My boyfriend and I just returned from our weekend at the Write Inn. We were hoping for a hotel downtown Chicago but everything was booked or extremely expensive. We found the best prices on expedia.com
We took the Amtrak train there from our hometown so didn't have to worry about parking a car (since I read on here it was a hassle). We spent the day downtown then took the "L" train (Take the Green Line and get off at Oak Park) and walked to the hotel (only a couple blocks).
Yes, the hotel is old but we didn't find it to be dirty like we read on here beforehand. We walked down the street and a block away found several great restaurants to chose from (we loved the Mexican restaurant). The room has cable TV and we found a great movie on HBO to enjoy before heading to bed. The train ride back to downtown takes about 20 minutes and you aren't going through a great neighborhood but Oak Park was very pleasant. We learned you can buy a 24-hour day pass at most grocery stores for $5 which includes all of your train rides and bus rides so it worked out perfect. (otherwise they are $2.00 each way each person). We loved the city but looked forward to the evening where we had the short train ride to Oak Park and were able to enjoy a relaxing evening in the town and hotel. We will definitely be returning.

The hotel had an old time feel to it but the rooms were comfortable, quiet, well furnished and very clean. I clean for a living so I have a fine eye for an unkempt room. The location of the hotel is excellent for those using public transportation. Only two and a half blocks from the Oak Pk. Ave Green line stop. It's in a nice neighborhood with lots of attractions within walking distance. The breakfast was okay and somewhat quaint but there are plenty of alternatives within a one block walk too.

I LOVED the location and the website pictures make you want to stay here. The employees we came in contact with were very nice. But, once you get past the beautiful lobby area, this place falls flat. Every floor seemed to smell and our room was even worse! The walls were stained yellow and the vent looked like it hadn't been cleaned in atleast a year. We were booked in a Period suite where the only thing that might have been an antique is the headboard. On one side of the suite was one of the dangerous step up bathrooms...with only a toilet. You have to go to the other side of the suite to get to the shower which was extremely dimly lit, and again, a step up into it. The couch was crammed into a little nook next to the fridge and was very shabby looking. For the money they charged, it's just not worth it.

You're hoping: Great Gatsby. You get: The Jungle. Write Inn is a bit run down at the heels (if I squint while looking at the pix on their website, my room looked a bit similar). Staff was young and often friendly. Breakfast was quaint with a Euro feel. Biggest problem was parking. 1. Public garage 300 yds away -- a nice jaunt in pleasant weather, in the rain not so much. 2. Guest must remember to validate card every morning. 3. Guest must remember not to back into space. 4. Guest must remember to sign into hotel log book every night. I returned after midnight of a very long and stressfull day and forgot to sign in. My reward was a $30 dollar citation on my window the next morning. Upon checkout, I waited 1.5 hours to see a manager who never showed. When I asked the youngster at the desk why they didn't just automatically submit a log each day for their guests who had cars, the response was, "We would have to do that for everyone!" I will not be returning.