We stayed at the Buckingham Athletic Club Hotel the weekend of June 8-11, 2007. It was a great experience. Located on the 40th floor of One Financial Place, an office building at LaSalle and Van Buren, the hotel was clean, quiet, and a perfect backdrop to a 30th anniversary trip. Although located in the financial district, the Buckingham is serviced by both elevated and subway lines located just north and south of One Financial Place.

The Sears Tower, the Harold Washington Library, and Printer's Row are just a few blocks away. Going west on Van Buren are several restaurants, bars, and eateries, although many close over the weekend. Just west on Congress is Tutto Italiano, an Italian restaurant we enjoyed located in part in an old railway car. A listing of area restaurants can seen at http://www.urbanspoon.com/ps/2/212/Chicago/Hotels/Buckingham-Athletic-Club.html

Staff were on the whole friendly and helpful. The elevator transfer on the 39th floor was no hassle. Views were fabulous from our north side room, but try to get one of the east side rooms; the views of Lake Michigan we glimpsed through open doors were fantastic. Our only concern was that a slowly draining tub was never repaired during our visit though mentioned to the front desk. But we would gladly return for a visit to the Buckingham.

We live in the Chicago suburbs, about 40 miles away, and occasionally spend a weekend in the city. This hotel was horrible from start to finish. We arrived at their address on LaSalle on a Sunday late afternoon, and found that there is nothing to indicate that there is a hotel anywhere. It's called "One Financial Center." So it's a business building in the financial district and the hotel is on the 40th floor. My husband had to run into the lobby and ask if this was indeed the Buckingham Athletic Club Hotel and where to park. He was told to go around the block where there was a parking garage. We drove around and found no valet or anyone with instructions about where to park. We finally just parked in a handicap spot (I am disabled, in a great deal of pain, and walk with a cane). Had no idea how far away the hotel was so left the luggage in the car. Finally found the lobby, loaded with security people, and were directed to a bank of elevators which would take us to the 39th floor, then we would have to change elevators to get to the 40th floor. Once there, we registered, were told we had parked in the wrong place and would have to move the car. No bell hop to help with luggage. The only hotel employee was the man at the desk, from whom we eventually got word that the restaurant was not open on the weekends! He had no suggestions for us, but when I called him back from our room, he finally discovered a couple of take-out menus that might deliver. No room service. There was nothing within walking distance except a Dunkin Donuts (and for me that was a long, painful walk). The hotel brochure gave almost no information.
The room was fine with a nice view of a lot of buildings...been there, seen that. No big deal. So we had cold ribs and cole slaw delivered hours later to our room to the tune of $55.00. And the room was supposed to have a CD & DVD player but didn't.
There are not many cabs that drive by and Mr. Frontdesk does not help in calling cabs. When our blinds were broken and would not come down, Mr. Frontdesk doesn't know how to fix them either and there are no other employees around, except the maids from 11am to 1pm.
There is a Continental Breakfast consisting of bagels and Corn Flakes. Wow.
To get to the famed Athletic Club & pool on the 3rd floor, you have to take the elevator from the 40th floor to the 39th, take another elevator to the 1st floor, and another elevator to the 3rd floor. If you are not a member of this Club, you don't get a lock for your locker. The pool is fine, there's lots of exercise equipment and crowds of Club members. We both arranged to have a massage, which cost more than the hotel brochure said it would.
We are familiar with Chicago so we walked a lot to find cabs and had a great time hearing the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, eating at Joe's Seafood and Stone Crab Restaurant, and listening to music at Pops for Champagne. It would have been a great time except for the dreadful hotel. Stay almost anywhere else. I was in pain for a week afterward. A little advance information on this hotel's deficiencies would have warned me off. This is a 3-1/2 star hotel??

Oct 4 2006
What a magnificant veiw of the lake. Security a added plus. Athletic Club was top of the line. Will definately stay again in the future. Already telling friends about you. Thanks alot!

After asking for detailed directions from the CTA stop, the trip to the 40th floor went flawless. Using two elevators located 10 feet from each other is certainly not a hardship.
The room was huge and clean, the bed was comfortable, the view towards the lake was magnificent.
Very convenient to carry only the swipe card to get to the elevators (leaving the room key, yes an actual key, with the desk clerk.
Had a nice soak in the tub, which was a good size, and had a sloped end to lean back on (with a towel for support of the head).
As is the case with what I imagine is all the hotels in the Loop and Magnificent Mile, a lot of Chicago is in walking distance.
I'd definitely stay here again.