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With echoes of billiard balls, poker chips, and clinking glasses frozen within its walls, this 1890’s Venetian Gothic landmark in the Chicago Loop springs back to life as an incomparable historic downtown Chicago hotel—where the spirit of play reigns supreme. After all, this is the city where the can-and-will-do attitude of Ernie “Let’s Play Two!” Banks lives on, where the father of Chicago blues, Muddy Waters, shook all night long at the Checkerboard Lounge, and Sir Duke tickled the ivories at The Blue Note. And this is the club whose historic members swam with five-time Olympic gold medalist Johnny Weissmuller—a.k.a. the original Hollywood Tarzan—and watched their fellow member Pudge Heffelfinger own so much end zone, he became football’s first pro. Today, Chicago Athletic Association is both a stunning hotel offering outstanding guest rooms and a historic monument to the big-shouldered, switch hitting spirit that defines our city with a downtown location in the Chicago Loop.
Chicago Athletic Association Hotel
12 S Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois
60603
Nearest Airport: MDW
This is a beautiful historic building and hotel. It is a little pricey but a nice place to stay. The rooms and common areas were clean. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. I would recommend staying for a special occasion or just to try the various restaurants and bars.
Go48589368129
The location ideal for walkability and views. The hotel is one of a kind and the service is impeccable. Food on site is wonderful, make sure you visit the rooftop for a cocktail. Many thoughtful features throughout. If I could rate them higher, I would.
Stacey M - Cleveland, Ohio
Absolutely LOVED everything about this hotel: stone’s throw to the bean and park, excellent service, luxurious bed, amazing housekeeping.
Laura W - Houston, Texas
I recently stayed at this hotel in Chicago, and it is truly a special property. If you are looking for a place with authentic charm and a deep sense of history, this is it. The atmosphere is unique, and the location is absolutely perfect—offering plenty of opportunities to explore both within the building and in the immediate neighborhood. The Room Experience The hotel itself is lovely, though my personal experience with the room was a bit of a mixed bag. While my colleagues and clients were lucky enough to have spacious, bright rooms, I happened to be assigned a very small and dark room. It was clean and nicely appointed, but the lack of natural light was a downside. If you book here, it might be worth requesting a room with a better view or more sunlight in advance. Dining & Breakfast The food quality at the hotel was impressive, and I genuinely enjoyed the meals I had on-site. However, I found the breakfast voucher concept to be somewhat questionable. The "value" of the voucher didn't quite align with the menu prices, and it felt a bit restrictive in terms of ordering options. It’s a minor administrative frustration, but one that the management might want to look into. The Verdict Despite the "luck of the draw" regarding my specific room and the slightly confusing breakfast system, I would still say this hotel is highly recommended. The character of the building and the excellence of the staff and location far outweigh the minor inconveniences. I would definitely stay here again—hopefully with a bit more luck on the room assignment next time!
Go06317677919 - Kitzbuhel, Austria
Great accommodations and location! I'll be back! This will be my go to hotel from now on when I visit Chicago....See you in June!
Existence921
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