CHICAGO UNION STATION’S NEW METROPOLITAN LOUNGE
By Jack M. Turner
Our arrival at Chicago Union Station on Saturday, July 2, 2016 aboard
the California Zephyr was filled with anticipation as we prepared to
experience the new first class Metropolitan Lounge for the first
time. On the outbound trip in mid-June we spent much of our
layover between the City of New Orleans and the Empire Builder in the
old Metropolitan Lounge located close to the south concourse
gates. Now the journey from trackside to the lounge would be
longer as it has been relocated close to the station’s Great Hall which
is about as far from the boarding gates as one could get. Using a
red cap to transport us and our luggage was a sensible way of making
our way to the lounge and we were glad that we did just that.
Our first impression of the new Metropolitan Lounge was very positive
as a red carpet stretched out the front door welcoming departing
sleeping car passengers (and apparently ticketed business class
customers) inside. We were met at the reception desk by Susie, a
veteran Amtrak representative with a smile and a friendly “Welcome to
the new Metropolitan Lounge!” Indeed the lounge had just opened
that Monday and we were among the first passengers to experience its
hospitality.
The red carpet welcomes first class passengers to the new Metropolitan Lounge
The Metropolitan Lounge welcome desk; baggage room is to right through open door
An HD message welcomes passengers
Train status board in the lobby of the Metropolitan Lounge
The new facility has a fairly large baggage storage room with
shelves for do-it-yourself luggage storage. While the old lounge
had an attendant who checked in stored luggage, the new room has a
secure feel as its entrance is beside the reception desk. A
similar arrangement in Washington, DC and New York has worked well for
us in our many visits to those first class lounges and a few measures
such as locking our luggage and running a bungee cord through the
suitcase handles has provided peace of mind that someone won’t mistake
our black suitcase for their black suitcase.
The new lounge contains a collection of spacious rooms giving a more
relaxed feel than the old Metropolitan Lounge. A variety of
sofas, easy chairs, and wingback chairs promise comfortable seating to
suit any taste. Large flat screen televisions are mounted in
strategic places to allow waiting passengers to watch programming if
they so desire or ensconce themselves in a quieter spot, out of earshot
of the television. This feature is most appreciated as the
limited seating of the old lounge often forced customers to stare at a
television screen filled with images that did not interest or that
offended them. We also found excellent wi-fi service in the new
Metropolitan Lounge as our I-phones connected easily and automatically
directed to a page showing the arrival or departure status of all
trains serving Chicago during the late afternoon and evening.
Electrical outlets were plentiful and well located for recharging a
phone or connecting a laptop.
The largest waiting room in the new Metropolitan Lounge
These high back chairs were welcomed during our long layover
A kids play area complete with Disney Channel programming
A smaller waiting room in the Metropolitan Lounge
A more intimate waiting room with a rendering of station remodeling plans
Another view of the large waiting room with children’s area in the back
A snack center offers complimentary beverages and snacks and the new
Metropolitan Lounge offers larger restrooms than its predecessor.
A new feature is the showers that are available at no charge to first
class passengers. The key card entry system for the showers was
not in operation yet when we visited so there was not a chance to
inspect that feature. Meanwhile the Metropolitan Lounge has a
second level upstairs accessed by stairs or an elevator. That
part of the lounge also has a relaxed, comfortable appearance and has
an entry door opening directly to Canal Street. During our visit
the upstairs area closed at 4:00pm as presently it is needed during the
busy midday period before all of the western trains depart. The
two level lounge seats 360, more than triple the capacity of the former
facility.
The upstairs component of the Metropolitan Lounge
The stairs and second floor portion of the Metropolitan Lounge
Coach passengers also have a comfortable option to wait for their train
in the form of the new Legacy Club, located at the far end of the Great
Hall. An admission fee is charged for access to the facility
which features comfortable seating and a quiet environment with similar
amenities to the Metropolitan Lounge. A quick look inside
revealed an adjoining meeting room set up for a group of perhaps 30
attendees. Legacy Club users also benefit from priority boarding
of their trains which allows them to avoid the cattle herd stampede
usually associated with coach travel at Union Station.
Entrance to the Legacy Club
Inside the Legacy Club’s main seating area
The Legacy Club is available to coach passengers for a fee
Entrance sign for the Legacy Club conference room
The Legacy Club’s Founders Room is set up for a meeting
The main coach waiting area is in the Great Hall
It is worth remembering that both lounges are at the far end of Union
Station away from the boarding gates. Thus investing in a red cap
can cut down some of the potentially long walk especially if your
sleeping car is near the front of a departing train or if you have
heavy luggage. Regardless of this, the new Metropolitan Lounge is
a real winner for first class travelers and the Legacy Club seems a
step up for coach passengers.
