Travel & Leisure Facts and Notes

Chicago is a city rich in history and tradition, full of eclectic neighborhoods and offering plenty of attractions. While the city offers plenty of swanky hotels, for travelers craving a slightly more intimate setting, a bed and breakfast might be a better choice. Here are lodgings that might fit the bill.

Located in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood, The House of Two Urns is located in a historic 1912 brownstone. The six guest rooms of this Chicago bed and breakfast are furnished with antiques, some are from the innkeeper’s own family. Robes and slippers are just a few of the many thoughtful amenities, which also include satellite TVs and DVD players, high-speed internet access, and even a selection for toys for guests with children. A hearty, gourmet breakfast is served with such entrees as apricot crepes, feta and spinach quiche or perhaps blueberry pancakes with blueberry honey butter. The innkeeper also has several local apartments available, all with kitchens.

China Doll Guest House is located is picturesque ivy-covered building that dates back to 1895. The guest house is actually divided into three self-contained apartments. The garden apartment is especially pleasing with its exposed brick walls and fireplace. While the innkeepers don’t prepare a formal breakfast, the guest kitchens are fully stocked with everything you might need to prepare either a light breakfast of toast or cereal or a traditional meal of eggs and bacon. The innkeepers offer several other lodgings, one of which is located on their 29-foot sailboat, the Chi Lin.

A stay at the Hansen House Mansion is like a trip back in time to old Chicago. The late 19th-century home is located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood and filled with Victorian charm. The guest rooms are filled with antiques and original features, such as a clawfoot tub or original stained glass windows. There are two guest rooms with private baths, as well as a two-bedroom suite with a parlor, bathroom and a sun deck. The innkeepers at this Chicago bed and breakfast can arrange for a chef to prepare a gourmet breakfast or a three-course dinner, as well as specialty cooking classes.

Evanston, a North Shore suburb about 15 miles from Chicago, is home to Northwestern University, museums and theater, as well as The Homestead. This historic inn has been family-run for more than 70 years and offers both traditional inn rooms, as well as a selection of apartments. There is a gourmet restaurant, Quince, at the inn serving specialties such as shaved asparagus salad with a truffle vinaigrette, braised short ribs with Meyer lemon risotto, and homemade blueberry-dusted doughnuts with blueberry jam.

If you want a Chicago bed and breakfast, but prefer to stay a bit removed from the city, consider The Mansion Bed and Breakfast. This historic inn is located in West Dundee, about 35 minutes from downtown Chicago. There are four guest rooms, decorated with period touches and some antiques. Each of the rooms has a whirlpool tub, one has a fireplace.