We were visiting our son at DePaul to see his first concert of the season. Of course this concert date fell on the Chicago Marathon weekend. Literally everything was booked, well everything under $500 per night close to downtown and DePaul. I began my search and ran across this property. To be honest without reviews I would not have considered it, however the reviews proved correct. A clean property, comfortable, yes a bit dated but in a very cool part of the city that we had never been (Rogers Park) a short block from a nice park with beach. Two blocks from the Red Line Train, and a simple drive if we felt like it to other destinations. A very suburban quiet feel, not as clubby and rushed as downtown. FREE Parking, and an adequate continental breakfast as well.

We went to Chicago for the Blues Festival, the day after the Stanley Cup celebration. Hotels were all full and all that we could get was a smoking room at this hotel (we are non-smokers), on the top (4th) floor. The reception is not impressive, a desk in a top-to-bottom glass area, a very small elevator to take you upstairs. The hallway on our floor had ashtrays and a strong smoking smell, but the room was not so bad. It was a quiet one as it was the last on the hallway, facing a very quiet street. The air conditioning worked well, the bathroom seemed to have been newly renovated and was clean. It had old furniture but everything we needed, a bed, a chest of drawers with a large mirror with a TV and a coffeemaker on top; a small fridge and a table with an ice bucket on top and two chairs on the side, in a strangely shaped but relatively large room. There was a closet at the entrance, and the only thing I did not like in the room was the coil mattress - my preference is for firm ones, but it had no bugs which seems to be a plus nowadays. They have free guest parking and the EI is not far, about 7 or 8 blocks, and a bus stop right at the corner if you don't want to walk.
It was our first visit to Chicago and we had no idea of the neighbourhoods, we picked the Super 8 because the rate was one of the most reasonable we could find for that weekend and the only clue we had was that it was close to one of the universities, which is usually a good sign. The access to the neighbouring beach is only two blocks away from the hotel and the neighbourhood felt safe - we walked to a nice and inexpensive restaurant four blocks away at night and did feel very safe. Some restaurants in the area deliver as well. There is also a convenience store at the corner and a gas station with fast food a block away.
When we arrived in our bedroom we noticed that the TV remote was missing and they provided us with one promptly. The following day we noticed that the coffeemaker was not working, told the guy at the front desk on our way out in the morning and he said he would look into it. He did not and on the following morning we took it downstairs with us, left it with a very helpful female staff at the front desk while we had our breakfast and by the time we headed upstairs, she gave us a brand new one.
The breakfast area is very small, two tables with four chairs each. I like to have yogurt in the morning so I bought some, but they had a lot of stuff in that very small space: milk and cheese spread in the small fridge, jam, juice, coffee, tea, danish and cereal (corn flakes & cheerios). When going downstairs for breakfast we took the tray from our bedroom to bring it upstairs because we had read the reviews about them not having enough spaces to sit.

The poky little lobby with the glassed in reception desk doesn't look like a good omen, but persevere, it's worth it.

Rooms are large (if a little strangely shaped) with nice extras like a microwave and fridge. Furnishings are not fancy, but more than adequate (table with two chairs in my room and lots of surface space).

Hotel facilities outside the rooms are basic. Breakfast room is small but adequate. No business center but a quirky Internet cafe across the street.

Location is pleasant and safe and great for local transit.

What really makes this place stand out are the consistently friendly and helpful staff. It's the second time I've stayed there (last time two years ago) and I had the same experience each time. Staff want to (and are able to) help. not just directions and local tips. I wanted a late check out. The manager checked his bookings for the next day, saw that he didn't need the room that night, and said, "No problem". What more can you ask for

I stayed here for 5 nights with my sweetie (all the way from Seattle), and my sister and her husband (all the way from Michigan) met us here for a couple of those nights to celebrate her birthday and tour Chicago. The El was a short walk away and took about 30 minutes to get us downtown. The staff here was very helpful with suggestions of local restaurants and shopping. Breakfast was basic cereal, bagels, and pastries -- enough fuel to get started.