In Chicago's former meatpacking district, The Hoxton sits among some of the city's best galleries, boutiques and eateries. After a day exploring the neighbourhood, return to kick back by the rooftop pool and dine in the Peruvian-inspired cevicheria on the terrace. Need to catch up on emails? Plug in in the lobby's co-working space before delving into the hotel's depths for a nightcap in the basement bar.

Naturally slotting into artsy West Loop, Ace Hotel's interiors are draped with locally sourced artwork and furnishings while rooms are designed with a minimalist, monochromed aesthetic, plus there's a rooftop area overlooks the city skyline. Hop between the neighbourhood's bars and restaurants (the area is quickly becoming Chicago's newest food scene) and round the day off with nibbles and cocktails at Ace's bar, City Mouse.

Book lovers, this is the place for you. Rooms are dedicated to Chicago's literary figures such as Stuart Dybek and Audrey Niffenegger, while the mid-century armchair by the double-sided concrete fireplace is a covetable spot for snuggling up. If you get peckish, pop into the butler's pantry where homemade cookies and a cuppa make the perfect companions for your favourite book.

Perfectly placed for exploring the city beyond tourist traps, this art-deco hotel is located between the creative neighbourhoods of Wicker Park and Bucktown. Book into the Annex Loft where urban warehouse spaces have been converted into roomy bedrooms, and spend days lazing by the rooftop pool, feasting on comfort food in Café Robey and sipping on cocktails in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Proving that hotels can be more fun than fancy, this whimsical bolthole is filled with science-themed quirks and trinkets. Magnifying glasses, copper-tubing, towering bookshelves and portraits of great minds past adorn walls, while the restaurant and bar serves innovative dishes and drinks with thematic twists. If it all gets a bit much, head to Lake Michigan for a dose of the great outdoors - it's just a 10-minute walk from the hotel.

Kimpton Gray Hotel is a go-to for those in need of a little TLC. Book into a Spa Room, where the bathrooms are decorated with abstract-tiled walls, a walk-in shower and a freestanding tub. Drag yourself away from your room for a tipple at either Vol. 39, the lobby wine bar, or Boleo, the rooftop bar, or dine on new American cuisine at Steadfast restaurant. Return to your room suitably satiated to collapse in king-size beds.

This retro-themed hotel is filled with sports paraphernalia and boutique touches. Enter the lobby to check in beneath an installation of wooden tennis rackets, trophy racks and wall-mounted dartboards. Head straight to the speakeasy Janitor's Closet for innovative cocktails before testing your skill on the hotel's own vintage-style slot car racing racks.

This boutique hotel is the ideal spot for hunkering down in the Windy City. Nestled among the skyscrapers of downtown Chicago, Freehand's art-deco design and trendy interiors draw visitors to it's fireside chairs on chilly evenings. Sip on herbal infusions and innovative drinks at the Broken Shaker bar - between Thursday and Saturday it also hosts Tacoteqa, when it serves lip-smacking tacos, quesadillas and margaritas.

Right next to Wrigley Field in bustling Wrigleyville, The Wheelhouse is a starting-point for a culture-filled trip to Chicago. Map out your day from the hotel's rooftop before exploring the neighbourhood. Return to taste-test your way through the cocktail menu at the hotel's speakeasy Tinker to Evers, and stock up on sweet treats from Bodega to take to your room.