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Chicago Athletic Association

4.6· 1,804 reviews
Average ratingExcellent
4.6/ 5

Based on 1,804 reviews

576%
417%
35%
21%
11%
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What reviewers say about Chicago Athletic Association

Generated with AI from 1,804 reviews on Trustburn · updated 22 days ago

Customers generally speak very positively, praising the comfortable rooms, great service, and excellent location, with most giving five or four stars.
What does Chicago Athletic Association do?

Chicago Athletic Association operates a historic hotel in the Chicago Loop at 12 S Michigan Ave, across from Millennium Park, and runs dining and entertainment venues including Cindy’s rooftop bar, a Game Room with bocce and billiards, and Chicago’s first Topgolf Swing Suite.

What are the most common complaints about Chicago Athletic Association?

The critical reviewers on file describe very negative experiences, with complaints centered on poor service, being told to stay elsewhere, and being poorly run overall.

AI-generated from reviews on this page. Verify anything important with the company directly.

Usman Hussain
Reviews 1

Lobby is very fun and inviting. It's a very Chicago feel. The building is shared between several different Resturants so it's a very intermingled group of people.

The room has a efficient layout for the space they give you. Not the largest rooms, but very clean and private. It's a different experience from the Westin, and it's close to everything you need in the city.

Make sure to go up to the top floor for some great photo opps on the roof balcony.

Kara Williams
Reviews 1

Staff here is iffy. I called about booking at the hotel for an extended time. I was left on hold for 7min before someone picked up the phone. The booking agent told me that what I was looking for was the sales department and that she would transfer me. Then, put me on hold again. Spoke to the person herself, came back to me and said that they couldn't do it. I never spoke to the person who actually handles what I needed in the Sales department.

Sarah Ladouceur
Reviews 1

Beautiful hotel, definitely would consider for a wedding venue or special event. Went here for a bridal runway show and it was PERFECT for that - the ceilings and woodworking on the walls in the ballroom (The reception portion was here, not the actual show so I didn't get any good pics in there unfortunately) on the 8th floor were just gorgeous, the chandeliers were so beautiful, and the floor to ceiling windows lining the wall gave spectacular views of the city.

Jack Paleczny
Reviews 1

Cool, classy and warm space that I recommend anyone to come and relax at. The type of place Ryan Gosling would have a drink at. There are a number of bars and areas here that have different hours so be sure to check the website for those. I grabbed a coffee from the first floor and came up to the second floor to sit by the fire as I had time to kill before my flight and the staff was very nice and hospitable even though they knew I wasn t a guest of the hotel.

Grace Frederick
Reviews 1

Great location to the theaters and local attractions. We enjoyed several drinks between the Game Room and the Drawing Room and had brunch at Cindy's rooftop. Over crowded outside meant waiting guest up against you as you were eating which was unpleasant. Several times I was elbowed or bumped while eating. Hotel rooms were on the smaller side but the decor and authenticity makes up for it!

Shannon O'Brien
Reviews 1

Amazing, super cool building. Really fun staying here - lots to do and see. The lobby turns into a restaurant in the evening (open to the public), which is fun but noisy; I recommend spending some time in this beautiful room in the morning for a peaceful, less crowded experience. Be sure to explore all the restaurants and different floors.

Emma Bentley
Reviews 1

I stayed a couple of nights here and very much enjoyed the stay. The bar area/games room gets crowded and noisy (especially on St Patrick's Day!) but make your way through and you'll be pleased by the elegance and tranquility of the rooms. Great location. Particularly liked brunch at Cindy's rooftop restaurant too. Highly recommended!

Andrew Shaw
Reviews 1

We had a great stay. Just overnight but could have spent more than that just hanging out in the many amazing public areas. The employees were all friendly and very helpful. The restored architecture lent a very unique feel to this hip spot for visitors or Chicagoans looking for a place to eat or drink.

Carlin Coffey
Reviews 1

Stayed here for a quick staycation and had a blast. There is so much to do in the hotel you're tempted not to leave! The rooms were handsome and include many Chicago references that remind you of the greatness of the city you are in. From my window I could see Millennium Park and the lake! Within the hotel there is the restaurant the Cherry Circle Room and the speakeasy the Milk Room. It helps to have a reservation for both, especially the Milk Room because it only has 8 chairs. There are lots of games in the lobby (kids and adults having fun) and a Harry Potter-esque area perfect for getting work done, chatting, or soaking it all in. Had a lovely stay and appreciate the attention to detail and endless fun. Room service is also available.

Jonathan Hunt
Reviews 1

Brunch on the rooftop at Cindy's was an amazing experience. I highly recommend. We sat outside on a really nice day. The drawing room and game room would be really great places to relax with a group of friends. I will definitely be coming back, although, not too often because it's an expensive trip.

