Chicago Athletic Association Hotel

As I walked in the Millennium park, I saw a strange, almost venetian-looking, building across the street. I stopped. There it was, the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel.

Before any kind of travel, you need preparation. That was my reason for buying the 87th "À vivre" magazine, which I found on a stall of the art and design school of Québec. The "Chicago" word was written on it, in big bold characters. I couldn't resist and opened the magazine straight to page 40. I must say, I didn't read most of the articles about the windy city, but I stumbled upon the picture-perfect Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, a 2 pages spread about an old sport-club converted in a posh hotel. I was in love.

Here is the thing about me; I love sports, travelling and old-looking buildings. It was no surprise that this hotel caught my eyes. Originally a men-only sports club, the 1893 building was home to the Chicago elite men social scene. The Olympian swimmer Johnny Weissmuller (also known as the original Hollywood Tarzan) and the father of Chicago blues Muddy Waters used to frequent this fancy club. Unfortunately, like most old-looking buildings, it became out of style and its principal function, replaced by more modern building. It closed down in 2007 and was finally bought in 2012 by Geolo Capital and AJ Capitals Partners, which converted the elites hideaway in a splendid hotel. In a mix between the city of Doges and the old athletic club, the cabinet Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture and Roman & Williams transformed the old building into every tourist fantasy.

Fast-forward to the present day. My hotel was already booked when I read the article, so I thought I would go and "just take a look". Little did I know, I ended up spending my whole afternoon in the pretty hotel. The first floor which is quite impressive, is well-decorated with marble floors and is host to the Shake Shack, a burger and hot-dog restaurant. The action comes to life on the second floor, where the reception is located. Here, I sat for about 3 hours, sipping my tea near one of the fireplaces (yes, there are three!). The dark wooden columns and grey-stone fireplaces make you travel trough a time where cigars and whiskey bottle where consumed in abundance. The wooden wall covered in old Chicago celebrities reminds you that you are not the first to step in the posh hotel, while the billiard tables and other games commemorate of its first use. Now, I was pretty impressed by the second floor, but the rooftop! Overlooking the Millenium Park and the Michigan Lake shores through its steel and glass atrium, the rooftop is the most-modern part of this building. The restaurant Cindy's offers you a great view with fancy (but not-budget friendly) comfort food. Still, if you are not up for a pricy dinner, I highly recommend the brunch or simply sipping a cocktail while looking at the Art Institute activity.

For sure, next time I visit Chicago, I will definitely book my stay at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel. You will find me hanging out at the bar, sipping my whiskey, or in my room, pretending to be a famous athlete.

Enjoy,
Xox
The little traveller's boots