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House of Two Urns
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  • The Two Urns B&B in the Wicker Park neighborhood is 1.5 blocks to subway, 3 bus lines and only 18 min. to downtown via bus, 4 min. via subway.

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Description Rooms & Rates Packages Meals Location Reviews 79

  • Inn Details

    A charming brownstone two-flat, the House of Two Urns earned its name from a recurring motif in the original stained glass and rooftop urns. Built as a storefront Polish bakery, the B&B is in the owner's flat on the second floor and is conveniently located close to downtown in Wicker Park, is just off the Kennedy expressway and 1.5 blocks to subway and buses. Garden fresh fruits grace the full breakfast of one of Kapra's "blue plate specials" or choose from the buffet of freshly baked muffins, breads, homemade granola, homemade jams from our fruit garden, cold or hot cereals, yogurt and bananas, tea or coffee and orange juice. We are celebrating our 20th year in business and look forward to welcoming you to our home on your next visit to Chicago. Wicker Park is a hip, dynamic, ethnically diverse neighborhood that is safe for walking to and from public transit or the many restaurants, coffee houses, alternative theater/music venues and boutiques that are within a 20 min. walk from the inn. Guests from around the world have enjoyed the hospitality of the inn's host, who is very knowledgeable about Chicago, the arts, cultural events and can help make your trip and enjoyable and memorable one.

    Innkeeper Information

    Innkeepers Description:

    A video artist, her multi-talented poet husband and her young daughter are your hosts.

    The innkeepers speak:

    • English

    • French

    • German

    • Spanish


    Other Pets: 2 outdoor cats on site

    Features

    Type:

    • Other

    • Bed and Breakfast

    • Urban Inn

    Property Noted For:

    • Great dining and boutiques nearby

    • Hip urban neighborhood

    • Wonderful hot breakfasts - great homemade muffins!

    • Antiques/decor

    • Business travel

    • Economical rates

    • Family Travel

    • Peaceful getaway

    • Romantic escape

    Amenities

    Guest Room:

    • Air conditioning

    • Alarm clock

    • Bath robes

    • Board games

    • CD player

    • Ceiling fans

    • Coffee/Tea facilities

    • Computer

    • DVD Player

    • In-room internet

    • Desk

    • Fax Machine

    • Fireplace

    • Fridge

    • Hairdryer

    • Hot tub/whirlpool tub

    • Internet Service

    • Ironing Board

    • Microwave

    • Radio

    • Satellite/Cable TV

    • TV

    • Telephone

    • VCR

    • Videos

    • Wi-Fi

    On Site:

    • Copier

    • Library

    • Piano

    • Washer/dryer

    Other Amenities:

    • 2 miles from downtown/Loop; 5 miles to McCormick P

    • free parking

    • laundry

    Visit B&B Site

  • Writers and Artists Residencies This Winter!

    1/10/2012 - 2/28/2012

    DEADLINE FOR THE FELLOWSHIPS HAS BEEN EXTENDED! Applications are still being accepted through December 10th! Winter Artists' Retreats or Writers' Residencies 2012! Join us for one of our Artists' or Writers' Residencies this winter and renew your creative spirit. Take the time to write, clear the clouds in your head, start a new project, explore the great museums Chicago offers, meet other artists or writers in a salon setting. Fellowships worth $300 available. Applications at: www.chicagoartretreats.org.

    Winter Break Hotel Discount Rate

    2/16/2012 - 2/29/2012

    Enjoy deep discounts similar to hotel rates this time of year starting at $69/night to $109/night without breakfast or $99-$139/night with our delicious full breakfast daily. Book on-line at our official website for these great discounts today!

