10/25/06

Guests find a peaceful escape from big-city hustle and bustle at a Chicago monastery.

by Contributor

The Scene
At the Monastery of the Holy Cross, located south of the Loop in the Bridgeport neighborhood, guests can stay in an actual monastery, an experience not available anywhere else in the U.S. Though buildings date back to the late 19th century, accommodations are equipped with modern conveniences like TV-VCR, telephone with data port and fax machine. The seven-room loft apartment has two bedrooms, each with double beds and a kitchenette, living room, breakfast room, study and bathroom. The first-floor six-room garden apartment has one bedroom with a queen-sized bed, living room, dining room, study, full kitchen and bathroom.

The Details
Accommodations have private entrances, air-conditioning and include breakfast. A hot service is prepared for those in the loft apartment (located on monastery grounds) and served by the monks. In the garden apartment, guests can make breakfast with fixings in their kitchen. Guests may join the monks for prayer.

03/20/05

A Delightful Retreat from the Bustling City

by bjfrez

St. Joseph's loft with it's two bedrooms, living room, dining room, office, kitchen and bath was an amazing deal. The full breakfasts the monks serve was excellent. And it was a quiet retreat from the bustling city of Chicago. We plan to stay there again and again!

• Pros: Good breakfast, Good parking, Good Value
• Cons: Must take public tran