What guests are saying
What guests love
- A genuinely prime location on Michigan Avenue facing the Cultural Mile — a block from Millennium Park, a 5-minute walk to the Riverwalk, and a 10-minute walk to the Art Institute.
- Design that plays old against new: heritage architecture and exposed brick paired with clean, modern rooms and smart amenities.
- About Last Knife, the on-site restaurant, blends steakhouse and gastropub in a handsome, social setting.
What to keep in mind
- A busy Michigan Avenue address — lively, not secluded
- Historic tower: room shapes and sizes vary
Best for Culture-minded travelers who want to be in the middle of the Cultural Mile — close to the museums, the park, and the lake — in a hotel with real architectural pedigree.
Summary of guest reviews. Sources: Arlo Chicago, Preservation Chicago. Photography courtesy of Arlo Chicago, used with permission. Details may change over time.
Why this building matters
The hotel occupies the historic Federal Life Building, dating to 1911 and originally designed by famed Chicago architect Marshall & Fox (with Charles Fox). A 2018 restoration of more than $75 million preserved and celebrated the terra-cotta tower’s old soul — including a century-old exposed-brick wall and a mural honoring Marshall — while adding contemporary floors above. Once Hotel Julian, it reopened as Arlo Chicago in 2023, a landmark given fresh life on the Cultural Mile.
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