No Love for New 'Love' Hotel

Couples-only hotel gives nearby residents the heebie-geebies

By MATT BARTOSIK

Updated 1:18 PM CST, Tue, Jul 28, 2009

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When a man loves a woman—or hopes to "love" a woman—he may want to take her to a special, intimate location. Fortunately for them, a new "couples only" hotel might be constructed in Midlothian, near 145th Street and Cicero Avenue.

But residents in the area are not happy about the proposed business. They believe the hotel will attract prostitutes and cheating couples looking for a discreet getaway. The residents say the neighborhood, made up of $600,000-condominiums and upscale homes, is no place for such a hotel.

Village officials have tried to assure citizens that the hotel, Ambiance Inn & Suites, is an elegant and high-class business. The hotel offers "fantasy" rooms that include mood lighting, oversized tubs, lotions, champagne, and—of course—fully mirrored walls and ceilings.

Security is quite a bit tighter than a stereotypical "no-tell motel." The parking lot will be gated, and upon reserving a room, customers must provide their name, address and a driver's license or state identification card.

But some nearby residents are still not satisfied by these guarantees.

"It's inappropriate for a place like that to be in a residential neighborhood. If it's so 'classy,' why does it need a gate? I disagree with the whole thing. If you want that kind of thing, go downtown," Jean Weishar, who lives down the street from the proposed site, told the Southtown Star.

The project is still in its early stages, and groundbreaking likely would not occur until spring 2010.

Do you think the residents are being too "uppity"? Or are their worries and concerns valid? (Share your thoughts below)

Matt Bartosik is the editor of Off the Rocks' next issue and a "between blogs" blogger.