The Publishing House Bed and Breakfast

108 N May St, Chicago, IL 60607, South Chicago, United States

4-star hotel

Guest rating: 4.9 / 5

Overview

The Publishing House Bed and Breakfast occupies a converted former publishing house on a tree-lined street in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood. This 4-star boutique property blends industrial-chic architecture with an eclectic, colorful design sensibility, offering just 11 rooms for an intimate stay. Its blend of exposed-brick character and quirky furnishings gives it a distinct identity among Chicago B&Bs.

Rooms

Each of the 11 eclectic rooms is individually decorated with colorful, quirky furnishings, and some retain partially exposed brick walls that nod to the building's industrial past. All rooms include en suite bathrooms stocked with designer toiletries, plus Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs. Upgraded rooms add extras such as claw-foot soaking tubs and dedicated sitting areas for guests wanting more space.

Dining & Common Areas

A trendy on-site bar and a communal kitchenette give guests flexible options for socializing or self-catering. Breakfast is a particular highlight, with guests regularly praising the hearty full meal spread that includes fresh fruit, breads and cakes, and coffee or tea. Stylish common areas include lounges and dining rooms that reinforce the property's design-forward, homey atmosphere.

Location

Set in the hip West Loop, the property is about a 7-minute walk from a metro station and roughly 17 minutes on foot from the Chicago French Market. It sits within a couple miles of major Chicago attractions, including Willis Tower and Skydeck Chicago (1.7km), The Art Institute of Chicago, Millennium Park, Cloud Gate, and the Chicago Riverwalk (all around 2.7-2.8km), plus The Chicago Theatre and Chicago Cultural Center within roughly 2.5km. Slightly farther afield are the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Adler Planetarium, Navy Pier, and Lincoln Park Zoo, all reachable within a short ride.

Best for

This B&B suits couples, solo travelers, and design-minded guests seeking an intimate, characterful alternative to a large chain hotel, thanks to its 11-room scale, eclectic decor, and communal lounges. It's also well suited to culture-focused visitors, given its walkable-to-transit West Loop location near Willis Tower/Skydeck, The Art Institute of Chicago, Millennium Park, and the Chicago Riverwalk. Breakfast-focused travelers will particularly appreciate the property, as its hearty morning spread is one of the most consistently praised features.

Travel tips

The hotel is about a 7-minute walk from a metro station, making it easy to reach downtown attractions without a car, and roughly 17 minutes on foot to the Chicago French Market. Landmarks like Willis Tower and Skydeck Chicago are just 1.7km away, while The Art Institute of Chicago, Millennium Park, and Cloud Gate cluster around 2.7-2.8km away, so a comfortable walk or short rideshare covers most downtown sightseeing. For farther sites like Navy Pier, Lincoln Park Zoo, or Wrigley Field, plan on a short ride rather than walking.

What guests say

Guests consistently highlight the quality and generosity of the breakfast, describing a hearty full meal accompanied by fresh fruit, breads, cakes, and coffee or tea. Room comfort is another recurring theme, with reviewers noting spacious rooms and comfortable beds. The distinctive, colorful decor and themed rooms (such as one guest's mention of a green-accented room) are frequently called out as a memorable highlight. Overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with repeat-visit intent mentioned, and no recurring negative themes appear in the available excerpts.

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