I stayed at Glenda's "Home away from Home" last weekend with somebody who had never visited Chicago before and I have already recommended it to friends planning a trip in the coming months.

I used to live very close to where Glenda's place is and so I was looking for a place that would make me feel like I was right back at home in the neighborhood - an authentic representation of the culture of the area - and that's exactly what my experience was like!

The apartment was clean and well-equipped. Though we mainly spent the daytime hours out and about in the city, it would be a great place to settle-in for a week or more and be able to prepare meals, relax and watch movies, etc. It is so nice to be that close to Humboldt Park - I am a runner and it is perfect for going on any distance run, and the park is always full of families and people playing music and owning their community.

All technical reviews aside, the beauty of staying at Glenda's is that it's an authentic Chicago experience. You're not surrounded by tourists - but if you want to be, you can hop on a bus.

Glenda's place is everything I hope for in an airbnb - a place that hasn't been made to look culturally sterile so that anyone can feel comfortable enough. It embraces the culture of the area, which is warm and community-driven. Chicagoans are known for being much more hospitable that people in other big U.S. cities and staying with Glenda will give you a great experience of that culture. She loves her city and will help you find your way around and she will make sure you're comfortable. She made it a point to come visit in person after the first night to ask about everything and bring us a welcome gift!

I work in hospitality, so I have been known to be critical of how accommodating a place really is. That said, it is very clear that Glenda has the natural gift of hospitality.