Escape to Chicagoland: Hillside's Hidden Gem Hotel Awaits!
Escape to Chicagoland: Hillside's Hidden Gem Hotel Awaits! - A Review (With a Few Rambles Along the Way)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because after my recent stay at the Escape to Chicagoland hotel in Hillside, Illinois, I've got more feelings than a rom-com marathon. And trust me, this place is almost a rom-com, though with a few… hiccups. It's a hidden gem, alright. A well-polished, kinda-tarnished, sparkling-in-the-sun kind of hidden gem. Let’s dive headfirst, shall we?
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First Impressions & Getting There: The Accessible Adventure (and Minor Frustration!)
Listen, I appreciate a hotel that tries to be accessible. Really, I do. The Accessibility features at Escape to Chicagoland were… mostly there. Wheelchair accessible entrances and elevators? Check. Elevator? Yep! Facilities for disabled guests? Tick. But navigating the lobby felt like a tiny, slightly under-lit maze. The front desk was a bit too high for my liking, and I spent a few minutes trying to find a clear path around a strategically placed (and rather imposing) floral arrangement. (Seriously, that thing could rival a topiary in a chateau.)
Speaking of which, Check-in/out [express]? Not quite. Check-in/out [private]? Nope. I ended up waiting behind a guy arguing about his complimentary breakfast coupon for what felt like an eternity. But hey, at least the Front desk [24-hour] was actually staffed. And the staff, bless their hearts, were incredibly patient and helpful. So points for perseverance! The Airport transfer was a godsend, especially after that flight. The Car park [free of charge]? A definite win. Car park [on-site]? Absolutely. Valet parking was also available (but I'm a cheapskate, so I opted for the free option).
Rooms: My Sanctuary (Mostly) and the Wi-Fi Warrior's Lament
Alright, let's talk rooms. My room was a Non-smoking haven, thankfully. The Air conditioning blasted like a polar vortex, which was a lifesaver during the sweltering Chicago humidity. The Blackout curtains? Perfecto. Allowed me to sleep in late. And the Extra long bed was a dream (though, admittedly, I may have still been dreaming about that breakfast coupon).
Air conditioning was working very well. The bathrobes were silky smooth. The Bathroom phone? Never used it, but it was there! The Bathroom was clean and bright. The Bathrobes were lush and comfy. The Bathtub, with my favourite Toiletries smelled fantastic. The Coffee/tea maker got a workout. Oh, the Complimentary tea, what a fantastic surprise! And all the other usual suspects: Closet, Desk, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Mini bar, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Telephone, Towels, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free] – all present and accounted for.
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Sounds great, right? Well… the Internet access – wireless was a bit patchy. I needed to connect to do some urgent work. There was the promise of Internet access – LAN, which I should have used. I was getting frustrated. Not ideal. Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services - the internet worked well in some locations but not so well.
The Additional toilet was not needed for me. The Alarm clock worked fine, because I am very careful and wake up on time. The Bathtub, Carpeting, and the Desk was also excellent. The Ironing facilities are always appreciated. I also did not need the Laptop workspace as I had my portable. The Linens were super clean. The Mirror helped on my dressing. The On-demand movies were a no-brainer for a chill night. The Private bathroom was excellent. I appreciated the Reading light and the Scale. The location of the Socket near the bed was convenient. And the Sofa was a nice touch. Soundproofing was excellent and the Umbrella got a little work. Window that opens lets in fresh air.
Cleanliness and Safety: Sanitizing Sensations (and a Few Oddities)
Okay, pandemic era. I'm a germaphobe at heart, so this section is crucial. Praise the heavens, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items were a thing. Staff trained in safety protocol, check. Anti-viral cleaning products, good. Daily disinfection in common areas? Yes! Rooms sanitized between stays? Absolutely. Hand sanitizer dispensers were everywhere. I mean, everywhere. I felt safer than a baby in a hazmat suit.
There was talk of Room sanitization opt-out available which I declined. Having said that, the Smoking area does not feature in my plans. The Cashless payment service was very handy. Daily housekeeping was a lifesaver. I saw no Fire extinguisher but I am sure one was around. First aid kit was probably available. Hot water linen and laundry washing - a must. I also liked the Hygiene certification. Individually-wrapped food options made me feel safe. Physical distancing of at least 1 meter was enforced. Professional-grade sanitizing services, good to see! Safe dining setup added a sense of security.
