Chicago Union Station Hiawatha Lounge

[Sammo]

Does anyone have photos of the Hiawatha Lounge at Chicago's Union Station? Has anyone experienced this lounge?

It was formerly the old Metropolitan Lounge before the current multi-floor space was opened. I have been curious as to what the Hiawatha Lounge looks like since it was repurposed, as well as what passengers' experiences have been with it. As I understand, the Hiawatha Lounge is reserved for passengers holding RailPass and Multi-Ride tickets who are riding specific Hiawatha trains.

Any photos or experiences of this space in its current iteration?

 

[carjaq]

I'm not aware of any Hiawatha Lounge from a repurposed Metropolitan Lounge. Last I looked, that space was still closed off for renovations.

 

[Steve4031]

I wonder what the plans are for that space. I have never heard of a Hiawatha lounge.

 

[PaunchyPirate]

You can see the location of The Hiawatha Lounge on the station map found on Union Station’s website. The attached picture is zoomed in on the Lounge.

https://chicagounionstation.com/information/station-map

 

[MikefromCrete]

So, it's just a fancy name for the north end waiting room.

 

[PaunchyPirate]

In this 2018 video at the 8:20 point there is a view of its exterior doors and signage about who the Hiawatha Lounge serves - not everyone. And it looked like it was closed at the time. Perhaps because the trains it serves were not around or due at the time.

 

[Eric S]

I recall that it was used, for a time, for the peak PM departures. I don't recall how recently that was, though (whether it was still being used in late 2019 or early 2020, I can't recall).

 

[Willbridge]

I recall that it was used, for a time, for the peak PM departures. I don't recall how recently that was, though (whether it was still being used in late 2019 or early 2020, I can't recall).

If the new CHI<>MSP train has Business Class, could this be used to provide an alternative Metropolitan Lounge?

 

[bratkinson]

If the new CHI<>MSP train has Business Class, could this be used to provide an alternative Metropolitan Lounge?

Last time I took a Hiawatha to MIlwaukee a couple years ago, it was merely the glass enclosed north waiting area generally restricted to any passengers leaving on a Hiawatha or the Empire Builder. As I recall, it seated about 100 people, if that. The automatic glass doors to/from the platforms were disabled except when those trains were boarding. Entry was made through the hallway that passed by the former Metropolitan lounge location.

Those unfamiliar with CUS may wonder why the glass enclosed waiting area for both the north side and south side departures. The reason is simple...20 below zero! Being only 10 feet or so away from the doors leading to the platforms, the cold blast that comes in through them in the winter is unbelievable. They don't call Chicago the 'Windy City' for nothing! Heating the station overall in the winter has to be very expensive. I've been there when I don't think the room temperature in the hallways/corridors/main waiting room was much above 50 degrees. Most passengers kept their winter parkas, hats, scarves and gloves on while waiting. How the vendors on the upper level such as Nuts On Clark stayed warm, I don't know.

 

[jebr]

If the new CHI<>MSP train has Business Class, could this be used to provide an alternative Metropolitan Lounge?

I think that would undermine a fair amount of the value of business class compared to the other Midwest trains. I've never been in it, but it sounds like at most it's just a nicer waiting area where the old Metropolitan Lounge used to be. For me, I'd want at least most of the services that the Metropolitan Lounge offers (luggage storage, snacks/beverages, a nicer bathroom, staffed attendant) and I'm not sure if that'd be provided with a separate waiting area.

 

[Sammo]

If anyone has pictures of this space since it was converted, that would be cool!

As an aside, I am probably one of the only ones who actually misses the old Metropolitan Lounge. As much as I love the Pennsylvania Room at the current one, as well as the showers, I honestly loved the ability to arrive at the old space first thing in the morning and find a seat off in some distant corner nook and just be invisible. There was something oddly appealing (to me) about the old, drab green-and-beige dim low-ceiling decor of the old space. I only got to use this space once, which was my first time in an Amtrak sleeper CHI-SEA.

 

[PVD]

The upstairs in the new lounge offers that "quiet space" if it is open (haven't been there in a while)

 

[zephyr17]

The upstairs in the new lounge offers that "quiet space" if it is open (haven't been there in a while)

It was open in November 2021 when I was through there.

 

[librarian]

On my final America By Rail trip (before it closed) in 2019, we were escorted to the Hiawatha Lounge about half an hour before boarding the Empire Builder; where we were boarded as a group out the back door. The Lounge looks exactly like the former Metropolitan Lounge did when it closed (furniture and such)

 

[niemi24s]

The sad part is in February 2022 the signage directions to the Metropolitan Lounge in CUS still led you to the old one - now what's being called the Hiawatha Lounge.

Wonder how many more years it'll be like that?

 

[TRA_Thom]

If anyone has pictures of this space since it was converted, that would be cool!

As an aside, I am probably one of the only ones who actually misses the old Metropolitan Lounge. As much as I love the Pennsylvania Room at the current one, as well as the showers, I honestly loved the ability to arrive at the old space first thing in the morning and find a seat off in some distant corner nook and just be invisible. There was something oddly appealing (to me) about the old, drab green-and-beige dim low-ceiling decor of the old space. I only got to use this space once, which was my first time in an Amtrak sleeper CHI-SEA.

I got the chance to wait in here for a while, waiting for a replacement bus for the Wolverine. This was earlier this month.