The Wheeler Mansion - Chicago, USA 

Wheeler mansion is a great find
Posted: Wed, May 21 2008
Just stayed there on 4/9-4/13 on business. Was pleasantly surprised. Great way to escape the commercial side of hotels, it is a boutique so it is kind of basic, nice hot breakfast, clean modern bathrooms, elegantly furnished. I did need the fax which the manager allowed me to use without any issues. Free of charge. When is the last time you got something free at a hotel.....

Don't stay here on business
Posted: Fri, Jan 04 2008
I agree with "Wheeler Mansion = Bad customer service". The "general manager" that showed me around when I checked in talked a good game, offering all sorts of concierge services (which I never used), but when it came time to pay for my stay I was given the same line about being liable for 100% of my reservation, even though I had to check out a day early. When I expressed my displeasure, and tried to explain that their policy didn't make any sense given that their proximity to McCormick place means that a lot of their customers will be business travelers and that business travelers' plans change frequently, the "general manager" tried to pass the buck to the owners, and just flatly stated that I should have known the policy when I made the reservation. Basically, I left feeling that I got screwed, which is a shame. The property itself is very nice, but it's in an absolutely deserted part of town. It's that part of town that's either "up and coming" or "the wrong side of the tracks", depending probably on your political persuasion. While the hotel is only two blocks from McCormick place, I would definitely not recommend that a woman walk alone around the neighborhood at night. The property's immediate neighbors are a parking garage/lot, a warehouse under construction being converted into condos, a humongous postwar factory that's showing its age, and a bunch of other buildings that would be a great place to host a rave. All in all, it's a shame that the customer service was so bad, because it has the potential, despite its surroundings, to be a good overflow option for the McCormick place hotels when they book up. However, I wouldn't recommend staying at the Wheeler Mansion if you're going to a conference. Another strange facet of the property is that the "general manager" is only on the property intermittently, and only during business hours. If you need something at night, you're completely on your own. No receptionist, no "front desk", no nothing.