Hotel Lincoln

In recent years, Chicago’s boutique hotel scene has expanded beyond The Loop or River North and into some fantastic neighborhoods. One early example is the 184-room Hotel Lincoln, which opened in 2012. The hotel is right across from Lincoln Park (home to the Green City Market, a farmer’s market, as well as the Lincoln Park Zoo, which remains free to enter). Fido can come too, thanks to the hotel’s pet-friendly policy that folds in treats, a doggie travel kit, and a map of canine “hot spots.”

With a ground-floor restaurant (The Kennison) plus a diner-style coffee shop (Elaine’s Coffee Call) and a swanky rooftop bar and lounge (The J. Parker), Hotel Lincoln is about so much more than the rooms. (But we like those, too, especially the houndstooth pillows and emerald-green walls).

What You Need to Know

The Look

While part of the Joie de Vivre brand of hotels (a San Francisco-based hotel group), the interior décor is anything but cookie-cutter. The building spans 12 stories and, from the moment you enter at the street level, breathes eclectic sophistication that’s far from fussy. For example, twin tabletop lion sculptures; gold hand-painted lettering to indicate the coffee shop; or chrome bar-height chairs and orange leather booths at The Kennison, just off the lobby. 

Vintage-like black-and-white floor tile in the lobby spells out an inspiring message: “Whatever you are, be a good one” and is a popular Instagram spot. There's also a neon sign that reads, “All you need is love.”

In your guest room, a mini gallery wall of framed relics and local art contributes to a look the hotel calls “cozy but vintage.” Some rooms also come with a cornflower-blue or burgundy plush sofa — the perfect place to kick back with a book or catch up on your favorite shows. The bathrooms are complete with Jonathan Adler toiletries.

The Vibe

A mix of business and leisure travelers choose to book here thanks to the property's ample and stylish public spaces along with the several dining options on-site. Kick-off your stay with craft cocktails on the rooftop lounge (which is open year-round) and linger over coffee and pastries at Elaine’s Coffee Call before you check-out on Sunday. You're bound to spot locals here, too.