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  • Alice's Room

    Suite maximum capacity: 2

    • Beds

      1 Double

    • Bathroom

      Shower

    • Nightly Rate

      (high/low season) $79/$129

    Das Porzellanzimmer

    Suite maximum capacity: 2

    • Beds

      1 Queen

    • Bathroom

      Private Bath

      Bathtub

      Shower

    • Nightly Rate

      (high/low season) $99/$159

    La Chambre des Chats

    Suite maximum capacity: 2

    • Beds

      1 Queen

    • Bathroom

      Shower

    • Nightly Rate

      (high/low season) $89/$119

    Alcova delTiempo Detenido

    Suite maximum capacity: 5

    • Beds

      2 Queen

      1 Twin

    • Bathroom

      Private Bath

      Bathtub

      Shower

    • Nightly Rate

      (high/low season) $139/$229

    Blue Room

    Suite maximum capacity: 2

    • Beds

      1 Queen

    • Bathroom

      Private Bath

      Bathtub

      Shower

    • Nightly Rate

      (high/low season) $129/$169

    La Chambre des Amis

    Suite maximum capacity: 3

    • Beds

      1 Queen

      1 Twin

    • Bathroom

      Private Bath

      Bathtub

      Shower

    • Nightly Rate

      (high/low season) $139/$229

    King

    Suite maximum capacity: 2

    • Beds

      1 King

    • Bathroom

      Private Bath

      Bathtub

      Shower

    • Nightly Rate

      (high/low season) $129/$189

    Eastlake

    Suite maximum capacity: 2

    • Beds

      1 Double

    • Bathroom

      Private Bath

      Bathtub

      Shower

    • Nightly Rate

      (high/low season) $109/$149

    Walnut

    Suite maximum capacity: 1

    • Beds

      1 Twin

    • Bathroom

      Private Bath

      Shower

    • Nightly Rate

      (high/low season) $99/$129

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    Policy

    Reservation Policy

    • Check in: 2-4 pm daily    Check out: 11 am

    • Minimum stay: Generally 2-4 nights on weekends or during heavy convention periods

    • Deposit amount required: 1 night bookings are non-refundable. Payment is due 7 days prior to arrival.

    • Cancellations: By NOON, CST, one week prior to arrival. Refunds are only given if we are able to rebook the room if you cancel less than one week prior to arrival and one night is not refunded as a late cancellation penalty fee. Different policies apply for apartment/whole house rentals.

    • Open all year round: Y

    General Policies

    • Smoking allowed: No

    • Guest pets allowed: No

    • Drinking allowed: Yes

    • Drinking description: BYOB

    • Drinks available: N

    • Children allowed: Our Alcova (Double Queen) or la Chambre des Amis are best

    • Suitable for children: Limited

    • Childcare provided: No

    Discount type

    • 3 nights or more - some blackout dates apply
      Percent off: 15% Days required: 3

  • Breakfast

    • Type: Full

    • Time Served: 7-10 a.m. daily

    • Serving location: Breakfast Room

    Complimentary Perks

    • Non-alcoholic Beverages

    Signature Dish

    French Toast a la Morrie
    Named for a frequent guest, poet and author, this raisin bread french toast is topped with bananas and sliced almonds and served up with a side of sausage.

    Special meal options

    • Low fat

    • Restrictive

    • Vegetarian

    • Diabetic

    • Vegan

    Recipes

    Breakfast-Brunch

    French Toast ala Morrie
    Serves: 5
    Prep time: 10 min.

    Visit B&B Site

  • Location Type

    • City

    • Downtown

    City

    • Chicago

    • Distance to city: 2 miles

    • Directions to property:
      3 blocks west of I90-94 at Division exit 49A or 1-1/2 blocks from the O'Hare Blue Line subway Division stop.

    Airport

    • Chicago, IL (MDW-Midway) 15 miles

    • Directions to property:
      O'Hare

    Area Attractions

    • Amusement Park

    • Antique Shopping

    • Aquarium

    • Beach

    • Casino

    • Historical interests

    • Museum

    • Nature area

    • Near art galleries, alternative music and theatre venues

    • Picnic area

    • Zoo

    • Bicycle rental

    • Bicycle riding trails

    • Billiards

    • World Class Museums

    • Sightseeing

    • Shopping

    • Sight-seeing

    • Swimming

    • Swimming pool

    Visit B&B Site
    • Overall 
    • Guest room 
    • Services 
    • Value 
    • Cleanliness 
    • Dining 

    Write a review

    I'll be back!!

    About the reviewer

    • Between 45-55 years old

    • First time staying at a B&B

    • Typically stays in moderate lodging

    • Was travelling on vacation

    • Overall 
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    I spent a full week at the House of Two Urns during one of their Chicago Writer's Retreats. What a marvelous place for writers to hide away for a week! The rooms are beautifully decorated with art and antique furniture. My personal bathroom was very spacious and included a very large jetted tub. Each meal was a bit unique and laid out nicely. The neighborhood was charming with its old brownstones. The subway to downtown was easy to access and use, even for this country bumpkin, but a cab ride from downtown was also quick and inexpensive.

