Ray’s Bucktown B&B

If you’re looking to stay in Chicago on the North Side, this is definitely the place to go!
I had family visiting from out of state and couldn’t house them all at my apartment, so we got a couple of rooms here at Ray’s. It wasn’t at all what I expected from a B&B (it’s a pretty large place), but it was so much better than I’d hoped!
Ray is incredibly friendly, and he makes sure you feel 100% at home while you’re here. He has tons of recommendations if you’re looking for things to do/​see in the area, and he makes sure you are comfortable and happy at all times.
The place itself is an adventure, too — Ray is clearly an eclectic collector and has tons of unique items around the B&B. Everything has a story. While the rooms were all very … unique (one hallway we had to turn sideways to get through) … they were comfortable and had some great luxury additions (4-​headed shower, anyone??). Downstairs near our rooms there was even a sauna and steam room (which we unfortunately didn’t get to enjoy).
All in all, I’m disappointed we only had one night here, but I will DEFINITELY be recommending it to anyone I know from out of town who is visiting and wants a more ‘real Chicago’ experience than the touristy glitz of the Loop.

My best friend and I were visiting Chicago for the first time (a Thelma and Louise trip) and decided to do something a little less conventional by staying in a B&B. and are we glad we did.
Ray was nothing but warm and friendly, telling me the differences between the rooms there and giving his advice on which room may be the best fit for us… and this was all before we got to Chicago. Once we arrived, he volunteered to pick us up from the train station and bring us to his HOME!
We stayed in the Da Vinci room and it was absolutely amazing. Hardwood floors, 46-​inch flat screen TV, ample room for us to move around! Store our bags from shopping around town and then relax in the jacuzzi tub after a long day of sightseeing. The bed was so comfortable, it just melted around us as we slept…
The B&B staff and other guests were warm and friendly. The breakfast was soooo yummy. Made to order at whatever time you would like to eat and the food choices were great. The stuffed french toast was the best ever and Ray’s breakfast potatoes were delicious.
Although we were only in town for a few days, I would not hesitate to stay here again and again… and I would recommend this establishment to anyone who is looking for a HOME away from HOME, while on vacation!

My mother came in town to visit for my birthday in April and we stayed in Room-​With-​A-​View for a night. My mom loved this place and that’s saying a lot because she is very high maintenance :-) I live in Logan Square so we were just looking for a relaxed place to stay nearby for the night. It’s in a great location, walking distance from Wicker park– a «hip» area with shopping, restaurants and bars galore.
When we arrived at Ray’s a girl at the front showed us around, gave us a map of where to go and eat and let my mom print out her airplane ticket on the computer. The room was very nice, cozy and clean. I still dream about the bed and the bathroom had heated floors!!!
It was a pretty day so we sat outside in the backyard with two bottles of wine, one of their kitties, and played mancala for hours. It was a blast.
We stayed out late that night and I’m sure woke up everyone in the B&B on the way to our room (sorry). But the next morning Ray made us a delicious breakfast of our choice and we met some nice folks at the table and went on our way.
Ray’s resembles some hostels I’ve been to in many aspects. The only difference being the large wonderful room to yourself and the breakfast in morning. I personally enjoy the atmosphere but if you’re looking for an upscale B&B for a romantic night this might not be the one for you.
We had a great time to say the least. We can’t wait to go back!

My husband and I felt right at home with the eclectic and artistic vibe. The staff are so helpful. We loved the breakfast menu! The raspberry chipotle bacon was delicious and cooked perfectly! Our room was charming and the bed was very comfy. We will be back for another stay soon ;)

This place is beyond AMAZING. Five star breakfast, wonderful staff, best location in Chicago — we don’t want to leave!

Ray’s Bucktown B&B is in a suburban section of Chicago, made-​up of two adjoining buildings with a carneverous subterranean space. Room is limited and parking is even more so, as we heard several residents ask about parking availability while we were parking in the garage in back. That was a huge conveinence for us, given the belongings in the back seat.
The place is spacious and comfy, though cluttered in many areas. Ray as well as the other staff, are extremely courteous and always seem free to help with anything you may need. The breakfast option was very nice and a home-​cooked meal was refreshing while along a country-​wide road trip. The room was comfortable, quiet, and all we needed. Safe too, we really didn’t need to lock the doors. The place is quirky but this was also refreshing whilst staying in boring motels so often.
The amenities here abound. I utilized the steam room and sauna and really appreciated what they added. No one else used them that I saw, and the setting was clean and inviting. Our room did not have a jacuzzi tub but our bathroom did have a heated tile floor which we love. This was the room we received after booking through Hotel Tonight, being thoroughly unfamiliar with the area.
Our stay was short but we would certainly stay at Ray’s again when in Chicago. It isn’t too far from downtown and we’ll know what we’re getting. Recommended!

