Chicago Athletic Association Review

A comfortable older hotel. Athletic Club motif carries through to the rooms.

Terrible experience
Poorly run

Great architecture. Service is great! Breakfast was delicious

Very old style interior design. Very luxurious. A great place to come have a cocktail and study. A great place for business meetings for group meetings. And a great place to come and read a book. It's an interesting mix of people.

Lovely place, very crowded on weekends. But the location is something to see in chicago

Love this place. Really the quintessential Chicago hotel/bar/restaurant. Absolutely beautifully renovated. Restaurants are excellent- as are the bars. The drawing room is an incredibly quaint and cozy place to hole up in bad weather (along with cocktails and snacks, of course). Excellent service.

An amazing hidden gem in the middle of the city. We loved the bar overlooking Millennium Park and exploring the unique character inside the building.

Cool relaxed place to go, kind of on the pricy side but great bar if you want to have drinks and conversation.

Great drinks but the bar menu could be a bit more interesting.

We loved staying at the CAA. Room rates are reasonable, even over the holidays. The rooms are unique, interesting, and comfortable, with so many cool historic details. They go above and beyond to make sure you have what you need, such as bringing drinking water to your room on request. The little things matter! There are several options for food and drinks right in the hotel, and all that we tried were so delicious. There is also 24 hour room service available. We will definitely be back!

Gorgeous renovation with amazing amenities that are open to the public. You must see the Drawing Room, Milk Bar, and have lunch on the second floor!

Yes there have a gym here! Very beyond clean and good stuff

This is one of the most unique venues in Chicago. The bars on the third floor, including the Game Room, the Cherry Circle Room, the front room, and the speakeasy, are all fantastic spots with excellent service and vibe for days. Then the upper floors are excellent for events, and Cindy's rooftop bar has gorgeous views of Lake Michigan. Try to visit Cindy's at non-happy-hour times if you like to avoid crowds. The ground level has a Shake Shack if burgers are your thing.

I can't speak to the actual hotel rooms, but they must be good. The location is in the prime of downtown, across the street from Millennium Park and the Art Institute, a short walking distance to fantastic music at Symphony Center, shopping along Mag. Mile, a drink or a bite along the Riverwalk, or a walk through Grant Park and Buckingham Fountain towards the Lakefront Path. You'll find activities and or nature in every direction!

I always take out of town friends here for a drink as a start to showing off this beautiful town.

Went to the drawing room, which is on the 2nd floor, and took a seat. The people at the front desk said we could get food there. However we had to go back to the front desk so they could get the server (My wife and I were sitting by the fire place which I'm assuming is a place that was hard to see). Once the serve started came to us the experience was great. Room is filled with history. The food was delicious.

Really cool place to hang out. Most everything I saw in the building is original to when it was first built. Second floor is a really neat place to just chill and drink, or play bar games - billiards, shuffleboard, etc.

This is a cool hotel, in the lounge I felt like I was hanging out in "my rich uncles" study (I don't have a rich uncle, just saying), really cool experience.

Really nice place! Amazing architecture, kind staff, good drinks. I would absolutely recommend this girl to anyone.

This location was 100% under my radar. I'm pleasantly surprised with the nice amenities, friendly staff, and comfortable accommodations at the CAA. The in rooftop bar and even the lobby lounge look to be extremely cool and I'll hopefully be able to party there tonight!

The main room and the game room are both excellent!

The game room is hands down one of my favorite bars in the city. Killer old fashioneds, and a great atmosphere.

The location is perfect as it overlooks Millennium Park and the lake. The rooftop restaurant is gorgeous even on a cloudy day. The food was great too!

Nathan, and the porter at the front desk were amazingly helpful. I slept really well. I loved the fact that this hotel was not cold and uncomfortable like corporate hotels, Hilton, Westin etc. that I have stayed at in the past and not slept well because of the lack of warmth. I really stayed here for the experience and I really liked it. I did not get a chance to see Cindy's though. Thanks.

I came to the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel for a drink at Cindy s and the service was absolutely exceptional. Erin, the bellhop, was so hospitable from opening the door to walking me to the elevator and then helping me find my uber on my way home. He made my experience so amazing and I look forward to coming back soon.

Nice hotel, was here for cindys. Line was extremely long though.

