Our second stay at the Willows
Excellent inn-like hotel in pleasant area of North Chicago, with easy access to centre of city. There are plenty of restaurants, coffee shops, shops,,cinema, bars etc in the immediate vicinity. The hotel is situated less than 10 minutes walk to Lakeshore Drive and the amazing attractions and facilities of the people friendly lakefront. 
Continental breakfast and newspapers are available (self-service) in the lobby. We usually loaded the tray and brought it back to our room. Coffee, tea and snacks are provided 24 hours a day. As we were helping out with our newborn grandson who lived with his parents a couple of blocks away, that 24 hour service was a bonus!The rooms are a little dated but clean, comfortable and warm. Maid service was very good.
The reception staff, day and night, was excellent. Advice and assistance were given readily and always with a smile. Maybe because it is a comparatively small place compared to the modern high rise city hotels, the staff seemed to know each guest and all were greeted with a cheery 'good morning' or 'good evening'. I must single out the young lady on duty during the day, whose name has slipped my mind. Besides being generally helpful, she surpassed herself on my last day when I was checking out. I had ordered a cab and waited outside for the usuall rapid arrival. She noticed I was still there a few minutes later and sent out another staff member to flag one down on the street. 15 minutes later i saw her racing towards me. She herself had run up to the high street and spent ages trying to hail a cab in a very busy morning rush hour period. No success! However, she suggested she arrange a private limosine service to the airport which would cost $10 extra. 5 minutes later I was on my way- many thanks!