![famous gay bar chicago manhole famous gay bar chicago manhole](https://media.guestofaguest.com/t_article_content/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/the-dead-poet.jpg)
The ladies that worked behind the counter were very friendly, and treated me like they were my aunts.The hotel sort of had the feel of a dorm-like setting at an art school in New York's Village. The residents though, turned out to be very nice people-a little avant gard and off the wall, but totally harmless. I was new to Chgo at the time, so I was a little frightened by the fast paced people. I didn't know a soul, I was low in funds, and my apt wasn't ready to move into. It was the 1st place I stayed at when I moved to Chgo 10 years ago. I actually have fond memories of the Belair Hotel. But the manager seems to have the policy 'you break it, you buy it.' So if you choose to stay here, be really, really careful The rest of the staff - desk and housekeeping - are extremely courteous and professional. No repairs were made and when I checked out at the end of the week, I was again verbally abused by the manager and officially 'banned' from the premises. The next day, the manager accused me of vandalism and threatened to make me pay for the repairs. When I reported this to the desk clerk, I was told it would be repaired. Apparently, it was attached only by the top hinge, the bottom one being already off. On the second day of my stay, the refrigerator door came off. I splurged on the 2-room suite, with refrigerator and microwave, since I could then save some money on food. Needing a place to stay while I waited for a job interview, I had intended to stay here for several weeks. Since I chose this hotel partly based on a review I saw here, I feel obligated to add a review of my own. We are planning to stay the Belair once again when we attend pride fest 2007. They weren't too small and each has own bathroom. They were nothing special- just a bed, a chair, dresser, TV, and bathroom with bath/shower. The rooms were clean and all of the fixtures worked. Close to gay bars on Halsted, Duffy's bar is right next door, Chipmunks restaurant (pizza, gyros), Walgreens, liquor store is very close (cheap beer, expensive cigarrettes), and 5 minute walk from Subway restaurant and transit lines. Diversey, and the religious protesters were right across the street, making it more interesting. The parade went right in front of the building on W. Aside from being required to rent 2 rooms for the 4 of us (we absolutely could not have more than 2 people per room) the location was excellent. The ladies behind the desk chatted with us and were very patient with my worn out credit card. We did not book a room before we arrived, but happened to find 2 available rooms here, at a much better price than the Days Inn down the street. My three friends and I stayed at the Belair during the weekend of Pridefest (June 2006).