Normally, the Union League Club wouldn't be available to us because we aren't members. However,…read morebecause the conference my wife was attending was held in one of its conference halls, we were able to book a room there. The club is an interesting place to stay, even if the security is a bit hardcore--no, there weren't full cavity searches or anything similar, but you better have your key card ready if you enter from outside and want to use the coffee house outside the perimeter.
We'll start with the pluses (or whatever comes to my mind first). The building has its historic charm, being that it was built in 1926 with 23 floors, including four that comprise the health club and spa, at least two for conference halls and gatherings, an historic library, and a bar and restaurant that offers a breakfast buffet in the mornings -- so long as you have tickets. The grand wood-paneled hallways and chandeliers, combined with the craftsmanship of the designs in the doorway, the elevator exterior, and the stairwell etchings, make you feel like you are touring a museum. Combined with the extensive artwork, you would feel that way.
The Union League Club holds one of the largest private art collections in the country, second only to the Art Institute of Chicago in the number of artworks on display (about a 10 to 15-minute walk away). The collection is impressive, especially in the Presidential Hall on the third floor, where many American Impressionist paintings are located, including a presidential portrait of George Washington.
For an historic building, they do have really good fitness facilities, including a gym, a lap pool, steam rooms, and a whirlpool. They also offer a spa if you need a massage or other pampering, which I thought was cool.
For food and beverage, the first-floor coffee house has convenient workspaces with Wi-Fi that works better on the lower floors than the higher ones. While the coffee house offers quick, ready-made breakfast and sandwich items, along with solid espresso drinks, the fourth-floor bar and lounge offers more conventional meals and cocktails, with a respectable spirit shelf selection. For breakfast, a buffet is offered that can be either included if you're staying there, or if you have vouchers based on whether you're attending a conference. Otherwise, there is a surcharge.
If you are staying at the Club, note that Wi-Fi is incredibly unreliable in the guest rooms, especially on the higher floors, such as the eighth. If you're working remotely, you will need to access either the third-floor presidential hall or adjacent bar room, or go down to the first-floor coffee house. That can be a challenge if you're looking for a private area without people walking in and out or there being a scheduled event. You could try the vacant telephone stalls on the third floor as well (remember those if you're a Gen X or older?), since the lighting and sliding doors work and can provide a quiet, isolated space--but there are no outlets for plugging in laptops or cell phones.
The Union League Club also has a strictly enforced dress code throughout most of the building, except on the top four floors for the fitness and health center and when you're heading to the coffee house or outside. If you're perusing the hotel, colored shirts with pants, dresses, blouses, or pressed jeans without holes, with closed-toe shoes, will be required, as security will call you out if you're not dressed appropriately.
And speaking of security... this is a Club that strictly enforces membership or granted access, with a highly vigilant front desk and security staff tracking every single person that comes and goes from the building. While this makes the building incredibly safe and keeps those without access or unwelcome persons from entering, it can be burdensome for those staying there who forget their keycard or identification.
You will be asked to provide an appropriate hotel key card or ID upon entering, unless you are recognized by security personnel. If you don't have it, you won't be allowed to enter. This can be burdensome, especially if you're coming from outside and want to use the coffee house, and the guards think you're trying to steal a painting, even though you came through 30 minutes earlier with your access. If you're trying to use the coffee house after coming down the escalator and it's before their 7 AM opening, they will physically come after you, and it will look like they're going to frisk you. They may not, but the constant vigilance is tiresome.
The building has a lot of history, and if you do have the chance to stay there, it can be fun. But the security measures are a challenge if you do.
