The Willows Hotel

Reviewer: Not provided on Mon 08 Feb 2010 rated 6 out of 10.

Cheap compared to most city hotels.

Positives: Liked the location and the parking was relatively cheap at 17$ a day plus free on street if you could find.

Negatives: No safe.

Reviewer: Not provided on Sun 30 Aug 2009 rated 10 out of 10.

We've stayed in many hotels and we usually get what we pay for which isn't a compliment. This hotel however was different. We figured for the price we paid it wouldn't be that great but the staff was VERY friendly and the room was perfect. It was within walking distance to EVERYTHING including the beach and Wrigley Field with plenty of public transportation around the corner to go farther.

Positives: It was exactly what we needed with the right price.

Negatives: Parking is too difficult.

Reviewer: Not provided on Fri 22 May 2009 rated 10 out of 10.

Very friendly and helpful staff. Clean with a good continental breakfast.

Positives: Very convenient location to transportation.

Negatives: Air conditioners not very cold if it had been hotter it could have been a problem.

Reviewer: Not provided on Mon 17 Nov 2008 rated 5 out of 10.

This was my first and last stay at the Willow Hotel. The hotel is old and the rooms are very small. There is hot water heating but there was no control over the heating except to open a window. The biggest inconvenience was the lack of parking close to the hotel and lack of valet parking. On a more positive note the beds were very comfortable and the sattelite TV worked well. The hotel also served a continental breakfast but there usually no place to sit and eat it. If you don't have a car and you only use the room to sleep in it might be accceptable.

Positives: Bed was comfortable.

Negatives: Parking was difficult, no valet, closest lot 1 block away.

Reviewer: Not provided on Wed 03 Sep 2008 rated 8 out of 10.

Lovely room in an area close to the city; really enjoyed the stay; the breakfast is simple; accommodating staff.

Positives: Spacious & pretty room.

Negatives: Breakfast was a moderate affair.

Reviewer: Not provided on Wed 06 Aug 2008 rated 8 out of 10.

The location was pretty convenient - close to the train and several bus stops. In the middle of multiple restaurants and shops. Not very busy Downtown, but very close to it. The stuff was friendly and willing to recommend places to go, provide with detailed directions, and helped with printing some documents.

Positives: The staff was extremely friendly and willing to help.

Negatives: Everything is pretty old. First room smelled like a smoking room.

Reviewer: Not provided on Tue 29 Jul 2008 rated 9 out of 10.

It was a very nice hotel. It was clean and well maintained in a nice neighborhood. The staff was excellent and very helpful with advice on how to use the El and what routes to take. I was very pleased. They stated that our sheets would only be cleaned every three days unless we requested a once a day cleaning. I applaud that effort towards environmental conservatism, however our sheets were cleaned daily. That was a little disappointing, but overall it was a very pleasant and enjoyable experience.

Positives: The location was prime for young leisure travelers.

Negatives: The lack of parking.

Reviewer: Not provided on Mon 28 Jul 2008 rated 9 out of 10.

The location in Lincoln park is the draw along with the staff. Few blocks from the lake CPL blocks from shopping and eating and a few from Wrigley field.

Positives: The staff was awesome, one of the best.

Negatives: Its a old building old elevator.

Reviewer: Not provided on Sat 20 Oct 2007 rated 8 out of 10.

Nice little hotel in an out of the way location. I'd stay there again.

Positives: I enjoyed the neighborhood setting in Lincoln park.

Negatives: I was attending meetings at McCormick place and it was a bit of a trip to my destination.

Reviewer: Not provided on Fri 31 Aug 2007 rated 10 out of 10.

Fantastic experience! Our room was huge and comfy, very romantic, and very clean. Great location in a fantastic Chicago neighborhood, with surprisingly cheap parking right across the street - a bit of a walk to the L, but buses pick up right by the hotel. Good shopping and restaurants nearby. We had a wonderful experience overall!

Positives: Cozy, great location, beautiful & clean room. Very romantic!

Negatives: Not close to public transportation.

Reviewer: Not provided on Wed 20 Jun 2007 rated 8 out of 10.

Nice charming hotel, located in a nice neighborhood.

Positives: Quaint, great location for our visit.

Negatives: The bed was uncomfortable.

Reviewer: Not provided on Sat 03 Mar 2007 rated 9 out of 10.

I was very pleased with the hotel, the staff was very accommodating and the location is great. I love how this hotel is so vintage in its appearance. Very quaint. I would stay here again without hesitation.

Positives: I loved the architecture and history of the hotel. Being built in the late 20's, the decorating is period for that time and quite lovely.

Negatives: They were repainting and papering the hallways, so there a little bit of a smell from the paint products.

Reviewer: Not provided on Wed 06 Sep 2006 rated 8 out of 10.

If you're looking for quaint European charm in the Belmont/ Hallstead area of Chicago, this is the place. If price is a concern, then you may find The Willows a bit pricey.

Positives: I liked the charm, the ambiance, the location.

Negatives: The price seemed high for the luxury/ quality level of the room.

Reviewer: Not provided on Fri 16 Jun 2006 rated 6 out of 10.

This was a business/leisure trip with my wife. The hotel had a lot of yester-year charm and character. The room was small but comfortable except for the cigarette smoke coming from the hallway or other room. Location was adequate.

Positives: The hotel had a lot of character and charm.

Negatives: Small room - Could smell cigarette smoke coming from hallway or room next door.

Reviewer: Not provided on Wed 29 Mar 2006 rated 8 out of 10.

I don't travel to Chicago often, so am not current regarding rates and value. The Willows may have been a good Chicago value, but our room did not offer much for the price. On the upside, staff was friendly and helpful, room was clean, though very small, too small for two people with some luggage, only three blocks to bus line.

Positives: Near bus line, staff was helpful and friendly.

Negatives: Room was uncomfortably small, TV was low quality.

Reviewer: Not provided on Sun 08 May 2005 rated 8 out of 10.

My husband and I have stayed with the Willows a couple of times over the past year, and have really enjoyed our stay each time. This last time there was a wedding party taking their pictures in the lobby! That tells you how well loved this neighborhood spot is!

Positives: clean room, great staff, and the location was perfect!

Negatives: adequate but smallish bathroom