Escape to Chicago: O'Hare's Hidden Gem Hotel Awaits!
Escape to Chicago: O'Hare's Hidden Gem (Maybe?) – A Review You Can Actually Relate To
Alright, buckle up, because this isn't your typical cookie-cutter hotel review. This is the raw, unfiltered truth, fresh off the heels of my "Escape to Chicago" adventure. We're talking about that promising place near O'Hare – the one that promises a haven from the airport hustle. Is it a hidden gem? Well, let's just say it's got… character.
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- Meta Description: A brutally honest review of "Escape to Chicago," a hotel near O'Hare. We dive deep into accessibility, amenities (pool with a view!), cleanliness, dining, and if it's REALLY worth the escape. Plus, the real-life experience of a travel-weary reviewer.
The Initial Impression: Promises, Promises (And Maybe a Little Chaos)
First off, navigating the airport shuttle felt like a scene out of a low-budget action movie. But eventually, there it was: "Escape to Chicago". The facade… well, let's just say it had seen better days. The lobby was… functional. Think "early 2000s corporate" with a faint aroma of… something indefinable. You know, that hotel smell. Anyway, it's a hotel, you have to be patient. And they do have those… wait for this… bathrobes! Yeah!
Accessibility: Can You Actually Escape or Just Get Stuck?
I'm not personally wheelchair-bound, but I always check for accessibility because you never know. And this is where the review went down to a slight downturn. While the website boasts "facilities for disabled guests," it felt a little lacking. Ramp access was okay, but I didn't see any of the fancy automatics doors that make things so easy. The good news is that there IS an Elevator, but navigating through the public areas felt a little… challenging. But that could work. It's all relative at this stage. I'd rate it an okay, but just okay for this segment.
Rooms: A Mixed Bag (Like My Last Relationship)
Okay, the rooms. Finally! We're talking Air Conditioning (essential in Chicago, even in the fall). Free Wi-Fi (thank GOD). Blackout curtains (a lifesaver for catching some decent zzz's). They had Bathrobes! Alarm clock. You know, the basics. But then there was this weird, slightly damp smell. The kind that clings to your clothes and whispers of forgotten laundry. Look, I spent 10 minutes looking for a window that opens, but nope. Sealed shut. The bed was extra-long, which I appreciated, and the shower was decent, but the bathroom… well, let's just say it wasn't exactly a spa retreat.
And then there was the Internet. I think I saw the Internet [LAN] thing, but honestly, I stuck with the Internet access – wireless, Wi-Fi [free]. Couldn't be bothered with ethernet cables. Plus, they had Internet services which is just a good thing overall.
The desk was functional. The mirror… provided a clear reflection of the weary traveler staring back. The satellite/cable channels provided enough entertainment to distract me from the persistent smell.
Amenities: The Good, The Okay, and The Questionable
- The Good: The fitness center was… okay. Enough for a quick workout, definitely better than nothing after a long flight. The swimming pool [outdoor] looked tempting from a distance (more on that later). They also have those bathrobes!
- The Okay: The spa/sauna situation involved a steamroom, which was nice. I didn't try the massage, because, well, the room smell… But hey, they exist!
- The Questionable: The "Pool with a view" was… not quite as advertised. The view was mostly of a parking lot. Let's leave it there, okay?
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling Up for the Escape
Okay, the hotel is a hotel. What about sustenance?
- The Upside: They have two restaurants, one offering Western cuisine and one, a Vegetarian restaurant with Asian cuisine and so on. There's a coffee shop and a bar and a poolside bar. They also have a big one: Room service [24-hour]. You know what that means? Pizza at 3AM.
- The Downside: The Breakfast [buffet] was… well, it was a buffet. Lots of beige food. The coffee/tea in restaurant was weak, but that's not surprising.
- The One to Watch: The Happy hour. Drinks were surprisingly affordable. It was pretty useful.
Cleanliness and Safety: Did I Survive?