    Artist Retreat

    About the reviewer

    • Between 18-25 years old

    • Almost never stays at B&Bs

    • Typically stays in moderate lodging

    • Was travelling on business

    • Overall 
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    • Services 
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    I stayed here this January for an artist's retreat. I spent the first half mostly working, and my partner joined me for the second half in which we played tourist at the various museums and ate deep dish pizza (which I discovered is an abomination, sorry Chicago). I stayed in the Alcova room, which takes up most of the top floor of the house. It's newly renovated, quiet, comfortable, huge, and perfectly clean. The bed was comfy (I only used one, though there were three in the room), the desk has a view of the cute neighborhood (which is a short walk from Wicker Park, one of my favorite hangout areas), and there's a massive selection of Disney films on VHS. I imagine this is where families are often placed when booking; I saw inside some of the other rooms downstairs and they're quite small. I noticed someone else gave a bad review for an issue arising over neglecting to mention they were bringing a child, but if they did mention their kid, they could've ended up with the best room in the house! I can see how some reviewers here and on other websites had issue with the "coldness" of the host; there are very detailed instructions and rules on how to stay at the inn, and I think that reflects on rather strict innkeepers. But I spent a good amount of time with both Kapra and Miguel, and honestly, they were positively delightful. I wonder if there are such specific rules/instructions because they had guests in the past who were disrespectful of their rooms and amenities, which would be easy to find offense in, especially since you're staying in their home. Other cool things: short walk from Pohalanka (best Polish food I've ever had), free laundry, awesome art everywhere in the inn (some pieces of which are made by the innkeepers, others which came from various local artists and have interesting back stories), reliable wireless internet, cheap cab ride from the Loop if you don't feel like walking to the train station.

    Christmas Vacation at the Two Urns

    About the reviewer

    • Between 26-35 years old

    • First time staying at a B&B

    • Typically stays in moderate lodging

    • Was travelling on vacation

    • Overall 
    • Guest room 
    • Services 
    • Value 
    • Cleanliness 
    • Dining 

    Don't let the title confuse you, our experience was far from the National Lampoon's disaster! I live in Wicker Park and my family (the whole crew- grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, parents) really wanted to experience Chicago during the holidays. However, my 1 bedroom 1 bath flat was out of the question so I searched reviews for B&Bs open during the holidays. Not only was The House of Two Urns open during the holidays, but Kapra welcomed everybody like they were her own. She even made a special Christmas breakfast spending the time away from her own family to host and feed our crew. I could not speak higher of our experience. We stayed 5 nights and would've stayed another 5 if we could. The rooms are cozy and comfortable. As previously mentioned, the breakfasts phenomenal! Homemade quiche, pancakes, waffles, french toast, perserves, and pastries all served at a convenient time in the morning for you. Kapra didn't even mind us all stomping downstairs in our pajamas after staying up late on Christmas Eve. We booked her 3 bedroom apartment and had all the kitchen facilities to bake Christmas cookies and make a big Christmas dinner, just like at home. We're hoping to make a return trip in the summer to really enjoy the second floor patio overlooking her flower garden. Parking was included, a rarity in Chicago. And we could not have gotten more for our money, especially given that the bed and breakfast is located in the heart of a very popular and busy area with convenient access to public transit and close to downtown. My family and I would highly highly recommend the Two Urns to anyone visiting Chicago regularly, for the first time, those coming with a complete family, or for natives looking for a relaxing, comfortable in-city getaway.

    The most amazing place to stay in Chicago!

    About the reviewer

    • Between 45-55 years old

    • Stays at B&Bs twice a year

    • Typically stays in moderate lodging

    • Was travelling on business

    • Overall 
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    I have stayed at the House of Two Urns several times. Every time I do, I find the place immaculately clean, the artwork interesting and fun, the food amazing, and of course the hosts are welcoming, hospitable, and fill the place with warmth and care.

    Thanksgiving stay proves delightful

    About the reviewer

    • 55+ years old

    • Stays at B&Bs twice a year

    • Typically stays in moderate lodging

    • Was travelling to visit family

    • Overall 
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    • Services 
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    What a great location – close to the subway, near to unique stores, cafes, and restaurants. The elegant dining room and unrushed pace of the service make for a delightful start to the day. We also enjoyed the company of other guests at the tasty breakfasts. The room was perfect. A comfy bed, well equipped bathroom, and access to a small kitchen allowed a home like experience to our vacation in Chicago.

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Award Winner: 2009 - 2010