McCormick Place hosts over three million visitors annually for conventions, trade shows, and business events. As North America’s largest convention center, McCormick Place earned Events Industry Council Gold Level Certification in 2025 for its sustainability leadership, including 100% renewable energy credits, the Midwest’s largest rooftop farm, and comprehensive food waste diversion programs.
For visitors attending events, finding hotels near McCormick Place in Chicago that prioritize sustainability is becoming a key factor. Many nearby properties offer eco-friendly features like energy-efficient systems, waste reduction, and locally sourced amenities, all while providing easy access to the convention center.
Here are our favorite hotels that are close to McCormick place and that have varying degrees of sustainability built into each property.
Marriott Marquis Chicago: Skybridge Connection
The Marriott Marquis connects to McCormick Place and Wintrust Arena through an enclosed skybridge system. This indoor connection eliminates weather exposure, especially in Chicago’s harsh winters and reduces transportation needs during. The hotel features 1,205 rooms across 31 floors, making it one of Chicago’s largest convention properties.
Sustainability features: The building underwent energy modeling and LEED commissioning during construction. Project documentation indicates the hotel pursued LEED Silver standards, though current marketing materials reference general LEED certification rather than specifying the Silver level.
Business amenities: The property offers 90,000 square feet of meeting space, 24-hour business services, and high-speed WiFi throughout. Guest rooms include ergonomic work chairs and large desks suitable for extended work sessions.
Local partnerships: The hotel displays artwork from over 30 Chicago artists throughout public spaces and guest rooms. This program supports the local creative economy while reducing transportation emissions associated with importing artwork.
Hyatt Regency McCormick Place: LEED Gold Certified
The hotel’s recent expansion added a 460-room tower. They also achieved LEED Gold certification requiring meeting specific benchmarks for energy efficiency, water conservation, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.
Green infrastructure: The expansion includes green roof elements that manage stormwater runoff and reduce urban heat island effects. These systems provide measurable environmental benefits during Chicago’s intense summer weather.
Energy systems: All mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems underwent commissioning before opening to ensure optimal performance. This process verifies that building systems operate according to design specifications and manufacturer requirements.
Food waste programs: The hotel participates in McCormick Place campus-wide sustainability initiatives, including food waste diversion through anaerobic digestion. This system converts organic waste into renewable energy rather than sending it to landfills.
Meeting capabilities: The property provides 43,500 square feet of flexible meeting space, all equipped for hybrid events accommodating in-person and remote participants. The hotel offers spectacular views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline.
Hilton Tri-Branded Complex: Three Hotels, One Building
Three Hilton brands—Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn, and Home2 Suites—operate within a single 22-story tower connected to McCormick Place via skybridge. The brands share support facilities across the first three floors, reducing operational redundancy compared to separate hotel buildings.
Rooftop dining: VU Rooftop on the 22nd floor operates year-round through a partnership with Concentrics Restaurants. The venue emphasizes seasonal ingredients from local suppliers and features a glass solarium design that maximizes natural light while controlling climate.
Environmental programs: Choose Chicago recognizes the complex for air filtration and green energy initiatives. These programs apply building-wide rather than to individual hotel brands. Home2 Suites by Hilton Chicago McCormick Place holds verified sustainability certifications according to Cvent’s certification data.
Meeting space: The Hilton Garden Inn portion offers 17,829 square feet of meeting rooms across 18,000 total square feet of space, while all three brands provide 24-hour business centers and high-speed internet access.
Additional amenities: The complex includes a full Starbucks accessible from both Cermak Road and the hotel lobby, plus motorcoach parking facilities for large groups. The building was constructed in 2018 and features modern amenities throughout.
Transit access: The building connects directly to McCormick Place via climate-controlled skybridge and provides easy access to the CTA Green Line station.
Sonder South Wabash: Apartment-Style Accommodations
Sonder operates furnished apartments with full kitchens, in-unit laundry, and separate living areas. This format works particularly well for extended stays, small business teams, or travelers who prefer cooking their own meals rather than dining out daily.
Location advantages: The property sits 0.9 miles from McCormick Place in Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood. CTA bus #3 on Michigan Avenue provides direct service to the convention center, while the Green Line station offers broader city access.
Technology features: Units include smart thermostats, keyless entry systems, and energy-efficient appliances. These features reduce energy consumption while eliminating plastic keycard waste common in traditional hotels.
Neighborhood context: The South Loop location provides access to local markets, cafes, and Grant Park. This setting supports travelers who want to experience Chicago beyond the convention center environment.
Some Alternative Hotels within Easy Reach
When McCormick Place properties reach capacity, several nearby hotels maintain environmental certifications and convenient transit access. Many of these properties can be booked as part of a responsible business travel plan.
Hotel Felix (River North): Hotel Felix is Chicago’s first LEED Silver-certified boutique hotel, giving guests an eco-conscious stay in the heart of River North. Its sustainable design includes recycled construction materials, low-energy lighting, and in-room motion sensors that cut down on unnecessary power use. The location is a major advantage, just a 10-minute walk to the Magnificent Mile, Water Tower Place, and several CTA train lines for quick access across the city. Guests also benefit from practical amenities such as a 24-hour fitness center, business center, and pet-friendly accommodations.
