NeoCon draws 50,000-plus design professionals to theMART each June, and the hotels below put you within a 10-minute walk of the venue's main entrance on the Chicago River. Every property on this list is bookable, well-reviewed, and within River North or the Loop, the two neighborhoods that make the most geographic sense for the show. Walking distance to theMART determined the order, with star rating and guest score separating hotels at similar distances.
Hotels near theMART at a glance
| Hotel | Distance to theMART | Walk time | Star rating | Guest score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holiday Inn Chicago Dwtn - The Mart by IHG | 0.11 mi | 2 min | 4 | 8.6 |
| Moxy Chicago Downtown | 0.27 mi | 5 min | 3 | 9.1 |
| Springhill Suites by Marriott Chicago Downtown/ River North | 0.30 mi | 6 min | 3 | 9.2 |
| Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel | 0.39 mi | 8 min | 4 | 9.0 |
| The Westin Chicago River North | 0.48 mi | 10 min | 4 | 9.0 |
Getting to theMART from any of these hotels
- theMART's main entrance faces the Chicago River on Merchandise Mart Plaza. From River North hotels, walk south toward the river and cross at Wells Street or Orleans Street.
- The Brown and Purple lines stop at Merchandise Mart station, which deposits you inside the building's lower level. From any hotel on this list, that station is also walkable.
- NeoCon 2027 runs Sunday through Wednesday, June 13-16. Sunday morning registration lines move faster than Monday, so consider arriving Saturday night if you want a head start.
- Rideshare pickup on Kinzie Street or Wells Street avoids the congestion on Wacker Drive during show hours.
Hotels near theMART: what to expect by distance
The two closest options, the Holiday Inn at Wolf Point Plaza and the Moxy on LaSalle, put you within a 5-minute walk and keep you in River North, where most post-show dinners and networking events cluster. At the 0.3-mile mark, the SpringHill Suites on Dearborn gives you suite-style rooms at a mid-range price point, which matters for a four-night stay. The Westin and Renaissance both cross the 0.4-mile threshold but compensate with four-star amenities and full-service restaurants, useful when you want a proper meal without leaving the building after a long show day.
The hotels
Holiday Inn Chicago Dwtn - The Mart by IHG
350 West Wolf Point Plaza, Building 2
8.6400 reviews
3 min walk to Merchandise Mart (Brown/Purple)At 0.11 miles from theMART, this is the closest hotel on the list, and its Wolf Point Plaza address puts it in the same development cluster as the venue, making it the default choice for attendees who want to minimize commute time.
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Moxy Chicago Downtown
530 North LaSalle Drive
9.1706 reviews
6 min walk to Merchandise Mart (Brown/Purple)The highest guest score among the three-star options on this list at 9.1, and its LaSalle Drive address puts it five minutes from theMART's entrance with a straightforward south-to-river walk.
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Springhill Suites by Marriott Chicago Downtown/ River North
410 North Dearborn Street
9.2180 reviews
5 min walk to Merchandise Mart (Brown/Purple)A guest score of 9.2, the highest on this list, combined with suite-style rooms that include kitchenettes makes this the strongest mid-range pick for a four-night NeoCon stay at 0.30 miles from theMART.
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Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel
1 W Wacker Dr
9.0545 reviews
4 min walk to State/Lake (Brown/Green/Orange/Pink/Purple)Four-star amenities including a full-service spa and multiple dining options at 0.39 miles from theMART give attendees who want a higher-comfort base a strong option without crossing the half-mile threshold.
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The Westin Chicago River North
320 N Dearborn St
9.0282 reviews
5 min walk to Merchandise Mart (Brown/Purple)The Westin's four-star rating, indoor pool, and full-service spa make it the top full-amenity option in River North at 0.48 miles from theMART, and its Dearborn Street address keeps the walk direct and flat.
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Planning a longer stay? See all our Chicago hotel guides.
Frequently asked questions
Which hotel is closest to theMART for NeoCon?＋
The Holiday Inn Chicago Dwtn - The Mart by IHG at 350 West Wolf Point Plaza is 0.11 miles from theMART, a 2-minute walk. It shares the Wolf Point Plaza development with the venue, making it the shortest commute on this list.
Can I walk to theMART from all of these hotels?＋
Yes. Every hotel on this list is within 0.5 miles of theMART's main entrance, which puts the longest walk at 10 minutes. The route from River North hotels is flat and straightforward: head toward the Chicago River and follow Merchandise Mart Plaza to the entrance.
Is there a CTA train stop at theMART?＋
The Merchandise Mart station on the Brown and Purple lines is inside the building's lower level. From the River North hotels on this list, you can walk to that station in 3 to 6 minutes, or walk to theMART directly since the distances are comparable.
When does NeoCon 2027 take place?＋
NeoCon 2027 runs Sunday through Wednesday, June 13-16, 2027. The show moved to a Sunday-Wednesday format, so plan your hotel checkout for Thursday morning if you want to attend all four days.
Are there mid-range hotels close to theMART for NeoCon?＋
The Moxy Chicago Downtown and the SpringHill Suites by Marriott on Dearborn Street are both three-star properties within 0.30 miles of theMART. The SpringHill Suites includes kitchenette-equipped rooms, which helps if you want to keep meal costs down over a four-night stay.
Do any of these hotels have meeting space for NeoCon side events?＋
The Holiday Inn at Wolf Point Plaza, the SpringHill Suites on Dearborn, the Renaissance on Wacker, and the Westin on Dearborn all list meeting rooms among their amenities. Contact each property directly to confirm capacity and availability during the June 13-16 show week.
