First of all, I haven't read any of the other reviews, so please forgive me if I repeat something.

My wife and I stopped through Chicago for one night on our way back to Atlanta. We stumbled upon this hotel online and decided to give it a try. It was great! Finding it was a little tricky.....our GPS took us right to the front door, but we had to call to find out where the parking deck was. Once we parked, it was a little troublesome getting to the front desk, as the valet wasn't there at the time. Obviously, the valet parking would have made things easier.

Everyone we encountered that worked for the BAC was wonderful. We checked in about an hour early and our room was ready. You do have to transfer elevators to get to the 40th floor, but it's really not a big deal.

The room was spacious and comfortable and the view was just amazing. We were facing towards Lake Michigan, with the Buckingham Fountain right in front of us. But when you are 40 floors up, any direction has a great view.

We were only there for a night, but the hotel was very close to the SkyDeck and some GREAT chicago deep-dish pizza. We went to the Field museum, which was not within walking distance, but the concierge was helpful in telling us the best way to get there (by car and by the train). Breakfast the next morning was simple, but perfect to get us going.

The only problem we had was finding the actual athletic club. We wanted to take a swim, so we went to the 3rd floor. However, we were unknowingly on the wrong side of the 3rd floor, with a bunch of offices. This isn't clearly specified in their welcome packet, but again, the concierge was very helpful telling us how to get there. Once we were there, AMAZING! Th pool was huge and a nice cool (but not cold) temperature. The spa was enormous and relaxing. There is a giant "relax" room with a tv and couches around the perimeter. We only wanted to swim so we didn't try any of the other work out related things, but it was all very nice.

One thing that was a little strange.....the hotel is on the 40th floor of an office building. So during the day, you will constantly be sharing the elevator with businessmen and women dressed in their suits and ties and briefcases. Being on vacation, we felt a little underdressed in our sandals and t-shirts. Of course, around 5PM the business people leave for the day and it is much quieter. Not that big of a deal....just a little strange.

Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. It was a great price and a wonderful hotel!

I was in Chicago for a business conference and found this hotel as part of a flights/hotel package from the UK.
It is on the 40th floor of an office block in the Downtown district. There is a reception desk on the ground floor and you then take two separate elevators to the top floor where the hotel rooms are located. My room was large, clean and comfortable, with large TV, cable channels, mini-bar, desk, lots of seating and fabulous views (my room faced north so I had Sears Tower on the left and Lake Michigan on the right).
You get free wireless internet access in your room and a free continental breakfast which is served in the lounge, which also has fantastic views. There is a leisure club on the 3rd floor which I didn't have time to use.
There are only 22 rooms so the hotel is quiet, but it is very safe because access to the building is controlled by security and there is also someone at the reception desk 24-hours a day. It is located in a business area so there isn't much in the way of nightlife in the immediate vicinity but there are plenty of shops, bars, theatres and restaurants only a short walk away.
The hotel is easy to get to from O'Hare airport as it is next to a Blue Line "L" station, and there are also lots of other "L" lines very close, as well as a Metra overground rail station. A ten-minute walk takes you to the Van Buren Metra station which takes you direct to the McCormick Place conference centre.
I'd definitely go back to this hotel if I was in Chicago for business or leisure.

Th egreat thing about this hotel was the view, especially from the French Suite (Room 4011) in which I have been staying. On top of that, I was able to get a rebate because this hotel is associated with the Athletic Club of Missouri - I think I'll go back there the next time I have to go to Chicago.

First things first. The BAC is difficult to find at first. Various previous reviews have mentioned this. We arrived on a Saturday PM (when most of the loop is shut down) and even our transfer shuttle from O'Hare had no idea were the hotel was and basically dumped our bags on the side of the road when they got fed up looking.

To be clear to get to the hotel you must enter the main revolving doors to get into 440 S La Salle. When inside you take the main bank of elevators to floor 39 and transfer from there to a small elevator (next to the main bank) to get to reception on floor 40. After the initial difficulties in finding the entrance to the building nothing could be simpler in getting into the hotel (using the security tab provided). Whats more because you are a little out of the way you feel very secure.

The hotel itself, as has been stated before, is small - around 20 rooms. However reception and ousekeeping staff were friendly and courteous throughout - amongst the best I have ever encountered.

Our room was amazing. Maybe there was not the same level of opulence you would get in a four or five star place but everything was clean and well maintained, particularly the bed.

Because the hotel is small you didn't get things like pay per view movies but there was a thorough range of cable channels available which was fine for us.

Clearly the best thing about the hotel was the view. We had a clear view of Buckingham Fountain and the Field Museum as well as the loop skyline and Lake Michigan. It was amazing to watch sunrise and sunset across the lake and not to be overlooked by anyone.

There have been some comments previously about the continental breakfast. It was absolutely fine. There was a well stock supply of Coffee, Juice, Cereals, Bagels and Muffins. OK it's not what you would get at one of the major hotels around the Mag Mile but it is free.

In response to some other comments there are better locations of hotels in the city. This hotel is right in the south of the Loop, so you do have a fair old walk for the Magnificent Mile and attractions such as Navy Pier. However, it is a good location for the Museum Campus and Grant Park and is certainly no more than ten blocks from Macys on State Street (and around three blocks from the Willis (Sears) Tower). It is also worth noting that there is an El Station right outside the hotel.

Overall this is the best hotel I have ever stayed in. I can accept that it may not suit everyone but if you don't mind a little bit of walking then it is worth going for the view alone.