ALONZO: Wicker Park-Art-filled loft

It was our first time in Chicago and my first time using Airbnb, and staying with Layne was a great way to do it. Awesome location. Restaurants and bars all within walking distance. The host, Layne was very nice and helpful. I would definitely stay there again.

Layne was an excellent host and the apartment was everything we'd expected. Layne was available to answer any and all questions and was extremely helpful in recommending tons of different things to do and see in and around the local area. The location is great and really easy to get to all parts of Chicago. We used a 3-day transit pass and it worked like a breeze. I would have no problem recommending with Layne or her beautiful apartment to anyone in the future.

Thanks so much for letting us enjoy your space. It was perfect for us and it could not be in a better neighborhood for those who want to be near all of the best taverns, galleries, and restaurants that Chicago has to offer. The space is open and very well decorated with original paintings and prints. The beds are comfortable and the kitchen is well equipped. The place has Netflix, wi-fi, and a great book collection for those times that you just want to hang out. Everything was exactly as described and Layne was a super easy person to work with. Thanks so much Layne!

Jim and I had a wonderful stay @ ALONZO !! The location was perfect for our needs. The wonderful open space allowed our family share a Christmas celebration that was unsurpassed. Small children appreciated this inspiring Artists space. Adults enjoyed the fare wrought from the kitchen. Everything we needed was at hand. You Rock...Layne. Hpoe to see you again soon. Happy New Year ! Blessings Jim & Chiquita

This was our first Airbnb experience and won't be our last! Here's why: Location: Having been to Chicago several times, we wanted out of the loop and this location delivered. There are many cafes, shops and restaurants very close by and Bucktown/Wicker Park is about a 20 mins walk away. The bus is very accessible. Place: It looked exactly as the pictures show, except the bedroom which was BETTER. It is small but the room fits the overall decor of the place and there is a big dresser for your clothes. Host: Layne was a wonderful host and the kind of person you hope would rent our their place - very much a people person, friendly, helpful (gave us directions, recommendations, etc.) and kind (brought bagels in the morning, made us coffee, offered up anything in her kitchen, etc.). She is also a good judge of character because our roommate was equally cool, so much so that we hung out!

Great, walkable location, with plenty of funky shops, cafes and restaurants nearby. Plus, it's on a quiet neighborhood street, so you can experience the nightlife without it keeping you up all night when you call it quits. The historic loft had way more character than a cookie-cutter hotel room. Owner was very knowledgeable about places to go and things to do.

Had a great time staying at Layne's place. The location is great: a half-block away from an awesome panaderia, some great Mexican restaurants, a small market. And the apartment was great for us and our kids: big and full of Layne's really cool art and artifacts. Also, she is super nice. Completely recommend the place

Absolutely wonderful experience. Anything that she recommends you, do it. Especially as goes food. The only thing to keep in mind is that the bedrooms are themselves a bit small. That did not at all hamper the experience. But if you have visions of cramming a bunch of people in them, that might not work out so well. That being said, the apartment itself is wonderfully roomy and light. Highly recommended.

This is a lovely flat, very private and totally comfortable. I will be back.

My brother Tony and sister Liz joined me for a birthday celebration at Wrigley Field over the past weekend. I found Layne's loft on airbnb for the 3 of us and it was the best find of the trip. The entire floor was ours for the enjoying. Layne was such a terrific hostess and we believe a great person. Although we are not art experts, the paintings we did see were interesting to us. We live in WV and coming to the city of Chicago was a very big deal for us. Everyone, including Layne, was so friendly and coming back to visit and staying at Layne's place will make the future trips a lot easily. The house is located very close to a bus line and a very convenient grocery store around the corner. Thanks Layne for everything. Jim, Liz and Tony

Layne is a gracious and lovely host, it was great to meet her. The location is very convenient to downtown Chicago and the highways, and the neighborhood is beautiful and fun.

