
Hotel 505 River North
Best for families and travelers who want a central River North location, more rooms, event space and easy access to the Magnificent Mile and nightlife.
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Hotel 505 River North is a 4.5-star, family-friendly downtown Chicago hotel in River North with a heated 17th-floor indoor pool and an on-site American brasserie. Nobu Hotel Chicago is a five-star lifestyle-luxury hotel in the West Loop with signature Nobu dining—this guide is for travelers deciding between a River North nightlife base (Hotel 505) and a trendier, dining-forward luxury stay (Nobu).
Updated · about 1.2 km apart

Best for families and travelers who want a central River North location, more rooms, event space and easy access to the Magnificent Mile and nightlife.

Best for travelers seeking five-star, dining-focused luxury and the Nobu restaurant experience in the West Loop.
When Hotel 505 River North wins: choose Hotel 505 for a larger, more family-friendly property with more guest rooms (261), straightforward access to River North galleries, nightlife and the Magnificent Mile, plus an indoor pool with a rooftop sun deck and extensive meeting/event space.
When Nobu Hotel Chicago wins: choose Nobu for a compact five-star lifestyle-luxury stay, the internationally known Nobu dining concept on site, a refined design-forward atmosphere, and amenities consistent with higher-end boutique luxury (indoor pool, fitness, steam room).
Bottom line: pick Hotel 505 if you want a River North base with family and event-friendly amenities and more rooms; pick Nobu Hotel Chicago if you prioritize a five-star, restaurant-driven luxury stay in the West Loop.
| Category | Hotel 505 River North | Nobu Hotel Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | 4.5-star, design-focused downtown hotel that markets family-friendly stays and nightlife access | Five-star lifestyle-luxury hotel with Nobu's signature dining and a trendier luxury positioning |
| Location (neighborhood) | River North, steps from State Street, Magnificent Mile and the Chicago Riverwalk | West Loop, near United Center and West Loop restaurants |
| Size (rooms) | 261 rooms and suites | 115 rooms and suites |
| Ages / audience | All ages welcome; family-friendly | All ages welcome (not adults-only) |
| Pools | Heated indoor pool on 17th floor plus outdoor pool and rooftop sun deck (hotel promotes the indoor pool and sun deck) | Indoor pool (public listing shows 1 indoor pool); steam room also available |
| Restaurants & bars | CBR: modern American brasserie (breakfast–dinner, happy hour) and cocktail/whiskey bar | Two on-site restaurants including Nobu Restaurant; bar/lounge and limited room service |
| Spa / wellness | No standalone spa; in-room spa treatments and Spa Suites with jetted tubs; 24-hour fitness center with Peloton bikes | Spa services not listed by name in supplier listing; fitness center and steam room available |
| Known for | River North location, event/meeting space (8,000+ sq ft), family features and rooftop pool deck | Nobu restaurant brand, five-star lifestyle-luxury positioning and refined dining-focused stays |
| Accessibility & practicalities | Valet parking (around $80/night), destination fee covers some amenities, check-in 4:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM | |
Hotel 505 sits on North State Street in River North, within a short walk of the Magnificent Mile and the Chicago Riverwalk.
Hotel 505 is the better choice if you want to be in River North, near shopping, galleries and nightlife.
Nobu Hotel Chicago is in the West Loop, a neighborhood known for restaurant destinations and converted industrial buildings.
Nobu places you in a more restaurant-focused, West Loop neighborhood with easy access to downtown.
Hotel 505 has 261 individually decorated rooms and a range of Spa Suites with jetted tubs.
Hotel 505 has more rooms and family-oriented suite options, including in-room spa-style features.
Nobu offers a smaller inventory of 115 guest rooms and suites with design-forward names and suite types.
Nobu is a smaller, boutique five-star property with several named suite categories and high-end in-room amenities.
Hotel 505's main dining outlet is CBR, a modern American brasserie that serves most meals and has a cocktail/whiskey bar.
Choose Hotel 505 for reliable, all-day American brasserie dining and convenient in-hotel meals for families and groups.
Nobu Hotel Chicago features Nobu Restaurant and at least one other dining option, emphasizing Japanese/Peruvian-influenced cuisine.
Nobu is the pick for travelers prioritizing high-profile, cuisine-driven dining on site.
Hotel 505 highlights a heated 17th-floor indoor pool paired with an outdoor pool and a rooftop sun deck.
Hotel 505 provides a usable year-round indoor pool plus an outdoor/sundeck option—good for families and swimmers.
Nobu lists one indoor pool as part of its recreational amenities, alongside a steam room and fitness center.
Nobu offers standard luxury-hotel wellness amenities including an indoor pool and steam room; expect a smaller guest inventory around pool facilities.
Hotel 505 provides a 24-hour fitness center with Peloton bikes, in-room spa treatments and close access to River North nightlife.
Hotel 505 is practical for guests who want fitness and nearby nightlife rather than an on-site full-service spa.
Nobu includes fitness facilities and a steam room; larger dedicated spa facilities are not named in the supplier listing.
Nobu covers fitness and steam-room needs; its nightlife draw is largely restaurant and bar focused rather than large on-site entertainment.

Hotel 505 River North — family-friendly rooms, indoor and outdoor pools, and kid-friendly amenities.

Nobu Hotel Chicago — the Nobu Restaurant and a five-star lifestyle presentation make it the pick for food-focused travelers.

Hotel 505 River North — more than 8,000 sq ft of meeting space across 10 rooms and ballroom/banquet facilities.

Nobu Hotel Chicago — smaller inventory and five-star positioning suit travelers after a compact luxury experience.
Hotel 505 River North—it's explicitly family-friendly, welcomes children of all ages, and lists indoor and outdoor pools suited to families.
Nobu Hotel Chicago includes Nobu Restaurant on site; reservations are recommended.
Yes — they sit roughly 1.2 km apart, so a short taxi or a 15–20 minute walk will connect River North and the West Loop depending on your pace.
Hotel 505 does not operate a standalone spa and offers in-room spa treatments and Spa Suites; Nobu's supplier listing does not publish a named full-service spa.
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