We stayed at the Belden-Stratford for 3 nights at the end of February. The lobby was gorgeous and the staff was very friendly. The room we had was quite large, but the bathroom is small. All the furnishings and decor were quite shabby and very dated. The room was clean as was the small kitchen (the oven was ancient). The restaurant, Mon Ami Gabi, was great. We got treatments at the Vera Voli spa, and while the decor there is very tacky, the massage and facial were excellent.

Bottom line, the lobby appearance didn't carry over to our room.

The room was very large and comfortable but the service was ridiculously bad. We got lost on our way to the hotel and when we called the hotel we got a very surly employee who ultimately put us on hold (without asking) and then declined to give us directions (suggesting we just ask someone off the street). great. this level of unfriendliness was certainly consistent with the rest of our stay. Basically, if you like the zoo, its a great location and the rooms seem fine. but if your plans take you anywhere else its not particularly well located. Also, the "fitness center" is very very small, on the basement level, and the very limited equipment is quite old.

It’s unfortunate that some sites bill the Belden Stratford as a 4-star hotel, because it certainly is not. Don’t get me wrong, we enjoyed our stay. The room was clean, the hotel is in a great location and the staff was friendly. But I think a 4-star hotel should offer something special, and our room definitely did not.

Judging from other reviews, it sounds like some rooms are very nice, but I can only speak for ours.It was dowdy, cheaply done and a little threadbare. It was nice to have a kitchen, nice to be across the street from the zoo and conservatory. But anyone who comes to the Belden Stratford expecting to be wowed by 4-star luxury is likely to be disappointed.

Ok ,so you are not right on Michigan Ave., but being in the heart of Lincoln Park is not too bad. For the money ($100) Jan. 2009 this hotel/apartment was great. A full kitchen, big living room and bedroom were great for a family. Not alot in the way of services but you feel like a Chicago resident when you stay here.
Was in Chicago to visit college student child who needed mom's cooking and a hot bath! This fit the bill. I will be staying here again when someone calls, Mommy, I need you.