TL;DR

For book lovers: Each room dedicated to a Chicago literary figure.
Unique history: Housed in a former publishing house with original wood, brick, and bespoke details.
Warm atmosphere: Library, fireplaces, Turkish carpets, and plant-filled spaces.
Check prices here

Built for book lovers, this West Loop gem is a nice mix of homely bed and breakfast, and hip Chicago boutique hotel.

We love a mom-and-pop, show-us-pictures-of-your-grandchildren BnB as much as the next person (maybe more?) but the Publishing House builds on the concept.

It’s literary themed. Built in an old publishing house, each room is dedicated to a major Chicago literary figure.

The Dybek Room is named after Stuart Dybek, who wrote The Coast of Chicago, for example, while the Audrey of The Audrey Room is Audrey Niffenegger, of The Time Traveler’s Wife.

The property has an extensive library, and the building has a strange and fascinating history with many uses until its 2016 transformation into a mixed-use space including our lovely Publishing House.

The owners did an incredible job, and you’ll find a double-sided fireplace nestled near original wood paneling, exposed brick and a well-curated collection of Turkish carpets.

The floors are also original, leading to a bespoke stairway with cushioned areas and luscious plant life.

How are the rooms?

Unique designs: Each of the 11 rooms are themed around a different author.
Comfortable layouts: Mostly king beds, some smaller rooms, and a family-friendly option.
Luxurious touches: Select rooms with claw-foot tubs and steam showers.
Amenities: Malin+Goetz toiletries, robes, and in-room bookshelves.
See each room in detail here

Each room is completely unique, and you’ll find something for everyone. Most include a king bed, though some are smaller and the Cisneros room can comfortably sleep up to four.

Decor also varies according to theme, but all options are comfortable and well-considered. Some have dark accent walls, others stunning macrome wall pieces, and some even sport chic vintage seating.

Bathrooms are comfortable, though select rooms are simply luxurious, with claw-foot bathtubs and walk-in steam showers.

You’ll enjoy free Malin+Goetz toiletries and cozy robes to curl up in while enjoying a themed selection from the in-room bookshelf.

What are prices like?

> Check prices here

Note: There is a two night minimum stay at The Publishing House

And what’s the food like? Any facilities we should know about?

Breakfast highlight: Rotating chef’s menu plus buffet of pastries and fruit.
Guest lounge: Cozy, book-filled common area for relaxing.
Extras: Cinema room and event spaces available for rental.
On-site perks: Resident pugs, basement wine bar, and Solo Salon in the same building.

Breakfast is half the name, and the Publishing House lives up to it. Snacks and soft drinks are available all day, but you’ll kick yourself for missing breakfast.

It’s an ever-changing menu based on availability, season, or even the chef’s whims, which are worth trusting.

If the hot food isn’t to your taste, there’s always a buffet of delicious pastries and fruit to enjoy.

The lounge is a stylish and comfortable place to hang out with your travel buddies or other guests. Unsurprisingly, it’s also full of books.

There’s a business center, and while the cinema room and other separate areas are not technically open to guests, they are available for private rental.

They don’t welcome your pets, because they’ve got two of their own, a pair of snugly pugs that really add to the feeling of home.

Finally, the Publishing House shares a building with a sumptuous basement wine bar and the gorgeous Solo Salon.

They’re not technically hotel facilities, but they’re literal feet away and both world-class.

How is the neighborhood? Anything interesting nearby?

Dining hub: West Loop is home to some of Chicago’s best restaurants and cocktail bars.
Shopping & markets: Vintage markets and boutique shops nearby.
Cultural stops: Immersive WNDR museum and frequent pop-up events.
Convenient transport: Easy access to two subway lines and central attractions.

Beyond the building, the West Loop leaves you a lot to explore. Chicago is a leader in dining and entertainment, with the West Loop as a crowning jewel of top-notch eateries, ingenious cocktail bars and sophisticated boutique shopping.

There are vintage markets and places to buy local products, Michelin-star restaurants and even some lesser-known museums, like WNDR, which offers the best in immersive art experiences.

Pop-ups of all sorts open frequently, so make sure to keep an eye open for the unanticipated.

You’re an easy walk to two central subway lines, which will get you anywhere you need to go for some museum-hopping, sightseeing, or a visit to the American Girl Place.

Once you’re in the center, you’ll have access to any part of the city you want to see.

And what about the reviews? What did other guests think?

Some things guests liked:

”We love the interior design, all the details and that it felt as being at home. We loved the dogs and the breakfast. The fire place and that it had fire!!!! We loved the products at the bathroom. We loved the tea and coffee self serve and that we even had banana fresh bread. It was super clean that for us was also definitely the best experience…..”

”Great neighborhood; had no trouble finding street parking. The B&B itself was absolutely charming & stylish. The breakfasts were freshly made each morning & very, very good, as was the coffee. I enjoyed having access to the butler’s kitchen for midday coffee, leftover treats from breakfast, and ice. I also loved having the two cute little dogs running around. Made the place feel even homier……”

Some things guests didn’t like:

”There’s no permanently staffed reception, but one gets used to the entrance system….”

”Our only disappointment was that the water pressure in the shower was not strong. We assume this is due to municipal restrictions on new properties though. It was certainly adequate and would not keep us from staying again…..”

> Read all the reviews right here