Escape to Chicago: Unbeatable Deals at Best Western Des Plaines/O'Hare!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! Because we’re diving headfirst into a review of the Best Western Des Plaines/O'Hare, a place that promises you an "Escape to Chicago" and "Unbeatable Deals." Now, I'm not one for promises, but I am one for a good hotel experience, especially when I'm trying to navigate the windy city. So, let's get messy with this review – think less perfectly polished travel brochure, and more… well, me, after a long day of Chicago exploring.
First Impressions & Accessibility: More Sigh Than Superhero Landing
Okay, let's be real. Getting to the Best Western from O'Hare? Smooth as butter. But accessibility… mmm, hit or miss. The website claims things are accessible, and they do have elevators. But I'm not entirely sure how to rate it… there's potential… I didn't have to deal with the elevators on a daily basis so i can't assess it there. But I will say – if you are relying on wheelchair accessibility, call ahead AND double-check everything. Don't just trust the website's (potentially outdated) promises. This isn't a deal-breaker, but it’s enough to make you sigh and wish for better, clearer info.
Rooms: Decent Digs, Don't Expect a Mansion
My room? Clean. But not… wow. You know? Think functional, not five-star fabulous. The basics were there: AC that actually worked (a Chicago miracle!), a comfy bed, a decent shower (though the water pressure was a little… enthusiastic). I'm a sucker for blackout curtains and this place delivered. I also appreciate having a fridge. I brought back leftovers from a pizza place that I really need to recommend to you all… The staff also had the basic amenities but I should definitely call ahead and make sure the things you want are available because my friend asked for some of the free toiletries and he's now paying for it… Oh well.
Internet, Internet, Everywhere Internet! (Mostly Okay)
Free Wi-Fi? Yes! In all rooms? Ding ding ding! And it actually worked. Mostly. Okay, there were a few moments where I wanted to throw my laptop out the window (especially when trying to stream a Cubs game – priorities, people!), but overall, it was reliable enough for checking emails, planning my day, and occasionally stalking my ex on social media. I also saw that they had a LAN connection.
Dining & Drinking: Buffet Bliss and Aftermath Regrets
This is where things get interesting… and messy. The breakfast buffet? Delicious. I'm not usually a buffet person, but the Best Western's buffet was surprisingly good. Everything from those warm waffles to the scrambled eggs, and the fresh fruit selection was heaven-sent. The coffee, however… let's just say I needed a strong cup to face the day after that.
The Pool: It Was There, I Think?
Okay, listen, the pool… it was there. I glanced at it. It was… indoor. I'm not a huge pool person, I'll confess. Plus, with all the Chicago sightseeing, I just didn't have time to kick back and relax. I mean, the idea of a "Pool with a view" seemed a little optimistic, given the Des Plaines location.
Cleanliness & Safety: Pandemic-Era Peace of Mind (Mostly)
The pandemic has changed everything, right? The hotel seemed to take cleanliness seriously. Hand sanitizer everywhere, staff wearing masks, and the daily disinfection in common areas. I didn't see any evidence of a total, top-to-bottom antibacterial scrub-down, which would have soothed my "germ-panic" a little, but they certainly did the basics. I think I'd be less panicky if professional cleaning services were shown in depth in the lobby.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: The Promise of a Spa (and the Reality)
Let's be honest: the spa amenities are a bit… lacking. No sauna, no steam room, no spa. Okay, okay, there is a fitness center. But let's just say it looked like it hadn't been updated since the late 90s. You can't exactly call this a "spa/sauna" experience. But there's also the whole "Escape to Chicago" thing. You're here to explore the city, not to luxuriate.
The “Escape to Chicago” Promise – Does it Deliver?
This is the big question, right? Does the Best Western Des Plaines/O'Hare truly provide an “Escape to Chicago”? Yes, and no. It's a decent basecamp, a good launching pad. It’s close to the airport, which is awesome. But you're not in the heart of Chicago. You'll have to work to escape to the city.
