The Chicago Athletic Association Hotel exudes an air of times past. The hotel is located in the former headquarters of the AAC, a club for men founded in 1895 and which was a meeting place for the richest and most well-known men of the city. It was an exclusive club devoted to sports, business and social activities because – as you may know – leisure and business have always gone hand-in-hand in high society. Today, inside the Venetian Gothic style building overlooking Michigan Avenue and the green lung of Millennium Park, is a boutique hotel designed by architects Roman and Williams.
The interior retains much of the original finish, such as solid wood panelling and plaster ceilings. In addition to rooms, the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel has five different restaurants; these go from fast food Shake Shack, the historic Cherry Circle, passing to Cindy’s rooftop bar with a panoramic view towards the blue of Lake Michigan. The most characteristic area of the whole complex is definitely the Game Room, an entertainment room for the gentry with billiards, table football and even a bocce ball court. Twilight, bar furniture and a selection of traditionally-brewed beers make this the ideal meeting place for gentlemen.
WHERE: 12 S Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60603, USA