But here's a quirky observation. I saw a cleaning staffer using the same cloth to wipe down the elevator buttons and the lobby plants. I'm not sure that's quite the level of sanitization I was expecting, but, hey, at least the lobby looked fresh (and smelled faintly of lavender!).
Food & Drink: A Culinary Rollercoaster
The Dining, drinking, and snacking options were… a mixed bag. The Breakfast [buffet] was a glorious spread, albeit chaotic at times. I saw a couple of kids going wild over the pancake machine. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was decent, and there was Breakfast service. What I would have loved was a Breakfast in room feature.
The Restaurants (plural!) offered Asian cuisine in restaurant and International cuisine in restaurant. I opted for the A la carte in restaurant and I wasn't blown away. The server got my order wrong! I'm a messy person, but I don't need alternative meal arrangements. The Bar was lively, and the Poolside bar was perfect for a chilled drink. I appreciate a Bottle of water, particularly when I am hungover!
The Poolside bar was a treat. The Snack bar had the kind of things you might want, and the Soup in restaurant made me think. The Happy hour was a bonus. And speaking of the Desserts in restaurant, I was tempted. The Vegetarian restaurant had some excellent options, and the Western cuisine in restaurant was alright, but the Salad in restaurant was a let-down. The Room service [24-hour] was a blessing for those late-night cravings.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Oh, the Spa! (My Star!)
Alright, the real winner (for me, anyway) was the spa. And I'm not even a spa person, per se! The Spa/sauna was a total game changer! The Sauna and Steamroom were glorious. I spent a solid hour sweating out all my anxieties and sins. I also loved the Massage I got – it was, hands down, one of the best I’ve ever had. The Body scrub was invigorating, but I wasn't a fan of the Body wrap!
Escape to Chicagoland also had a Fitness center, which I avoided like the plague (ironic, I know). There was also a Swimming pool which didn't tempt me. And the Pool with view was the one time that I thought of trying it. The Foot bath was a nice touch. I considered the Gym/fitness.
Services and Conveniences: The Good, the Bad, and the Occasionally Confusing
The Air conditioning in public area was a relief. Audio-visual equipment for special events. The Business facilities were decent. The Cash withdrawal was useful. The Concierge helped me with some local recommendations. Contactless check-in/out was present. The Convenience store came in handy. The Currency exchange was helpful. The Daily housekeeping was appreciated. The Doorman was friendly.
But I wanted to get my suit pressed, but the Dry cleaning and Ironing service prices felt steep. The **Elev
Cozumel Paradise Found: Fiesta Americana All-Inclusive Luxury Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this itinerary is gonna be less "meticulously planned adventure" and more "surviving Chicago with a questionable sense of direction and a caffeine addiction." This is my trip, folks, the real deal.
Destination: MainStay Suites Chicago Hillside, Chicago, Illinois, USA. (Let’s be real, I mostly chose it for the free breakfast. Priorities, people!)
Day 1: Arrival and the Quest for Decent Coffee
- 1:00 PM: Land at O'Hare. Oy vey, the airport. It's a swirling vortex of luggage wheels and stressed-out travelers. I have a sneaking suspicion I'm going to be one of them. My flight was delayed (surprise!), which means I haven't had my morning coffee AND I'm already behind. I need coffee. Now.
- 1:45 PM: Uber from O'Hare to MainStay in Hillside. I’m praying to the GPS gods that I don't miss the exit. The driver was a delightful older gentleman named Lou who regaled me with stories about the Cubs and complained about the potholes. Ah, Chicago, already charming me.
- 2:30 PM: Check-in. Success! Room feels… adequate. Clean enough. Free breakfast, remember? That's the real MVP here.
- 3:00 PM: Officially on the hunt for coffee. The hotel "coffee" is a tragedy. I need real coffee. I ended up stumbling into a generic coffee chain near the hotel. It was fine, but the barista looked like she'd rather be anywhere else. I sympathized. We've all been there.
- 4:00 PM: Errands. Needed to pick up some essentials. Let's just say navigating the local grocery store took longer than anticipated. I swear, finding the right kind of yogurt is a Herculean task.
- 5:00 PM: Rambling Time! Thinking about dinner… should I be adventurous or safe? The menu at the local diner is calling my name. But the thought of potentially bad food also makes me worry. It's a toss-up honestly. There’s also the hotel pool, which, let's be real, might be a petri dish of questionable origin.
