I have to start by saying that some of the lower r...

I have to start by saying that some of the lower reviews about this hotel said that it was dirty, poorly kept, and had a rude staff. Additionally, there were knocks on the neighborhood.

Many of those reviews are a couple of years old (or at least more than a year).

We rolled in about 11:30 on a Thursday night. The gentleman working the desk was funny, polite, and helpful. We were in our room within 10 minutes of arriving, having parked in the lot that is not gated (there are two lots at the hotel). We had tickets to a Cubs game, and as I hadn't been to Chicago since I was a child, I asked what the best way to get to the game was. Of course it's the L, and the station was about six blocks from the hotel. Again, the gal working the desk (she had a hairdo similar to a buzz cut, I'm sorry I didn't get her name) was VERY helpful, and was funny and outgoing in addition.

The next day, my wife and I walked to the train station. The neighborhood does not feel dangerous. It's a neighborhood that feels like it's the next one to be revitalized in Chicago. Less than two blocks east is a neighborhood that feels like it's been gentrified, and about four blocks north, the same is happening. I am a teacher, and the school where I used to work in Lincoln, NE is a more dangerous neighborhood. The neighborhood felt safe, we saw plenty of people out walking dogs.

Our room was huge and clean. The bedding was what one expects at an upscale motel, white, well-tucked in, and having the apperance of what one would expect in a Hampton or something similar.

Overall, this hotel was a great place to stay. When the traffic was low, it was less than a 10 minute drive downtown (TAKE THE DAMN L TRAIN!), the staff was great, and I never felt unsafe. Yes, the train across the street made noise, but there are white noise apps for your phone or tablet, and that seemed to make a difference for us.

I am very glad we chose to stay at this hotel.