Carleton of Oak Park

A classic hotel that harkens back to an earlier era. Similar to hotels of this era in the Loop, but a much better value. If Oak Park fits your travel plans, the Carleton is a great place to stay.

It's an older building but has its charm.

We stayed one night in the main hotel the week before, and it was wonderful. The second week we stayed one night in the motor inn. Same price. No comparison whatsoever. I wouldn't stay in the motor inn again. Musty smelling. Not nearly as clean.

Not shiny and new so you may need to adjust expectations. While there is an elevator, there are steps at the entrance to the building as well as inside to get to said elevator. It was kind of difficult to maneuver with heavy luggage, but again, staff was willing to help in any way. Perfect location, very walkable. We love Oak Park!

Superb

Love the hotel and location is perfect for me.

Poor Phils restaurant next door great. Lived up to its reviews and will probably be returning next year.

Great location, if you're wanting to get to a lot of just cute shops, cute places to eat. Great to just kind of get to everywhere. We went downtown in like less than twenty minutes. And drove.

The staff was great. The room was charming but it did have an old cigarette odor I think it is in the carpet. It also needed a deep cleaning as far as baseboards. I did love the charm of the building which I enjoyed as well as the staff who where always helpful.

Our double/double room was nice but very stuffy. The air conditioner did not blow cold air. Tried to contact front desk but room phone did not work. Went to front desk and was told that the manager had "turned off the air conditioning because it was supposed to be a cool night outside" and that the manager had gone home. Front desk said a fan would be brought up but after 30 minutes still no fan. After expressing our dissatisfaction at having no A/C in a hotel that advertises A/C we were upgraded to a suite that had wall A/C units in both rooms so we switched rooms. Problem solved with inconvenience of an hour in a stuffy room and having to repack and move to new room. New room was spacious but neither phone functioned to let front desk know that the A/C wall units repeatedly shut down for periods of time. We managed by unplugging then plugging back in the units. After a few hours of this the A/C both functioned well for the remainder of our stay. The suite was very nice and spacious and featured two bathrooms. Room phone did not work in suite either, so I called from cell phone to let front desk know specifically that a shower toiletry dispenser (conditioner) was empty in both showers. This was not addressed despite assurances that it would be.

THE HOTEL STAFF WAS VERY ACCOMODATING. THEY ALLOWED US A PARKING PASS AND SECURED OUR LUGGAGE BEFORE WE COULD CHECK IN, VERY HELPFUL W THIS AS WE HAD AN EVENT BEFORE CHECK IN AT 3PM. NOTHING

Disappointing

Definitely a boutique hotel, but we'll maintained and in a good area with good eateries close.

Have stayed here many times for a long weekend, and enjoy it every time.

Clean and good location

Unfortunately, this place needs to work on upkeep and "it's an old hotel" is not an excuse. The elevator was out for quite some time when we were there (apparently this happens frequently) and one member of our party had limited mobility. Per hotel staff, there was no backup option. She was eventually able to make her way to the 4th floor, and fortunately this was the end of the night because she wasn't going anywhere after that. I do not recommend anyone with mobility issues, or even anyone who doesn't want to carry luggage up and down the stairs, stay at this hotel until they install a second elevator or replace the current one.

comfortable bedside table on both sides

Good location for us. Old place with usual old age look and feel. Friendly local bar attached to the hotel. Newer attached motel rooms might be more suitable for some people. Will stay here again if in the area.

Old-fashioned hotel, not a part of some soulless chain. Personal room, comfortable bed, amazingly helpful staff, good location for Green Line access to downtown.

Love this place great service