My Final Verdict – With a Twist of Human Imperfection
Look, the Best Western Des Plaines/O'Hare isn’t a perfect hotel. It’s not going to blow your mind with luxury. But if you're looking for clean, comfortable, and mostly convenient, it's a solid choice, especially given the price. It's a practical base camp. And it certainly served its purpose. I feel that "Escape to Chicago" is probably a bit of an overpromise if you're staying there, because you need to travel to Chicago.
SEO-Friendly Call to Action: Book Your Chicago Adventure Today!
Ready to experience the Windy City? The Best Western Des Plaines/O'Hare is offering Unbeatable Deals on your unforgettable "Escape to Chicago"! With a quick check in and check out, a great breakfast buffet to get you started, you can get your vacation going, near O'Hare airport.
And with the hotel located in a convenient location for easy access to Chicago’s world-class attractions, this makes escaping to the city even easier.
Click here to book your stay and start planning your Chicago adventure today!
Unbelievable Billings Deals: Sleep Inn's Secret Paradise Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your average "perfectly planned itinerary." This is a real-life, probably slightly disastrous, journey into the heart of… well, a Best Western near Chicago O’Hare. Let's be honest, it’s not the Eiffel Tower, but let's see if we can make a few memories.
The "Pre-Trip Panic" - The Days Leading Up to the Great Best Western Adventure
- Tuesday: Realized I hadn't packed. Again. Cue the frantic search for my "travel-sized" everything, which, let's be real, is just the normal size stuff that I pretend is small. Found a rogue sock full of ancient receipts. Why do I keep them? Who knows.
- Wednesday: Attempted to book a rental car. Found out that the rental car companies are basically trying to fleece us all. Had a brief, but heated, argument with a robot on the phone system. Victory! …I think. Ended up paying more than I originally planned, which, of course, is my life's motto.
- Thursday: Finally found my passport! (Thank God). Briefly considered taking a week to learn some basic German, just in case. Abandoned that idea when I opened a bag of chips. Priorities, people, priorities.
- Friday (aka "Departure Day"): Airport chaos! Security lines longer than the line for the last churro at the carnival. Managed to spill coffee on my favorite travel t-shirt. The one with the vaguely ironic picture of a sloth wearing sunglasses. This trip is off to a fantastic start.
Saturday - The Best Western Debacle Begins
- 9:00 AM (ish): Landed at O’Hare. Jet lag hitting me like a ton of bricks. Pretty sure I saw a flock of pigeons plotting world domination. They were looking very serious.
- 10:00 AM: Finally, finally found the rental car. The poor thing looked like it had seen better days. Did I mention I'm a terrible driver? Pray for Chicago. Also, the GPS lady had a voice that sounded like she was trying to sell me vacuum cleaners, which… I considered for a moment. No. Just no.
- 11:00 AM: Arrived at the Best Western. The building looked… serviceable. The lobby smelled vaguely of stale coffee and ambition. Checked in. The front desk person actually smiled. Huh. That's… unnatural. I was expecting more of a "Welcome to Hell" vibe.
- 11:30 AM: The Room! Okay, it's… clean. The bed looks suspiciously inviting. A tiny part of me is terrified to examine the patterned bedspread too closely, but I'm going to resist.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch! They have a "complimentary" continental breakfast. It's a box with a muffin and fruit, which is the most depressing breakfast i've ever seen. I should have eaten at the gas station.
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: A Deep Dive Into… The Local Area? Decided to be daring and explore. Walked around the hotel complex, which consisted of a few fast food joints and the ever-present strip mall. Did you know there's a particular type of fluorescent lighting designed to suck the soul out of you? Well, this part of Des Plaines is riddled with it. It's that weird feeling when you begin to question your life choices while standing in a parking lot. This is where it hits you, doesn't it? This feeling of impending doom. I went to a grocery store and bought a box of cookies to self-medicate.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Nap. I'm not proud. This is the Best Western way.
