Review: The Arlo Chicago

The lobby | Photo provided by The Arlo Chicago

The hotel is best for its central location in the heart of the city

Background

When guests arrive to their room, two fortune cookies are left on the bed | Photo provided by The Arlo Chicago

Formerly the Hotel Julian, the hotel became the Arlo Chicago in the spring 2023. Located in the former Atlantic Bank Building, a tower with a history that goes back to 1912. In 2018 the building had a $75 million renovation, with the aim to bring modernity to the period piece building. Oxford Capital Group and Quandrum Global, real estate investors and developers are behind the hotel’s presence in the Windy City. Other Arlo locations can be found in Miami, New York, and Washington, DC.

What’s It Like?

The hotel is in the heart, in the hustle and bustle of Chicago so it has a quintessential American city vibe. As you enter, you see a large glass entrance, which is locked at night, but your key card will get you in. Inside the hotel you’ll find a modern hip environment with leopard chairs, diagonal bookshelves, and dark tones in the lobby.

Where Is It?

The hotel is a 20-30-minute ride from O’Hare International Airport, a 1-minute walk from the Chicago Amtrak Millennium Station, and an 8-minute walk from CTA Train (Clark/Lake Station).  Michigan Avenue is known for its hotels, restaurants, and shopping. Bridging together north and south parts of the city, Chicago’s architecture and structures like Anish Kapoor’s “Cloud Gate” and cultural institutions like the Art Institute of Chicago, are linked through this important street.

Rooms

The King Room | Photo provided by The Arlo Chicago

Photo provided by The Arlo Chicago

The King Room bathroom | Photo provided by The Arlo Chicago

There are 218 rooms in the hotel with king-sized beds, or rooms with two double beds. The King room is 220 square feet, and comes with 300 count Frette linen, easily sleeping two people. Modern and spacious due to the high ceilings, the room feels comfortable and blocks out the city noise. The King room also comes with smart amenities, as well as a SmartFridge nook with coffee capsules and a coffee machine on top. Each room comes with two cans of water and an ice bucket.

There’s also rooms with Two Queen beds, a City King room with city views, a Millennium King room with floor-to-ceiling windows, the City King ADA has premier views of the city- as well as the Two Queen ADA room.

Food and Drink

ALK | Photo provided by The Arlo Chicago

Chicken and waffles from ALK’s breakfast menu | Photo provided by The Arlo Chicago

Breakfast is served About last Knife (ALK), a gastropub that takes a fresh approach to classic staples from cocktails to American cuisine. The ambience is modern, hip, and urban. Lots of diagonals, dark wood tones that are offset by gold accents, and white marble tables.

Cherry Cheesecake at ALK | Photo Credit: SEELE

Items to begin the day start at $10 to $28. Health options from Oatmeal served with fresh fruit, to Avocado Toast, and Smoked Salmon. The ALK Breakfast comes with 2 eggs, toast, house potatoes, and a choice of ham, sausage, or bacon. I opted for Chicken & Waffles, which is served with country gravy and 2 eggs. The chicken was seasoned just right to match the sweetness of the waffles. It’s a large portion, so if you’re in Chicago to dine on deep dish pizza and steak, it’s best to share the Chicken & Waffles with someone so you have room to dine on other delights the city has to offer. Lunch and dinner are also served at the hotel, with its closing at 10PM.

A good hotel should be like a living room in a community, a place where locals and guests can relax and mingle in. We found that ALK is such a place, like a living room on Michigan Avenue. One great way to spend an evening at ALK doesn’t mean you have to order a full dinner. Perhaps you and friend or a group of friends dine somewhere else. But, you’re not wanting the night to end. On some nights ALK has a guest DJ and the relaxed lighting tones in the hotel makes for a really good spot in the city to have drinks (and why not have a dessert as well). The atmosphere is great and the cocktails (and mocktails) hit the spot. A slice of Cherry Cheesecakes seals that spot and is a good way to round out any night out on the town.

Leisure

The fitness room | Photo provided by The Arlo Chicago

There is a gym onsite, and it’s actually quite sizeable. Inside you will find a TRX machine, Nautilus Cable machine, a Peleton bike, a Bluetooth-enabled Star Trac Recumbent bike.

Verdict Stay here, it’s quaint and has all you need.

Best For being central in the heart of the city.

Don’t Miss breakfast at ALK.

Price $134 for a King room in early January 2025.

Contact 168 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60601 | +1-312-346-1200