Chicago Athletic Association Hotel Review
Traveling recently for a conference, the Chicago Athletic Association was happily available to book through the convention’s portal. I have heard great things, so I jumped on the opportunity to check off another Hyatt Brand Explorer category. In this Chicago Athletic Association Hotel review, I will outline my experience, and what I thought of the hotel and its dining options.
The Backstory of the Chicago Athletic Association
Originally an elite men’s athletic club built in 1893, this 12-story Venetian Gothic tower was inspired by the Doge Palace in Venice. It was renovated in 2015 and joined Hyatt’s Unbound Collection in 2019. There are 241 guest rooms & suites, 7 event spaces, and multiple dining options. Featuring many original architectural details, the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel is a beautifully restored historic building in Chicago. Fun fact: William Wrigley adopted the Chicago Athletic Association's “cherry circle” logo for the Cubs in 1917.
Location / Getting to Chicago Athletic Association
Directly across from Chicago's Millennium Park, the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel is in a prime location. While just under 20 miles from O'Hare Airport (ORD), the drive can take over an hour with Chicago traffic. Midway Airport (MDW) is a little closer. I flew into ORD and bought a CTA 3-day pass for $15. There's a Blue Line stop a couple blocks away, so I saved some money and took the train. The Orange Line from MDW also has a stop right next to the hotel. Whichever way you go, plan on an hour or so to/from the airport.
Typical Booking Cost
The Chicago Athletic Association Hotel is a Category 5 Hyatt (increased from Category 4 in 2023). While Category 1-7 Free Night Awards can be used for more expensive properties, I would feel good about using one here, especially during peak pricing. A points booking will cost:
- 17,000 points off-peak
- 20,000 points standard
- 23,000 points peak
The cash prices can often run upwards of $400 or $500 when things get busy in Chicago. That makes points a valuable option often, even at the higher category 5 level.
Arrival / Check In
The building itself blends in with other buildings, so it's easy to walk right by it without realizing it's there. The hotel lobby is located on the second floor, and it is like walking back in time. Dim lighting, mosaic floors, hand-carved reliefs, plush seating, fireplaces, and large tables welcome people looking to socialize, relax, or work for a few hours. You can imagine what it felt like rubbing elbows with Chicago's elite in the early 1900s.
As a Hyatt Globalist, the hotel proactively upgraded my room to a Madison View Junior Suite. The front desk staff were warm and welcoming, and they included a voucher for a complimentary glass of prosecco as a Globalist welcome amenity. My room wasn't ready when I arrived at 2pm, but they were happy to store my bags while I headed out to the convention center.
Chicago Athletic Association Hotel Junior Suite
My Junior Suite had ample space with a King size bed and pommel horse at the foot – a nod to the athletes who were once members of this elite club. A small desk separated the bedroom from the sitting room, which had a leather couch, chair, wardrobe, and hutch with a mini fridge and minibar. The bathroom was large with a double sink, huge shower, and marble and tile throughout.
I loved the aesthetic and decor of the room, but my only complaint was that the TV was mounted on the wall next to the bed, and there was no comfortable way to watch. Minor, but I could see that being an annoyance for a lot of people. The other downside was that this particular room, despite being on the corner, looked out at other buildings. That offers little privacy if you want to keep the shades open.
Food and Beverage
The Chicago Athletic Association Hotel has plenty of options to whet your appetite. Starting at the ground level and working our way up:
- Fairgrounds Coffee Shop – Ground Level
- Shake Shack – Ground Level
- Drawing Room – 2nd Floor Lobby
- Standard fare for breakfast – the Breakfast Sandwich was very basic and just ok; Avocado Toast was a highlight for me. For lunch, the CAA Burger made with au poivre mayo and taleggio cheese was excellent.
- Game Room – 2nd Floor Adjacent to the Lobby
- Shuffleboard, foosball, basketball machines, pool tables, and a full bar – great spot to hang out and unwind.
- Cindy's Rooftop – 13th Floor
- A curved-glass roof covers the enclosed dining area; the balcony has limited seating and overlooks Millennium Park, with a view of Lake Michigan in the distance. Cindy's has a full bar and serves fancy light snacks like oysters and duck fat fried chicken wings. Definitely check it out!
- In-Room Dining
- Featuring food and beverage options from Shake Shack
Chicago Athletic Association Hotel Fitness Center
An athletic club must have an impressive fitness center, right? While it is better than a standard gym, it pales in comparison to the Thompson Austin. It had your basic assortment of a seated bike, stair stepper, ellipticals, treadmills, cable machines, dumbbells, resistance bands, and a couple Peloton bikes.
Hyatt and Peloton have a partnership in which you can link your accounts and earn 100 World of Hyatt points every time you ride. I signed up for a Peloton trial to take advantage of a promo offering 500 WOH points per ride. Only 100 points per ride so far show in my account, so I'll contact my Hyatt concierge to add the bonus points. Let me know over in the ToP Facebook group if you have tried this too.
Chicago Athletic Association Hotel Review: ToP Thoughts
I loved this hotel. It had a ton of great historic character, great service, good elite member recognition, and excellent food. It's in a prime location and a good value on points when rates commonly exceed $400/night for a standard room. Most rooms won't have a great view, but chances are good you'll be out exploring the city most of your time anyways.
Let me know what you think of the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel in the ToP Facebook group if you've stayed here before.
