Note: This is a story-style review, written in first person, as if I’m staying there. It draws on common guest experiences and public details.
First look, first grin
I rolled my carry-on over the curb and in through the glass doors. Warm lights. Clean lines. A quiet hum. (Fun fact: the property’s rebirth from the historic Atlantic Bank Building into Hotel Julian was big news when it was first announced.) The lobby smelled like citrus and fresh linen. A front desk agent looked up and said, “Welcome.” Simple word, nice tone. That stuff matters.
Check-in took a few minutes. They found my “king room, high floor” and handed me a key card. No fuss. I asked for late checkout. They said noon was fine. You know what? That tiny win set the mood.
For an even fuller picture of the stay, you can skim my extended notes in this granular Hotel Julian write-up.
The room that felt like a calm bubble
I opened the door and just stood there. Big window. City stacked outside like a Lego set. I could see a slice of park and a flash of “The Bean” if I leaned a bit. Not bad. If you’re curious about the design choices—think deep charcoal tones, brass accents, and sleek lines—the photo tour over at Hospitality Design shows exactly what I mean.
- Bed: firm-but-soft. Two pillows had some oomph, two were squish. I like options.
- Outlets: plenty by the bed. USB, too. No cord hunting.
- Lighting: warm, not yellow. Two lamps, one dimmer. Cozy.
- Storage: small closet, one drawer, a skinny shelf. Weekend bag? Fine. Big family? Tight.
- Thermostat: easy to tap. The screen glowed a little at night. I taped a sticky note over it. Problem solved.
Did I sleep well? Mostly. More on noise in a second.
The bathroom test
Walk-in shower. Good water pressure. Heat came fast. The glass door didn’t seal all the way, so a little splash hit the floor. I used the bath mat like a mini dam. Towels felt plush, not scratchy. Toiletries smelled like orange and sandalwood. Fresh, not perfume-y.
City noise is a thing
It’s downtown. Sirens pass. Buses hiss. On the 12th floor, I still heard a low rumble at night. The AC fan helped. If you’re light on sleep, ask for a higher floor or the quiet side. I keep earplugs in my bag. They earned their spot.
Wi-Fi and work vibes
The Wi-Fi joined fast—no weird portal maze. I ran a video call and it didn’t hiccup. The desk was small, but the chair had good back support. It’s a “get it done” setup, not a home office, and that’s fine.
Food, coffee, and a happy fry
There’s a restaurant downstairs with a cool, moody feel. I grabbed a burger and fries after check-in. Burger had a nice crust. The fries? Crisp outside, soft inside, and salty in the right way. I asked for extra pickles, because of course I did.
In the morning, the lobby coffee station pulled a decent latte. Not art-house level, but way better than sad hotel drip. There’s also a small Keurig in the room. I used it for tea at night. Quiet ritual, sleepy brain.
Fitness and little extras
The gym isn’t huge. Two treadmills, a bike, a rower, a rack of dumbbells, some mats. Clean, bright, and towels stocked. I squeezed in 20 minutes and felt human again. Elevators were quick, and housekeeping brought an extra pillow in five minutes flat. I noticed that.
Location, location… you know the rest
Step outside and the city is right there. Millennium Park is a short walk. The river is close. Rates in this part of town can swing, but a quick look at the current offers on the Fortune Hotel site helps set a fair-price baseline. Ride shares found me fast on the side street. Weekend crowds buzzed, but I felt safe with all the foot traffic. I liked grabbing a hot dog from a cart and people-watching on a bench. Simple joys.
If you ever swap skyline views for leafy streets, my weekend impressions of Hotel Royal Oak show how the brand handles a quieter neighborhood.
Little quirks I’d fix
- The shower door drip. Not a flood, just mildly annoying.
- The bright thermostat light at night.
- Storage is tight if you bring half your closet.
Who should book it
- Business folks who want fast check-in, solid Wi-Fi, and a clean, modern room.
- Couples doing a city weekend—close to the park and shows.
- Families can make it work, but space is snug unless you plan ahead.
Traveling solo or hoping to spark a little city romance? Before you head out to the nearby cocktail bars, you might hop onto JustHookup, where local members post real-time availability and direct messages make arranging a casual meet-up as easy as ordering that second round.
Planning to drift farther afield after your Chicago stint—say, down to Frankfort for bourbon tours or a change of scenery? A quick browse through the personals at Backpage Frankfort connects you with locals who are also looking for spontaneity, giving you an easy way to line up dinner companions, tour buddies, or a no-strings night out without wrestling with generic dating apps.
The good stuff
- Spot-on location
- Clean, modern room with lots of outlets
- Friendly staff who actually help
- Strong shower, comfy bed
- Restaurant downstairs that hits the spot
The trade-offs
- Some street noise
- Smaller closet and limited storage
- Minor bathroom splash
My bottom line
Hotel Julian feels like a smooth city base—stylish, simple, and in the middle of it all. It’s not cheap, but the value makes sense when you count time saved and steps cut. I’d stay again. I’d ask for a higher floor, face the quieter side, and keep my sticky note ready for that glowing thermostat. Small tricks, big rest. And when the city pace gets too loud, you can always day-dream along with my sun-soaked notes from where I stayed on Milos—same attention to detail, totally different soundtrack.