie Dixon's Blues Heaven Foundation (former Chess Records studio) — Zol87 / CC BY-SA · source
Fine Print
Cancellation & Changes
- A 4-day cancellation notice is required prior to check-in; reservations cancelled within the cancellation window are non-refundable.
- Room upgrades: Upgrades may be available during booking or at check-in for an additional cost.
- 24 hr APW.
Check-in & Check-out
- Check-in after 4:00 PM.
- Check-out before 11 AM.
Eligibility & ID
- Traveler name must match ID at time of check-in.
- Guests must be 21+ to check in.
Fees & Charges
- Parking: Off-Site Parking: 777 South State Garage 0.2 Miles | Valet: Daily: $77.00 | 0-4 Hours: $25.00, 4-6 Hours: $35.00, 6 - 12 Hours: $40.00, Special Events: $30.00.
- Urban fee: $15, paid at property.
- $100 daily credit card hold for incidentals paid at check-in.
Other
- Pets: Please contact the property for pet policy.
- This is a smoke-free property.
- Travel must be completed by 2/16/2026.
- Not valid with reward points.
- Valid for Standard King and Standard Double Double only.
- Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised goods and services.
- Learn about Strike-Through Pricing and Savings