I've arranged two stays with Layne -- both times for a work stay with designers visiting Chicago from San Francisco. Layne is a pleasure to work with and both designers have had nothing but great feedback.

a wonderful place, with a wonderful host. Layne is a kind and welcoming host, and the accommodations are fantastic. location was perfect for me, and Layne was very helpful and friendly i will most definitely be back.

Layne was a very warm and hospitable host with a great loft! It was a pleasure staying with her and I would recommend it to any traveler.

I cannot say enough great things about Layne, she is extremely helpful and knows the neighborhood and Chicago in general like the back of her hand. The loft is really beautiful designed with very cool furniture and her absolutely amazing artwork. I was staying at a hostel for two weeks before I stayed at Layne's and I wish I had known about her loft when first moving to Chicago. The location is great, a short walk to the Damen blue line and all the great shopping and restaurants.

I think that Layne has been wonderfull; I have found a very artfilled house, cleaner, in peacefull nigheborhood. Layne made me feel as a special guest and when I need help he was present to give me the solutions ( exemple, he reserve the cab for me to pick up at 5a.m. for airport) He was very nice. Thanks Lyane

This was my first airbnb experience and first visit to Chicago...great experience! Glad we weren't able to find a hotel (most were booked or expensive) and we were fortunate enough to come across Layne's place last minute. My husband and I stayed with Layne, and she was friendly and accommodating, just a great host! Her place was very homey and artsy. And our stay was comfortable, she made sure we were taken care of. She gave us great suggestions for local spots. The neighborhood is also great, and everything is easy to get to from her place.

House - Tastefully done Host - Warm & helpful Room - Very small Bus stop, gym, laundry, bars close by. Layne can get you some great local deals! I was stranded at the airport after missing a flight and Layne was helpful enough to immediately find me accommodation for a night with her friend, Conway, who is strongly recommended too!

I enjoyed staying in Layne's beautiful apartment. She was very accomodating and the apartment was located near the public transit I needed. it was also located near many fun and interesting stores, bars and restaurants. great place.

Layne was a great host and has a lovely place! I was there during the hottest week of the decade (so i hear), so it was a little warm. But Layne went out and bought a new fan for the room.. that's just the great host she is! Would definitely recommend her place to anyone looking for a place in the Ukrainian Village. Great location! Close to a lot!

Layne is everything and more she has written about herself. She is one of BEST IN THIS WHOLE WIDE WONDERFUL WORLD WE LIVE IN! I can not stress this enough. She is an amazing woman, an amazing artist and musician! Always full of energy, AN complete OPTIMIST, interested in so many things and interesting! Her house is BEAUTIFUL, ON ONE OF THE BEST STREETS IN CHICAGO! RIGHT OFF OF CHICAGO Ave, in Wicker Park/East Ukrainian Village. Close to everything, PERFECT! We got to know each other first through mutual friends then in the neighbourhood and the Chicago art scene. Where she is major force and synergy, always organising and doing for the art community, she is extremely supportive. We are neighbours, friends, and will always be friends. I think the world of her, and I am one of the luckiest people in the world to know her! If there is one thing I can promise you, you will have a wonderful, pleasant, great, incredible time staying with her.

I stayed at Layne's two weeks in May, 2011. Layne is terrific. She is easygoing and so easy to be around. I feel very secure knowing when I return to Chicago I can stay at Layne's lovely home and feel comfortable doing so. Layne went out of her way to accomodate me when another lodging fell through and that speaks of her character, I believe. I was on assignment for Frommer's Travel Guide photographing the great city of Chicago and came and went as I pleased, sometimes keeping odd hours due to assignments' times, weather, etc. Layne was receptive to my hours and also was very helpful with information regarding the city. I've stayed in a lot of rooms and apartments during my travels and Layne's is one of my favorites. My room was clean and comfortable and I enjoyed her neighborhood and felt safe as well. All-in-all a great "stay" and price-deal at Layne's and I highly recommend her home!