Located in the cool and vibrant neighborhood of Lincoln Park, Hotel Lincoln oozes personality plus without pretense. Just north of the city’s main hotel zones downtown (less than 2 miles away), it makes a great alternative to staying in the usual tourist-y (and price-y) suspects along the Magnificent Mile and/or in the Loop of Chicago.
If you’re the type of guest who enjoys exploring the local culture of a city along with its tourist attractions (I am)—or likes waking up and walking across the street to a weekly farmer’s market (I am), this place is for you.
But that’s not all Hotel Lincoln offers with its neighborhood location. From my Lakeview Junior Suite (best rooms with views are east-facing upper floors), I looked out on the Lincoln Park Zoo and Lake Michigan; both obviously within walking distance. 
Two blocks away is the legendary Second City comedy theatre while lovely walkable streets in nearby Old Town are charmingly pretty. Even closer in proximity: Wells Street is loaded with chic shops like Greer, Cocoa and Co., and numerous restaurants. And of course, downtown Chicago is probably less than five minutes away, via cab or conveniently close bus lines. It’s like the best of all worlds. 
Built in 1928, Hotel Lincoln is a landmark building in this area. Home to various hotel owners through the years (it’s now part of the Joie de Vivre Commune Hotels and Resorts group), it once held more than 300 rooms—easy to understand when you see its rather plain high-rise exterior. 
Renovated in 2012, today Hotel Lincoln offers 184 rooms. When I stepped inside its lobby, filled with color, eclectic artwork and furnishings, it was impossible not to feel its lively and energetic vibe. An espresso machine buzzed in the adjacent Elaine’s Coffee Call shop, and good smells seemed to waft in from the Perennial Virant restaurant, located on the main floor of the building too.
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The whole scene felt busy and hip, but not city-frantic. It really did feel …neighborly. Staff were welcoming, friendly, and helpful. Glenn at the front desk shared some of the history of the hotel when I asked; later, another person at the front desk noted my “Stan’s Donuts” bag with approval when I returned from a day out in the city.
My corner room was a spacious junior suite—complete with both modern and vintage design elements: a hip and huge funky red-framed full-length mirror (I swear it made you look skinny! I want one!), the unusual patterned carpet, a sitting area which included comfy turquoise upholstered chairs, a sofa and coffee table. 
To the side of the sitting area, there was a walk-in closet (weirdly, with a window) where the ironing board, safe, and coffee maker on a tray were stored.
I always appreciate a hotel that provides real glasses and cups (Hotel Lincoln does); now if only the coffeemaker had been a real one and not one of those one-cup-at-a-time old jobs with the little filter tray.
There were plenty of plug-ins for electronics (wi-fi is free), an ipod dock, plus a flat-screen t.v. strategically placed so you could watch from the sofa, or swivel it to watch from the King-sized bed. The bed was super comfortable—and I slept like a rock. 
My bathroom looked more like a generic chain hotel bathroom—no color—or artful touches. Just the basics with a combination shower/tub. But its amenities were definitely not generic; I loved the delicious smelling Lather aromatherapy bath amenities—all natural ingredients.
J Parker is the hotel’s rooftop lounge and I have no doubt in warm weather, it ‘s glorious—with a fantastic view. All my research indicates it’s considered one of the best rooftop bars in the city. Unfortunately, when I was there, it was cold and rainy and the retractable glass roof was up. I don’t know if that caused it, or it was just an unusually loud-mouthed group night, but the sound seemed deafening.
Except for Elaine’s Coffee Call, the hotel does not have a restaurant. But even though Perennial Virant is separately owned, you can enter it from the hotel’s lobby. It’s a superb spot for breakfast I can attest (or any meal, I’m sure) with its farm-to-table premise and which includes many of chef Virant’s own canned goods (think pickled green beans, homemade raspberry jam).
The hotel is pet friendly, has a fitness room, and rates start at approximately $189 for a standard smaller room. If you can, I think it’s worth the extra to reserve a larger room with a view—especially nice when making the neighborhood your home base for a few days in the Windy City.
For more information, or to reserve your room, check the website. You can also compare rates and book through Booking.com or your favorite hotel booking site.
Review and photos by Donna Tabbert Long
