For a seriously stylish home away from home, without giving up hotel comforts, look no further than The Guesthouse Hotel. The elegant, characterful suites are fully self-sufficient—you get a chic, colorful living room, a fully functional kitchen, a comfortable bedroom, and even your private balcony with a view of the city—along with perks of a 24/7 reception and impeccable, warm service.
The atmosphere is neighborly with all the homely comforts, but the hotel still has just enough pizzazz to make it feel like a special place to stay. And when contrasted to the ultra-modern skyrises you find in downtown, The Guesthouse stands out as a one-of-a-kind, intentionally residential spot. Here’s what we thought of it.
Why stay at The Guesthouse Hotel?
Stepping inside The Guesthouse Hotel and you’ll forget all the usual noise usually plaguing city hotel lobbies. From the reception desk to the library and club room, the Guesthouse’s common spaces are quiet, sophisticated, but avoid feeling stuffy: you’ll find printed artwork on the walls, sleekly designed sofas, and shelves full of local artisans’ products. The library’s old leather-bound tomes sit next to board games that guests are encouraged to pick up, take up their rooms, or play wherever they wish—it’s a very cosy vibe.
The original building (today home to the 3-bedroom suites) was purchased by a couple to be turned into luxury condos, and set to go on the market in 2008. As the financial crash took its toll on the housing market, the condos took on a new lease of life as guest accommodation. Quirky touches bring personality to what could otherwise have been a concrete slab—all the wood furnishing in the lobby, library, and club room comes from a raised barn farm in Wisconsin, adding a touch of countryside, which is a nod the upbringing of the owners in rural Illinois.
What are the suites like at The Guesthouse Hotel?
The Hotel has 25 suites, divided in single, double, and triple bed, and each is equipped with an open kitchen with a granite breakfast counter (and an ice machine in the spacious fridge), a washer and dryer, and stylish bathroom. I stayed in the two bedroom, two bathroom suite, which sleeps up to four, making it ideal for families and friends, with one king bed in the main room, and one queen bed in the secondary. Unlike one-bed suites, the two-bed has a bathtub. You can pick a front-door facing room for peaceful views over the St Boniface Catholic cemetery or, like me, opt for the smaller second room for top cosyness and a glimpse of the city skyline. Both rooms have ample built-in wardrobes, ideal for those planning a longer stay.
The high-ceiling living room is adorned with velveteen sofas and flooded by natural light thanks to the big windows and adjacent private balcony—which is a dreamy spot to enjoy your morning coffee, if you ask me.
What are the best spots for food and drink around The Guesthouse Hotel?
While the hotel doesn’t have food and drink facilities, it’s nestled on the doorstep of Chicago’s North Side, which has plenty to whet your appetite. The surrounding blocks are home to a plethora of small cafes and intimate diners, and if you want to swap your kitchen counter basket for something a little heartier, visit traditional American-style Dollop Diner.
For something a little flashier, head to Andersonville for bistros and more upmarket restaurants, including Taiwanese Minyoli and Bar Roma, great for wine, happy hour, and Italian food. Fancy a post-dinner drink? Head to Nobody’s Darling for the best cocktails and fun socials, or Hopleaf for locally-brewed artisanal beers.
What’s the service like at The Guesthouse Hotel?
The staff were welcoming and quick to accommodate any needs I had during my stay, from leaving luggage after check-out to providing a small breakfast treat upon arrival. The classic Windy City weather warnings delayed my arrival by half a day, and the staff was aware of it, and had my room ready for a smooth and warm check in even in the early hours of the morning. Given most of the team are locals, everyone was super knowledgeable about the best places to explore. Stuck for ideas? Ask them.
What are the facilities like at The Guesthouse Hotel?
The hotel has its own fitness room open 24/7 (including Peloton, yoga mats, rowing machine), and wellness treatments which can be delivered directly to your room, such as HigherDOSE packages including red light face masks ($40) and infra-red sauna blankets ($75) which you can rent for up to 24 hours. If you fancy a refreshing swim, no need to book a pool—Lake Michigan is just under a mile away.
To make the best of two different views of the Windy City, the hotel has two roof decks: one has a skyline view, best enjoyed on clear sky days, and the other faces the tree-tops of the neighborhood. Both are open to guests and free to use. There’s also the club room and library, which can be booked for private events, including bridal or baby showers, and an afternoon tea with a Chicago spin, provided by local Vanille Patisserie. An advance reservation of 72 hours ahead is required, for a minimum party size of 4.
What’s the area around The Guesthouse Hotel like?
The Guesthouse Hotel straddles Andersonville, the ‘shop local’ district, Ravenswood, known for its breweries, and Uptown, teeming with unassuming yet fantastic restaurants. One such place is Marina’s Bistro & Rum Bar, a blink-and-you-miss-it authentic Puerto Rican spot.
You can spend entire days exploring and shopping in Andersonville, home to over 150 independent businesses from galleries selling local artists’ unique pieces (Andersonville Galleria), record shops (Rattleback Records) and bookshops (Women & Children First), to babywear boutiques (Sandbox Baby Boutique).
If you’re after live shows and musical performances, The Guesthouse is within walking distance from three of the city’s best spots to do so: catch Chicago’s favorite magic show at The Chicago Magic Lounge, or walk to The Riviera Theatre and the Aragon Ballroom, popular venues for big names including AC/DC, Morrissey, and several tribute bands.
Why you should book a stay at The Guesthouse Hotel
When you book a stay at the Guesthouse Hotel, you opt for blending into the neighborhood. The place doesn’t want to be a slick, modern hotel like the ones downtown: its brick-front facade and boutique-like entrance makes this hotel feel like it’s just another house, and if you are after stylish comfort, independence, and that homely feeling, then you won’t find any better.
Just be aware that the hotel requires a two nights minimum stay during peak time (May to end of September) which goes up to three nights during weekends. Low season applies from January to early March, with minimum nights going down to one during the week, and two for weekends.
DETAILS
Address: The Guesthouse Hotel, 4872 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640, US
Price per night: Two beds / two bathrooms suites starting from $550 per night peak season (May-Sep); $275 off-peak (Jan-Mar).
Closest transport: Ravenswood (10 min walk) and Argyle (15 min walk) Metra stops.
Book now: via Booking.com
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