- 6:30 PM: Dinner at a diner down the street. Ordered the kind of food you eat when you're traveling, alone, and slightly depressed. Which is to say, a burger with extra fries. The waitress seemed as bored as I was. We bonded over shared ennui.
- 8:00 PM: Back at the hotel. Stared blankly at the TV. The channels offered everything from home shopping to infomercials. Why am I doing this? This is when you start to miss your own bed, even if it's a mess.
- 9:00pm I tried to find a new show while I was flipping channels. I got lost in the options for almost an hour and ended up watching a show about a woman baking a cake. I decided I would write a letter to my cousin, so I could get my mind off of the show, and just relax.
- 10:00 PM: Bed. Attempt one.
- 10:15 PM The air conditioning is a roaring monster, like a plane's engine, turning on and off. I can't believe I didn't bring earplugs.
- 10:30 PM Finally! I'm asleep.
Sunday - The Unfolding Disaster
- 7:00 AM (ish): Woke up. My eye is twitching. The complimentary breakfast remains unappetizing.
- 9:00 AM: Tried to go to a local sight, but the traffic was worse than I had imagined. This is the moment I considered turning around and going home. It was an actual option, for a split second.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch was at the same place as my dinner. I took a seat, and the waitress brought over the menus, and I ordered the same thing. Just to keep it low-key.
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Spent the afternoon in the hotel room, staring at the wall, and trying to come to grips with existential boredom. I watched TV and tried to read.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM I decided to go back to the airport to get ready to catch my flight.
- 6:00 PM Going through security. After the security checkpoints, I sat down, with my phone in my hand, and ordered myself food.
- 8:00 PM I finished my food, and went to the gate, and sat down.
- 9:00 PM My plane took off.
The Aftermath
Honestly? Looking back, the Best Western experience wasn't… awful. It was, in its own weird way, kind of real. A little bit depressing, a little bit boring, but absolutely me. And you know what? Sometimes, that's enough.
Final Thoughts
- Best Part: The brief, shared moment of boredom with the waitress.
- Worst Part: The bedspread. Just… the bedspread. Still trying to purge that picture out of my head.
- Would I Go Back? Probably not the same hotel. But I'm now more equipped to endure any future Best Western visit.
- Lessons Learned: Always pack earplugs. And maybe a therapist.
And that, my friends, is how you survive a trip to a Best Western. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a nap. And a cookie. Or five.
Lake Norman Getaway: Unbeatable Comfort Inn & Suites Deals!
Okay, spill the beans: Are these "unbeatable deals" *really* unbeatable? Or is that just marketing-speak?
Alright, let's get real. "Unbeatable" is always a loaded word, right? It's like when your Aunt Carol says her fruitcake is "delicious" (it's not, Carol, it's a brick). But, here's my experience: Yeah, the Best Western Des Plaines/O'Hare *does* often offer solid deals, especially if you're flexible with dates. I snagged a room for a weekend trip with a buddy last year for, like, peanuts compared to what the downtown hotels were charging. I'm talkin' less than a slice of deep-dish pizza per night. Which, in Chicago, is a STEAL. I've learned, though... you gotta be ready to pounce. The good deals, like a good deep-dish pizza, don't stick around forever. So, keep checking, and be prepared to book!
What's the deal with the airport shuttle? Is it reliable, or am I going to miss my flight? Because seriously, I almost missed a flight once because of a *taxi strike* and it was a *nightmare*.
Okay, deep breaths. Airport shuttles… a rollercoaster of emotions. From personal experience, the Best Western's shuttle is usually pretty solid. BUT, listen, *always* double-check the shuttle schedule. I *have* been stuck waiting a bit longer than I’d like during peak hours. It’s never been a disaster, but I recommend leaving a *massive* buffer time. Like… three hours before your flight. Better safe than sorry, especially if you’ve got a red-eye and just want to *sleep*. And if you *are* worried, Uber and Lyft are also options. Just prepare for potential surge pricing, because, Chicago.
