
The Wade
Best for lakefront walks, Navy Pier access, and large meetings or events near the Magnificent Mile.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
The Wade is a 33-story lakefront Tribute Portfolio hotel on North Lake Shore Drive, good for travelers who want easy lake and Navy Pier access plus large event space. Nobu Hotel Chicago is a stylish five-star lifestyle hotel in the West Loop with a dining-led identity—read this if you care about design-forward rooms and a signature Nobu restaurant.
Updated

Best for lakefront walks, Navy Pier access, and large meetings or events near the Magnificent Mile.

Best for travelers seeking a high-design West Loop stay with a well-known Japanese-inspired restaurant on site.
When The Wade wins: Choose The Wade if you want true lakefront walkability (Ohio Street Beach and the Lakefront Trail), more meeting and event space, and easy access to Navy Pier and Magnificent Mile shopping.
When Nobu Hotel Chicago wins: Pick Nobu for a five-star, design-forward stay in the West Loop with a strong food identity—Nobu Restaurant and a sleek lifestyle-hotel atmosphere.
Bottom line: Both are lifestyle-minded hotels in Chicago but they serve different neighborhoods and priorities—The Wade for lakefront location and events; Nobu for signature dining and West Loop style.
| Category | The Wade | Nobu Hotel Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Boutique lakefront urban hotel with lively bar and event focus | Stylish five-star lifestyle hotel centered on Nobu dining |
| Location | Gold Coast / Near North Side; steps from Ohio Street Beach and near Navy Pier | West Loop (155 N. Peoria St); close to Chicago Riverwalk and West Loop restaurants |
| Size (rooms) | 520 rooms across 33 floors | 115 rooms |
| Adults-only policy | Not adults-only (primary guest must be 21+ to check in) | |
| Pools | One indoor pool with adjoining sun deck (open year-round) | |
| Restaurants & bars | Current (seasonal American) plus Current Bar and a lively lobby bar | Nobu Restaurant plus a second on-site dining outlet and a bar/lounge |
| Spa & wellness | No confirmed on-site spa (nearby third-party spas listed) | Steam room and fitness facilities; no named full spa brand published |
| Known for | Lake views, proximity to Navy Pier/Ohio Street Beach, and large event/wedding spaces (Altitude rooftop) | Nobu dining identity and stylish West Loop design |
| Meeting & event space | Over 20,000 sq ft across 19 meeting rooms plus rooftop Altitude capacity for weddings | Smaller meeting footprint (number of meeting rooms: 1 listed) |
The Wade sits on North Lake Shore Drive in the Gold Coast / Near North Side, directly across from Ohio Street Beach and a short walk to Navy Pier.
Choose The Wade for direct lakefront access and quick walks to Navy Pier and beachfront paths.
Nobu Hotel Chicago is in the West Loop (155 N. Peoria St), a neighborhood known for restaurants, galleries and a design-forward hotel scene.
Pick Nobu if you want to stay in the West Loop dining scene rather than on the lakefront.
The Wade has 520 rooms across 33 floors with city and lake-view room types and larger suites.
The Wade is larger with more rooms and lake-view options.
Nobu Hotel Chicago offers a smaller, design-led room mix with several named suites and deluxe options.
Nobu is smaller and leans into designer room categories and signature suite names.
The Wade centers dining around Current, a seasonal American restaurant, plus Current Bar and a lively lobby bar.
The Wade offers approachable American dining and a social bar scene near the lake.
Nobu Hotel Chicago emphasizes its signature Nobu Restaurant alongside a second on-site dining outlet and a bar.
If signature Japanese-inspired dining is a priority, Nobu is the clear pick.
The Wade has one indoor swimming pool with lounge seating and an adjoining sun deck/terrace overlooking the city and lake.
The Wade offers year-round pool access plus a sun deck with lake/city views.
Nobu Hotel Chicago lists an indoor pool and fitness facilities among its recreational amenities.
Nobu provides an indoor pool plus fitness and steam-room facilities as part of its wellness offering.
The Wade includes a 24-hour fitness center and an active lobby bar that stays open late.
The Wade suits guests who prioritize fitness access and lively on-site nightlife near the lake.
Nobu offers fitness facilities, a steam room, and a quieter, design-focused nightlife experience centered on its restaurants and bar.
Nobu balances wellness and evening dining rather than late-night club programming.

The Wade — steps from Ohio Street Beach and the Lakefront Trail; easy walks to Navy Pier.

Nobu Hotel Chicago — home to Nobu Restaurant and a clear dining-led identity.

The Wade — over 20,000 sq ft of event space and multiple large-capacity rooms including a rooftop ballroom.

Nobu Hotel Chicago — smaller room count with designer touches and lifestyle-hotel styling.
The Wade — it’s a short walk to Navy Pier and directly across the street from Ohio Street Beach.
Nobu Hotel Chicago includes Nobu Restaurant on site; The Wade’s main restaurant is Current.
No. Both properties are not adults-only; The Wade requires the primary guest checking in to be at least 21.
The Wade has far more event and meeting space (19 rooms and over 20,000 sq ft including rooftop Altitude); Nobu has a smaller meeting footprint.
Explore how The Wade stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·