Imagine staying at a hotel that looks like an apartment. That's what people find at The Guesthouse Hotel located on Clark Street in Uptown/Andersonville.
Originally conceived as luxury condos in 2008, The Guesthouse Hotel morphed into a vacation rental property and is in the process of transforming into a boutique hotel. That construction will be complete this summer.
When asked to describe the hotel Rick Verkler, general manager, said it's "unique, spacious, comfortable, warm and friendly."
"The fact that we have these spacious, luxurious, home-like units so rather than having a 200 square foot room in a high-rise hotel down in the loop you can have between 1,000- and 1,600-square-foot home here in one of Chicago's wonderful neighborhoods," said Verkler. "It encourages people to do exactly what we want them to do which is 'live like a local'. That's our tagline. We want people to come in and explore Chicago from our point of view and these units give our guests the chance to spread out, relax and create your own home for the time you are here."
"We like being in very distinct urban areas which is why it's great to be here in Uptown/Andersonville," said Verkler. "By positioning ourselves in one of Chicago's fantastic neighborhoods it just gives guests a different point of view and an introduction to local culture which we think is so important."
Each unit has either one, two or three bedrooms; one or more bathrooms; a kitchen with a breakfast bar that is fully stocked with appliances, dishes/utensils and cooking supplies; living room with a fireplace and full entertainment system with satellite TV; dining area; washer and dryer; and a patio/balcony with a gas grill as well as traditional hotel amenities including extra towels, hair dryer( s ), an iron, and complimentary WiFi.
Verkler noted that in order to be eco-friendly they don't do a traditional maid service every day and instead encourage their guests to act like they are in their own home and re-use their linen and towels during their stay. "We consider ourselves a luxury property and the decor and items in the units reflect that," said Verkler.
The hotel currently has 10 units available for reservation with an additional 15 opening in the summer.
Since the hotel is in the process of transforming from a vacation rental property to a full-service boutique hotel the new space will include a lobby, reception desk, event space, library, gift shop, fitness room, concierge services and offices for the staff. The new space will be open in July of this year.
The owners are looking to other neighborhoods in Chicago and in places like Denver and Austin to take their brand and expand their reach, Verkler explained.
Verkler noted that they are looking at different websites that feature LGBT travel information as a way to market their hotel to the LGBT community. They are already featured on the LGBT travel website Purple Roofs.
"With our location in one of the LGBT neighborhoods in Chicago we want the LGBT community to know that we are here and would be delighted to be involved with wedding ceremonies and receptions as well as accommodations for guests that come from out of town," said Verkler. "With our new building's rooftop garden, I picture that as a really wonderful spot to have a small intimate wedding. I'm finding out that people are veering away from big weddings to something much more intimate and special and this can be a spot that you can grab a dozen of your friends/family and go up to the roof garden and have the skyline and lake views as a backdrop to your ceremony."
A grand reopening will take place this summer as well as a number of press events and open houses with different chambers of commerce.
See www.theguesthousehotel.com for more information and to make a reservation.
