The worst hotel experience we have ever had. I would not recommend this place based on the service we encountered. I had family and friends staying at his place for our wedding. Not only did they give my fiance the wrong room they messed up my Uncles room. The women at the front desk were THE MOST UNPROFESSIONAL STAFF MEMBERS I HAVE EVER MET. They used profanity in front of customers, cut down the reservations staff, and complained. I can give an quote example, "This is [--], I am so sick of people today." The first hotel we have ever experienced were they DEMANDED the entire bill up front the second we walked in the door and lied telling us the price for the valet in/out parking service was a total of $38.00 per car. We thought, no problem, that's reasonable, until the day we checked out and were billed us close to 160 extra deciding then to say it was 40 bucks a day per car. I have never been so angry about the treatment at a place in all of my travel experience and this was my freakin wedding! Horrible. I can't believe those front desk clerks have not been fired as we were also advised by another staff member that there have been numerous complaints on their manners and their treatment of people. That's a stupid move on managements behalf because they turn away customers. My uncle and my fiance were beyond mad and they are two of the most laid back people I know.

I will say on a good note and my husband wants to make sure everyone knows the bell hops and valet drivers were so nice and funny. They helped make an awful stay somewhat tolerable. Make sure if you do stay at this place to tip them well. They are great people! The views are outstanding, it's honestly too bad their front desk staff can't treat people better because the hotel itself has very cool potential.

We stayed at the Belden-Stratford last weekend for the first time. It was elegant, comfortable, friendly, amazing views, clean - and we hated to leave. We were also impressed with the wonderful continental breakfast and the amazing architecture and furnishings. The staff that we encountered, from check-in to maintenance people in the hall, were all friendly and helpful. It was a perfect location - across the street from Lincoln Park Zoo and walking distance to any type restaurant and shopping you could want. If you're lucky like us, you might be able to snag a good parking spot. Be sure to check out the beautiful view from the rooftop deck!

Beautiful, sunny, and spacious condo at a very reasonable price. Very clean, comfortable bedding, with good housekeeping. We loved the location across from Lincoln Park Zoo, and found the city bus service to be very convenient. In a very safe neighborhood and we felt comfortable walking downtown and to the trains.

This was a 4 night trip for our first ever visit to Chicago. In summary an excellent stay and I can thoroughly recommend the hotel; for the room, the lobby, the on-site “Mon Ami Gabi” restaurant and the location.
Maybe we were lucky but for a standard room rate we received a huge suite and a great view across the park to Downtown (room 825 if you fancy asking!). Probably the biggest hotel “room” I’ve ever stayed in – and I have visited a lot of hotels – really a full blown one bedroom apartment.
We really enjoyed being outside of Downtown. Apart from the great walks in the park (including the free zoo) and on the lakeside the location encourages you to get out and visit the interesting neighbourhoods of Chicago – Lincoln Park, Old Town, Lakeview, Wicker Park. “The Loop” and Mag. Mile are fine, don’t get me wrong, but we were glad to make that a visit rather a “stay” location.
As previously reviewers have said the public transport is excellent – bus route 151 is a 3 minute walk from the hotel with buses every few minutes into the centre of the City – routes 22 and 36 also handy (take route 72 to Wicker Park). Get one of the good value CTA passes - $14 for 72 hours.
Recommendations outside of the hotel. Well to start the nearby walks are great – not so much in winter I guess! Restaurants – for brunch we enjoyed the Original Pancake House (Gold Coast) and Caffe de Luca (Wicker Park). For lunch “Heaven on 7” and Millers Pub, both in the Loop, and Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder (Lincoln Park). For dinner Bistro Margot in Old Town (half priced wine Mondays!), the Chicago Chop House for steaks (expensive) in “Near North”, Mon Ami Gabi (at the hotel). We also ate at Geja’s Cafe (fondue) but over-rated in my view.
The Art Institute of Chicago has a great collection worth 2 - 3 hours of your time. Don’t believe your guidebook if it says free entry Tuesdays, that finished a while ago, the $14 entry is still good value. The Architectural Society’s boat tour is comparatively expensive at $28 but well worth it for the expert review of Chicago’s world class high rise buildings and general background on the city. If you are in the Wicker Park area check out the amazing houses on Wabansia Ave., on the other hand the Wicker Park “historic district” was hardly worth the effort.
In summary Chicago is a great place to visit. I’d suggest outside of the cold winter months to make the most of the outdoor living opportunities; our September weather was perfect.