Fodor's Expert Review The Belden-Stratford Apartments

Editor's Note: This location is no longer in operation.

The 70 rooms—all with full kitchens or kitchenettes—are apartments for long-term rental, but on any given night there are plenty available for overnight stays at very reasonable rates. Don't be fooled; the feel is not that of a generic, extended-stay hotel. Its lobby, in fact, looks palatial, thanks to the polished gold chandelier, grand piano, and handwoven tapestries. The lobby and hallways are praised for being quiet, so families should prepare to clam up their kids. The biggest treat is the on-site dining at French restaurant Mon Ami Gabi. Another highlight? The Lincoln Park Zoo is across the street and the lakefront is just a few blocks farther.