The staff went out of their way to make sure our stay was great! Can't say enough about people!!!

The bar on the 2nd floor ages a fantastic old fashioned and the tenders are quite friendly and efficient. The bar on the roof has one of the best views in the city.

Terrible hotel. There was no hot water for half the time we were there. The rooms were mediocre at best. Then to top it off the decided to add a $25 a day 'resort fee' to the bill. If it wasn't for the games room (which was booked and unavailable most of the time) this place would be even worse.

Space to very cool, with lots of great architectural details and interesting spaces.

Clean, great atmosphere. Good location, good, and drinks. I stayed for business, but would return for both work and pleasure.

Being woken up at 1:30am by three men unable to provide hotel ID's and not being part of security is very worrisome, especially since they had a functioning room key. Security seems lacking at this hotel. I will not be returning nor recommending this hotel.

Beautiful old building, and gorgeously maintained. If, however, there are going to be public events on the 4th floor, it would be helpful if more than one elevator were available to non-residents.

Great drinks, great service, cool setting. Never seen anything like it before. It's luxurious and moody and I wish I had brought my smoking jacket for cigars.

Multiple bars with unique atmospheres. Can get rather crowded at times.

From the minute we walked in, we felt welcome. First by Alexander in his snazzy bowtie, and then Bridget with the check-in call minutes after we arrived in our room to make sure all was well. Beautifully appointed, loved the pommel horse and the excellent quote on the blanket, "I love everything about Chicago except January and February." Excellent finishes and quality of workmanship evident in every detail. My only regret is that I did not snap photos of the expert tile job of subway tile and checkered floor in the bath!

Very expensive but the views are gorgeous and drinks are good

Good drinks, but crazy crowded. We ended up sitting on a couch outside the elevator by the game room while the bar served us drinks.

Great atmosphere and service and good drink selections

Fantastic, awesome , all kinds of wonderful. This was one of the best accommodations I've ever experienced. Beautiful , classy and relaxing place with tall ceilings.

my favourite place! between game room, cindy s, cherry circle room, and shake shack, what s not to love?! the hotel is GORGEOUS and they pump some smell through the vents to make the place smell amazing. very friendly staff and i always love going here when i m in chicago :)

Place is amazing. Tons of hidden gems like the main lobby. You and sit by the fire and grab food plus cocktails. Any place you decide to settle a drink can be had. Cindy's is really great, amazing view and food.

Gorgeous hotel with great service! An amazing architectural and design experience

Excellent spot. Perfectly located with great ambience

Really amazing hotel. The attention to detail is incredible. Great food and drink, the decore is one of a kind.

Always a great time with lots of activities and places to explore.

Amazing location and outstanding service. Hotel style complements the Chicago experience.

The bar spaces are spacious and beautiful. The drinks were prices relatively average to what you would pay for good cocktails in the city. I would certainly visit again to try some of the other amenities.

Go in play some games habe a few drinks. Makes you feel like you're a ritzy kinda guy from the 50s

My son and I loved staying at CAA and Kay working the front door was amazing, very friendly and extremely helpful. The hotel is very close to lots of the stuff you would want to do downtown. If you don't stay at this hotel while visiting Chicago you are doing yourself a great miss-justice.
#itsnice2benice

Great location and amazing hotel. The staff take the experience to the next level. LOVE this hotel!

Beautiful view, great brunch. The game room downstairs also features billiards, jumbo Jenga, and foosball. And the Cherry Circle room makes good cocktails as well.

What a hotel! Old English style lounche. Large gameroom, topfloor restaurant, nice rooms. Helpful staff.

Was there for a wedding reception on the 8th floor....beautiful place!

One of the newest hotels in the city, CAA is meticulously remodeled. There was a keen eye to detail in this gorgeous restoration. Multiple ball rooms, the gym is a fun one. They recently resurfaced the bocce ball court too. It's game room is a great place to hang out with a group. The Cherry Circle Room is another amazing Land and Sea venture. Last but certainly not least is the crown jewel of Cindy's. Cindy's view is breathtaking. I highly recommend visiting this unique and beautiful venue. Note: when staying at this hotel, the amenities are geared towards men. So if you like feminine scents, you may want to bring your own toiletries.

