After much research I chose to stay at Ray's for 5 nights on my recent visit to Chicago. What a great choice I made. I stayed in bedroom# 2 in the Annex, just across the road from the main house. It was a big, comfortable room with a huge bed and cable TV. There is a shared bathroom on the floor with one other bedroom and a massive lounge room and kitchen. In the morning it is just a few steps across the road to tuck into one of Rays legendary breakfasts which are cooked to order. They really lasted all day as I never once needed to eat lunch. It was nice sitting around the communal table chatting to fellow travellers.
Ray and the girls are wonderful hosts, always happy to give directions and tips to help make your stay even more enjoyable.
The Wicker Park/Bucktown area is also a plus. Just a few stops to downtown on the train it is also a very safe and interesting neighbourhood with loads of great restaurants and shopping. I often walked home late from the train at midnight or later and never once felt at risk.
All in all i could not recommend Ray's more highly.

What a great litle place to stay. Rays consists of 2 separate houses, and we loved it. Fantastic cooked breakfasts and a nice start to the day meeting other guests. Our room had big TV and all facilities, and accross the street in the other house is a sauna and steam room. There are a few communal rooms as well, so lots of room to hang out in after a big day in Chicago.
The L train is about 10 min walk, and about 10 min into town. We got a taxi from airport to Rays, but took train back to airport. Very simple.
Thanks again to staff at Rays

I would stay at Ray's again just for the breakfasts! Made to order every morning with lots of fresh fruit and baked goods. Unfortunately, my wife turned out to be allergic to cats, and we had to check out a day early and move to a downtown hotel. Otherwise, we would have stayed here for the saunas, free wi-fi, etc. It does help to be a cat lover to stay here. The room we were in must have been a usual hang out as the cats would be scratching on our door or meowing several times a night trying to get in. If this is a problem for you, you should stay in the Annex.

This place is great! It is certainly not a stuffy place, but if you like people then this is the place to go. Ray and his staff are amazing and the breakfasts are unlike anything else.