Review: The Majestic Hotel in Chicago Illinois

Chicago Illinois, a bustling, fast paced city filled with restaurants, theaters, museums and hotels. With tourist brochures in hand I found myself standing on the edge of Lake Michigan. The vastness of the lake itself makes one feel like they are at the edge of the ocean. Real beauty is found when turning towards the city and taking in the skyline. I have three days ahead of me to experience the city of my birth, the windy city as it is called by locals, and no idea where to begin!

I decided that finding a place to stay was a good first step. It's my shelter before food philosophy! The brochures outlined the amenities of all the large chain hotels, but I usually steer away from such to opt for more local lodging. Being near the Lincoln Park area along the shore line it was an easy block or two walk west on Brompton Avenue to the Majestic Hotel. Standing outside looking up at the building I knew this was the perfect place to stay.

The Majestic Hotel is quaint and cozy! It has a homey feeling and you expect to smell fresh baked cookies wafting down the halls, and in fact, there are cookies available in the lobby during the afternoon with coffee and tea 24 hours a day. The employees are very welcoming and offer a little background of the hotel, stating it was built in 1920 and there are 51 rooms, all decorated with an old English flare. My room was warm, spacious and friendly with a four-poster bed and other antique furnishing making an afternoon nap inevitable! As I was traveling by myself I opted for a standard Queen room but noted there were also King rooms as well as King Sunroom Suites. The prices average from $160.00 to $225.00, and seem to be a good value to me.

Continental breakfast is offered in the lobby which is beautifully decorated and is also the site of an afternoon tea. The hotel itself is very quiet even though there seemed to be a great number of families staying there with active children of all ages. After breakfast I struck out for a walk back to the lake finding it to be quite a hike to the downtown area. I decided to catch a city bus to complete my trip. Anyone that travels to Chicago soon realizes the shopping is great. I soon found myself loaded down with packages and needed to flag down a cab to get back to my room. (The Majestic does not have the best parking situation, you actually have to park a few blocks away, but as the hotel is in a residential area the walk is pleasant.)

My three days were packed with activities and though I didn't even scratch the surface of what Chicago has to offer I do feel that staying at the Majestic Hotel was a good decision. As it is not right in the middle of downtown it may not be a perfect choice for some, but I personally liked the fact that it was off the main streets and offered a relaxing respite from the big city.