THE LOCATION
The hotel occupies a prime position on Chicago's Michigan Avenue,opposite Millennium Park,Maggie Daley Park and a short stroll to Lake Michigan.
THE SPACE
Originally a private members'club for the city's business and sporting elite,this gorgeous 1893 Venetian Gothic building reopened as a hotel in May 2015 after a meticulous two-year renovation. A striking mosaic-tiled lobby leads to The Tank,the club's original 40-metre swimming pool,which is now used for pop-up bars and events. Upstairs is the Drawing Room,a large,communal lounge with three grand fireplaces,intricate wood detailing and vintage Edison-era light bulbs. The club's sporting legacy continues next door in the Game Room,a bustling bar with two bocce courts,pool tables and board games. Innovative examples of reuse include bar stools made out of refashioned baseball bats and elevators lined with wood from the club's original fencing court.
THE ROOM
The hotel's 241 rooms are spread between two towers and have a distinctly masculine feel courtesy of dark drapes,leather detailing and lacquered caramel and black wood finishes. Everything feels solid and manly,from the heavy black doors to the metal framed bed to the grey boxer-style bath robes. The black and white porcelain tiled bathrooms are spacious and functional with twin Carrara marble sinks,large rain head showers and toiletries by C.O. Bigelow. While the design is true to the property's men-only sporting club roots,some colourful artworks or soft furnishings would help soften the masculine mood. Technology-wise,everything is present and correct,including a 106-centimetre flat screen TV,a handy bedside USB charging point and free high-speed Wi-Fi.
THE FOOD