Self-employed jewelry designer and qualitative research consultant
I'm 50, busy being a mom and starting a new career as a jewelry designer. I'm also a self-employed qualitative research consultant (that means I moderate focus groups and the like). I love cooking, yoga, walking, reading, gardening and interior design.
I thank Sue for her great hosting and would recommend her place to anyone. It was in a great location and was perfect for my business trip. I really wanted to be home in California with my family during that time and Sue made me feel welcome.
November 2011Our return visit was just as lovely at the first! Great hosts.
Sue and Howard are excellent hosts. The location is perfect for access to Northwestern U. (And superb if you're after a football game!). The house is gorgeous, and the room VERY comfortable.
Very nice stay all the way around: inviting, comfortable, very supportive, great food and company. Good proximity to NWY , Evanston, and Chicago.
It's such a wonderful place to stay. It's quiet and cosy, Sue is such a warm host, we really felt like staying at our own home.
This was an amazing experience! Sue is one of the most hospitable people I've ever met, offering me breakfast and lattes every morning and coming and going was really convenient and easy. Beautiful house and perfect location for anyone visiting Northwestern. HIGHLY recommend the GartzBarn!
Sue, Howard & Isaac were wonderful & accommodating for my pup and me! The location was perfect, safe, easy to find, and access to anything we needed. Breakfast was virtually gourmet and delicious and conversation with Sue delightful. Will definitely stay here again next time I'm in Chicago, which is about once a year! THANKS
It was great experience. First time I visited US and Sue family helped me a lot in finding places. I felt like that it is my own place and Sue was a fantastic host. Room is decorated very beautifully. I highly recommend staying with Sue and her family.
We were very pleased with our stay. Your lovely house and yard were a treat. Everthing was just as described. The bagels and keugel were were a welcome treat in the morning. Thank you very much!
This was our second stay with the Gartmans. Once again we enjoyed their hospitality. Sue makes you feel very welcome and cooks up a delicious breakfest. Lance & Kathy
Sue was a fantastic host. She was extremely understanding of my very busy schedule during my short trip to visit Evanston. Her home is in a gorgeous setting near the Northwestern University campus. She provided great recommendations on places to eat and walk around. I highly recommend staying with Sue and her family.
We enjoyed our stay with the Gartzmans through AirBnb. They are authentic and easygoing. The breakfast that Sue made was awesome, even our 2-yr-old daughter loved it so much by sitting at the table the whole time eating with us. We had an excellent experience for our first AirBnB with them!
Wow! Sue and her family are wonderful for a visit. Sue is brilliant at keeping all the small touches that make your stay easy and smooth. She codes the door with a number you will remember. There is a pretty vintage glass decanter with water and a glass in your room. The map of the world with push pins to mark all the guests is irresistible. They helped me plan my trip to my conference (I walked on a pretty day and took the train on a drizzle day) and the breakfasts were better than... More »
The hosts were very gracious. The room was very comfortable and the "barn" was lovely. We were served a great breakfast! Plus the location was perfect to visit our daughter. Many thanks to the hosts!
I was delighted by the comfort and friendship offered by Sue, Howard, and Isaac, their son. The room was lovely and the bed very comfortable, and my girlfriend, who I was in town visiting while passing thru Evanston, came over and we enjoyed a little "cocktail party" on the back deck . Sue provided a yummy breakfast, and I proceeded on my way. But my 2 night stay was most enjoyable and I'd recommend it to anyone. Dottie
Sue was one of the best hosts I've ever had. The house was clean, a full breakfast was provided, and she provided a door code so we were able to get into the house when we arrived. I would most definitely stay with Sue again!
30 minutes from downtown is the lovely Gartzbarn. The guest room is small (about 10 x 10) but the house is huge, the view can't be beat, and the hosts define hospitable. Lounging on the massive deck watching the birds, bunnies, chipmunks and golfers was like being at a resort. Easy walk to train, shops, Northwestern campus, the beach and the lake. PS the double lattes are excellent.
Stayed in this accommodation during the summer and loved, it was my first time experiencing airbnb and what a great way to start. At the start I was a bit hesitant booking this over a hotel room, but am I glad I did! This was just like staying in a hotel if not better, and a lot cheaper!! I stayed for 3 nights and from day one I was treated like a king! The room was fantastic, I had my own private bathroom, even some chocolates and water waiting for me in my room. In the mornings I was... More »
My stay was very good. Sue and her family are nice and the bedroom made feel just like home. The neighborhood is quiet, is really a place where you can feel comfortable and resting.
I stayed for four nights and felt very welcomed into Sue and Howard's home. I was looking for an apartment in Evanston/north-side Chicago and they took a genuine interest in my search, discussing the different neighborhoods with me and providing maps and other helpful information. The home itself is quite lovely and I enjoyed tons of fresh fruit at breakfast, which I ate in the kitchen overlooking the lawn of a golf course. I made use of their comfy couches in the living room to access the... More »
Sue and Howard were very accomodating, friendly, generous host that made me feel like I was part of the family. They have a lovely home in a beautiful area in a suburb and the room was clean and comfortable. I particularly enjoyed that we could sit and chat and share stories. I would definitely consider staying with them again in my next visit.
