
The Wade
Best for lakefront rooms, rooftop event venues, and travelers who want easy access to Ohio Street Beach and Navy Pier.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
The Wade is a 33-story Tribute Portfolio hotel on North Lake Shore Drive with lakeside views, modern rooms, and event spaces for meetings and weddings. Four Seasons Hotel Chicago is a classic five-star property near the Magnificent Mile offering refined service and a full-service spa — this guide is for travelers choosing between lively lakefront energy (The Wade) and traditional five-star polish (Four Seasons).
Updated · about 0.8 km apart

Best for lakefront rooms, rooftop event venues, and travelers who want easy access to Ohio Street Beach and Navy Pier.

Best for travelers seeking traditional five-star service, an on-site full-service spa, and a refined luxury stay steps from Michigan Avenue.
When The Wade wins: Choose The Wade if you want rooms with lake or skyline views, large flexible event and wedding spaces (rooftop ballroom and terrace), a lively bar scene, and direct walkability to Ohio Street Beach and the Lakefront Trail.
When Four Seasons Hotel Chicago wins: Choose Four Seasons for classic five-star service, a longstanding luxury reputation, a full-service on-site spa, an indoor pool and health club, and a location a short walk from the Magnificent Mile in a quieter luxury-hotel setting.
Bottom line: Both put you within easy reach of Michigan Avenue and the lake; pick The Wade for energetic lakefront settings and bigger event capacities, or Four Seasons for traditional five-star amenities and a refined service experience.
| Category | The Wade | Four Seasons Hotel Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Modern, lively lakeside boutique within a large tower and active social spaces | Classic five-star, refined and service-driven luxury |
| Location | 644 N Lake Shore Dr; immediate lakefront walkability to Ohio Street Beach and Lakefront Trail | 120 East Delaware Place; steps from Michigan Avenue and a short walk to Lake Michigan |
| Size (guest rooms) | 520 rooms across 33 floors | 345 rooms |
| Minimum check-in age | Primary guest must be at least 21 | |
| Pools | Single indoor pool with lounge seating and adjoining sun deck (year-round); indoor pool reported as adults-only on some listings | Indoor pool (1) and 24-hour health club |
| Restaurants & bars | Current (seasonal American) plus Current Bar and a lively lobby bar | 1 restaurant and 1 bar/lounge; 24-hour room service available |
| Spa & wellness | Not published | Full-service spa with massages, body treatments, facials; 24-hour health club and sauna |
| Event & meeting space | Over 20,386 sq ft; 19 meeting rooms; rooftop Altitude ballroom and terrace (huge wedding/event capacities) | Conference space 12,500 sq ft; 15 meeting rooms |
| Known for | Lakeside setting, rooftop event venues, and lively social spaces | Classic five-star service, refined rooms, and an on-site spa |
| Wi‑Fi | Sources conflict (complimentary vs. surcharge) | Free WiFi (listing states complimentary wireless internet access) |
The Wade sits on North Lake Shore Drive in the Gold Coast, directly across from Ohio Street Beach with quick access to Navy Pier and the Lakefront Trail.
The Wade is ideal if your priority is immediate lakefront access and nearby lakefront activities.
Four Seasons Hotel Chicago sits a few blocks inland, minutes from Michigan Avenue and within easy walking distance of Lake Michigan.
Four Seasons places you in the heart of high-end shopping and cultural sights while remaining close to the lake.
The Wade offers large inventory and a mix of city and lake-view rooms and suites across 33 floors.
Choose The Wade for more room availability and explicit lake-view options in a high-rise tower.
Four Seasons provides a range of refined rooms and many lake-view options with classic five-star touches.
Four Seasons focuses on refined room amenities and personalized service in a smaller, luxury-scale property.
The Wade centers its food and drink around Current, a seasonal American restaurant, plus lively bar options.
Dining at The Wade leans casual-to-upscale with a social bar scene and a focus on seasonal American dishes.
Four Seasons has one main restaurant and a bar/lounge, plus 24-hour room service for in-room dining.
Four Seasons offers a quieter, service-oriented dining experience with full room service and concierge support.
The Wade highlights a single indoor pool with lounge seating and an adjoining outdoor sun deck overlooking the city and lake.
The Wade’s pool and direct beach access are central to its lakefront appeal.
Four Seasons promotes an indoor pool plus a 24-hour health club, sauna, and full spa services on site.
Four Seasons offers a fuller on-site wellness program anchored by a recognized spa and fitness amenities.
The Wade offers a complimentary 24-hour fitness center and an energetic lobby bar scene with DJ nights and late hours.
If late-night socializing and a 24-hour gym are priorities, The Wade’s social program and fitness access are strong fits.
Four Seasons balances a quieter bar/lounge offering with a full-service spa for more restorative wellness.
Four Seasons suits guests who prefer restorative spa time and discreet evening options over lively nightlife.

The Wade — walk across the street to Ohio Street Beach and the Lakefront Trail.

Four Seasons Hotel Chicago — refined service, a full-service spa, and a longstanding luxury reputation.

The Wade — over 20,000 sq ft of event space, rooftop Altitude ballroom and terrace with big capacities.

Four Seasons Hotel Chicago — on-site full-service spa, sauna, and 24-hour health club.
Both are within easy walking distance; Four Seasons sits a few steps from Michigan Avenue while The Wade is about four blocks (roughly 0.5 miles) away.
If you need maximum event capacity and a rooftop ballroom with lake views, The Wade has larger total event space and higher-capacity venues; Four Seasons offers substantial meeting space too but on a smaller scale.
Both properties require the primary guest checking in to be at least 21 years old.
Four Seasons Hotel Chicago lists a full-service on-site spa. The Wade does not have a confirmed in-house full-service spa under the current brand (nearby third-party wellness providers are noted).
Explore how The Wade stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·