Villa D' Citta Rating: 4.0 Pearls

Lincoln Park, Chicago, Illinois

The communal kitchen

Opened in 2009 and designed by the acclaimed Burns and Beyerl architect firm, the Villa D' Citta is richly elegant, with hardwood floors, dark wood furniture, and striking modern design touches.

The spacious wood-columned foyer has a dining table with candles, a fireplace, two satin couches, and eclectic wall art (including old maps, a sword, and a colorful contemporary painting of a car).

The communal kitchen is a large open space with stainless steel appliances, wood cabinets, an island with stools, an oven, a microwave, a sink, and dinner sets. Guests aren't allowed to cook a full meal here, but they can store leftovers, or fix snacks such as sandwiches or or hot dogs using the free ingredients.

Adjacent to the kitchen is the family room, with a contemporary white couch, animal print throw, flat-screen TV, fireplace, and arched french doors opening to the patio.

The patio (or grotto) is framed by a brick colonnade, and guests can use the barbecue on warm nights. A wrought-iron spiral staircase leads to the rooftop whirlpool and sun deck.

View on a Larger Map

Lincoln Park is a residential neighborhood north of Old Town and directly west of Lake Michigan. There are dozens of restaurants, bars and boutiques in the area, but it is fairly quiet. Lincoln Park is also home to bike and jogging paths along the lake, gardens, public art, some of Chicago’s best beaches, the Lincoln Park Zoo and Conservatory (both of which are free), and the famous Oz Park. But top tourist attractions - like the Loop, Millennium Park and the Magnificent Mile - are roughly a 20- to 25-minute subway ride away. Fortunately, the hotel is two blocks from three subway lines.

• 2-minute walk to Oz Park
• 14-minute walk to Lincoln Park
• 17-minute walk to the Lincoln Park Conservatory
• 20-minute walk to the Old Town
• 25-minute walk to the Lincoln Park Zoo
• 12-minute subway ride to the Water Tower Place
• 20-minute subway ride to the Theatre District
• 22-minute subway ride to the Loop
• 23-minute subway ride to the Millennium Park
• 23-minute subway ride to the John Hancock Observatory
• 24-minute subway ride to the Art Institute of Chicago
• 24-minute subway ride to the Chicago City Hall
• 40-minute subway ride to the Navy Pier
• 7-minute drive or 16-minute subway ride to the Wrigley Field
• 11-minute drive or 37-minute subway ride to the Museum Campus
• 18-minute drive or 50-minute subway ride to the Museum of Science and Industry
• 24-minute drive to Midway International Airport
• 30-minute drive to O’Hare International Airport

Grand Tuscan Suite

Villa D’ Citta has six rooms with very distinct personalities. They are all spacious and luxurious, but color schemes and decorative accents vary. For example, the Florencia Suite features dark wood floors, a contemporary bed with white bedding, and huge photo of the Eiffel Tower, while the Grand Tuscan Suite has a carved four-poster bed with mocha bedding. Several rooms have fireplaces.

• 42- to 52-inch flat-screen TV with cable access and premium channels
• Private bath, except for the Euro Room and the Florencia Suite, which share a bathroom
• Free Wi-Fi
• Shower/tub combo or large standing shower (except in the Grand Tuscan Suite, which has a big soaking tub and separate steam shower)
• Hardwood floors (except in the Milan Suite)

• Outdoor sun deck with Jacuzzi
• Elevator
• Free Wi-Fi
• Theater room
• Concierge available 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily

• The villa has a fully-stocked communal kitchen where guests can prepare breakfast, snacks and light fare 24/7 (though they're not allowed to cook full meals.)
• The Grotto Grill is an outdoor space with a gas grill and a barbecue, as well as some chairs and sofas.