It seems within the past few months, new hotels have been popping up on the scene faster than Lindsay Lohan completed her community service hours. One after the shiny other, opened with fanfare but the one that I’ve been waiting for most especially is finally here and you definitely want to pay it a visit. There’s something to be said about a hotel that preserves history in that of a Venetian-Gothic building, yet still fitting in with today’s hotel guests’ needs. The revamped Chicago Athletic Association (12 S Michigan Ave.) now the Chicago Athletic Hotel is a fine gem in the city with its old meets new charm.
The hotel held their “grandest of grand openings” last Wednesday (5/27) where Mayor Emanuel, Commune Hotel chairman John Pritzker, Commune Hotels CEO Niki Leodakis, Ben Weprin CEO of AJ Capital were on hand to cut the ribbon to officially open. Invited guests, which included a slew of who’s who, got a chance to check out most of the hotel from the ground floor lobby, the grand staircase and the revamped study that looked like something out of an Architectural digest page. Guests indulged in passed champagne, treats from partner shop Vosges and the now open Shake Shack before heading up to Cindy’s for cocktails with a view. The view from the top floor restaurant/bar overlooks Millennium Park and as far east as Lake Michigan and the Museum campus.
Before the “living legend” guest performer went on, guesses were abound as to who it was and in the end it was Buddy Guy who gave a rousing intimate performance; trying to swallow a shake shack burger and snap chatting at the same time is a tough feat.
The Hotel in addition to guest rooms
Non-hotel staying guests are welcome especially in the game room area and Cindy’s bar. Its definitely a great spot for weekend or after work drinks and the study area is for sure my newest obsession.
photo credit: Zachary Johnston
