Majestic Hotel

Set in a lovely Victorian-style building dating to 1925, the Majestic Hotel retains much of its original charm. Interiors are pleasant and a bit more modern in style. The breakfast room is about the only public gathering space and is a cozy area with contemporary chairs and large wooden tables. Guests are mostly couples and families heading to a Cub’s game at the nearby Wrigley Field. Be aware that the elevator at this property is very small.

The Majestic Hotel is located on a quiet, residential street in the eclectic Lakeview neighborhood. The area is a dining, shopping, and entertainment hotspot, with tons of options across all styles and budgets -- but it's far from Chicago’s main tourist attractions, like the Lincoln Park Zoo and Old Town, 21 and 30 minutes away by public transportation respectively. Magnificent Mile and other popular areas take at least 10 minutes to reach by car or 18 minutes by public transportation. However, the hotel attracts Cubs fans as it's only a 15-minute walk to Wrigley Field. It’s a 10-minute walk to the closest subway stop and two minutes to the nearest bus stop. There's a few trails that line the harbor that take seven minutes to reach on foot. O’Hare International Airport is a 40-minute drive from the property.

Guest rooms at the Majestic are rather tasteful for a value hotel, with cream-colored walls, sturdy wood furniture, and white-and-gold bedding. Standard rooms are on the small side, while Suites are large and have separate living areas (some with pull-out sofas). All rooms have flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, bathrobes, minibars stocked with affordable snacks, and irons and ironing boards. On the downside, the air-conditioning can be a bit noisy and rooms lack coffee- and tea-making facilities. (The hotel does offer free coffee and tea 24/7 in its breakfast room.) Bathrooms have a bit of retro charm with pedestal sinks-- although they feel even more outdated than the rooms. All bathrooms are equipped with shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and Gilchrist & Soames toiletries in wall dispensers.

There’s not much in the way of on-site amenities here -- the hotel lacks a gym, restaurant, bar, and business center. However, it does offer ample free perks like a basic breakfast buffet, 24-hour coffee and tea service in the lobby, afternoon cookies, Wi-Fi, and passes to the nearby Fitness Formula Club East Lakeview gym (a 15-minute walk away). There is a single meeting space that can hold up to 25 guests. Parking is available for a fee and is around the corner from the hotel.