Hilton Chicago (1.4 miles): Green Seal certified with comprehensive recycling programs and large meeting facilities. The historic 1927 property offers 1,544 rooms and 185,000 square feet of meeting space, making it ideal for large delegations or concurrent events. The hotel features multiple restaurants, a fitness center, indoor pool, and concierge services. CTA bus routes #3 and #4 provide direct service to McCormick Place, while the hotel’s Michigan Avenue location puts you within walking distance of Millennium Park and the Art Institute.
Homewood Suites Chicago Downtown South Loop (1.7 miles): Holds ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 certifications for environmental management systems. All 134 suites include separate living areas, full kitchens with full-size refrigerators, and complimentary grocery shopping service. The property offers free hot breakfast daily, evening social receptions Monday through Thursday, and a 24-hour fitness center. Roosevelt CTA station (Red, Orange, and Green Lines) sits two blocks away.
Hyatt Regency Chicago (2 miles): LEED certified riverfront property with multiple CTA connections to the convention center. This 2,019-room hotel spans two towers connected by a 6th-floor walkway and offers 228,000 square feet of meeting space. The property features six restaurants, a full-service spa, indoor swimming pool, and 24-hour fitness center. Located on the Chicago Riverwalk, guests can access kayak rentals and architectural boat tours directly from the hotel. The hotel provides complimentary shuttle service within a 6-block radius.
Le Méridien Essex Chicago (1.3 miles): Part of a mixed-use development adjacent to a WELL-certified residential tower, emphasizing wellness and walkability. The 284-room boutique property underwent complete renovation in 2021 and features locally inspired design elements throughout. The hotel offers a fitness center, business center, and on-site restaurant focusing on locally sourced ingredients. Grant Park is directly across the street, while the hotel’s South Michigan Avenue location provides easy access to the Museum Campus and lakefront trails.
Key Transit Routes from McCormick Place
Chicago’s public transit system makes car-free travel entirely practical for McCormick Place visitors. The CTA operates 145 bus routes and eight rail lines, creating comprehensive connections throughout the metropolitan area. For schedules and maps, visit the official CTA website.
To/From Airports:
McCormick Place offers easy, lower-impact connections to both O’Hare and Midway, making airport transfers more sustainable and efficient.
Public Transit:
- O’Hare Airport: Take CTA Blue Line from O’Hare to Clark/Lake, transfer to southbound Green Line to Cermak–McCormick Place (total time: 75-90 minutes, cost: $5)
- Midway Airport: Take Orange Line from Midway to Roosevelt, transfer to southbound Green Line to Cermak–McCormick Place (total time: 45-60 minutes, cost: $5)
Uber Green Rideshares:
Uber Green is a low-emission ride service within the Uber app that matches riders with fully electric or hybrid vehicles. The service costs the same as standard UberX rides but provides zero tailpipe emissions when using fully electric vehicles.
- O’Hare to McCormick Place: 18 miles, saving approximately 7.2 pounds of CO2 emissions compared to gas vehicles (equivalent to what one mature tree absorbs in about 40 days, since mature trees absorb roughly 48 pounds of CO2 annually)
- Midway to McCormick Place: 12 miles, saving approximately 4.8 pounds of CO2 emissions compared to gas vehicles (equivalent to what one mature tree absorbs in about 36 days)
Put another way, choosing electric over gas for an O’Hare airport transfer prevents the same CO2 emissions that would require planting and growing a sapling tree for 4 months to absorb from the atmosphere. One small trip can make a big difference!
Downtown and Loop Access:
- Green Line: Direct service from Cermak–McCormick Place to Roosevelt, State/Lake, and Clark/Lake stations, connecting you to Chicago’s central business district
- CTA Bus #3 (King Drive): Runs along Michigan Avenue with stops at major hotels, Grant Park, and Millennium Park
- CTA Bus #4 (Cottage Grove): Provides north-south service connecting McCormick Place to downtown and Michigan Avenue shopping
Chicago River and Riverwalk:
- Take Green Line to State/Lake, then walk east to access the Chicago Riverwalk and architectural boat tour departure points
- Multiple downtown CTA stops provide access to the river system and waterfront dining
Navy Pier:
- Green Line to State/Lake, transfer to Red Line northbound to Grand, then take CTA Bus #29 (State Street) or #65 (Grand Avenue) eastbound to Navy Pier
- Alternative: Green Line to Clark/Lake, walk east to State Street, take Bus #29 northbound
CTA Ventra Cards: Purchase reloadable cards to eliminate paper waste from individual tickets. Day passes ($20) and 3-day passes ($30) offer unlimited rides and encourage public transit exploration.
This article highlights sustainable hotels near McCormick Place, but Chicago’s commitment to greener events goes far beyond one venue. If you’re planning conferences across the city, explore our guide about sustainable hotels in Chicago’s major conference districts.
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