A midwestern state in the US, Illinois, also dubbed as Prairie State, is a destination with hoards of tourist attractions for everyone, including history buffs. Here, you can peek into the life of US President Abraham Lincoln at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and join guided tours of Lincoln Home National Historic Site. Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, housing remnants of pre-Columbian Native American settlements, can also be found here. While in Illinois, you cannot miss a chance to admire the architectural beauty of the Greek Revival building of Illinois State Capitol and the Old State Capitol State Historic Site. Apart from tourist attractions, the state boasts several hotels with a significant past. If you wish to stay in one during your visit, browse this list of the top historic hotels in Illinois, USA.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) properties with historic significance, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on October 26, 2025.
1. The Talbott Hotel; Chicago (from USD 424)
The Talbott Hotel opened its doors during the Jazz Age, known as the ‘Roaring 20s.’ This present-day boutique hotel has provided different services throughout its existence, including a jazz club and a laundromat.
Presently, The Talbott Hotel offers luxurious rooms dressed in neutral-colored furnishings and subtle Earth-toned hues. En suite baths are accentuated with marble details and equipped with C.O. Bigelow Apothecary shower essentials. Peak through your room’s expansive windows and admire beautiful city views. The accommodation also provides an American restaurant with alfresco dining and a fitness center.
The Talbott, Autograph Collection This is a Proud Certified property where you can be extra sure of a welcoming stay.
Address: 20 E Delaware Place
14.27 km (8.9 mi) from Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio
2. Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago; Chicago (from USD 229)
Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago has been on the ground since 1893, and its perfected world-class services are a testament to its being in the hospitality industry for a long time. This sophisticated downtown hotel has served notable people, from US presidents to iconic musicians. Apart from the magical views of Lake Michigan, the interior design, especially the Renaissance-style reception area and vintage-style Congress Lounge, will mesmerize your eyes.
Pleasurable activities can be enjoyed at the hotel, ranging from workouts at the 24-hour gym to pampering at the on-site barbershop.
Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago This is a Proud Certified property where you can be extra sure of a welcoming stay.
Address: 520 South Michigan Avenue
14.67 km (9.2 mi) from Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio
3. The Blackstone, Autograph Collection; Chicago (from USD 544)
Amazing breakfast buffet, good restaurants nearby, but limited dining options at the hotel.
High pricing, especially during events. Valet parking is expensive.
Convenient location near Grant Park, Soldier Field, and Michigan Avenue attractions.
Classy lobby, spacious rooms, high-quality restaurant, historical property.
The Blackstone, Autograph Collection, resides in a French Beaux-Arts building, which started welcoming guests in 1910. This visually pleasing hotel accommodated iconic personalities, such as Jimmy Carter, Harry Truman, Theodore Roosevelt, and several celebrities. Even mob bosses, such as Al Capone and “Lucky” Lucania, strutted the pathways of the hotel at some point in time.
After its closure in 1999 in a failed attempt to turn it into a condominium complex, the hotel underwent a two-year transformation from 2006 to 2008.
This property features specific rooms for guests with limited mobility. Each well-appointed unit boasts Wi-Fi and a TV for indoor entertainment. Moreover, guests can bring their fur babies too, for the accommodation accepts pets for a certain fee.
The Blackstone, Autograph Collection
Address: 636 South Michigan Avenue
14.7 km (9.2 mi) from Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio
4. Carleton of Oak Park; Oak Park (from USD 174)
Carleton of Oak Park is a charming hotel with a history that dates back to 1928. Everything about the property screams old-world, from its brick exterior to its vintage-style facade, but the amenities have kept up with the modern times. Moreover, in 2000, the property annexed its neighboring building, Plaza Hotel.
Apart from 42 additional accommodation units, Carleton of Oak Park now offers the Grand Ballroom, fitness facilities, and La Notte Ristorante Italiano.
Carleton of Oak Park
Address: 1110 Pleasant Street
986 meters (0.7 ft) from Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio
5. Millennium Knickerbocker Chicago; Chicago (from USD 224)
An epitome of classic Chicago glamor, Millennium Knickerbocker Chicago is the perfect retreat for luxury-loving travelers. While contemporary design details have been incorporated into the historic 1927 hotel throughout its existence, its quintessential charm remains intact.
Besides being a hotel, Millennium Knickerbocker Chicago was once a casino and a speakeasy. Presently, the hotel features meeting and events spaces, a fitness center, and Wi-Fi-ready rooms. For sustenance, Nix Restaurant will be your go-to place to taste delicious food. While there’s no private parking on the property, visitors can choose from the several nearby parking areas to leave their vehicles.
