Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge — Local services in West Chicago Township

This is Amtrak's first class lounge at Chicago Union Station. Passengers with business class or sleeper car tickets get complimentary access, while all other passengers can pay $50 for a day pass. The inside has plenty of comfortable seating with complimentary non-alcoholic beverages and snack foods. They also have an espresso machine. There is a full bar where alcohol can be purchased. Outside food and drink are not allowed in the lounge area, but there are a couple tables in the entrance where outside food can be eaten. Private showers are available, as well, with towel service. The towels are very soft and absorbent, unlike many hotel towels I've encountered. The showers are cleaned regularly, and my shower was very clean when I entered. My only complaint is that the baggage area is self-storage with no secure lockers. You store your carry on luggage there at your own risk, as other passengers could easily walk off with your bags or rummage through them. For a first class lounge, there really should be secure baggage checking services. While not really a bad thing, I was a bit disappointed that there was no hot food available, even for purchase. All the food was snacks like trail mix and candy, and it was buffet-style; no packaged or single serve. Many of the food dishes were empty, and no one refilled them during the hour wait for my train. The staff is professional and friendly, if a bit stressed-out and harried by the sheer number of passengers they have to deal with. The poor lady at the front was all alone to deal with literally dozens of people who suddenly converged on her at once. I get in to the Metropolitan Lounge gratis, because I always travel business or sleeper class, but I wouldn't pay to get a day pass. The amenities offered simply aren't...

UPDATE: In the age of COVID, the lounge is pared down somewhat. It's now considered more permissive to take prepared snacks and drinks to-go than prior to COVID. Selections were a bit reduced. But it wasn't at all crowded from my experience.

Espresso machine was down when I last went, to the lounge, which was June 25 2022.

Plenty of seating. Two floors and bathrooms on each floor that are private.

It's a deluxe experience with Amtrak. Sometimes you wonder what your business or sleeper class buys you, apart from safety and distance from the throng of folks taking coach class. Let me tell you what it's worth.

There is a bit of a "gilded" element when posted up in here. Plentiful comfortable seating complements the contemporary ambiance. It's contrasted sharply with the coach Amtrak waiting rooms found on the lower floor, often overflowing with people. In my experience, although it was a Saturday evening, the Lounge was not busy at all. Several flat screen televisions play different channels, some with audio and some without. Tons of couches were unoccupied, with the ones that were occupied attended by only one or two individual travelers. In one corner of the lounge, you can even peer into the Great Hall and mock the peasants from the looking glass! Quite the devilish inclusion, indeed! 😈

Day pass is $35, or free if you have a same-day business class ticket. You can enter and exit an unlimited amount of times, so long as you present your ticket each time you enter.

Overall it's a great experience, especially if you plan on hanging out for a few hours. There are plenty of outlets, plenty of refreshments and plenty of spaces for you to decompress....

Had an 8 hour layover here on a Monday afternoon as part of an Amtrak transfer between the Hiawatha Service and The City of New Orleans trains. Our first class tickets got us access, which is nice. It was quite crowded and somewhat unpleasant when we arrived in early afternoon, but a few hours later, after a few trains departed, it cleared out and was quite nice. The complementary snacks and beverages were nice. Nothing substantial, just packaged snacks, canned beverages, a nice coffee machine, and hot/cold/sparkling water on tap. Staff kept the snack bar area fully stocked, even through the crush of people. The second floor of the lounge is a quiet area, with no TVs, so it was quite nice. Unfortunately as these things go, outlets were in high demand, and some were not working. So make sure your devices are charged! Mostly just chairs and small side tables, only a few small desks were available and were very popular. The shower provided is very nice - just talk to the front desk clerk to get access. Towels and toiletries are provided. Bathrooms were very clean and plentiful. Staff were very nice to us, and very kind to both passengers that genuinely needed assistance, and those that should have known better. Boarding our train was very easy, with staff directing us where to go, and making announcements to ensure everyone got to where they...