Chicago Athletic Association
—For the buzzy atmosphere
A boisterous private club for more than 115 years, the Chicago Athletic Association remains one of the city’s best spots to socialize in its latest incarnation as a boutique hotel. You can dine at seven bars and restaurants without stepping outside (though the location, facing Millennium Park, is prime for sightseeing). Settle by the fireplace in the Drawing Room, where locals and travellers converge over oysters, local brews and classic cocktails.