Look, in the age of… well, everything, cleanliness matters. They really appeared to be taking it seriously. Plenty of hand sanitizer, with the Staff trained in safety protocol. Daily disinfection in common areas. I noticed the Anti-viral cleaning products. The Rooms sanitized between stays… felt right. No complaints here.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things (That Matter)
- The Essentials: Daily housekeeping. Luggage storage because my flight was late. Concierge who was helpful. Front desk [24-hour]. Air conditioning in public area.
- The Nice-to-Haves: Cash withdrawal. Dry cleaning. Laundry service. I should have used the Ironing Service. I regret that.
- The Quirks: The Doorman seemed a little bored, but he was there. The Gift/souvenir shop was… well, it existed.
For the Kids (And the Kid in You): Family-Friendliness?
They have a Babysitting service, which isn't useful to me. Also, it says they're Family/child friendly.
Getting Around: Escape from the Airport (And Maybe the Hotel)
Airport transfer (thank GOD). Car park [on-site, Car park [free of charge]. Taxi service (always a backup). So yeah, getting in and out was easy.
The Big Picture: Is It an Escape?
So, back to the original question: Is "Escape to Chicago" a hidden gem?
Honestly? No. But it's not terrible. It's… fine. It's an airport hotel. It serves a purpose. It's a place to crash, recharge, and try to forget about the airport for a few hours. Could it be better? Absolutely. Does it have flaws? Sure. Would I stay there again? Maybe. If the price was right and I needed a place to sleep near O'Hare, absolutely.
The Verdict:
- Overall: 3 out of 5 stars.
- Best For: Budget-conscious travelers needing a convenient airport stopover.
- Avoid If: You're seeking a luxurious spa experience (unless you REALLY love bathrobes).
- Final Thought: This hotel is a decent choice. Just set your expectations appropriately, pack your sense of humor, and look forward to that pizza at 3 AM. And hey, sometimes, just escaping is enough, right?
Alright, alright, lemme tell you, this "itinerary" thing? More like a loose suggestion, a whisper in the wind guiding my chaotic energy. We're talking life, people. Not some perfectly curated Instagram feed of a trip, but the messy, hilarious, "did I pack underwear?" reality. And it ALL starts… at the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Chicago O'Hare South. Brace yourselves.
Day 1: Orientation and Existential Dread (Chicago, Here I Come! - Sort Of)
1:00 PM - Arrival & Check-in: Okay, so the website promised a "warm welcome." Let's see… nervously shuffles feet. First impressions: the lobby smells suspiciously of chlorine mixed with, I dunno, ambition? I'm already envisioning a minor disaster with the key card. Pray for me. Finding my room… is an Olympic sport in itself. Don't expect a grand view, this is probably facing the parking lot…
- Anecdote: Took the elevator a bit too quickly, I think. My ears popped, and suddenly, the cheerful elevator music of "Here Comes the Sun" felt… threatening. Is this already the start of something epic?
1:30 PM - The Room Reveal: Ah, yes, the room. Clean-ish. Bed looks comfy. TV bigger than my apartment's. Ah, the window view… Yup, parking lot. Fine. I'm not here for the view, I'm here for… well, I'm not entirely sure yet. But it's better than my actual apartment.
- Quirky Observation: The remote control has more buttons than my brain cells combined. And the clock? Flashing 12:00. Classic hotel.
1:45 PM - Unpacking (or Attempting To): Okay, I'm not even going to try and unpack. This is a trial run to see what makes it in/out of my bag. My suitcase is basically a black hole of clothes that I can't bear to part with. The eternal dilemma of "Should I wear this?"
- Emotional Reaction: Already feeling that weird pre-trip anxiety. You know, the one where you question everything you've ever done in your life. Am I a good person? Did I leave the oven on? Will I ever find true love (or at least a decent cheese plate)?
2:00 PM - Hotel Exploration: Alright, time to actually find my bearings. It's also time to look for the vending machines. This may or may not be crucial.
- Anecdote: Found the elevator. Got too excited. Almost got stuck. Not a great start.
2:30 PM - Late Lunch at "Somewhere": Okay, I really need to find someplace to eat. The hotel has a "restaurant" but I'm weary of the hotel food. Gotta find someplace semi-local. I wonder if I should have packed food…
- Opinionated Language: Okay, fine, I'll wander. Nothing ventured nothing gained, right?
