Last summer was a dud. But this year, Chicago is planning to be fully open by July 4th.
Lollapalooza is coming to Grant Park, the Chicago Auto Show will be at McCormick Place, Navy Pier is open, and Buckingham Fountain is back on after over a year.
Life returns to the city. Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced plans to open Chicago by July 4th. And what is a better way to view it all than floating in a pool with a view of the skyline?
If you need a little inspiration for a weekend getaway, here are some ideas with this list of five of the top-rated Chicago hotels with stunning views from rooftop pools.
Viceroy Chicago
1118 North State Street
Only five minutes from the Magnificient Mile and ten minutes from the lakefront, the Viceroy takes the space of what was formerly the historic Cedar Hotel. The Cedar's original four-story brick building was preserved when the Viceroy built the 18-story glass hotel tower above it.
At the top of the 18 stories sits a rooftop pool and seasonal lounge where you can have a swim and enjoy a cold drink on a hot Chicago summer day. All while taking in sweeping views of the city.
The Hoxton Hotel
200 North Green Street
Located in the West Loop, The Hoxton Hotel is unique in its "open-house" philosophy. The hotel has created community areas where you don't need a room key to access, including the rooftop pool. The rooms are decorated in a cozy style, and if you like to travel with your dog, you are in luck. This hotel is dog-friendly.
During a swimming break, you can savor the rooftop views while you grab a bite to eat in the Peruvian inspired Cabra Cevicheria
They often host events like art shows and workshops, although their events page is empty at this time. With Chicago reopening soon, this may change, and you may want to check back later for updates.
The Robey Chicago
2018 West North Avenue
If you're looking for an expansive pool to let the kids splash around in, you may want to search elsewhere. But The Robey, located in Wicker Park, might be for you if dipping your feet in the small rooftop pool while sipping a cocktail and savoring the view is more your style.
The rooftop is on the sixth floor of this art-deco-inspired hotel where you can get lovely views of the Chicago skyline. The location is in the trendy Wicker Park/Bucktown location filled with lots of shopping, dining, and nightlife.
DoubleTree by Hilton
300 East Ohio Street
Imagine after a full day of shopping along Chicago's famed Magnificent Mile in the hot summer sun, you can relax and take a dip in a refreshing rooftop pool.
The DoubleTree offers a fairly large pool on the rooftop terrace where you can kick back in a sunchair under an umbrella surrounded by the Chicago skyscrapers as you sip a drink from their pool bar.
Oh, and you get warm cookies upon check-in. One can never go wrong with warm cookies.
Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel
221 North Columbus Drive
Rated as number one for kid-friendly Chicago hotels with pools by Choose Chicago, the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel is located in the heart of downtown minutes away from many Chicago attractions. And, it's not only kid-friendly but dog-friendly as well.
There is a lot to do in this gorgeous hotel with both indoor and outdoor pools, a full-size basketball court and running track in their fitness center, fire pits, and sundecks. And the pool, a 25-meter lap pool, is one of the bigger ones sitting on a Chicago rooftop.