Colleen C.
Yelp
Absolutely the BEST!
I lived on the northside of Chicago for ten years. In those ten years, as family or friends came to visit and needed hotel recommendations I always thought to myself "why are there no great hotels in the northside neighborhoods!?" WHY is everything downtown? I don't want to go downtown! The character is in the hoods! Now this was before Airbnb made the wider area more accessible for travelers enjoying Chicago, but seriously The Guesthouse Hotel has filled a niche sorely needed in Chicago forever -- and they are doing it SO SO RIGHT. I only wish I had acted first because its brilliant. Bravo, Guesthouse Hotel, bravo!
I scored an amazing end of "winter" deal late April 2016 (and in that week it swung from 80 degrees to 40 degrees, so I feel the winter tagline was appropriate) for about $200/night for a gorgeous 2BR/2BA apartment. These are not hotel rooms, they are proper condos. And particularly when staying for 6 nights as I did, it was nice to have some space and feel like I was at home. My mother joined me for part of the trip and we each had our own luxurious bed (seriously, I might track down the bedding/mattress/pillow makers) and bathroom. The kitchen was decked out, the living room extremely comfortable and though I didn't use the balcony, it was there. The biggest perk for me though? The full-size high tech washer and dryer. Oh heavens, I've lived in the UK for too long (no dryers) -- it was an absolute pleasure to do my laundry. I think I did it almost every night. Because I could! I loved it! The room was spotless, pristine and well outfitted. Zero faults to be found, these rooms are top notch.
The staff was super friendly and helpful, the lobby is gorgeous and welcoming (I spent a few hours working from the lobby and having a few cups of tea) and the location is excellent. Just a stone's throw from lively Andersonville but also very near Uptown/Wrigleyville/Ravenswood, etc. It's on a quiet stretch (for now) of Clark Street, so walking out onto the street is chill, no craziness like trying to get in or out of a taxi downtown. This is literally just so easy.
Committed to local -- very nice selection of local products available to purchase in both the lobby AND the room. I indulged in some cookies, coffee and oatmeal, smartly placed! I also scored some shades and Chicago flag rose gold earrings in the lobby -- impulse purchase yes, but I really like them.
It's gorgeous, spacious, and felt like home for the week I was there. They do long term corporate apartment rentals, are kid and dog friendly and have a great thing going. If you are trying to avoid downtown on your next visit to Chicago (I think you should) -- this is your place, check it out.
As its not a big mega chain hotel their cancellation policies are a bit more stringent -- do check them out before you book. Was not an issue for me, but worth understanding. It's very clearly explained via the booking process.
I want to stay here again! Send me back please!
*private parking available for extra charge ($20/night). Street parking very easy but mostly metered up and down Clark.
*check for specials on their deals page.
*Mariano's grocery store within .5 miles -- though its a pretty long walk, I suggest either drive or taxi.
*Kitchen is equipped for cooking very easily, we made most of our meals that week and cooked dinner for friends. Everything we needed was there -- though not the cooking essentials like salt, butter, oil, etc. A starter pack of these items would be great - that's my only recommendation! (I hate buying a huge thing of salt when I need it for about 2 seconds).
*Super easy/free wifi access.