Quintessential Charm in Chicago’s Bed and Breakfasts

A weary traveler is hard to please. Suddenly, the usual hotel amenities, no matter how elegant, feel bland and soulless. The service seems almost always customary and impersonalized, the greetings mere obligation and each detail following strict imposed standards. It simple doesn’t feel like an abode even if the tagline ‘home away from home’ are strapped on headboards countless of times.

No matter how many vacations one takes and how many elegant rooms one has stayed in, there is still no exchanging personal and special service from people who are truly residents of the area, and not just hired employees. This is what a bed and breakfast inn can bring you in lieu of more expensive hotels. And Chicago has some of the finest paired with the famous Southern Charm.

When you want a taste of the authentic, one should opt to stay in a Chicago Bed and Breakfast. Most hotels are set in trendy neighborhoods with old brick buildings and parks as façade. Choosing one is difficult since there are so many in the area, and each one offering special amenities reminiscent of a hotel but with a more intimate feel in terms of service and atmosphere.

The Wicker Park Inn, for example, is an old 19th century brick building located in one of Chicago’s stylish neighborhoods, Wicker Park, full of quaint hole-in-the-wall vintage shops, boutiques, restaurants, clubs and side walk cafes. The neighborhood is also famous for being an artist’s hub and has several of the most famous art galleries owned by the artists themselves. One of the perks of a bed and breakfast, aside from its ambiance, is the complimentary goodies during morning meals such as pastries, coffee and fruits, which the Wicker Park Inn also provides. It also provides the vacationer free WiFi, a satellite TV and sheets which equal that of a starred hotel with a 300+ thread count. There are several rooms to choose from in Wicker Park Inn which includes the selection of Cape Cod, Provence, Chicago and Tuscan Rooms. It also has three apartments to choose from, Garden, Bucktown and Blue Line Apartment.

If in want for a taste of the old, Old Town Chicago is the place to go. The B&B is rated three-star in its category and is adorned with Art Deco pieces- Barcelona chairs, a Baldwin grand piano, Florence knoll ottomans and other opulent furniture. Located in another uptown neighborhood, Lincoln Park, the bed and breakfast also has the option of having a private space equaling as a guest house or vacation home for those traveling with a large group or those who simply want bigger spaces to stay in. The pantry is always stocked for those who like to take their snacks at their own time. Guests can help themselves to a selection of jam, coffee, cereal, chocolate, yogurts, cookies, popcorns and soups. The icing on the cake though is their rooftop garden which provides an elegant wind-down atmosphere for guests who like to people watch or relax after a day’s tour.

Other well-noted Chicago bed and breakfasts include the Victorian-themed Windy City Urban Inn with mansion rooms and apartments, the Hansen House Mansion, House of Two Urns, Cat’s Cradle, China Doll, City Scene Bed and Breakfast, Old Chicago Inn and the Flemish House.

Chicago Cheap Flights make it possible for guests to have a weekend getaway in the ‘Windy City’ as a couple, alone, or even as a group. Promos and discounts are constantly available online and are updated regularly. If planning a vacation in Chicago, make sure to avail by reserving seats early. The ideal time for reservations is about two months or so before vacationing.

Make sure to bring the proper apparel for a weekend out in the Windy City. Chicago is a wonderful city to have a walking tour, so bring something comfortable for an all-day excursion such as walking shoes, shirts, cotton blouses, a light sweater, a hat and scarf (depending on the month you’re going to be traveling) and lightweight pants. Preparing for the trip as early as possible will save the hassle of unnecessary baggage.

For those planning to have a quiet respite minus the hustle and bustle of a commercial hotel, stay in a bed and breakfast and you’re sure to get your money’s worth in a relaxed Chicago vacation with ample rest, sleep and laidback fun.

write by alvarez