IFT FIRST, the Institute of Food Technologists' annual food science and technology event, runs July 11-14, 2027 at McCormick Place. Every hotel on this list connects to the convention center indoors, ranked by walking distance, then star rating, then guest score. You get a mix of full-service and extended-stay options so you can match the room to how you work.
How proximity was measured for IFT FIRST
All five hotels connect to McCormick Place indoors, so walking distance puts them in the same tier. Within it, star rating comes first, then guest score.
One geographic note: the three hotels at 123 E Cermak Road share an address but operate as separate branded properties under the same roof, and the building connects to McCormick Place's West Building by a skybridge. For more options in the broader convention district, the page on business hotels near McCormick Place covers properties with meeting rooms and work amenities.
Hotels near IFT FIRST at a glance
| Hotel | Distance | Stars | Guest score | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marriott Marquis Chicago | 0 (skybridge) | 4 | 8.6 | Large-group logistics |
| Hyatt Regency McCormick Place Chicago | 0 (connected) | 4 | 8.5 | Full-service convenience |
| Home2 Suites By Hilton Chicago McCormick Place | 0 (skybridge) | 3 | 9.0 | Extended stays, kitchenette |
| Hampton Inn Chicago McCormick Place | 0 (skybridge) | 3 | 8.6 | Mid-range value |
| Hilton Garden Inn Chicago McCormick Place | 0 (skybridge) | 3 | 8.4 | Mid-range, paid full breakfast |
Getting to IFT FIRST from each hotel
- The Hyatt Regency connects to McCormick Place via an enclosed pedestrian bridge, so you never step outside in the July heat.
- The Marriott Marquis has its own covered sky bridge to McCormick Place, giving you an indoor route to the convention center.
- The three hotels at 123 E Cermak connect to McCormick Place's West Building by a skybridge, so you can skip the street entirely.
- The CTA Green Line stops at Cermak-McCormick Place station, a 5-minute walk from the 123 E Cermak cluster, if you want to skip the walk on a hot afternoon.
- Rideshare pickup at McCormick Place uses the designated zones. Factor in 5-10 minutes to reach the pickup point from the show floor.
IFT FIRST hotels: what to expect in July
IFT FIRST draws a large professional crowd, and the hotels closest to McCormick Place fill fast once registration opens. The Hyatt and Marriott Marquis are the two full-service, four-star options with an indoor connection to the venue.
If those are sold out or priced above your budget, the three-hotel complex at 123 E Cermak also has a skybridge to the convention center and, in the case of Home2 Suites, a kitchenette that cuts down on meal costs during a four-day event.
IFT FIRST hotel picks
Chicago in mid-July is warm and humid. Morning walks to the venue are fine, but afternoon walks back after a full day on the show floor are less pleasant. From any of the five hotels, the indoor skybridges take the weather out of it.
The hotels
Marriott Marquis Chicago
2121 South Prairie Avenue
8.6660 reviews
7 min walk to Cermak-McCormick Place (Green)Connected to McCormick Place by a covered sky bridge, with meeting space for group dinners and side meetings.
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Hyatt Regency McCormick Place Chicago
2233 S Martin Luther King Dr
8.51,408 reviews
10 min walk to Cermak-McCormick Place (Green)Connected to McCormick Place by an enclosed pedestrian bridge, so you can go between sessions and your room without going outside.
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Home2 Suites By Hilton Chicago McCormick Place
123 E. CERMAK ROAD
9.0606 reviews
5 min walk to Cermak-McCormick Place (Green)A guest score of 9.0 at a 3-star price, and in-suite kitchenettes help you control meal costs over all four days of IFT FIRST.
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Hampton Inn Chicago McCormick Place
123 East Cermak, Suite 100
8.61,357 reviews
5 min walk to Cermak-McCormick Place (Green)A familiar mid-range Hilton at 123 E Cermak, connected to McCormick Place by a skybridge, with a guest score of 8.6.
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Hilton Garden Inn Chicago McCormick Place
123 East Cermak, Suite 300
8.4645 reviews
5 min walk to Cermak-McCormick Place (Green)Serves a full breakfast for a fee before the show floor opens. Home2 Suites next door includes a free breakfast instead.
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Planning a longer stay? See all our Chicago hotel guides.
Evenings near McCormick Place this week
Here’s what’s on within a 20-minute walk of McCormick Place over the next few nights.
Thursday, November 12
Friday, November 13
Saturday, November 14
Listings by Outgoing. Times and prices can change, so check the listing before you go.
Things to do in Chicago, by neighborhood
Where to start in each neighborhood, and what’s on there this weekend.
Frequently asked questions
Which hotel is closest to McCormick Place for IFT FIRST?＋
All five hotels on this list connect to McCormick Place, so you can walk from your room to the show floor without going outside. The Hyatt Regency McCormick Place Chicago, at 2233 S Martin Luther King Drive, is next to the convention center and joined to it by an enclosed pedestrian bridge. The Marriott Marquis and the three hotels at 123 E Cermak connect by skybridge.
Are there mid-range hotels within walking distance of McCormick Place?＋
Three 3-star hotels share the address 123 E Cermak Road, which connects to McCormick Place by a skybridge: Home2 Suites By Hilton, Hampton Inn, and Hilton Garden Inn. All three are a 5-minute walk from the Cermak-McCormick Place CTA station.
Can I walk to McCormick Place from these hotels in July weather?＋
Chicago in mid-July averages highs around 84°F with moderate humidity. The Hyatt Regency, the Marriott Marquis and the three hotels at 123 E Cermak all connect to McCormick Place by skybridge, so weather is not a factor for any of them.
What CTA train serves the hotels near McCormick Place?＋
The Green Line stops at Cermak-McCormick Place station, a 5-minute walk from the 123 E Cermak hotel cluster. From the Marriott Marquis the station is about a 7-minute walk west along Cermak Road, and from the Hyatt Regency about 10 minutes.
When is IFT FIRST at McCormick Place?＋
IFT FIRST 2027 runs July 11-14 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Book early: the hotels closest to the venue fill quickly once event registration opens, particularly the Hyatt Regency and Marriott Marquis.
Is there a hotel with a kitchenette near McCormick Place?＋
Home2 Suites By Hilton Chicago McCormick Place at 123 E Cermak Road offers in-suite kitchenettes across all room types. Connected to McCormick Place by a skybridge and with a guest score of 9.0, it is the strongest option for attendees who want to prepare some of their own meals during a four-day event.
