My wife and I had a lovely two-night stay at Karen's condo. We loved the historic building and charming atmosphere. The view is absolutely stunning (watching the sunrise is especially nice if you're an early riser). Downtown was a very easy $2.50 bus ride or even easier $18 Uber ride away.

Karen picked us up from O'Hare and gave us an incredible amount of useful info on the way to her place on the South Shore. She was available to answer questions or make suggestions any time we needed her. Couldn't ask for a better host.

Now, be aware that the condo is in a perfectly nice neighborhood, but there aren't a lot of great coffee shops or restaurants within walking distance. You do need to take a bus or car ride toward the University of Chicago area, or downtown. Also, the condo shows its age (which is part of the charm), so if you're looking for perfect 21st-Century amenities, look elsewhere.

We were there to experience the city, so we didn't take advantage of the cable TV or the many available books. The Wi-Fi was spotty at best. We only had reliable a connection from the den/2nd bedroom.

Great experience, and we will definitely stay at Karen's on our next trip to Chicago.