We recently stayed at Sue Gartzman bed and breakfast and we have to say it was a blast. We had excellent and healthy breakfast everyday, very good tips about things we could do in Chicago and also in Evanston. We loved the neighborhood...peaceful, calm with friendly neighbors. We higly recommend their place to everyone interested in having a good time. They were very pleasant and helpful and we were able to share some laughs. Thank you Sue and your lovely family.
Sue and Howard's home is lovely. The neighborhood is peaceful, with parking and there is easy access to the train and El from the home. They were gracious hosts and we enjoyed our time there. Thanks!
Sue's house was absolutely beautiful and artfully decorated, and our stay there went without a single hitch. It's an ideal room for two people. Note: A short walk away from the el, this house resides in an extremely convenient location if you're coming to Evanston for NU graduation. Thanks for the stress-free weekend, Sue.
The stay at the Howard Suey House was fantastic, since we arrived my husband and I were at home. They are excellent hosts and have a beautiful house, the room and bathroom are clean and welcoming. Sue is an excellent cook and made a spectacular breakfast, all you need to start a day of sightseeing in Chicago. The house is very close to the train and stay in a beautiful and safe neighborhood. Thank you very much for all the hospitality and for letting us know your home.
I came to Chicago for a couple of days. Sue and Howard are the perfect hosts - friendly, warm, and welcoming. They even gave me a ride downtown because we were leaving at the same time. Not that you need them for transportation - their house is right between two train lines. Speaking of their house, it's clean, beautiful, and it's in a gorgeous, green neighborhood. The room and bathroom are clean and comfortable, complete with power strip on the nightstand (love it), and a pitcher of water on... More »
our first experience with this concept and the GATZBARN hosts were most welcoming and helpful; a lovely family in a unique house and pleasant neighbourhood; we highly recommend this stay.
Sue and Howard are fantastic hosts! Very personable, ready to do anything to make your stay a pleasant experience! Great place to stay when visiting Evanston! Thanks again for sharing your beautiful home with us!
There was a pleasure for us staying at Sue's and Howard's house. I love they taste for design. Definitely a great place to stay in Chicago! We enjoyed sitting together, sharing stories, playing games. That was a big part of our Chicago experience. For visiting downtown we rent a car but getting around by public transportation was very easy and convenient too.
Just got back yesterday from our trip to Chicago. We were Celebrating our 8th year Anniversary and we ended up booking our stay at the GartzBarn. Sue and Howard were wonderful host and the breakfast Sue served us in the morning was fantastic. Our room was clean, spacious and plenty of storage for our personal items. The town of Evanston is so charming and the GartzBarn was very close to the Metra or the Purple line; if you are needing to make it to downtown Chicago. My husband and I both... More »
We are from France. It was our first visit in Chicago. Our stay at Sue was perfection! Sue made us the most delicious breakfast every morning :-) She gave us great places to visit in Chicago. Her house is very well located in a very nice and quiet neigbourghood, very closed to the station (25 mn to the loop). We had a wonderful Time :-) Cheers Marie-Estelle & Veronique
Great location - 4 blocks walk to the Purple Line Central ave stop. One bedroom with private bath on the upper floor. Very comfortable room. Perfect for one person or couple. Sue was a great host - breakfast was delicious. Thank you!
We had another great time staying with Sue and Howard. Got a restful nights sleep and had a delicious breakfast. We'll be back again!
Sue was a wonderful host. There was no problem with our very late arrival and the morning was pretty quiet despite the family getting ready for work and school. Breakfast was wonderful and graciously accomodating to dietary needs. Thank you Sue for making our quick trip more personal!
Very warm and friendly family, great location, cozy room, yummy breakfast, a great experience all around!
Great location. Comfy room. Tasty and different breakfasts each morning. Sue and Howard made us feel right at home.
Wonderful time at the Gartzmans. Very hospitable and a great place to stay when you are visiting Northwestern. Great breakfasts.
We had a short but very pleasant stay with Sue and her family. Sue and Howard stayed up to welcome us after a long journey and made us feel very much at home. The accommodations were very comfortable. Great breakfast and visit with Sue, too!
I enjoyed staying at Sue and Howard's place so much the first time, that I stayed there again the very next time I was in Chicago. They have a neat house in a lovely neighborhood. The "L" and the Metra lines are both easily walkable, and Sue was very helpful with maps and advice, even with a couple umbrellas. I would definitely recommend their place to anyone visiting Chicago.
Very nice stay with Sue and her family! Unfortunately too short... we appreciated the welcome (and the umbrellas waiting for us on the bed! ;-)).