- 7:00 PM: Diner time. Ended up going to the diner. Food was… okay. Portion size was impressive though. Felt like the food was enough to feed a small army. Had a slice of pie, which was the highlight. The waitress was sweet, even if she did repeatedly call me "hon." I guess I look like a "hon" these days.
- 8:30 PM: Back at the hotel. A nice, hot shower. Attempted to unwind with some TV, but the remote seems committed to switching channels at random. Decide to just embrace the chaos.
Day 2: Chicago, Here I Come (Sort Of)
- 7:00 AM: Awoken by the dreaded alarm. Coffee is a must. Breakfast at the hotel is a disaster of processed foods. Ate it, because free.
- 8:00 AM: Trying to figure out public transport. Chicago's train system is… intense. I'm a suburbanite trapped in the city, I’m sure I’ll be fine…right?
- 9:00 AM: Epic Fail Incident: Lost Tourist Edition. I took the wrong train. At least I saw more of the city than intended! I now know that the blue line leads somewhere near a really interesting building.
- 10:30 AM: Finally, actually on the right train. Heading downtown to take in the sights. Art Institute of Chicago is on the list!
- 11:30 AM Art Institute. Whoa. Monet's Water Lilies? In person? I cried a little. Seriously. The art was breathtaking. I got lost in the Impressionist wing and emerged feeling… different. Like, my soul had been lightly swabbed with beauty. (Too dramatic? Maybe.)
- 1:30 PM: Lunch. Found a lovely little cafe near the museum. A simple sandwich and some people-watching. Bliss. This city really is something special.
- 2:30 PM: Magnificent Mile. Shopping. Ugh. Honestly, the crowds and the price tags gave me a headache, so I quickly high-tailed it out of there. I'm more of a "quirky little shop" kind of person.
- 4:00 PM: The Bean. Cloud Gate. Millennium Park. The requisite tourist photos. The Bean is cool, but the sheer number of people trying to get a selfie with it made me want to scream. I took a quick picture, and then ran.
- 5:00 PM: Emotional Breakdown Alert! I found myself sitting in a park, feeling overwhelmed. This city is massive. I miss my dog. I'm tired. I need a nap.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Decided to treat myself to some deep-dish pizza. The wait was an hour, but totally worth it. The cheese pull was legendary. Ate way too much, but no regrets.
- 8:00 PM: Heading back to the hotel. Feet hurt. Brain fried. But my heart is full. Chicago, you magnificent beast, you.
Day 3: Farewell, Chicago (Until Next Time!)
- 7:00 AM: Last free hotel breakfast. Attempted to eat something other than a packaged pastry. Failed.
- 8:00 AM: Hotel checkout. Said my goodbyes to the tiny, slightly annoying, but ultimately lovable hotel room.
- 8:30 AM: Trying to sneak a peek inside the hotel pool without being seen, but the pool looks… well, let's just say I think I prefer to avoid a bacterial infection, thank you very much.
- 9:00 AM: Driving towards O'Hare. Traffic. Of course.
- 10:00 AM: O'Hare. Security. Chaos. Managed to navigate the airport.
- 12:00 PM: Delayed flight. Again. (I'm starting to think this is a conspiracy.)
- 1:00 PM: Rambling Reflections: Chicago. You are a whirlwind of art, food, history, and slightly terrifying public transit. You challenged me, frustrated me, and completely won me over. I will be back, but next time, I'm bringing a better map and maybe a therapist.
- 2:00 PM: Take-off. Goodbye Chicago! Until we meet again.
This is just a skeleton, of course. Maybe I'll end up somewhere completely different. The beauty (and the madness) of travel is the unexpected. Wish me luck! I’m gonna need it.
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Escape to Chicagoland: Hillside's Hidden Gem Hotel Awaits! (Or Does It?) - FAQs, the Messy Truth
So, uh, what *is* this "Hidden Gem" everyone's raving about? And is it *really* hidden? Because I saw a billboard on 294.
Okay, so "Hidden Gem" is a bit… optimistic. Let's be honest, the billboards are doing some *serious* heavy lifting. It's the Hillside Hotel. Chicagoland, sure. Hidden? Well, not *anymore*, thanks to the aforementioned billboards. But you know, in the grand scheme of things, it's tucked away enough that it *feels* like you're escaping the chaos, even if that chaos is just the Eisenhower Expressway. Don't expect a secret speakeasy, but DO expect a decent, clean hotel, and that's sometimes all you need, right? (I say this after a particularly brutal week, by the way.)
