The first thing that I want to say is: If I could reserve this place every time I come to Chicago, I would.
The next thing I have to do is to list the potential stumbling blocks for folks, so would-be guests know what to expect before booking:
-The apartment is lovely but it is not accessible. To get to it, you have to go up front steps outside that are steep, and the handrail is so low that it would be useless if needed. There is also a pretty solid step up into the restroom, which could be a barrier for folks, especially at night.
-Scents. There are quite a few lightly scented things throughout the place. It wasn't a bother for me, personally, but I'm noting it because some folks are more sensitive to scents.
-No microwave. The kitchen is fully decked out (minus microwave) with fridge, sink, stove and oven, toaster oven, and all the essentials - pots, pans, cutlery, cups, mugs, etc. So the lack of microwave was no problem for us. That being said, a microwave is a convenience appliance that many folks would be expecting, especially travelers who are likely to be getting restaurant food and seeking to reheat leftovers.
-The door to the apartment (not the front door to the house) is a bit tough to close all the way. If you close it, it will SEEM closed, but even if you lock it, you can yank it right open. You have to really throw your weight against the door to get it to properly click shut and thereby lock.
Okay, so those are some things that might pose as a barrier for folks. If those are not a barrier for you, there is a lot to love about this place:
-Location, location, location. It is located in a nice residential area that is pretty quiet, but just a short 2-3 block walk will get you to the Blue Line and therefore the rest of the city.
-Parking, for those with a car. There is guest parking available on the street the place is on. Notify the owners ahead of time and they will set out 24-hour parking stickers to allow you to park your car for the duration of the stay. This was enormously appreciated during my stay, to not have to worry about the car or pay $6,000 dollars to park it.
-Well lit. There are a lot of lights and lamps throughout the place, allowing you to adjust the aesthetic wherever you are. Also, the built in restroom light/nightlight/heater is really convenient.
-Well furnished. Lots of great places to sit, lounge, rest, eat - sofa, armchairs, small kitchen table, large dining table, office with desk, two bedrooms with beds. Also plenty of space to spread out, as the unit is a pretty impressive size.
-Obviously wi-fi. Related to in-home entertainment, there is a nice tv with Xfinity tv if you want to pass some time that way, as well as a decent collection of dvds.
-As I mentioned above, the kitchen is full of useful things - fridge, stove and oven, toaster oven, sink, cupboards full of cutlery, dishes, cups, mugs, pots, pans, etc. You can do all sorts of food preparation here.
-Great communication and instructions from the owners/hosts. Before arriving, they communicated and provided good information. During the stay, they had left instructions that were useful. And before checkout, they sent a reminder with info as well.
-Washer and dryer in unit!!
My wife and I had a great time in the city and at this airbnb, and we would absolutely love to stay here again.