UA-NYC

Nice timing - good full review

https://liveandletsfly.boardingarea....hyatt-unbound/

UA-NYC

Good stay at a truly amazing property...has an awesome history, and glad Chicago could keep it & renovate it vs. selling it as a tear-down.

Pros:
- good gym, cool decor
- great breakfast (though a bit slow)
- didn't get my room til 3:15pm, so property gave me a $50 F&B credit
- Game Room is just a really cool thing, celebrates the property's history
- Nice location across from Millennium Park; good transit w/the El and buses
- rooms just have a cool style - love the "vaults" at the end of every bed
- view from Cindy's on the roof is great

Cons:
- end of the day, it's a historic property, so you just have to accept that everything will be a bit smaller & more compact
- had to get a 2BR room so no upgrade understandably, but was also in the back of the property...room was very dark due to minimal natural light
- I get the refillable water concept...doesn't mean I have to love it though
- Biggest con IMO...the lobby is on the 2nd floor, so in reality the ground floor is a high traffic entryway. Shake Shack line is pretty insane in there, also a lot of people going in and out for Cindy's. So can be a bit of a mosh pit esp. if you have bags

End of the day - great experience, but not necessarily rushing back next trip

bcosinteno

We just received an email this morning that the Chicago Athletic Association has ceased operations until March 1st of 2021!

Matt4200

Wow, that’s tough news. I hope no other properties follow suit.

MSPeconomist

WOW, just when I was thinking of taking advantage of the free Glob parking there for a late summer or early fall stay.

When something like this is announced, it makes me wonder whether the place will ever re-open.

It's especially curious given the amount of outdoor (restaurant and bar) dining space on the roof deck this place has. There might also be some sidewalk tables for the burger joint on the ground level near the front entrance and lower lobby.

UA-NYC

That's a bummer...was looking forward to a return to see any changes a year later. HC it is...

59Impala

Considering a stay here with friends next year over labor day weekend.
Does anyone have experience using a TSU here? I have not seen any comments on this.
The website does not show if a suite is a standard or premium suite, but I presume the "Junior Suite 2 Double Beds" is the standard suite, being the cheapest of the suites.
What about the next category "Junior Suite 1 King Bed Madison View"? Standard or Premium?

Appreciate any comments. Thanks.

bcosinteno

They are one of the properties that are excluded from TSUs.

59Impala

thanks. True. I finally did find the list of exemptions. Too bad...

MSPeconomist

In this hotel, be careful not to confuse Founders Rooms and Founders Suites. The former are very large historic rooms with sofas, desks, etc. and views toward the park and lake on a low floor. Mine was down half a flight of stairs from door and bathroom. Some of their suites are less attractive as they only have windows looking toward a side street and don't seem to get much natural light. IIRC their standard suite is really a junior suite with a unique room divider; they look smaller than my Founders Room was.

Daftryan

Where?

59Impala

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/32805586-post28.html

59Impala

Does anyone know, what the "Founders Fee" of 75 USD is??? is this another name for "destination fee" or "resort fee" and may be waived for Globalists?

UA-NYC

IIRC that's exactly what it is

MSPeconomist

It's $25 per night, which is a fairly standard level for a resort or destination (a.k.a. junk) fee. PreCOVID-19, Glob benefits here (drinks and a very nice served breakfast) were worth this much IMO, but of course Globs should be exempt from the fee. To me, the real ripoff charge here is the valet parking fee, which seemed high even for downtown Chicago, especially given that you must navigate and drive to (and FIND!) the side street valet parking stand, with hotel staff at the main entrance being useless here.