Fabulous place and fabulous hosts. I can't say enough good things about the experience. I was very comfortable, had excellent advice about where to go, was served great breakfasts, etc. They have a beautiful home on a quiet street within walking distance of lots of things to do. The entire family is incredibly friendly and kind. You won't go wrong here!
We enjoyed out stay with the Gartzman family, they were friendly and helpful in every way.
My stay with Sue was an entirely positive experience. Her home is lovely and in a quiet location. Sue was a fount of information, directing me to delightful and affordable shops and restaurants within walking distance and even helping me map out a good long walk along the lakeshore nearby. She also provided great support as I planned activities for relatives and friends who were flying into Chicago to join me during my stay. Five stars really aren't enough: I would give her six!
Sue, Howard and Isaac are a lovely family and we very much enjoyed our stay with them. They were helpful and interesting to talk to. The room was beautifully furnished, clean, quiet, and comfortable; we had our own bathroom and we enjoyed several great breakfasts on their deck overlooking a golf course. Very peaceful. The house is well located within Evanston and although we had a car, we could have gotten around fine by walking to the train.
Staying at the GartzBarn was a great experience. Evanston is a beautiful city, the house is on a well groomed, tree-lined street, and the room looks exactly like the pictures...cozy, comfortable, and clean. While we really only slept at the house, it was everything we could have hoped for. Sue provided maps and helped us figure out the best transportation into the city, loaned us umbrellas because it was raining, offered fresh coffee, clean towels, breakfast, our own private bathroom, and... More »
It was absolutely delightful to stay by Sue, Howard and Isaac !! They are really lovely, helpful and interesting people. They provided us a lot of information about Chicago , the trains, the beach and everything we wanted to know. We have had the best american breakfast(s) including a very good coffee during our trip, even when we slept too long (!!. We had a nice view to a golf course within a park. The room was comfortable, and clean, we had our own bathroom and a fast wireless. We... More »
Sue and Howard were wonderful hosts! The breakfasts were absolutely delicious. Our bedroom was quite nice. We would recommend others staying there!
We wouldn't trade the warmth and hospitality of Sue's home for a five-star hotel. The quiet location was perfect for us; close to shopping, the beach, and the Bahá'í Temple. It was absolutely delightful getting to know the Gartzmanns and we look forward to seeing them again.
Absolutely delightful. Sue and family welcomed me warmly, even making the room available very early after a red-eye arrival (much appreciated). Very comfortable room, private bathroom with a great shower (always a plus), beautiful house and neighborhood close to the Northwestern campus, and a restful vibe. I hope guests feel as good in my house as I did in theirs.
We had a wonderful time with Sue and her family. Their home (and your room) is attractive and comfortable. They are splendidly accommodating and she makes great breakfast waffles! We look forward to staying with them again.
Excellent stay this weekend during Northwestern's parents' weekend. Highly recommend it-especially if you have a student or a prospective student visiting NU. Close to campus and especially close to the stadium. Great gourmet food and conversation. GartzBarn looks out on a lovely forest park and golf course. Parking is easy if you have a car. Easy walk to campus and downtown Evanston. We've established a new friendship with the Gartz family to boot!!!
The Gartz's home is a wonderful place to stay. The house itself is an example of a great house that has been remodeled and maintained lovingly over the years. The original hardwood floors are amazing. The setting on the verge of a golf course, is a quiet residential area near both the Metra and the cta "el" making travel to and from Chicago a snap. Sue and her family are wonderful hosts who made me feel as if I was one of the family. Staying there was one of the best choices I have made... More »
Staying with Sue and her family worked out perfectly for me & was a great value for the price. I had spent the previous few days traveling without out good sleep or access to a good bed, so it was a nice place to land before getting in my car and traveling back home. Nice room, great bathtub, beautiful home and setting. Sue has a natural, relaxed way at making one feel welcome in her home; she was attentive without being intrusive. She and her husband helped me get directions to a number of... More »
Sue and her family made my boyfriend feel right at home. He really enjoyed his stay and we think it was worth every penny. Thanks!
The Gartzman's provided a very nice atmosphere for my visit to Chicago. They provided very useful information (public transportation, restaurants, etc.) that you can’t get at the major hotels. I intend to look in to using Airbnb for future travel plans to other cities. Thanks.
Sue and her family were hospitable, accommodating, and the breakfasts were great too. They made my stay very pleasant.
Sue and her family made us feel right at home! Extremely comfortable accomodations and worth every penny! We've made a new friend!
Sue and her family made me feel right at home. They were fantastic hosts in the upscale suburbs of Chicago - a lot more bang for the buck when compared to staying in a hotel.
Glad you had a great time! Great guests! Come again any time! Mary
September 2011Excellent guest!!! would definitely recommend!
Sue is a truly lovely guest, perhaps because she is also a host and exhibits the behavior she would expect from her own guests. She is a friendly conversationalist without being intrusive, very quiet coming and going, and so neat I hardly knew she had been here. I hope she will consider staying with me again and recommend her without hesitation to other hosts. Daphne