Great first experience with a b&b. I loved the food, the room, and the hospitality. I am spreading the word about Rays. Egrets room was a great room for me and my friend.

My wife and I stayed recently at Ray’s. The neighborhood is eclectic and interesting (you definitely have to walk around!), and the owner and staff are warm and welcoming. The breakfast is amazing and was the high point each morning. They have special items, coffee, juice, pastries, fresh fruit, etc. and then you can order breakfast how you like it with a variety of types of stuffed french toast or omelet type choices in addition to a special each day.
My wife and I have stayed in many B&Bs and perhaps we had different expectations but if you are looking for a traditional B&B with décor, nice ambiance, and perhaps romance, this is probably not for you. We had the DaVinci room. The bathroom was awesome with deep whirlpool tub for two, but the bedroom itself is in need of a makeover. There were two beds, neither of which had headboards or footboards– just mattresses on a rolling frame. There was one office chair and the room is ringed desk-​like shelves around the room. Not exactly what I had hoped for or expected from the photos online. There were two nice skylights.
Aside from the décor, being on the upper floor during the summer all the heat rose, and the room was warm (probably feels great in winter!). My complaint with the room was that the small window AC unit was right at the head of the bed– so if you want to run the air conditioner you have to move all the pillows and run it. If you run it while sleeping it is right next to your head blowing on you.
Another thing that bothered me was the smell of cooking bacon in the morning– everyone likes waking up to that, right? But it was like they were cooking it right in our room. And the smell lingered all day long, even with the bathroom windows open. So our clothes smelled like old bacon when we went out on the town. A small thing, but I mention it because I hope Ray can figure out how to eliminate it.
I also hope that a little redecorating might happen to the Davinci room. It is a great space, and with a little effort that bedroom could be awesome. Take the shelves that go all around the room down, put a nice queen size bed (with headboard/​footboard and side tables) where the chair/​refrig is now, and make the window nook a loveseat area. Repaint, and get a woman to help decorate.
The entire house is full of collections — dishes/​pitchers/​cameras, etc. DE-​clutter everything and you could really have a 5-​star place.
The other thing to know is that most parking is on-​street. We often had to park a couple blocks away. Not a big deal for most people, but some of those parking spots were tight.

Ray was so very kind! The breakfast was amazing, they even made some vegan French toast for me. We stayed in the Egret Room, the beds were very comfortable. I would definitely come back!

It’s always a pleasure to stay with Ray & friends when visiting Chicago. Located in a centrally located residential neighborhood — there’s always something to do within walking distance or a short cab ride.
Vegan French toast is a must for breakfast even if you’re not a vegan!
When my kid graduates and I no longer have to visit Chicago, I may have to find a reason to visit just to return to this fabulous little retreat.

Rays B&B is a cozy, cute, wonderful little place to stay in a great location in Bucktown.
I stayed in the West Room in the basement and they provided high-​quality accommodations (towels, bedding, bathroom fixtures, huge flat-​screen TV).
Breakfast is absolutely delightful — they provide a buffet of fresh fruits, pastries, cereals, bagels, coffee/​tea, and juices, then offer you to order off their menu (food is excellent from the B&B pancakes to eggs benedict to omelettes.
Employees are helpful and sweet as can be.
The reason I rate them ⁴⁄₅ stars is because the floor in my room was dirty and the bed sheets appeared to not have been changed from the previous visitors. This wouldn’t deter me from recommending anyone to stay here, though.

This place is amazing! The staff are helpful, kind, and the woman in the kitchen has got some skills! Even if the location wasn’t convenient, the rooms spotless, great amenities, the price right, it is the food that will keep you coming back. Holy cow! Eggs Benedict on Sundays are a must. Then there were the maple bacon pancakes. Yes please. I love this place and will return in a heart beat.

Kinda bummed the breakfast for the Annex has been dropped, but overall you cannot beat what Ray’s got going on!

Stayed 8 nights here with Ray and the rest of his crew, and despite my deep abiding affection for the monastery b&b in my beloved Pilsen, Ray’s Bucktown B&B will likely become my home away from home until I move back to Chicago (and even then I may still make it an annual staycation event). Amazing staff, immaculate quarters, the ready access to a washer and dryer (no additional charge) spares me from having to drag my clothes to a laundrymat mid-​week (and if I wanted I could use the detergent they have onsite). Breakfast special every day but if it doesn’t meet your fancy, Ray’s has a made to order menu, which includes Jake’s Country Meats bacon and ham (Iowa farmer who raises pastured pigs and practices no nitrite processing). Lastly, if you can manage it, Sunday is eggs benedict and it is to die for.