What are the rooms like? Are we talking "Motel 6 chic" or something a bit…trendier?
Alright. Deep breath. The rooms. They're...functional. Think "comfortably unremarkable." It's not winning any design awards, let's put it that way. But! (and this is a big but, especially if you're paying reasonable rates) they’re clean, the beds are actually okay (I slept HARD, which is a testament to something, probably exhaustion more than interior design prowess), and they have the basics covered. Don't go expecting luxury, and you won’t be disappointed. And the shower? Decent water pressure. A small victory, people, a small victory! (I once stayed in a hotel where the water dribbled out like a sad little tear, so perspective, people, perspective.)
Is there a good breakfast? Free breakfast is a deal-breaker for me. I *need* my waffles.
Okay, waffle-lover, here's the lowdown. Free breakfast? YES. Waffles? YES! And... they're actually pretty good. Not gourmet, mind you. Don't expect a Michelin-star chef back there flipping flapjacks. But the waffles are warm, the coffee is hot (and free-flowing!), and there's a decent selection of the usual suspects: cereal, fruit, yogurt, the works. Honestly, it's enough to get you going, especially after a night of… well, *whatever* you’ve been doing in the Chicagoland area. (Me? I was battling a particularly ambitious spreadsheet.)
What about the location? Is it easy to get to downtown Chicago from the hotel?
The location... alright, let’s talk transportation. Hillside itself is… well, it's not downtown Chicago, let's start there. But, it *is* close to public transport, and that's a massive win. Seriously. You've got access to the Metra, which I used, and it dumps you right into the heart of the city. The drive itself? Depending on traffic, which in Chicago is a beast of its own kind, could range from 30 minutes to an hour, maybe longer. Factor that in. Plan your trip wisely. I, for example, learned the hard way that rush hour on the Eisenhower is a special kind of purgatory. (Shudders just thinking about it.) So, yes, you can get downtown easily enough. But it's not a quick hop; it's an *adventure*.
Let's be honest: What's the *worst* thing about this hotel? Spill the tea!
Okay, fine. The *worst* thing? Hmm... First off, the internet. It’s...spotty. Sometimes you get blazing fast speeds, and other times you're waiting for the dial-up sound to kick in (thankfully, it doesn't). I’ve got to work from home and that was a stressful experience. Also, the elevators are a little slow. Seriously, slow. Take the stairs if you're not on a high floor. Trust me. Those are the two big things, not deal-breakers, but they're definitely things to bear in mind. The rest? Fine, functional, and forgettable, like the beige carpet in my, let’s be honest, my entire *life*.
What about the staff? Are they friendly?
Staff. They're…fine. They're not falling over themselves to be your best friend, but they're polite, helpful when you need something, and generally do their jobs without making you want to run screaming into the night. Check-in was smooth. I asked for extra towels; I got extra towels. That's all I really ask for in this cruel and unforgiving world. Seriously folks, I’m no expecting world-class service at a hotel like this and it's completely acceptable. It's a *hotel*, not a spa retreat, people. Keep your expectations reasonable and you'll be fine.
Okay, so...should I stay there? In a word...
Okay, here's the messy, honest truth: I'd stay there again. Yep. Despite the so-so internet and the slow elevators, it's a perfectly acceptable place to crash. It’s clean, the beds are comfy, it's affordable, and the free waffles are a bonus. Don't expect to be wowed, but if you need a place to lay your head while exploring Chicago, or even if you're just passing through on a road trip and want a safe and relatively cheap option, it's a solid choice. Just… pack some patience, especially on the Eisenhower. And *definitely* grab a waffle. You deserve it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go eat my feelings. Pretty sure it's been a while since I ate anything other than a waffle.
Parking? Because, Chicago...
Parking is... there. On-site, free parking? Yes. Awesome, right? Now, the *size* of the parking lot is another story. It's not gigantic. Get there late on a busy night, and you might be circling for a bit. But, it’s free, and it's *there*. And considering the alternative of trying to find street parking in Chicago (which is essentially playing a high-stakes game of Tetris with parking meters and tow trucks), free is fantastic. I did have to drive around once, just once, to find a spot, but that's better than anything I've experienced in the city itself, so consider taking the win.
Is there a gym, pool, any amenities like that? I need to get my cardio on.
Alright, fitness freaks. Let’s talk amenities. The HillHotel Explorers
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