Chicago Athletic Association
12 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Illinois, 60603, USA
Why We Like It
Waking up across from Millennium Park along Michigan Avenue puts you smack-dab in the center of Chicago’s entertainment, museums, and nightlife. But it’s not just about location: This is the kind of hotel you text all your friends about. With a year-round rooftop bar, cool history, and historical architecture (such as stained-glass windows and well-preserved woodwork), this is a true gem.
Fodor's Expert Review
This hotel is part of the Hyatt family (in its Unbound Collection) yet it’s very boutique-y, which is the essence of the hotel chain’s upscale brand-within-a-brand. As the former Chicago Athletic Association (operated from 1893-2007 and designed to emulate Doge’s Palace in Venice, Italy), the hotel still gets calls asking about “gym hours” but most locals know this is a cool spot to hang even if you aren’t an overnight guest. You just might be lifting cocktails at Cindy’s Rooftop—not weights in the fitness center.
You Should Know The hotel charges a $25.56 nightly destination fee, normally reserved for resorts in Vegas or properties with golf courses, spas, pools, group fitness classes and other amenities, none of which this hotel has.
PROS
- Affordable rates for a downtown hotel
- Buzzy restaurant (Cindy’s Rooftop)
- Pet-friendly
CONS
- No spa or pool
- Nightly resort fee of $25.56
- Small room sizes
Recommended Fodor’s Video
Room
While the rooms are small (220 to 260 square feet), they have a handcrafted look (thanks to leather and wood all around, and a black-lacquer armoire) and honor the building’s beginnings. Case in point: At the foot of each bed (featuring a brass headboard) is a mini pommel horse, in case you want to try out gymnastics before bed. Folded on each bed is a striped Pendleton-like wool blanket depicting a quote from actor Gary Cole about Chicago. A desk is ideal for working and a tea kettle puts coffee and tea within reach (sachets and pull-over packets provided).
Tip Snag a postcard from the leather pouch hung above the desk to mail to a friend or family member like it’s the early 1900s.
Bathroom
Clad in a black-and-white tile motif, this is a timeless bath (for example, subway tile and a frame-less mirror) that doesn’t scrimp on luxuries, such as a rainforest showerhead and square footage rivaling the sleeping area. Some rooms have walk-in showers while others sport tubs.
Tip Don’t be shy about donning the heather-gray jersey bathrobe: You’ll feel like a champion athlete in no time.
Lobby
Located on the building’s second floor, and reachable via an elevator, the extremely large lobby’s woodwork is gorgeous, and you feel like you’ve just stepped into a library. The downside is that the lighting is very dim and not conducive to reading or working. Guests and locals hang out in front of the crackling fireplace, at long communal-style tables or on leather sofas.
Pool
Where the hotel’s original pool used to be—from when it was the Chicago Athletic Association, dubbed “The Tank” and where five-time Olympic gold medalist Johnny Weissmuller trained—is now a site for pop-up markets and pickleball courts. The hotel no longer has a pool.
Gym
Located on the ninth floor, the fitness center is open 24 hours and hosts state-of-the-art equipment including Peloton bikes and TechnoGym treadmills. For a more intense work-out, private personal-training sessions can be booked.
Dining
With all-day dining, and a terrace overlooking Millennium Park (fire pits keep it toasty during the winter), the glass-enclosed Cindy’s Rooftop (focused on comfort foods) is a huge draw for locals. Executive Chef Kaleena Bliss competed on Top Chef’s 21st season. There are three other dining establishments: the clubby vintage Cherry Circle Room, sports-bar-ish Game Room (with pool tables and Skee-Ball) and Shake Shack, an outpost of Danny Meyer’s wildly popular burger chain.
Tip Order Shake Shack (there’s a location in the building) for room service that’s charged to your room.
Drinking
For classic cocktails, check out the intimate 8-seat Milk Room (a former speakeasy) with its rare vintage whiskies and other spirits. You can also order drinks at any of the above dining establishments, although this bar is like no other you’ll find in Chicago; it’s definitely worth a visit.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
During the warmer months, complimentary bicycle loans are a great way to explore Chicago, particularly along the nearby lakefront. Overnight parking is expensive ($79 per night) so you’re better off taking taxis, Lyfts, and Ubers. CTA bus and L lines are within a few blocks’ walk from the hotel. The Art Institute of Chicago is a 4-minute walk and Millenium Park across the street hosts outdoor concerts in its Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Kids can work out the jitters at the 20-acre Maggie Daley Park, also across the street. For Broadway-style shows, most are within a 10-minute walk, including Chicago Theatre.
Restaurants
Snug on Michigan Avenue, there are dozens of restaurants literally outside his hotel’s front door. Two storefronts to the South, The Gage is a bistro-like eatery flaunting a view of Millennium Park as you enjoy fish and chips or The Gage Burger. It’s open for brunch, lunch, and dinner. To stick with the historic-Chicago theme, book a table at The Walnut Room (a 6-minute walk) inside Macy’s, celebrated for its Mrs. Herig’s 1890 original chicken pot pie.
Bars
From buzzy new openings to long-time Chicago staples, going out for a fun cocktail or cold beer in downtown Chicago presents many options. This includes Kindling (a 15-minute walk), open on the ground floor of Wills Tower since 2023, and José Andrés’ Bar Mar (a 19-minute walk), where the Salt Air Margarita’s topped with foam. The Berghoff Restaurant (an 8-minute walk)—open since 1896—operates Adams Street Brewery in-house, run by the family’s third and fourth generation.
Photos
Quick Facts
HOTEL INFO
HOTEL DETAILS
Rate Includes: No Meals
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