Newly Renovated Studio in the Heart of Pilsen condo

This was a perfect place for me as an experienced solo traveler for a week of business in Chicago and other parts of Cook County. I had a rental car and it was easy to find free parking in the area, though like any city on this planet you should never leave anything inside that you couldn't live without if it was taken. The times I needed to go into the Loop a Pink Line station was conveniently located just about four blocks away and I could get into the center of Chicago in just minutes. Pilsen is an interesting area with a vibrant Mexican and Puerto Rican culture (lots of cool restaurants and bars just a quick Uber\Lyft away), and a nice change from the stockbroker bro vibe of the center city. You have quick access to western and southern parts of Cook County by car (and by car to the Loop and north Chicago at night if you have the ParkChicago app), which gives you opportunities to explore something different (like Rosa's Lounge for blues). The unit was fitted out well for travelers, the kitchen and bathrooms were small but super clean and recently upgraded, the bed was comfortable, and for someone who spent little time inside other than sleeping, it worked out well.

Like all professionally shot wide-angle photos of hotel and apartment rooms, the images on the website are deceptive. This place is very, very small, probably too small for two people with full luggage who expect to lounge around in the room for hours. The orientation of the couch and bed in the photos was different than what I encountered, but no matter where they were placed, the bed area and the living area are tight. What did tick me off a bit was the undisclosed lack of closets. In the photos it sure looks like there are two, but both doors are covers for what I think are the building's water heaters and furnaces. Bottom line is that there are no places to hang any of your clothes unless you get super creative with the kitchen cabinet handles. The doors to the entryway and the unit seemed flimsy and could be punched open without much trouble, though I didn't get any sense that burglaries were an issue in the area. And it wasn't a problem for me as I've traveled extensively around the world and know that looks on the outside can be deceiving when it comes to the quality of the lodging, but I would imagine that some folks would be put off when they first arrive and approach the unit which seems like a converted utility room in a basement of an old building that's accessed by a musty storage area. Would I stay there again? Yes. Would I take my new wife there on our honeymoon? No.