Hello, I am a little disappointed, I have had so much good advice on SF, so I thought there would always be someone for every question! But are there no locals in Evanston on the forum? Or Chicago locals?
Last try, with the risk of you all being bored by me!! thank you..... Is the Margarita Inn worthwile in Evanston, and how is the Holiday Inn, as I am still undecided, heard bad things about the Omni and define no's for the Homestead..

I said it before and I'll say it again...OMNI!

I only know the Margarita Inn as the site of the excellent northern Italian restaurant Va Penseiro. It is a great looking vintage building but I didn't know it had short-term hotel services. The Holiday Inn is pretty tired.

I just looked up the Margarita's web site and am shocked that anyone would recommend this over the Omni Orrington. Wow.

Barbara,

I stayed at the Margarita Inn one night a few years ago when visiting my daughter who is at Northwestern. As I recall, this used to be some sort of religous-based residence and the rooms were definitely old-style dorm-like. Both the room and bed were narrow with the bathrooms/showers were down the hall - it reminded me of a monastic cell.

On another visit I was at the Holiday Inn which was undergoing renovation at the time so no commment other than that it's a Holiday Inn.

- Ed

thank you again for your comments, but I'm getting more and more confused. The Margarita Inn seems so nice, but after Ed's notice I'm not so sure anymore...
And Bob, have you been to the Omni recently, has it been renovated, I have also heard the rooms are very small and uncomfortable, if you know different from recent experience pls let me know.And Sam , have you really stayed there??? I mean, Ed has really been there.. please help me out a last time!! thank you...

Barbara, I have stayed at the Omni several times while attending functions at nearby Northwestern University. I have not stayed at the Margarita. However, from the web site it appears the Omni is far superior in every respect. Even a small tired Omni room looks better than the Margarita's website rooms, which I assume are their best. Just my opinion, of course. Plus, the Omni has a beautiful lobby and public areas

If you don't want people's advice, don't ask for it.

Barbara, Although I live in the Bay area now, I spent 22 years of my life in Evanston living just north of NWU's campus. The Orrington (Omni) is the ONLY place I would consider staying when I go back. I also can't understand anyone who could have SERIOUS complaints about it.The Margarita Inn started life, I believe, way back when as a residential hotel for unmarried young women---imagine when that was, and I also recall it was run by nuns. That accounts for the dormitory look about it. In the last 20 years there has always been a nice upscale restaurant on the ground floor, but the rooms have been pretty dismal. Holiday Inn is dreary and the Homestead is a no, although it used to house the best restaurant in Evanston, but the chef/owner died a few years back. I'm about as close as you can get to a "native"--I return to see friends and family at least once a year and my husband recently did a management program at Kellogg. I believe the lack of Chicago dwellers to answer your question is that if you live there, you generally don't stay in Evanston. All my recommendations for SF have to come from the few times we stay in the city or from friends who have stayed there and then down on the Peninsula with us. More advice I can't offer, in the end you must decide. Good luck.

thank you again for your help,sam and Kam, I won't come back again on this. Kam, especially your extensive information is very helpful. (david, yours is not)
As my husband is also busy all day at Kellog, I think the room is more important than the public areas ,as I will be on my own a lot.
I am glad that the first week of my travel is in SF, and that the hotel is fixed already!I have been to SF many times,but never to Evanston. thanks again.

I AM an Evanston resident AND a realtor and when I have clients come in from out of town they always stay at the OMNI. Not only is it very nice, but it is in the heart of the downtown area and directly across the street form the beautiful Evanston Library. There is a Starbucks, Barnes and Noble (our towns big hang out spot) and a Borders Books all within a block. The Margarita Inn is on the southwest edge of downtown and while the VaPensiero restaurant is great it does look tired. I'd go for the Omni and try Davis St. Fishmarket while you're here. Have a great time! Hope you like HEavanston!

hi allie, im already back from evanston and had a great time and liked the Omni very much. I was grateful for all your advice. The va pensiero was a great meal, but indeed the Margarita seemed a bit, well... am glad I stayed at the Omni. went to old orchard by bus , to chicago by el...everything was great,except for the cold!!!
barbara
by the way the oceanique restaurant was wonderful too!!!