Cool hotel, but hotel service misses the mark. There are so many special and unique hotels, but this is the first one to be super cool, but suck as a hotel. Rooms tiny and mainly face brick walls. Shower super hard to get into and water gets all over the floor(wait and see what I mean.) They did not clean the room one day(the same day we had a wedding going on in the hotel.) They did not make ADA accommodations for our elderly mother in a wheelchair and in fact an ADA room was over 2x the price that night at $706, which is awful. The hotel is always busy and crowded, but it seems like the hotel is more interested in getting tourists up to the rooftop bar(there is always a line of people lining the 1st floor) than taking care of the paying guests staying at the hotel. This hotel would be great if it took some of the customer service fundamentals from more well-established properties like Kimpton. It shows that they are a one of a kind, but not in a good way.

This place was amazing. You wouldnt even need to leave the building to have a blast. We tried each of the restaurants including the milk room while there and each was unique, wonderful service and good food/drinks. My favorite thing about this hotel is that it's high end service without the pretentiousness which usually accompanies that kind of service.

Excellent hotel. So many amenities and things to do. Across the street from Millenium Park. Highly recommended.

This is the kind of hotel you never need to leave - amazing restaurants, gaming rooms, prompt and reasonable room service, many guest extras...I'm sure we didn't even use them all. Highly recommend!!

Great drinks with an unbeatable view. It's a bit pricey and the crowd is a bit obnoxious, especially when it's nice out. But what can you do? Definitely a go to for a date night, or if you're just in town for a few days.

Love the atmosphere in here. Great wood work in the lobby outside the game room bar.

Nice, sleek hotel with great bars. Great location right across Millennium Park and walking distance to great restraunts. Highly recommended

really really enjoyed this place. Was able to play basketball inside the hotel in a old school court. How many places can you do that at. Would like to go back next time I'm in the city. Only thing I didn't like was beer selection and how busy the lobby was when I tried checking in.

Loved the room and all of the restaurants, bars, and shared spaces throughout the hotel

Customer service was incredible!!! The rooms were masculine and very well done! The decor of the hotel is... It's just incredible people. Stay here!!!

Love this place! Such a fun place to stay! Loved the old school gymnasium themed decor in the rooms!

The second floor (Drawing Room) is lovely and cozy. Reminds me of when I lived in the UK with the large fireplaces and couches - nice place to stop and have a coffee or tea.

Had a delicious brunch in the Cherry Circle Room, which the hotel gives you a token for a free cocktail.

Enjoyed a dinner at Cindy s, which the hosts/bouncers were kind enough to find me a table on a busy night. I didn t go to the outside balcony after, but I m sure it s a great spot/view for drinks with friends.

So, potential areas of improvement:

1) Less masculine toiletries: the Jack Spade toiletries smelled amazing, but were a bit too masculine for me. I'd love to smell them on a guy, but I had to make a Walgreens run for some non-fragrance, neutral smelling soap and shampoos.

2) Some brighter lights. Even with the bed lamps, it felt a little like a ghost would appear at some point with the low lighting.

3) Better service in the The Game Room. I think I sat there for a good 15 minutes (on a day where there were only two other tables of customers) before I just stood up and ordered lunch. The woman was super nice, but she took the order and that was it. She spent the rest of the time flirting with the other staff. Some other server delivered my lunch (super fast cooking at 11:30am on a weekday), and I had to ask for utensils, a napkin, and a glass of water. *The fish tacos were surprisingly tasty for a bar restaurant!

4) Some assistance with luggage to the room would have been nice...

Definitely would recommend this place for visitors to Chicago!

Excellent hotel in the heart of Chicago right at the millennium Park. Many nice bars inside and very clean and nice rooms

Really amazing woodwork in this place, lots of games in bar room, including indoor bocci, pool, fooseball and more. Gotta check out the detail in the moldings and trim, incredible!

The closing of public areas which we had planned to enjoy(the game room in particular) for private parties ruined our stay. We should have been informed of this before taking our reservation.

The drinks are great but expensive. Beautiful view on the rooftop bar

Place is awesome. Great rooms, cool vibe, fantastic rooftop bar.

Great atmosphere and accommodations. Lots of different areas to meet, get a drink, or grab a bite.