Caitlin Azar
Reviews 1

Came here for a little staycation and had a nice time! The staff was extremely friendly. At check-in, they had no problem finding us a room with a bathtub. After checking in, David saw us wandering around looking a bit lost, and he was more than happy to show us where everything was and give us a bit of history about the building. The amenities are, of course, amazing. We had a really fun time playing chess in the Game Room over a couple of beers. The rooftop bar is incredible. This place is great for both locals and tourists who want a unique experience!

The only thing that wasn't absolutely amazing was the sleeping experience, which is kind of an integral part of staying at a hotel. The room itself was perfectly fine, but the windows faced out to an alley. Now, I totally don't mind not having a view, but there were loud banging noises coming from the alley all night long. It sounded like people throwing trash in a dumpster. I was waking up constantly throughout the night due to this noise. Even my husband, who is a very heavy sleeper, said that it woke him up several times. Needless to say, neither of us got much sleep. If I stay here again, I will definitely request a room that does not face the alley, and I suggest you do the same!

Mike Niznikiewicz
Reviews 1

The Cherry circle room is unreal. Such an awesome aesthetic. Very classy and vintage (in that very legit kind of way). The Benedict was incredible and their cocktail menu is top notch. It's expensive but not prohibitively so. Worth the trip and make sure you make a reservation ahead of time!

Violet Doyle
Reviews 1

Can't get enough of this place! The lounge on the second floor. The rooftop bar. I just want to live there. It's a little expensive, but worth it. They had a really cool pop-up bar promoting Sargent's work at the Art Institute that I believe just ended (see picture). Fear not, they have other cool events listed on their website.

Austin Barrington
Reviews 1

High quality unique finishes in each room, great location, very friendly staff. Rooms are a little small, but that's to be expected downtown, and except for storing baggage I can't think of why I'd need more space. Consistent theme and several cool spots for drinks and food make this place an excellent experience.

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About Chicago Athletic Association

A historic landmark directly across from Millennium Park, Chicago Athletic Association has transformed 12 S Michigan Ave into a novel downtown Chicago Loop hotel and distinctive dining destination – featuring its crown jewel Cindy’s, best rooftop bar in Chicago with views of Lake Michigan, the second-floor bocce-and-billiards Game Room, and Chicago’s first Topgolf Swing Suite.

Chicago Athletic Association: A Historic Landmark Turned Hotel and Dining Destination

Located directly across from Millennium Park, the Chicago Athletic Association is a historic landmark that has been transformed into a novel downtown Chicago Loop hotel and distinctive dining destination. With its crown jewel Cindy’s, the best rooftop bar in Chicago with views of Lake Michigan, the second-floor bocce-and-billiards Game Room, and Chicago’s first Topgolf Swing Suite, this hotel offers an unparalleled experience for visitors to the Windy City.

History

Originally built in 1893 as a private men's club for athletes and sports enthusiasts, the Chicago Athletic Association was designed by renowned architect Henry Ives Cobb. The building's Gothic-style architecture features intricate stonework and ornate details that have been carefully preserved over time.

In 2015, after years of neglect and disrepair, the building was restored to its former glory by a team of architects and designers who worked tirelessly to preserve its historic character while updating it for modern use. Today, visitors can enjoy all of the amenities of a luxury hotel while experiencing the rich history of one of Chicago's most iconic buildings.

Accommodations

The rooms at the Chicago Athletic Association are designed with comfort in mind. Each room is uniquely decorated with vintage-inspired furnishings that pay homage to the building's rich history. Guests can choose from several different room types including standard rooms with city views or lake views as well as suites that offer more space and luxurious amenities like soaking tubs.

Dining

One of the highlights of staying at the Chicago Athletic Association is dining at one (or all) of its many restaurants. Cindy’s Rooftop Bar offers stunning panoramic views of Lake Michigan along with delicious cocktails and small plates inspired by global street food. The Cherry Circle Room is an elegant restaurant serving classic American cuisine made from locally sourced ingredients.

For something more casual, guests can head to Shake Shack or Fairgrounds Coffee & Tea for quick bites or coffee drinks respectively. And if you're looking for something truly unique, check out Game Room on the second floor where you can play bocce ball or billiards while enjoying craft cocktails and snacks.

Events

The Chicago Athletic Association also offers several event spaces perfect for weddings, corporate events or other special occasions. The White City Ballroom features soaring ceilings adorned with crystal chandeliers while Stagg Court provides an indoor basketball court perfect for team-building activities or receptions.

Conclusion

Overall, if you're looking for a unique place to stay in downtown Chicago that combines history with modern luxury then look no further than The Chicago Athletic Association Hotel & Dining Destination! With its prime location across from Millennium Park plus top-notch amenities like Cindy’s Rooftop Bar & Game Room there really isn't anything else quite like it anywhere else in town!