If you read no further than this first sentence, we had a fantastic experience staying at this cozy airbnb and recommend it for anyone looking for somewhere to stay in Chicago!!
The check in process was smooth and it was awesome not having to street park and being able to pull up through a gated driveway. As soon as we walked in (don't forget to remove your shoes as requested by the host) I knew it was going to be a good experience. All of the furniture is beautiful and blends perfectly with the old wooden accents of the home. I know that's not a big deal to some people but it made it feel more homey and like some thought was put into it and not just thrown together with random pieces.
The binder was thorough and gave good recommendations on food and things to do and even had the Metra schedule for convenience. We walked over to the Golden Nugget Pancake House (less than 15 minutes) and the walk was nice, felt safe, and the best part.....THE FOOD. As a southerner, I have HIGH expectations for gravy and biscuits and I was utterly shocked at how good they were. The biscuits were homemade and the gravy was the perfect consistency, had a little big of sausage throughout, seasoned perfectly and it was a HUGE portion. When the waitress asks if you want one or two biscuits, say one unless you want to be miserably full 🤣
Okay back to the review of the actual airbnb lol. We didn't use the office space area mainly because I tried not to work during the trip but it was very comfortable, had a desk that you could raise/lower, comfortable chair, computer, webcam, mouse, keyboard and literally anything else you would need if you need to get some work done. The big beautiful windows in the front let in amazing light and have nice curtains to keep the light out or to close at night.
The couch was very comfortable even though we thought it might not be because instead of like a fully cushioned back it has throw like pillows that were surprisingly super comfy. There is an air purifier in the living room as well along with tasteful decor, TV, and various games. The throw pillows all had covers so they could easily be taken off and washed regularly which is something most hosts don't consider or care about. There was a ceiling fan in there that we didn't use, but this southern girl believes that every room should have a ceiling fan, another win. Lol
We did not use the room with the trundle bed as we didn't need to, but the bed was very comfortable when we sat on it. There were extra linens, blankets and an extra (very nice and comfortable) pillow. If you needed to hang clothes you have plenty of room to do so. There was also a rolling plug in heater for extra warmth if you want it. There is even the cutest little vanity and chair with a light up mirror to use when you get ready. I didn't do my hair/makeup while we were here but coming from expereince, it's super nice to have a second place to get ready if the only bathroom is occupied.
The bathroom was nice and had almost everything you would need (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, extra little toiletries like hair gel, razors, little bars of soap, lotion, toothpaste etc) I know it's not a necessity for airbnbs to provide these items and we always bring our own anyway, but it is so nice to know that the host really thought of the little things and it's super helpful if you forget something. The towels and washclothws were luxurious and ample. The last airbnb we stayed in gave us 3 scratchy washcloths for 2 people for 4 days and it was very annoying. There was a double towel rack and a hook on the back of the door too for convenience. Again, this may not concern most people, but I can't tell you how many airbnbs we have stayed in where there was only one place to hang a towel to dry and we had to utilize the shower rod and doors to hang everyone's towels. Also simple but so overlooked, a toothbrush holder!
The water pressure was fabulous, a HUGE win for an airbnb. The hot water gets hot immediately, but be careful because if you turn in just the hot water first you might be shocked at how hot the temperature is. I love a VERY hot shower, but the initial shock of very hot water was a little jolting so I recommend definitely utilizing the cold first and add in the hot until you reach your temperature preference. There was a big handrail inside the tub and the tub was lower to the ground than most which would be super helpful if you had mobility issues. There is a frosted glass brick window thing (the ones that look like big blocks of ice) in the shower and at times you could feel coolness radiating off them from the cold air outside. My husband enjoyed the gentle coolness during his shower and said it was super refreshing. I didn't mind either way but some might like/dislike this. I didn't read the listing closely enough to know that there wouldn't be a hair dryer so I went a bought one and left it there for future guests since I already have one at home. (Which by the way was actually surprisingly powerful)
The main bedroom had a queen bed that was comfortable for an airbnb mattress. We have definitely slept on way worse, but it also wasn't our memory foam mattress. We both slept great! The bedding was so soft and felt luxurious. The pillows were comfortable but we usually bring our own pillows if we drive somewhere. The closet was huge and the doors were