How's the location? Is it…*safe*? And is there anything interesting nearby? I don't want to be stuck in some desolate wasteland.
Location-wise, it's right by O'Hare, so… you know, it’s not going to be the bustling heart of Wrigleyville. It's more… airport-adjacent. But safe? Generally, yes. I've walked around there at night, never felt threatened. Of course, always use common sense; don't wander down poorly lit alleys at 3 AM. Regarding interesting stuff, well, you're close to the airport. My personal opinion on that is that the highlight is *leaving* the airport to go have some fun. But, you're also a quick car ride or train hop away from… everything! Downtown Chicago, with its museums, incredible restaurants, and the bean (Cloud Gate). Plus, the Des Plaines area itself has some solid restaurants and shops. It's definitely not a *wasteland*, but it's more about easy airport access than a vibrant, pulsing nightlife scene. I personally enjoy the peace, after being out in a big city all day. Just depends on what you want!
What about the rooms themselves? Are they… clean? Comfortable? Or should I bring my own hazmat suit and earplugs?
Alright, the moment of truth. The rooms. Okay, clean is *usually* the case. It's a Best Western, not the Ritz-Carlton, you know what I mean? Don't expect luxury. The rooms are… functional. My take is, the housekeeping staff is generally pretty good. I've found it depends on which room, sometimes, but I’ve never found anything truly horrifying. Comfort? It's a bed. It's not a memory-foam cloud, but it'll do the job. Earplugs? Always a good idea when you’re near an airport. Planes take off, and they are loud. If you're a light sleeper, and you want to be well rested for your Chicago adventure, BRING THEM. I almost went insane once, a screaming baby plus a poorly insulated wall. Now, I *always* have earplugs. Trust me, they're a lifesaver. Hazmat suit? Maybe a *slight* exaggeration. (Unless… you're *really* worried about something.)
Is there free breakfast? Because I *need* free breakfast. Hangry is a real thing.
Ah, free breakfast! The lifeblood of the budget traveler. Yes, there is usually a free breakfast. It’s the standard Best Western fare: continental, with waffles you make yourself (which is *always* fun, even if you make a mess), usually some scrambled eggs (which, honestly, can be hit and miss… sometimes I’m convinced they’re from a powder), and the usual array of pastries, cereal, and coffee. It’s not gourmet, but it'll fill you up and *usually* saves you some money. It's a good base for your Chicago food adventures. Remember, Chicago is known for amazing food, so don’t get *too* filled up on the hotel breakfast!
I'm traveling with kids. Is this hotel kid-friendly? And, even MORE importantly, is there a pool? Pools are life.
Kids... *sigh*. Okay, the Best Western Des Plaines/O'Hare is *generally* kid-friendly. They've got the usual stuff – cribs sometimes available, etc. Call ahead to be sure. It’s not a *kiddie resort*, mind you. It's a good place to pass the night after a long day. Now, the pool. THIS IS THE BIG QUESTION. Yes, there *usually* is a pool. But… (there's always a 'but', isn't there?)… it can get crowded, especially during peak season. And the size is… adequate. Don't expect Olympic-sized. It's more of a 'splashing around with the kids' pool. So, if pools are life, it's *fine*, but maybe don't build your entire vacation around it. *I*, however, once spent an entire afternoon in the pool. I was exhausted, but I was happy. Be sure to confirm it's open before your trip, because sometimes, things happen.
What if something goes wrong? Like, what if my room smells like stale cigarettes, or the air conditioning doesn't work? Can I complain?
Absolutely, complain! Don't suffer in silence! If your room smells like a chain smoker's paradise (been there, done that), or the AC is blasting the Sahara Desert into your face, tell them! The front desk *usually* wants to make things right. They'll probably offer to switch your room, or try to fix the issue. I once had a *nightmare* with a broken toilet (and I'm not going into detail here, but let's just say it involved a lot of water and a very grumpy me). I complained, got moved to a different room, and they were very apologetic, which, honestly, is all I wanted. So, don't be afraid to speakStay Finder Review