Millennium Knickerbocker Chicago
Address: 163 East Walton Place
14.68 km (9.2 mi) from Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio
6. Cornerstone Inn; Washington (from USD 105)
Cornerstone Inn is a tourist-friendly hotel on Washington’s Main Street. It was built in the 19th century and features Italianate architecture and Wi-Fi-ready accommodations. Built by Charles Anthony and Henry Denhart, this brick-and-stone structure was a dry goods store that later turned into a bank. The revamped bank building is a 13-minute drive from Ronald Reagan Museum and highlights the 40th US president’s accomplishments.
Apart from comfortable rooms with a mix of modern and vintage details, Cornerstone Inn also offers laundry facilities and daily housekeeping services. Parking is available on-site, and it’s accessible to guests for free.
Cornerstone Inn
Address: 111 N Main Street
188.52 km (117.2 mi) from Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio
7. Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette; Peoria (from USD 116)
Book accommodation in Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette when holidaying in the action-packed city of Peoria. Apart from its tourist-friendly setting, it wows guests with its quintessential charm, elegant furnishings, and rich history dating back to the 1920s.
Included in the National Register of Historic Places, this hotel was once known as Hotel Père Marquette. It underwent several renovations and modernization in the years 1954, 1961, 1972, and 1981. The most recent was in 2011 when the hotel had to be closed for a major revamp. It reopened in 2013 and rebranded as an upscale Mariott hotel.
Guests can enjoy the convenience of an indoor pool and relish American and Bourbon cuisine in one of the on-site restaurants.
Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette
Address: 501 Main Street
200.56 km (124.7 mi) from Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio
8. William Watson Hotel; Pittsfield (from USD 92)
William Watson Hotel is the perfect choice for guests who are into accommodations with a rich history. Built in the early 19th century, this quaint retreat features cozy quarters with old-world charm. The rooms feature brick walls and wooden details brightened by natural light.
Built by William Watson, the first man to settle in Pittsfield, this property was earlier known as The Mansion House. It opened its doors to prominent figures, including John Nicolay, Abraham Lincoln, and Stephen Douglas.
Since its opening, the property has maintained its classical charm. With internet access, a business center, and a café named Free Press Coffee Shop, the hotel has kept up with the modern times in every way.
William Watson Hotel
Address: 105 East Washington Street
358.86 km (223.0 mi) from Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio
9. Silversmith Hotel Chicago Downtown; Chicago (from USD 172)
History is embedded in the walls of Silversmith Hotel Chicago Downtown, housed in a building in downtown Chicago’s Jewelers Row District since the late 19th century. A member of the National Register of Historic Places, the century-old former Silversmith Building has been a symbol of refined luxury in the past and at present. Its design reflects its construction era when the popular Romanesque Revival architectural craze started to fade and the Chicago Commercial style was beginning to gain traction.
You’d be surprised to know that the establishment became a hotel only toward the end of the 20th century.
Here, guests can relish cooked-to-order breakfast and enjoy self-parking for additional charges. In addition, the guest rooms offer complimentary Wi-Fi and a flat-screen TV for entertainment. They also feature a private bathroom with high-quality toiletries to pamper yourself.
Silversmith Hotel Chicago Downtown
Address: 10 S Wabash Ave
14.43 km (9.0 mi) from Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio
10. Palmer House a Hilton Hotel; Chicago (from USD 460)
Palmer House a Hilton Hotel is a luxurious hotel that welcomes guests through its frescoed lobby. As you look up at the ceiling, you’ll be mesmerized by the Greek mythology-inspired artwork.
The historic hotel started operation in September 1871. Although it was burnt down a few days after its opening, it rose again from the ashes two years later with the help of a massive record-breaking loan at the time. Since then, it has opened its doors to iconic personalities, including Charles Dickens, Ulysses Grant, Oscar Wilde, and more.
Wake up and indulge in a sumptuous breakfast for an additional charge. After that, take a refreshing dip in the indoor pool or head to the on-site spa for a relaxing massage or beauty treatment.
The Palmer House Hilton
Address: 17 East Monroe Street
14.38 km (9.0 mi) from Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio
Dive into the rich history of Illinois
Illinois is a state worth exploring. It’s home to iconic landmarks, from old-world architecture to fascinating museums. Plus, it boasts hotels that are destinations in their own right. If you wish to stay in a retreat with a quintessential charm, choose from this list of the top historic hotels in Illinois, USA.
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