Chicago Athletic Association, a Hyatt Hotel

The location on Michigan Avenue made it easy to explore, and seeing Millennium Park across the street from my room was a treat. I liked how the restored old athletic club keeps its Gothic details while still feeling comfortable and current. The rooms mix that historic look with modern comforts, and the whole hotel has more personality than a standard place to stay. There are lively bars and events where locals and visitors mingle, plus cozy corners like the Drawing Room in the lobby. The rooftop restaurant and bar have wide city and lake views, and the game room has shuffleboard, foosball, and more. Staff were friendly. It leans into its history, so there’s no spa or pool, but it’s a memorable spot if you want character and a handy base for seeing the city.

We chose Chicago Athletic Association for our February 2025 wedding because we wanted a place with layered historic detail, and the restored architecture was striking. It was a great backdrop for photos, especially after we upgraded to one of the Founders Suites. The hotel also provides a suite for the couple and one for parents. We appreciated being able to use the hotel widely for photography, something they don't allow unless you're hosting an event there. The setup made the day easier: they hold just one wedding each weekend, so our event got their full attention, and we had both Madison and White City Ballroom for the ceremony and reception without needing to flip one room between them. Dinner was cooked to order from a prix fixe menu we planned with the catering team, with no advance meal choice required from guests. The head chef met with us to talk through our tastes before putting together the menu. Starters included winter citrus with burrata and garlic-ginger carrot soup. The 14-ounce New York strips were cooked just right at medium rare, and the salmon came with creamy garlic pasta. Guests told us it was the best wedding food they'd had. Hannah handled food and beverage, communicated clearly, and was a pleasure to work with. We also partnered with Cindy's rooftop restaurant and bar on custom cocktails, which were balanced and strong, much better than typical wedding well drinks. The hotel had catering, a food and beverage coordinator, bar packages, and a room block, and our outside vendors found the staff accommodating. We generally had positive interactions with staff beyond the special events team, though one person in the main lobby was unpleasant about our photography, and the game room bartender seemed unimpressed when we ordered our last drinks after the reception. We were very happy with the choice, and would recommend CAA for an elegant historic venue with a strong food and drink program.

We loved how dog-friendly the hotel and staff were, and the lobby restaurant served great food. Our corner room had loads of space and natural light. It’s a beautiful, timeless place, and it’s now our favorite hotel in the city. Parking at the north grant ave garage worked out great.

The room barely had anywhere to put things, just a few tiny drawers and hardly any hanging space. We’d paid extra for a city view, but it wasn’t worth it. The worst moment came when we were in the game room, barely started a chess game, and a tall staff member brusquely told us the bar was closed and we had to go. He could have said it in plenty of better ways, but instead made it an awkward demand. That’s why I’ll never stay at Chicago Athletic Association again. We’d hoped it would live up to what we saw on social media. It is beautiful, but the service felt nonexistent. When we tried to check in, we were rudely sent upstairs to finish the process. We were willing to overlook the other letdowns, but that game room encounter was the last straw. I wouldn’t recommend staying here.