Walking distance to McCormick place (about a mile), about 30 minutes to the bean, half a mile to a grocery store, and plenty of restaurants in the area. Check-in process was smooth and easy, and the host generously allowed us to check out later in the day since we had a late flight. However, our trip was four nights, and I think this place is better suited for shorter need-a-place-to-crash type of trips. Even though we read the reviews and understood about the train noise, after four nights it got old fast. Definitely don't underestimate it - the train is pretty much within 10 feet of your head when you're in bed. Although it doesn't run at night, it is in heavy use between 5 and 8am.