Day 2: Exploring Chicago (and the Fear of Public Transit)
8:00 AM - Breakfast Panic: The included breakfast. Let's see. "Continental breakfast." Sounds… continental. In other words, lukewarm eggs, questionable bacon, and a waffle maker that either makes perfect golden delights or burns everything to a crisp. Wish me luck.
- Emotional Reaction: Why does breakfast always feel like a high-stakes game? I'm already prepping to be let down by the breakfast offerings.
9:00 AM - Adventure on the 'L' (Maybe): The El. The Chicago subway system. It looks… intimidating. Everyone says it's easy. Famous last words. I have visions of getting hopelessly lost for hours, or worse, getting stuck in a rush hour stampede.
- Quirky Observation: Why is the word "L" synonymous with the subway? Does it just sound cool or is there an actual reason? Need to Google this.
10:00 AM - Downtown Chicago (Hopefully): Assuming I successfully navigate the 'L', I'm aiming for downtown. Wrigleyville? Millennium Park? Some iconic landmarks. Must take a photo. Must. Oh, but should I go to the Art Institute? It'll be packed, of course. And so many people.
- Rambling: Okay, so first, I have to figure out the ticket system on the 'L'. Ah, the smell of the place. And I hope the guy on the train isn't playing that awful music again. I should just take the bus. Okay, maybe the bus… What if I get on the wrong bus? And I'm going the wrong way?
1:00 PM - Lunch Crisis: Find a good restaurant. Or just something quick. I'm starving.
- Opinionated Language: No fast food, please.
7:00 PM - Dinner and Nightcap: Decide what I should do later.
- Emotional Reaction: I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by all the choices. Maybe I should just go back to the hotel. I'm overstimulated and want a nap.
Day 3: Windy City Winding Down (Or Just More Chaos?)
9:00 AM - More Hotel Breakfast (Lord, Help Me): Another round of continental breakfast. The eggs are slightly yellower today? I'm calling this a win.
- Anecdote: I saw someone actually enjoying their breakfast. I stared for a solid minute. Are they aliens?
10:00 AM - Last Ditch Effort to See Something: If I have the energy. If the weather cooperates. If my feet don't fall off. Maybe the zoo. Or some other monument.
- Messier Structure: Oh, and don't forget to get a souvenir. Gotta get something for the folks back at home. Or will I? I've got a budget, but I want something really cool.
12:00 PM - Lunch and Pre-Departure Prep: More lunch. Start packing. Do I even want to go home? Hmm. I think I do.
- Emotional Reaction: Mixed feelings. I'm sad that the trip is ending, but also relieved. This is a rollercoaster of emotions, I tell you.
2:00 PM - Say Goodbye: Check out, head to the airport and fly home.
This is the best itinerary this human can offer. Good luck!
Red Roof Inn Fairmont WV: Unbeatable Deals & Comfort Await!
So, this "Hidden Gem" at O'Hare... Is it *actually* a gem, or just... you know... an airport hotel? Let's be real.
Okay, alright, lemme be brutally honest. The phrase "hidden gem" is thrown around like confetti these days. I went in *expecting* the usual: sterile hallways, a sad continental breakfast, and that distinct hotel-room smell of stale air and vaguely chemical cleaning products. And you get a tiny, tiny bit of that. But... and this is a BIG but... *this* place managed to surprise me. It's got character, dammit! It's not just *another* airport hotel. I mean, it's *technically* an airport hotel, clinging to O'Hare's apron strings, but it *tries* to be something more. It tries, and sometimes, it *succeeds* spectacularly. I'm thinking of that lobby... that lobby was actually kind of nice. And the staff? Okay, more on *them* in a bit. But yeah, think shiny-ish, and then add a layer of genuine hospitality. It's a gem, in its own, slightly-rougher-around-the-edges, airport-adjacent way.
What's the deal with the location? Is it... *convenient*? Because "convenient" at O'Hare can mean a whole host of things.
