
Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago
Best for dramatic river and skyline views, a large on-site spa, and an active riverfront lounge (Rebar).
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Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago is a 92-story riverfront five-star tower with large spa and a heated indoor pool; read this if you want skyline and river views with big on-site wellness. The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago is a landmark five-star hotel connected to Water Tower Place; read this if you prefer Michigan Avenue access and being steps from shopping and museums.
Updated · about 0.5 km apart (0.3 mi)

Best for dramatic river and skyline views, a large on-site spa, and an active riverfront lounge (Rebar).

Best for being steps from Michigan Avenue shopping, Water Tower Place convenience, and nearby museums.
When Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago wins: choose Trump for river- and skyline-focused rooms, a 23,000 sq ft spa, a 75-foot heated indoor pool with river views, and lively riverfront dining and bar vibes at Rebar and Terrace 16.
When The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago wins: pick the Ritz when proximity to the Magnificent Mile, Water Tower Place shopping, and a central Michigan Avenue location matter more than river views or a very large on-site spa.
Bottom line: both are five-star, central Chicago options; go with Trump for wellness, pools and river drama, and the Ritz for shopping-linked convenience and classic downtown access.
| Category | Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago | The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Modern riverfront high-rise with strong wellness and skyline emphasis | Landmark luxury hotel tied to Michigan Avenue shopping and cultural sites |
| Location | River North on the Chicago River, steps from the Riverwalk and Magnificent Mile | Connected to Water Tower Place, steps from Michigan Avenue and museums |
| Size | 92-story tower, 339 guest accommodations | 434 guestrooms |
| Opening / age | Opened January 2008 | Not published |
| Pools | 75-foot heated indoor pool with city and river views (spa floor) | Indoor swimming pool (hotel listing shows 1 indoor pool) |
| Restaurants & bars | Rebar (Neo-Japanese lounge), Terrace 16 (seasonal New American with terrace) | Torali Italian-Steak (restaurant) plus a coffee shop/cafe and a bar/lounge |
| Spa & fitness | The Spa at Trump — 23,000 sq ft spa, eucalyptus steam room, dry sauna, 24-hour fitness club | Full-service spa, indoor pool, fitness center (detailed square footage not published) |
| Known for | River and skyline views, large spa, family-friendly programming (Trump Kids) | Direct access to Water Tower Place and Michigan Avenue shopping |
| Business & events | About 26,000 sq ft meeting space with multiple ballrooms and boardrooms | Meeting rooms and ballroom space; connected to shopping and theater district |
| Distance between properties | about 0.5 km apart (0.3 mi) | |
Trump sits on the Chicago River in River North, minutes from the Magnificent Mile and Riverwalk.
Pick Trump if you want immediate river access, riverwalk strolls, and skyline views.
The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago is connected to Water Tower Place and sits steps from Michigan Avenue.
Choose the Ritz for direct shopping and museum access on Michigan Avenue.
Trump offers a mix of city, river and lake views across 339 accommodations in a 92-story building.
Trump is best if skyline or river-facing rooms are a priority and you want suites with large footprints.
The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago lists 434 guestrooms with multiple city and lake-view room types and suites.
The Ritz-Carlton suits travelers who want lake- or city-view rooms with classic luxury bedding and toiletries.
Trump concentrates dining around Rebar and Terrace 16 with river and skyline outlooks.
If riverside cocktails, weekend DJs and a large terrace matter, Trump is the clearer pick.
The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago offers Torali Italian-Steak plus a cafe and a bar/lounge on site.
The Ritz works well if you want a single, polished on-site restaurant and immediate access to nearby independent dining on Michigan Avenue.
Trump features a 75-foot heated indoor pool on the spa floor with city and river views.
Trump is the choice for a sizable indoor pool experience tied to a large, full-service spa.
The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago listing shows an indoor swimming pool as part of its recreational amenities.
Ritz offers pool and spa facilities, but the supplier listing does not specify pool size or detailed hours.
Trump combines an extensive on-site spa and 24-hour fitness with an active riverfront nightlife option.
Go to Trump if you want big fitness and spa facilities plus riverfront evening energy.
The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago provides a full-service spa, fitness center and quieter bar/lounge options.
Choose the Ritz for traditional luxury spa services and easy access to after-shopping dinners or theater.

Trump — bigger emphasis on river- and skyline-facing rooms, a riverside lounge (Rebar) and a terrace with views.

The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago — connected to Water Tower Place and steps from Michigan Avenue retail and museums.

Trump — a 23,000 sq ft Spa at Trump plus a 75-foot heated indoor pool and 24-hour fitness club.

The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago — very close to the Museum of Contemporary Art and theater/shopping districts.
Both welcome children, but Trump highlights family programming (Trump Kids) and pool rules for kids; The Ritz-Carlton has family-friendly rooms and services but fewer published family-specific programs in the supplied listing.
Trump lists a 23,000 sq ft Spa at Trump; The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago has a full-service spa per its listing but the supplied materials do not state square footage.
The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago is connected to Water Tower Place and sits directly on Michigan Avenue; Trump is a short walk to the Magnificent Mile but not physically attached.
Trump publishes pool hours (6:00am–10:00pm) and pool size; The Ritz-Carlton's listing confirms an indoor pool but does not publish size or detailed hours in the supplied data.
Explore how Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·