IL Chicago Suburbs Holiday Inn Oakbrook

[robinbtravel]

I stayed at this hotel for one night, 5/30/2009, for a $30 Priceline bid.

LOCATION: This hotel is located in Oakbrook just west of the Oakbrook mall with easy access from the I-88 East-West Tollway. There are many restaurants within walking distance, including cheap breakfast options like Einstein's Bagels and Dunkin' Donuts.

SERVICE: The front desk agent asked if he was a Priority Club member. and we were assigned a double room on the top floor which is the Priority Club Floor. The room had free snacks and he received a free drink coupon. He did not receive points for his stay. When they took my husband's credit card for incidentals, they put a $50 "hold" on it. Not a big deal for us, but it may be for others. In all, we had a very positive and friendly front desk interaction.

COMMON AREAS: The common areas were nice, but a teeny bit outdated. The hotel is showing it's age in spots. The elevator carpet was worn and dirty and it smelled of cigarette smoke when we arrived. The next morning the same elevator smelled of perfume. I think both were from previous occupants and the air just doesn't get recirculated well. The pool area included a small pool, a hot tub and a workout area with the basics. We did not use the pool on this trip.

ROOM: The room was very clean and it appeared to be updated since the days when it was a Four Points & Wyndham property. The beds were firm (but I *always* find hotel beds to be firm) and had a nice layer of memory foam on top. The blanket was double sheeted: that is there was a flat sheet, then the blanket and another flat sheet. I love when hotels do that! There was also a leather "comfy chair" and an office chair for the desk area. The TV was flat screen, but not flat panel. The bathroom was small and lacked a lot of space for personal items, but it was clean which is most important. The shower head was one of those giant Holiday Inn shower heads and the water pressure was very good. The towels were fluffy. There were two problems with the room. The first was that the lights that illuminate the exterior at the top of the building are right outside the top floor's windows. I could not get the drapes to close all the way at the top and a bit of light made it into the room. If you need absolute darkness when you sleep request a lower floor so you don't have lights shining into your room. The second problem is that our room was across from the elevators which were unusually loud. I could hear each and every elevator trip. If you need absolute silence when you sleep, request a room away from the elevator.

OVERALL: I had a very bad taste in my mouth from staying here in this hotel's previous incarnations. For a very long time I avoided the 3* category in Oakbrook because of this hotel. This trip was better and the staff was very friendly. For the price I would not feel bad about getting this hotel again but I would request a lower floor away from the elevator.

[LKHomemail]

3* Chicago Suburbs (Oakbrook-Downers Grove) Holiday Inn Oakbrook

$32 ... 8/17/09-8/21/09

Also, the review is as follows:

This was my first time to get the dreaded Holiday Inn in this area. Checked in and got one of the special "priceline" rooms. (slightly smaller, paisley bedspreads and no chair for reading or working desk). Room also needed cleaning. Went downstairs and requested a new room assignment. New room was larger, better linens, work desk and comfortable chair for reading. Room still needs a carpet shampoo and the dust is pretty bad in bathroom shelves. I carry Lysol cleaning wipes so I gave it my routine cleaning as I normally would. The bed itself is very comfortable and is a newer pillowtop style. The hotel offers free appetizers for priority club members in the evenings. I was "carded" , not for my id for the drink but for my priority id for the appetizers. lol. There is a hot tub/whirlpool. Upon inspection, both look clean but I did not use the facilities. The workout room is adequate but located right in the indoor pool area. There is a small gift shop where one can buy softdrinks, snacks, haagen daaz ice cream treats. Fairly reasonable prices for a gift shop. Less expensive than the hotel vending machines. The 3rd floor has a guest laundry washer/dryer 1.25 per load. It's an older hotel, hallways are dingy, carpet very worn and the room doors are dented / metal. They do provide a complimentary microwave / mini fridge upon request and availability. The business center has been relocated permanently to the hotel lobby. There is one computer and a printer. They charge is 39 cents per minute minimum of 3.00 to use the machine. One can swipe a credit card and use it. There is free wifi access for guest rooms and all common areas of the hotel. One thing different about this hotel is that they do offer more international television channels, 2 indian channels, 2 spanish channels. I have not figured out how to access a pay per view movie. Does not seem to work. Hotel desk did not have instructions couldn't assist. Not a big deal , but, would have liked to use this a couple times. There is a shuttle that will take guests anywhere within a 5 mile radius. The hotel has an onsite restuarant and bar area. I did not eat there so I can't evaluate it. Appetizers were below average but free. I would avoid this hotel at all costs if you are buying it at retail prices. At 32.00 , I'm completely satisfied. There are minor issues here and there like any hotel, but, for this price I'm not going to whine. It has met my needs / expectations and I'm satisfied.