Athletic Association Hotel, Chicago

This is not my first time at CAA, and the location, facilities, and amenities of the is PHENOMENAL and what brought us back. Love having all the options for activities, great food, the rooftop bar and restaurant, as well as the fact that you are so conveniently located smack in the middle of all the action!! It was easy to go out, walk around, do something, and then come back to the hotel for a break. We really appreciated that! Getting to and from the airport (MDW) and around the city was super easy with the L train right there. I've stayed in a King room before, but this time we stayed in a double. The room had windows which faced an interior courtyard, so we didn't really have a view, but we could see the sky and sunlight; the room was super quiet and I had very restful sleeps. If you're looking in this area, are traveling with kids (small humans or adults), and want to be 'wow-ed' by the history and tasteful interior, I would highly recommend!

While check-in and front desk were professional, hospitable, and friendly; we didn't quite feel that same welcome and service from the wait staff, bar staff, or host/hostesses. For some reason, multiple individuals throughout the staff from different venues seemed tired, not personable, just here to do a job and seemed more thrilled to just finish the task they had with you, rather than being excited and happy that you were here. It was very weird! We actually dined at three of their spaces (Cherry Circle Room, the Drawing Room, got drinks at the Game Room Bar, and had breakfast at Cindy's), and Cindy's (hostess was just there to do her job) wait staff (our server and the helpful support team) seemed to be the only real humans (like everyone else were robots??) that smiled and offered a personable touch. Is it just that they're so busy and always working? I feel like when I used to serve, I still served with a smile :D

Great location, clean property, and staff were wonderful!

Service in the Cherry room was horrible for our breakfast. Had to ask multiple times for coffee and one member didn’t get her food until the rest of us were done.

Clean and service was excellent

Very small room and no view. They were changing key system and you needed a separate key for the elevator which was corrected while I was there.

Location and vibe

The staff were wonderful and my room was absolutely gorgeous. I loved all the little details (including the dressing gown) which highlighted the historic elements of the building.

It would have been good to have some sheer under curtains which could be drawn across separate to the thick curtains due to how close the buildings are to each other, but that's a tiny thing!

Great location and amenities.

Rooms are small.

The hotel is well located and close to many restaurants and coffee shops. Loved the staff and the accomodations. It was super easy to get to and from the hotel and the recommendations the hotel made were amazing

I think on Uber its not clear which entrance to drop you off at, but once you figure it out, then its super easy. Everything else, I really liked

Beautiful room and hotel - Loved the history and character. Staff very friendly. Excellent location.

No drawer space in the room. Unexpected destination fees on check out. It was explained that these fees contributed to the extra services (10% off Fairgrounds, the complimentary welcome drink)??

Beautiful design preserved historic character and updated with a modern playful sensibility. Exceptional and unique experience.

Amazing building, the public spaces are fantastic-beautifully maintained historic qualities. Great location

Too many people from outside ( not guests,) inside the hotel for the rooftop bar, game room etc-often very crowded. Room nothing like what was depicted on Booking.com-one window, very dark room, no view or light. Bathroom not particularly well designed-the bathtub very high and hard to get in and out of, slippery when taking a shower-nearly fell, shower controls did not work easily. toilet very close to the swing of the door, not enough hooks or places to put things while changing/ showering.... Night concierge not particularly well informed or able to give restaurant recommendations ( he googled restaurants and did not even know that the price range given for the restaurant was not an entry charge. Not a good value for the amount being charged for the stay. It would be better to stay somewhere else and come here for a drink.

Beautiful historic Chicago building artfully restored as a hotel. Staff was friendly, helpful and accommodating. Breakfast was very good.

We were given a handicapped accessible room and the adaptation In the bathroom made it a little less desirable for us

The location was perfect to access all the areas of this great city. And view of the bean!!!!! Well just. But nice and comfortable. Oh and roof top bar is a must!

Some more water bottles would have been nice. Even if charged.

all of the above

nothing

Great vibe lots of on site food/drinks

I always love this hotel. The atmosphere of the study is unmatched, the Cherry Circle Room feels like a hidden gem- and probably one of my favorite spots in the city.

Only thing- there seemed to be a discrepancy from what the front desk explained regarding the complementary drink voucher vs the bar staff at Cherry Circle Room. I had understood it was redeemable at either bar, however bar staff said it was for the other bar, but would still honor it there.

Great location and a fantastic bar and restaurant area. We used the gym everyday and will be back next time for the Shake Shack delivery to the room!

Amazing restoration of 1890's building - all wood & tile - no plastic!! BEAUTIFUL! Location: right across from "the bean", parks & Lake Michigan Greeter was super friendly - personally took me upstairs to the lobby 3 working fireplaces in the large lobby/lounge Game room with antique billiard tables, shuffleboard & bar excellent restaurant - premium fruit served with bfast entree on-site coffee shop & Shake Shack

Didn't know about the top-rated Cindy's rooftop restaurant till too late to visit!

location was perfect for us, near trains and sights and shopping and restaurants

The only disappointment was the shower (not enough heat or pressure) and the food at the rooftop restaurant was not great

conveniently located on `Michigan avenue. 2 blocks from the CSO. the amenities are great. the rooms are quiet.

