Walking into the foyer of the Wicker Park Inn, you have the almost irresistible urge to kick off your shoes and throw your keys on the little decorative table. This cozy feel continues as you head upstairs to the kitchen, which sports a communal dining table. Guests often gather here in the morning to eat, meet each other or just read the morning paper.

The Wicker Park Inn is really split into two buildings. The original building has five rooms with varying bed sizes: one king, three queens and one full. Each has a theme (like the Cape Cod Guestroom, done up with blue hues and beachy artwork) and its own bathroom.

The second portion of the inn sits across the street. The owners live upstairs, but the first two floors are new inn additions. The Garden Apartment and Bucktown Apartment have their own kitchens and several beds, and are often reserved by larger parties or guests who will have a long stay in the city.

The inn hosts many overseas travelers accustomed to B&B accommodations. Other common guests include those in town for conventions, couples looking for a romantic getaway in the city and parents visiting their kids who own nearby condos.

Centerstage Reviewer: Christy Bonstell