I have stayed at this bed & breakfast now for the third time, and will NEVER stay there again. Let me start by saying the place sure has great potential thanks to its old-style charm and unbeatable location for business travellers attending McCormick Place. Management however seems absolutely set on driving it to the ground. I have never encountered such attitude, not to say abuse, of guests. From the time we checked in through the time we left, there were numerous incidents more befitting an old-style Soviet gulag facility than an upscale, expensive hotel. Here are just a few examples:
- Upon arrival, we parked the car on back and walked through open gate only to find back door locked with no bell in sight. In freezing cold, we knocked on door. When manager finally opened (after we called phone inside), his first comment was: "why did you not use call box outside?!". That's warm welcome Wheeler Mansion style.
- The next morning (Sunday), our group (which BTW rented ALL 11 rooms for the week) had an early start at McCormick Place. We asked if we could have breakfast at 7:30 or 8:00 instead of the scheduled 8:30. The response: "this would be against our rules".
- The next morning (Monday), we had one colleague leaving and another one checking in. As the new guy is at the door, in front of us one staff member said to another: "what is he doing here? he was supposed to get here between 9-10" (the time was about 8:30)... The manager went to open the door, then came back and in front of us said: I don't like the attitude here this morning!"...
- Then there was the freezing temperatures, the cold breakfasts and a general sense that we were not guests but some unwanted intruders to get rid of.
Before we left, we asked the manager for an explanation. "I'm just following the owner's orders", he said. After speaking with the owner, I'd have to say: I believe him.
Bottom line: if you are looking for any decent hospitality in Chicago - this is NOT the place for you!

I agree with "Wheeler Mansion = Bad customer service". The "general manager" that showed me around when I checked in talked a good game, offering all sorts of concierge services (which I never used), but when it came time to pay for my stay I was given the same line about being liable for 100% of my reservation, even though I had to check out a day early. When I expressed my displeasure, and tried to explain that their policy didn't make any sense given that their proximity to McCormick place means that a lot of their customers will be business travelers and that business travelers' plans change frequently, the "general manager" tried to pass the buck to the owners, and just flatly stated that I should have known the policy when I made the reservation. Basically, I left feeling that I got screwed, which is a shame.

The property itself is very nice, but it's in an absolutely deserted part of town. It's that part of town that's either "up and coming" or "the wrong side of the tracks", depending probably on your political persuasion. While the hotel is only two blocks from McCormick place, I would definitely not recommend that a woman walk alone around the neighborhood at night. The property's immediate neighbors are a parking garage/lot, a warehouse under construction being converted into condos, a humongous postwar factory that's showing its age, and a bunch of other buildings that would be a great place to host a rave.

All in all, it's a shame that the customer service was so bad, because it has the potential, despite its surroundings, to be a good overflow option for the McCormick place hotels when they book up. However, I wouldn't recommend staying at the Wheeler Mansion if you're going to a conference.

Another strange facet of the property is that the "general manager" is only on the property intermittently, and only during business hours. If you need something at night, you're completely on your own. No receptionist, no "front desk", no nothing.

The History: In the defense of this wheeler mansion hotel I have had good experiences here before in 2005. I booked 8 rooms that year for a sales staff meeting and the manager, Gary, took fine care of us. Even the manager that was there before Gary, his name was Michael, was an excellent person and very prompt and professional.
The Bad: The current manager, Chris, is not a person that should be in the hospitality business, and will run that place into the ground. He is rude on the phone, rude in person, and is more of a bouncer than a hotel manager.
I am truly sad to say I will never use this hotel again, even though I have had great experiences there in the past.
The Good: What I can say good is Casandra the head of housekeeping is very nice. The neighborhood is moderatly safe (during the day) and it is close to McCormick place. Overall it is not worth the price and you can book a much better hotel in a better place.

TERRIBLE.
We stayed there based on some good reviews we've read, but after our experience the only thing that makes sense is that the managment are the ones writing their own good reviews. It is the worst service we have ever experienced!!! Please don't stay there. The owner "Debora" is very rude and inflexible and our breakfast was late and cold. Undercooked waffles with old fruit.