Half a century ago, several architecturally significant buildings not only changed the face of Chicago but also reintroduced the city as a world-class travel destination. Roughly a year after the Sears Tower (now Willis Tower) emerged as the then world’s tallest building, Hyatt Regency Chicago opened its doors in August 1974. A second tower was constructed in 1980, making it one of the most ambitious hotels the city had seen, down to its above-ground skyway and underground concourse.

Today, the massive hotel remains a force to be reckoned with, between its location (East Wacker Drive on the Chicago River in the center of the city); 2,032 guestrooms; walking-distance access to top attractions like the Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier and Millennium Park; and 240,000 square feet of flexible meeting space.

© Hyatt Regency Chicago

A just-completed, $150-million renovation ups the ante for the history-making hotel. In addition to major upgrades on guestrooms and suites, it also encompasses the lobby, and Regency and Crystal ballrooms. The latest update to Illinois’ largest hotel comes on the heels of a $168-million lobby and meeting space rejuvenation, bolstering the hotel’s reputation as the premier destination for large-scale meetings and events — though smaller-scale gatherings are accommodated with the same attention to detail and service.

Modernized guestrooms are uncluttered; thoughtfully curated for work and socializing; and endlessly flexible thanks to a new simple and open design, contemporary furniture and plush amenities and textile. Balancing this out are art installments and design elements nodding to Chicago’s rich art and architectural history, including Art Deco accents and a color palette inspired by Chicago’s Greystone buildings.

© Hyatt Regency Chicago

Even with some of the best steakhouses and boutique restaurants a short distance from the hotel, Hyatt Regency Chicago is now home to four uniquely distinct concepts. American Craft Kitchen & Bar offers up farm-to-fork fare in an open-air setting with the city’s architecture as a backdrop, while Stetson Modern Steak + Sushi features sustainably sourced beef and seafood on its menu. BIG Bar, aptly named as it is home to the longest freestanding bar in North America, is noteworthy for its handcrafted cocktails and pub fare along with a view of the Chicago River. Market Chicago, meanwhile, keeps convention attendees, business travelers and busy leisure visitors fueled with on-the-go snacks, meals and Starbucks coffee.

© Hyatt Regency Chicago

Given the architects’ original vision of Hyatt Regency Chicago to be a hotel with an eye toward the future, it’s interesting to note one of the hotel’s highest-profile clients is the World Science Fiction Convention. It has played host for the 40^th, 49^th, 58^th, 70^th and 80^th editions in 1982, 1991, 2000, 2012 and 2022, respectively.