This is one of the hidden gems of Chicago, especially if you want to feel like you're living in a Chicago neighborhood. Boutique by nature, with rooms that are nicely kept, large and comfortable (albeit somewhat aged) and easy access to restaurants and shopping. Here's the problem, though: the staff is ambivalent and, sometimes, outright rude. This is really disturbing to me, as I love the hotel itself. I stayed for several days on the most recent visit, and nearly every staff member was outright dismissive. Frequently, there's no one at the desk (which made me wonder if this is really something the management should know about), and when there is someone, it's a guarantee that he won't greet you and won't ever smile. Bottom line is that this is an above average property downgraded by a personnel problem.

I was having a difficult time with my 4 star bidding (my bids were getting too too high in the Loop and River North) on Priceline because I would be staying midweek rather than the weekend but..it all turned out just fine when I got a Wednesday and Thursday night on the 3 star Willows at a good price.

No compaints. The Willows is an older, refurbished hotel nestled in the safe Lakeview East neighborhood and it served me well.

Reminded me of a small european hotel. I had a first floor room so I didn't get in on the elevator adventures I had read about in other reviews.

The room and bath were clean. Comfortable bed.
The staff was friendly and attentive.

Nice breakfast.

What I liked most about The Willows was its great location.

Close to good restaurants and shopping. A mall with a Borders is a block away and a 5 minute walk takes you to the 151 bus that'll get you downtown.

I also liked the convenience of taking the blue line from O'Hare transfering to the 76 bus at Logan Square and arriving within a block of The Willows. This public transportation airport to hotel jaunt took a little over an hour. No need for a car. Chicago has excellent public transportation. I got a visitors pass. Highly recommended.

If you like to walk or jog you are very close to the Lake Michigan waterfront trails and the north end of Lincoln Park.

While not the fanciest of places to stay The Willows still has plenty of charm that would be lacking if you stayed at chain hotels in the vicinity.

I couldn't say adios to the place without having my picture taken by the nice desk clerk with me standing in front of that neat french fireplace in thelobby.

Only regret would be not getting a ride on the legendary Rube Goldberg lift. .

I stayed here for two night son busines inChicago. While my meetings were downtown, and the Willows is in Lincoln Park area, I stayed because theprice was about $200 less per night.

The Hotel is on Surf Street in a quiet residential neighborhood, but is very close to shops and restaurants. Also, it is very easy to take the bus downtown and bck uptown at days end. A two dollar bus ride is far better than a twenty dollar cab ride.

Over all the hotel is neat and clean and staff very friendly. Would stay here again

My wife and I stayed at the Willows for 2 nights based on the preponderance of good reviews on TripAdvisor. We were not disappointed in any way. We had a small room with one queen size bed. It was clean and quiet. We felt that the value was very good for a large city such as Chicago. The free breakfast was perfectly adequate, another bonus for a hotel in a large city. The personal service and intimate atmosphere were also a welcome change from large chain hotels. But the best part may have been the neighborhood. It was just fabulous. Everything one could possibly want was within easy walking distance. And I do mean everything. There is every nationality of cuisine, including places open late and even 24 hours. There is even everything from Barnes & Noble to Borders, Bed Bath & Beyond to Best Buy, small used book stores to pizza places to Asian, Persian and Turkish restaurants, coffee shops- on and on. It is a great walking neighborhood. And despite all that is there, it seemed quiet. Close proximity to excellent public transportation was another plus. We never had to use our car or a cab while there. Parking garage was convenient. The Willows even had the city's $5.00 bus/train daily passes at the front desk. This turned out to be a convenience and money-saver. Our 2 nights were part of a 28-day cross-country driving trip. The Willows was one of the best places we stayed.