Sylvia is a good hostess and the room I stayed in was fine. Nothing fancy but it was a good value. I was able to cook using the kitchen. The neighborhood is on the border between the redeveloped area of the expanding University of Chicago and the historic neighborhood of Woodlawn. Woodlawn is ok but not perfect. I walked to and from the L station and did not experience any problems but I would not recommend that to a female traveler. Overall a satisfactory stay for the price I paid.