Stunning original roaring 20’s pool on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile!
Stunning original roaring 20’s pool on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile!
I think this is the first time I’ve actually written a post whilst still poolside, but when the pool is located in such a fantastic room, with such comfortable pool deck furniture, it’s great to spend a bit longer!
Constructed in 1929, the 25-yard pool is located on the 14th floor of the Intercontinental hotel. Originally the Medinah Athletic Club, the 20’s pool is genuinely stunning, maintained with little change to the original features and architecture. The junior Olympic size pool is line with individual hand-painted tiles and marble pillars, each end of the pool is illuminated by original, stained glass windows, giving a green aquatic glow. The Wikipedia page is worth a read for the full pool history.
The far side of the pool features an ornate, white fountain, whilst the other a full-length seating gallery, capped with marble end viewing platforms.
It took two attempts to swim here, but definitely worth the effort. These are the sort of pools I really started the blog to remember!
I intend to complete two, maybe three pools today (hopefully), so keep the swim to an easy 1,200 yards with three 100s to finish up. Goggles causing me problems again, either too tight and they such my eyes out of their sockets, or flood with water within minutes! Maybe the required swim caps causing the band to move.
One admission, accessing the pool from the hotel lobby requires a key card to reach the ‘FC’ floor in the elevator. When I reached the fitness club reception, there was nobody around, I walked through the changing room and back to reception but no one! So this ended up being a free swim, hopefully, they won’t mind with such a fantastic review!
Oh, and that’s Illinois ticked off the US states list!
- Guest Passes available Friday, Saturday & Sunday
- Swim cap required
Swim Stats
- Length: 1500 yards total swim
- 1:28 pace / 100y
- Garmin Swim Watch
Review
(95/100)
Magnificent pool, five-star changing and facilities, everything clean and tidy - and original to the 1929 design. Brilliant.
Pool Details
- Length: 25 yards
- 4-lane pool
- Indoor
InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile
F505 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL, USA
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