Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Travel

The Chicago Athletic Association Livens Up Downtown Chicago

By

Don’t be fooled by its name. The Chicago Athletic Association may not be a good name for a hotel (I immediately thought I was going to be staying in some sort of YMCA), but it’s actually a luxury boutique hotel that is perfect for Manual readers. The Chicago Athletic Association gets its name from the private athletic club that was started some of the biggest families in the sports industry — Wrigley, Comiskey, and Spalding — that used the building as its home. It reopened this year as a 241-room hotel with 17,000 square feet of event space.

Each room was meticulously put together by Roman & Williams, the firm behind the Boom Boom Room, the Ace Hotel in New York, and the Facebook cafeteria in Menlo Park. Some rooms have features like boxing bags and pommel horses, keeping in tune with the heritage of the hotel’s home.  C.O. Bigelow toiletries come with each room to make sure you’re smelling fresh before a night out. If you’re in the mood for a drink or a meal, the hotel also has several spaces for socializing, like Cindy’s, a rooftop bar that has prime views of the Chicago skyline and Millennium Park, or the Game Room, which has plenty of activities like bocce ball,  billiards, shuffleboard and chess to keep you busy for an afternoon or evening.

Recommended Videos

Stagg Court, the Chicago Athletic Association basketball court has been fully restored and doubles as a place to work out, or an event space. My most favorite feature of the Chicago Athletic Association hotel was the Shake Shack located downstairs. So next time you’re in Chicago, book a room at the Chicago Athletic Association hotel. If you have the same taste as us, you’ll love every minute of it.

For more information, visit chicagoathletichotel.com.

Ann Binlot
Ann Binlot
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Ann Binlot is a New York-based freelance writer who contributes to publications like The Economist, Wallpaper*, Monocle…
This Southern city just beat all others for the best Christmas experience — find out why
The Big Peach came out on top.
Atlanta Christkindl Market

With 119 million people expected to hit the road this holiday season, the question on everyone's mind is: where are they heading? WalletHub has just released a study on the best cities for Christmas, ranking the 100 largest U.S. cities based on 28 key factors, including holiday traditions, shopping options, and affordability. The results are in, and the city that took the top spot might surprise you – Atlanta, Georgia. 
Atlanta is feeling the holiday cheer

While Atlanta may not be the first city that comes to mind for a traditional Christmas getaway, this Southern gem is full of holiday spirit. WalletHub reports that the "Big Peach" stands out for its impressive number of bakeries and holiday decoration shops per capita, making it a perfect destination for festive treats and gifts. Additionally, Atlanta offers a high number of affordable restaurants and Christmas tree farms.

Read more
Forget juice cleanses: this retreat mixes mindfulness, mezcal, and margaritas
Enjoy the best of both worlds with this retreat.
FTLO Travel

As we approach 2025, wellness retreats are still one of the hottest trends in travel, but not everyone is ready to commit to a week of detoxes and silent reflection. Enter FTLO Travel’s new Mindfulness and Margaritas Retreat in Oaxaca, Mexico, designed for those who crave the benefits of a wellness retreat without giving up indulgence or adventure.

This five-day trip offers the perfect blend of accessible wellness practices, cultural exploration, local flavors, and just the right amount of fun.
What to expect from the experience

Read more
10 essential tips for first-time flyers (that everyone can benefit from)
Learn what you can do to have a stress-free travel experience
man looking at flight schedule in airport

If you're preparing to take your first flight and want to feel as ready as possible, you've come to the right place. From deciding what to pack to navigating the airport and handling security lines, there's a lot to think about. Flying can be stressful, even for seasoned travelers, and that stress can be magnified if it's your first time. But here’s what I’ve learned: everyone starts somewhere, and flying isn't nearly as intimidating as it may seem once you get the hang of it. Here are some first-time flying tips to help you make it through your first air journey.
10 tips for first-time flyers
1. Give yourself extra time

Airports are busy places with lots of moving parts, and things can feel hectic when you’re not familiar with the process. Arriving early gives you a buffer to handle anything unexpected, like long lines at check-in or finding your way through the terminal.

Read more