Ray's definitely deserves all the good reviews it's had here; it' s like a perfect mix between a hostel (friendly, personal atmosphere) and a hotel (very nice rooms). I found the staff incredibly helpful and nice. It was particularly good for me as I was travelling with a small child, and they honestly couldn't have been nicer. It's a great spot for families. The breakfasts were incredible, and the communal areas were really nice and peaceful while I was there. I will definitely stay here any time I go back to Chicago, and have strongly recommended it to lots of friends.

We loved this place. The breakfast was great every morning. It is a little far from downtown, but that was fine with us. A short walk to the "L" every am, and we got to do everything we wanted to do. The staff was very helpful with planning our excursions and even picked us up at the "L" on our first day when we had our luggage. I would stay there in a heartbeat.

Ray's is a great little B&B in Chicago - their motto, "not your parents B&B", is spot on - the place is funky and eclectic, and completely welcoming. We arrived late to find a note on the door with a number to call. They gave us a code for the door, and we were in! It's so cool walking into such an unexpected interior after seeing the nondescript exterior! Guests have access to a few computers so they can check email or find more about the area. Each room key comes with a code to get in the front door (since you're in a busy urban area) and guests are free to store their food in the fridge (no fridge in the individual rooms.)

The skylight room is nice, and since it's over the kitchen you're awaked to the delicious smell of breakfast cooking - yum! It's 2 levels - a bathroom immediately as you enter, which is very well-done considering it was squeezed under the stairs. Up the spiral-y stairs is the room, which was blissfully air-conditioned in the 90-degree heat while we were there.

And speaking of breakfast, there is a delicious-sounding array of things to choose from on the breakfast menu - there's no set menu that everyone has to go along with. I had a delicious (if huge!) greek omelet with bacon, which was great.

There's a sauna and a steam room/shower (you can shower AND steam - awesome!) in the basement, which I took advantage of even though it was a hot summer day. This would be especially good in the winter.

My only complaint about the place would be that the skylight room has a door connecting it to some other room (I have NO idea which!) and whoever was there during our stay was being quite noisy late into the night. I would see about insulating that better so noisy guests don't disturb each other. The door to the room, down the stairs, is right off the kitchen as well, so you will be greeted by curious stares as you emerge from your room, and noisy breakfast preparations and conversation might wake you up.

My Girlfriend and I had wanted to stay at a B & B for a long time. We were going to be in Chicago for only a few days and my brother now lives in Wicker Park so this was perfect. We had chosen the Master Suite in the Annex building on the 3rd floor just across Ray's Room. My GF cannot pack light so her suitcase was a bear. Having to go up 3 flights of stairs was quite a workout, but Amber helped us out so it wasnt a big deal. Our room was very clean, smelled like the person before us had used the fireplace since it smelled like burnt wood which was a surprise to us since it was summer and pretty hot. (however we also lit a fire, just because). The balcony was awesome, huge and very private since it was above any balcony we could see. It had a table with four chairs and 2 lounge chairs. We also had a skylight with a shade(use the tool in the closet to open and close it), and we had a washer and dryer in our room, WOW!!! The only thing that put my GF off for about 1 second was the bathroom being outside of our door, but that was never a problem. We had a great shower which has a whirlpool tub and that was awesome. The bed was super comfortable. I don't think that our room had TiVo though.

So that was the Bed part, now the Breakfast part. This was awesome. You write you time down on the white board and just show up. We were the earliest, 7:15. We went inside and were just a little apprehensive, we enjoy good food and we were not let down. Just as you go into the kitchen they have a spread of FRESH fruit and good fruit like blueberries, grapes, strawberries, kiwi's, watermelon and canteloupe. We sat down and Vanessa brought us 2 menus. I was surprised by this. I just figured something was prepared similiar to a family meal. I went with a Denver omlette, my GF went with blueberry stuffed french toast with potatoes. Food was great and huge. I had to order a 2 egg omelette the next morning. Also, my GF had a hangover the next morning so I went down and ordered our breakfast and asked if we could have it in our room. She said that would be fine. I asked where I could get some Champaign and she said she might have a bottle for me. She looked but didnt no big deal I walked down the street and bought a bottle with some OJ and Advil. When I got back she had my plates in the oven so they would be warm for my walk across the street. She also had Champaign glasses ready for me with silver wear and anything I would need on a tray to carry. I took it upstairs and surprised my GF with Mimosa's and breakfast on the patio. Oh and they have super nice Robes.

All and all a great experience and cannot wait to go back again.

Thanks Ray, Amber, and Vanessa.