N/A

Phenomenal room, exceptional staff, lightening fast valet service.

Ambiance and atmosphere. Staff very friendly. Special shout-out to Lori in the Restaurant: she is exceptionally good with customers.

All good.

The place is iconic and historic. Very beautiful. Living history.

A little pricey. But it is Chicago.

Great game room , bar , restaurant and shake shack

No coffee machine in room

Location was great Such a historical building with great amenities including game room Restaurants and 2 bars Very nice room as well

Thermostat was difficult to control

Location was great- right across the street from art museum. Historic building with great hang out space.

Lighting was awful in guest rooms. Too hot and dry in the room. No counter space in bathroom for toiletries.

Amazing place - plenty of fun old-school tabletop games and great service

The staff at check-in was very friendly, and every part of the hotel was beautiful. We loved the view from our room! We also had a wonderful meal at Cindy's, and enjoyed visiting the balcony.

Location, Style

a lot of options in the hotel for everything!

Room size was small, but very clean

Our suite was stunning! Loved how large it was. It was our second time staying here and we loved it! The lobby room is also stunning! It was wonderful to sit there and do some computer work while I was staying there.

I wish there had been a door between the living space and bedroom of the suite. Then we could have had a little private space time in that large beautiful space!

Great location and staff. Nice rooftop bar/restaurant.

Rooms was little small and the lobby a bit dark.

Public space

The rooms are small and there is barely any space to put your clothes, especially if more than one person is staying in the room.

Gorgeous accommodations and great location

A bit pricey, but you get what you pay for

location

beds and pillows need an upgrade

It was a beautiful hotel, right in the center of everything. I was there for the marathon and it was in the perfect location. Really enjoyed my time there.

Location, Cindy’s, lobby, other bar/restaurant in hotel, bathrooms, mini bar in room, coffee shops in hotel

No complaints

Enjoyed everything about the property. Very cool game/athletic vibe

It was a little pricey, but understandable due to the location and it being marathon weekend. Occasional pot smell through the ventilation

Location for proximity to planned activities. Staff friendliness. Food and recreation options onsite. Room and hallways were quiet. View from room of Lake Michigan.

Cindy’s restaurant needs to better separate the bar area. We had a table next to the bar and had bar patrons moving between our table and another frequently and patrons placed items on our table. And it was too loud.

Unique accomodation showcasing its history.

Overall architecture and woodwork. Cindy's bar. Location was optimal.

Nothing

The building is a masterpiece and well maintained. The rooms are wonderfully comfortable with good beds. The staff are excellent, very friendly and accommodating to guest's needs.

Many private events in the hotel keep significant areas of the hotel off limits to paying guests. While it's natural that private events are held in hotels, on each stay at the Athletic Association we have not been able to enjoy the Game Room in the evenings (usually about half of the time), and Cindy's was usually at least half closed. It would be nice to maintain these areas for the paying guests.

Is beautiful hotel with a great location

I honestly do not mind paying for a high-end hotel. But I do not believe the prices meet Is the quality of the rooms you receive.

Location was great. Staff was great, very helpful. Food was very good. We came for a wedding and all facilities, services and food were excellent.

Room and furniture in the room was a bit shopworn. The shower flooded the bathroom floor. The room wifi was okay but limited the number of devices on at one time, which made it difficult to manage who could be on at one time (there were four of us sharing the room). The lobby internet was abysmal, more like dial-up.

I love the interior decoration of the room and the vintage style the location was perfect being in the heart of downtown

I didn’t like how I wasn’t a priority at Cindy’s I was the 10mins early and forced away. When I returned 10mins later I was told by the same staff member that forced me away that they were fully booked

Perfect location for sightseeing. Excellent view from rooftop bar

Parts of the hotel were under renovation

Unique and historic with an exceptional staff. The breakfast was amazing and you couldn't beat the location. Was conveniently located in proximity of the red line as well.

The tv went in and out during our stay but that did not detract much for us.

Broken phone and shade in bedroom on arrival. Staff couldn’t fix either and nothing additional was offered to make up for the inconveniences for a “suite” having these issues on check-in

Every detail is considered. From the custom light fixtures to the thoughtful and hospitable doorman. I would come back anytime. Loved all the hooks in the bathroom and the custom cabinets and giant windows.

I was able to stay because of an online promotion. It was on the higher end of what my travel budget allows. But after having stayed at Palmer House -- similar budget -- I would come back again. My view wasn't great but not a deal breaker.

Liked breakfast and LOVED the “great hall.” The wait staff was a bit inexperienced, but they were uniformly responsive and eager. The “maid” for my room was WONDERFUL.

The room was awfully small; hotel prices in Chicago are very high.