I spent 5 hours in Amtrak's exclusive Chicago lounge. Take a look inside the massive space that includes private showers and a bar.

Jordan Parker ErbApr 1, 2023, 17:04 IST

On a recent train trip from Montana to New York City, Insider's reporter got access to Amtrak's lounge in Chicago's Union Station.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

On a recent cross-country train trip, I got access to Amtrak's Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago.
It was my first time in a business-class lounge, and I couldn't have survived my layover without it.

Earlier this year, I embarked on a cross-country train trip from Montana to New York City.

Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

For $800, I booked a roomette — Amtrak's mid-tier accommodation — for my two-part journey.

There were outlets for my electronics and hooks for my clothing.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

In total, I spent more than 50 hours on trains: 32 hours from Montana to Chicago, and 20 from Chicago to New York.

The author in her roomette.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

What I didn't know was that my ticket also came with access to Amtrak's business-class lounge, or its "Metropolitan Lounge," for my five-hour layover in Chicago's Union Station.

The Amtrak ticket issued to Insider's reporter.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

What I didn't know was that my ticket also came with access to Amtrak's business-class lounge, or its "Metropolitan Lounge," for my five-hour layover in Chicago's Union Station.

I learned of the lounge, which Amtrak dubs "a new level of luxury," while researching what to do on my layover. When I arrived in Chicago after a day and a half of travel, I headed straight there.

Chicago's Union Station has a lounge for Amtrak passengers.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

I learned of the lounge, which Amtrak dubs "a new level of luxury," while researching what to do on my layover. When I arrived in Chicago after a day and a half of travel, I headed straight there.

I found the lounge straight away, and checked in using my ticket. According to Amtrak, the lounge is free for business class and sleeping car passengers, as well as Guest Rewards Select Plus or Select Executive members. Otherwise, a day pass is $35.

The entrance to Amtrak's Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago's Union Station.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

I found the lounge straight away, and checked in using my ticket. According to Amtrak, the lounge is free for business class and sleeping car passengers, as well as Guest Rewards Select Plus or Select Executive members. Otherwise, a day pass is $35.

I dropped off my luggage in a large closet filled with other people's things, keeping my fingers crossed that no one was interested in stealing my stuff (they weren't).

Inside the luggage closet in Amtrak's Chicago lounge.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

Then it came time to explore the lounge, which was filled with places to sit and work.

An empty seating area in the Amtrak lounge.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

There were so many places to sit — most of which were empty when I visited — that I couldn't imagine a scenario in which the entire lounge could be filled.

Additional seating on the second floor of Amtrak's Metropolitan Lounge.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

For all the seating areas, I thought the lounge was lacking more cozy places to settle in for a nap or some privacy without being in a wide-open room.

Additional seating in the lounge.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

After sufficiently exploring the lounge, I helped myself to a snack. While there were no meals served, there was a small bar with complimentary chips, cups of macaroni, tea, and coffee.

The snack area had a variety of chips, different carbonated drinks, and tea and coffee.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

After sufficiently exploring the lounge, I helped myself to a snack. While there were no meals served, there was a small bar with complimentary chips, cups of macaroni, tea, and coffee.

There was also a small bar, but it appeared I had arrived too late to utilize it.

A small bar inside the Amtrak lounge.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

Then, to do my peers a service, I decided I should probably utilize the private showers available inside the lounge. I rented a key and some towels, and went to check them out.

Guests could rent two towels to use in the lounge's private showers.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

Then, to do my peers a service, I decided I should probably utilize the private showers available inside the lounge. I rented a key and some towels, and went to check them out.

Spacious and clean, the shower was easily the best part of Amtrak's lounge. Afterwards, I felt rejuvenated and ready to tackle the second leg of my journey.

The shower was huge and appeared clean, which Insider's reporter appreciated.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

Afterwards, I still had time to kill before my train left, so I walked around Union Station. Looking around, I was glad to have access to the lounge, because the station's seating looked nowhere near as comfortable.

Chicago's Union Station had tons of wooden benches — making the Insider's reporter glad she had access to the Amtrak lounge's ample seating.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

Afterwards, I still had time to kill before my train left, so I walked around Union Station. Looking around, I was glad to have access to the lounge, because the station's seating looked nowhere near as comfortable.

Finally, about 30 minutes before the train left for New York City, the other guests and I were ushered out to the platform.

Before the train left for New York City, all the guests in the Amtrak lounge were ushered to the platform.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

While I wouldn't classify Amtrak's Metropolitan Lounge as luxurious, I would definitely use the lounge again to recharge during long-haul travel — even if it meant paying $35 for a day pass.

Insider's reporter and her train from Chicago to New York City.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

While I wouldn't classify Amtrak's Metropolitan Lounge as luxurious, I would definitely use the lounge again to recharge during long-haul travel — even if it meant paying $35 for a day pass.

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I spent 5 hours in Amtrak's exclusive Chicago lounge. Take a look inside the massive space that includes private showers and a bar.

Earlier this year, I embarked on a cross-country train trip from Montana to New York City.

For $800, I booked a roomette — Amtrak's mid-tier accommodation — for my two-part journey.

In total, I spent more than 50 hours on trains: 32 hours from Montana to Chicago, and 20 from Chicago to New York.

What I didn't know was that my ticket also came with access to Amtrak's business-class lounge, or its "Metropolitan Lounge," for my five-hour layover in Chicago's Union Station.

I learned of the lounge, which Amtrak dubs "a new level of luxury," while researching what to do on my layover. When I arrived in Chicago after a day and a half of travel, I headed straight there.

I found the lounge straight away, and checked in using my ticket. According to Amtrak, the lounge is free for business class and sleeping car passengers, as well as Guest Rewards Select Plus or Select Executive members. Otherwise, a day pass is $35.

I dropped off my luggage in a large closet filled with other people's things, keeping my fingers crossed that no one was interested in stealing my stuff (they weren't).

Then it came time to explore the lounge, which was filled with places to sit and work.

There were so many places to sit — most of which were empty when I visited — that I couldn't imagine a scenario in which the entire lounge could be filled.

For all the seating areas, I thought the lounge was lacking more cozy places to settle in for a nap or some privacy without being in a wide-open room.

After sufficiently exploring the lounge, I helped myself to a snack. While there were no meals served, there was a small bar with complimentary chips, cups of macaroni, tea, and coffee.

There was also a small bar, but it appeared I had arrived too late to utilize it.

Then, to do my peers a service, I decided I should probably utilize the private showers available inside the lounge. I rented a key and some towels, and went to check them out.

Spacious and clean, the shower was easily the best part of Amtrak's lounge. Afterwards, I felt rejuvenated and ready to tackle the second leg of my journey.

Afterwards, I still had time to kill before my train left, so I walked around Union Station. Looking around, I was glad to have access to the lounge, because the station's seating looked nowhere near as comfortable.

Finally, about 30 minutes before the train left for New York City, the other guests and I were ushered out to the platform.

While I wouldn't classify Amtrak's Metropolitan Lounge as luxurious, I would definitely use the lounge again to recharge during long-haul travel — even if it meant paying $35 for a day pass.