We're Chicago natives who were in town to visit colleges with our son. Usually when we visit the city (at least a couple times/year) we stay in the Loop or off the Mag Mile because we're going to plays, museums, etc. We've been looking for a place to stay further North in our old 'stomping grounds' and we're so glad we found City Suites!

If you're not a seasoned traveler and have trouble figuring out how to navigate in a city, or how to recognize what's dodgy and what's not, you might have issues staying here. The Belmont neighborhood is diverse, eclectic and vibrant - and can be a little kooky, too. We never felt unsafe but we're familiar with the area. You're not in Kansas anymore, but thank the gods for that. We walk everywhere and allowed our 17-year-old son his freedom to do so, too - he's familiar with the city's street grid and public transit system. There's so much to do and see and the el is there to take you anywhere you want to go.

Yes, the rooms are smallish (except for the Executive Suites to which which we were very kindly upgraded, giving us and our sometimes-surly teen some trip-saving space) and the elevator is tiny but it's a 1930's era building after all. It's reminiscent of European hotels. If your rooms are on the west/el train side of the building you will hear the trains and door chimes/announcements. Yes, sometimes you will hear street noise, too, especially over weekends. But this is just the city -it's hard for me to understand why people would choose to stay in a vibrant neighborhood hotel and then complain about the vibrant neighborhood.

We found the hotel staff to be incredibly responsive, friendly and attentive. The rooms were impeccably clean and comfortable, as was the lobby. The breakfast is great and you can get coffee and tea throughout the day, plus cookies in the afternoon, which is a great respite from all your walking around and exploring. The parking is quite reasonable for hotel/city parking and a godsend because street parking is impossible in Chicago (and you'd better believe those Lincoln towing signs).

We will certainly be back. As mentioned, we just wish we'd found City Suites sooner. Thanks to the City Suites staff for making our stay so fun and memorable. =)

Let me start with the most important part of my experience at City Suites: My boyfriend, who's black, was greeted by one of the front desk staff with a cold stare and a stern "What floor are you on?" a couple days into our stay. When he told the attendant our room number, she mumbled something about a guest's missing property. We still can't figure out what she meant, but I think you get the point. In 2009, in Chicago, we had hoped for better.

Here's the other critical part of our experience: Anyone who says you can ignore sounds from "El" trains next to the hotel is lying. The noise in rooms is brutal. You hear everything -- trains pulling in and out, conductors' voices, door-closing chimes. We also woke up to construction outside our window from 7am both weekdays of our stay. Rooms don't seem to be soundproofed, so sounds almost seemed amplified.

Some less important points, but equally unpleasant: Housekeeping was lazy, leaving towels strewn on sofas and cabinet doors. I've never stayed in a hotel where the cleaners didn't return towels to the bathroom, or just replace them.

FInally, the property's in poor shape. While the lobby's clean, the facilities in general feel more "hostel" than "hotel".

Bottom line: I'm staying at the Days Inn next time I'm in Chicago. Better value, better location, better hotel.

This hotel is part of the Green Hotels Association and really tries to offer you a green hotel experience. It is clean. The staff is very nice. It is a quiet hotel. It is in the Lakeview neighborhood area of Chicago city proper -- apparently one of the best and safest neighborhoods in the actual city's limits. The area appears sketchy but I was assured by several locals that it is generally safe -- just be smart. As one would in a big city, keep your bags close to your body, your wallet in your front pocket, and be aware.

There are a number of nice little clothing boutiques around this hotel. It is literally right next to the metro train (you don't hear the train indoors -- no worries). Lots of young, hip twenty-somethings live in this area. A few blocks down is a heavy gay neighborhood. I went to a Thai restaurant a few doors down from the hotel for some inexpensive, good food and noticed there were a number of gay couples in the restaurant, one of those couples was even dressed in drag. A Jamba Juice and Clark's Nuts are across the street from the hotel.

Not knowing the area made me feel nervous, but I just played it safe and was actually very comfortable. The people in the area are very pleasant and customer friendly.

They have a continental breakfast downstairs in the morning -- but I didn't try it, so I can't comment. It's very easy to ride the travel from the hotel or get a cab.

They have free internet service.

Would I recommend, I am saying yes -- mostly because of the good customer service and green hotel experience. I'm more of a suburb girl, so the city neighborhood thing made me nervous -- I'm not going to discount this hotel for that reason.

Stayed for 3 nights. Excellent staff, location and value. Adequate, clean rooms with a decent continental breakfast thrown in for good measure. Hotel staff held our bags from check out til we left for airport late in the day on Sunday and refused a tip. Directly next to Belmont stop on red/brown line. Didn't notice any noise from train although other reviews did mention it. We have reservations for our trip in June. Rooms are more in summer but still not as much as other lesser hotels.