Convenient is, like, the *entire point*, right? Let me tell you a story. I, bless my heart, had a flight connection from hell. Delayed, then re-routed, then delayed AGAIN. I was stranded. Starving. Slightly hysterical. This hotel? It was literally a *lifesaver*. (Okay, maybe not literally, but you know what I mean.) It's right there. A quick shuttle ride. No fighting the crowds, no navigating some insane labyrinth of terminals and parking garages. It's proximity is it's superpower. And after a day from hell? That convenience is worth its weight in… well, in sleep. And peace. And maybe a decent burger from their restaurant (more on that later... it's a rollercoaster). Just be prepared for the *occasional* airplane hum. It's O'Hare. You're not going to get complete silence. But honestly? I found it kind of comforting, in a "knowing I'm close to travel" sort of way.
Tell me about the rooms! Are they decent? Or are we talking "motel from a horror movie" decent?
Okay, the rooms. They're... fine. Don't expect the Ritz. Do expect clean. Do expect comfortable enough. I had a room that, bless its little heart, attempted to be stylish, with some surprisingly nice artwork on the walls. But I swear, the air conditioning was either a raging blizzard or a humid swamp. There was no in-between! I spent about 20 minutes fighting with the thermostat before I just gave up and opened a window (which, again, airport noises). The bed? Pretty comfy. I slept. That's the important thing. The bathroom was clean. The water pressure was acceptable. Did I find some stray hair that wasn't mine? Maybe. It happens. Look, it's not a palace, but it's a solid, functional place to crash for a night. And, after a long, delayed flight, that's all you really need.
The Food! The food, the food, the food! What's it like? Because airport hotels and food... well... opinions abound.
Okay, the food. This is where things get... interesting. They have a restaurant. It's open. That's a good start, right? I had the aforementioned burger. It arrived. It was... a burger. Perfectly fine. Not life-altering. The fries, however, were *amazing*. Like, seriously, I suspect some kind of deep-fry mastery was involved. (And the service, ah, the service. More in a bit.) They also had some kind of buffet breakfast. I opted for the continental option. Again, fine. Standard hotel fare. Bagels, muffins, some sad-looking fruit that I steered clear of. I'm pretty sure I saw a woman load like, 10 danishes onto her plate. Respect. So, the food itself is a mixed bag. But the *convenience* of not having to leave the hotel after a long day of travel? That's invaluable. And those fries... damn those fries were good. Worth the price of admission alone, TBH.
How about the staff? Are they friendly? Do they seem like they're perpetually exhausted by dealing with stressed-out travelers? 'Cause, let's be real, we *are* a stressful bunch sometimes.
This is where the "hidden gem" thing actually shines. The staff were *fantastic*. Honestly. They were unfailingly friendly, helpful, and surprisingly patient. I had a slight issue with my room key not working (user error, probably). The guy at the front desk fixed it with a smile and even made a little joke about how I probably wasn't the first person to have that problem. At dinner, our server was trying out some new jokes on us... she was clearly working hard, and genuinely enjoying her job. (I would have been fried after a 12 hour shift, but that’s just me.) I overheard someone complain about their flight delay. The staff member managed to remain helpful and supportive, not just with the 'we're sorry about that' routine, but with actual helpful information. That kind of service is so rare these days, especially in places like this! It made all the difference. They are the true jewels of this place. Give those people a raise!
Are there any other amenities or things to keep in mind? Besides the fries, of course.
Okay, beyond the fries (seriously, I keep going back to the fries!), there's a gym. I didn't go. I'd spent the entire day sitting on a plane. The last thing I wanted was to go *work out*. Maybe you're more ambitious than I am. There's also a pool, I think? I didn't see it. There's a business center, for those of you who, unlike me, actually have to *work* while traveling. I took one look and decided I needed a nap instead. Think standard hotel amenities. Oh, and the internet. It worked. That's the important thing. The only other thing to REALLY keep in mind is to breathe. You're at an airport hotel. You're not on vacation (probably). Things might be a little chaotic. But embrace the chaos. And eat the fries. They're worth it.
So, bottom line. Would you recommend it? Be honest!
You know what? Yeah, I do. Despite the minor imperfections, despite the slightly-too-aggressive air conditioning, despite the potentially-questionable continental breakfast fruit. It's not perfect. But it's GOOD. For an airport hotel, it'sExplore Hotels
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