Welcome Inn Manor: Bronzeville’s Hidden Gem
Welcome Inn Manor, 4562 S. Michigan Ave., is one of the highest customer rated bed and breakfast establishments in Chicago and one of the city's best kept secrets.
The Manor was purchased by Angela and Mell Monroe in 2002. Built in 1893, the exquisite brownstone-style building stands over two stories high on 7,200 sq. ft. and houses 18 rooms, six of which are designated bedrooms. After roughly four years of renovations according to Mell Monroe, the newly remodeled Manor was ready to accomodate travelers from near and far.
“We decided to go into business because we’re five minutes from the largest convention center in North America, McCormack Convention Center,” said Monroe. “We recognized that we like to share our house with people from around the world and introduce them to this side of Chicago, near south side of Chicago; it’s often misunderstood and its stories untold.”
The Monroes have actual sit-downs with their guest, answering questions about Chicago and providing suggestions for good eateries and other tourist attractions. For a fee, the Monroes provide airport pick-ups and drop-off service and are planning on offering walking tours to visitors in the near future.
Mell Monroe told the Chicago Citizen Newspaper that “service is everything” and that what distinguishes the Manor from its competitors is that, “We earn our tip the old fashion way by sitting down with guests, finding out what brings them to town, etc… we’re big on taking care of people, that’s the bottom line.”
The Manor received a certificate of excellence from TripAdvisor, LLC in 2014 and was the recipient of the Top Vacation Rental Award by FlipKey in 2012.
“We’re the only licensed [African American owned] bed and breakfast in Chicago,” said Mell Monroe. “The fact that we’re the only one says something about our uniqueness; [it] says something about those of us that are African American that are in the businesses. There aren't a lot of African American owned B&Bs in the country that are licensed that is. With that in mind you learn very quickly to market your product to one of three groups: people that like bed and breakfasts, that’s group number one; people looking for a different experience, they’re tired of the typical hotel; or because all of the other hotels are booked up and our price is right and they stay with us.”
Ultimately, the Monroes expressed, that they want Manor to be recognized for the service that it provides and that “we just happen to be African American.”
Welcome Inn Manor Bed and Breakfast is inspected and fully licensed by the City of Chicago and is a member of the Chicago Bed & Breakfast Association.
For more information visit http://welcomeinnmanor.com/
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