This is what you sorta want in a B&B: cozy to stay in a room, nice to be in a communal area, kitchen available to raid the pastries, nice people, a cat that sometimes insists on his own space, affordable.
Staying here with friends, makes it the best of every world: you can gather for food or talking, go to respective rooms, and it’s far closer than in a hotel to find your friends or get together for coffee/​talking/​plotting.
Either you’ll have a car, or do a bit of walking to get to the major streets. (I used Über and stayed in the neighborhood.)
I’d stay there, just for the frittatas at breakfast.

All the good reviews are true! Excellent accommodations, great staff, yummy breakfast — there wasn’t anything I wished Ray’s had that it didn’t. The steam room, sauna, and free water/​coffee/​tea/​pastries were a very nice touch. The location is perfect — on a quiet street, but within walking distance to lots of great bars, restaurants, shops, and public transportation.
I’ll definitely stay here next time I get the opportunity and would highly recommend it anyone else.

I think some of the other Unilocalers who have given this place 5 stars have summed up my stay very well. No need for me to repeat. Ray’s was clean, hospitable, cozy and convenient located.

This is a long delayed review for Ray’s Bucktown B&B. .. at one point in early October — I held the claim to VERY divine fame as being the guest that stayed the longest consecutive days at Ray’s — I think it was something like 8 days.
So, I think this makes me qualified to give the place 5 stars, and if I could get away with writing another anonymous review to give it 5 more, I would. (Don’t worry, Unilocal Police — I play by the rules)
.. . if the devil is in the details, then Ray may just be a silver-​tongued Beelzebub. (this is intended as a compliment!) This guy leaves no stone unturned. As far as cleanliness: The entire place (which I got to know very well) is sparkling and spotless. The amenities are top notch, from jacuzzi tub in the actual room, to the sauna and steam room. Parking is complimentary as long as you make a reservation. You can also use the laundry facilities in the basement. There’s comped bottled water, blankets, snacks, travel mugs, neighborhood guides, magazines, community fridge, etc.
The décor is amazing — I only wish I had the eye to put things together like Ray. I can just see myself trying to replicate this concept and my B&B would like like a junkyard. Ray has cool collectibles, his photography, Hammacher Schlemmer tzotchkes (do you ever go through the in-​flight magazine and see the cool stuff, but realize you’re not cool enough to know what to actually DO with it? Yeah. Ray is.) and just a really funky concept which makes your stay very pleasant. I almost felt like I was staying in a cool modern museum.
The kitchen — amazing layout. Oh, coveted backsplash! The made to order breakfasts are delicious and don’t skimp on ingredients. (Hint: try the pesto!) and if you’re not a big breakfast person (laugh it up — I’m not, yet I stayed here!) you can knock yourself out on really delicious coffee, fruit, pastries, etc.
.. .. or, the custom Tootsie Rolls at the front desk — I believe they’re blueberry if memory serves. .. . hey, candy for breakfast is good until your teeth fall out, and so far, so good!
Location is amazing, very walkable and a super-​easy drive to Downtown. All in all, I wouldn’t mind spending another 8 or 9 or even 365 days here — it’s that great! Thanks Ray and staff! :)

I stayed at Ray’s for 5 nights, and I had a great stay. I am from the area and come into town to visit family/​friends, so the location was convenient & overall, it was more personable than a hotel. The breakfasts are generous, amazing, and ended up saving me money on lunch!
I love the décor in the main common areas, esp. Ray’s photography. Ray and his staff are unbelievably friendly and nice. The atmosphere is comfortable, homey, and there is a lot of info about what to do in the area. I made friends with a number of other guests & enjoyed talking to them over breakfast.
I stayed in the Sunlight Room, which was slightly awkward in its layout– being off the kitchen w/​the bathroom downstairs, but it was a comfy room & I got used to the quirks and liked how it was quiet, sunny, and low-​key. I *really* liked the whirlpool bathtub.
There were cute bars and restaurants in the area, shopping close by, the neighborhood is much safer than it was in the 90s, and I ended up taking the Western Ave. bus a lot which was easy & handy.
I would stay here again & hope to for future visits.

After having bad experiences at other B&B’s I have fallen in love with Ray’s. Very cool and definately not your mother’s b&b! To start with, you aren’t required to meet for breakfast at early hours-​you get to tell them when you will be ready for breakfast. and the breakfast? WOW. Local culinary students cook up some of the best breakfasts you will ever have, complete with fresh herbs from their garden. We were able to use their laundry facilities, sauna, and they were very helpful with local information. Also, the location is perfect, with just a few short blocks to transit and wonderful resturants and bars.
We’ll be staying here everytime we go to Chicago. Such a great, unique place.