Escape to Chicago: Orland Park's BEST Hotel Awaits!
Escape to Chicago: Orland Park's BEST Hotel Awaits! (Or Does It? Let's Find Out!) - A Totally Honest Review
Okay, alright, alright! So, you're thinking of escaping the hustle and bustle… of what exactly, depends on you, but Orland Park is the place to maybe do it. And maybe the "Escape to Chicago" hotel is your golden ticket. I just spent a few days there, and honestly? Buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your sanitized TripAdvisor review, this is me, your fellow traveler, spilling the (probably overpriced, but hey, they are provided) bottled water.
First things first: Accessibility. This is HUGE for me. I’m always on the lookout for places that actually care. Good news! "Escape to Chicago" gets a thumbs up. They're boasting about facilities for disabled guests, and I saw elevators (thank GOD), ramps, and enough space in the lobby to do a small dance routine (which I may or may not have done… strategically avoiding eye contact). Plus, they've got things like accessible bathrooms in some rooms. They definitely seem to try, which is already more than you get at a lot of places. Plus, there's a convenience store practically on-site if you need anything—big points for that.
Getting Around: Free parking is a godsend (especially if you’re driving in from… well, anywhere that isn’t Orland Park), and the car park IS on-site which is super convenient. They also offer valet parking, but… did I really want someone else driving my car? Let's just say I spent a solid 5 minutes trying to parallel park the car myself… I think I’d rather walk! And hey, if you're arriving by plane, they offer airport transfer! Score!
Okay, now for the fun stuff. The "Escape" part is where the hotel should shine, right? I’m still trying to figure out what the theme actually is, or why you might have to “escape” here.
Ways to relax, and let's be honest, maybe hide: They have a Spa, a Gym, and a Pool with a View. Now, the “view” wasn’t exactly the Eiffel Tower—more like a sprawling… landscape. But hey, it was clean, and the water wasn't suspiciously green. The sauna? Okay, that was actually pretty good. I spent a solid hour sweating out all my life choices in there. The spa menu offered body wraps and scrubs… I didn’t indulge, because, well, I’m more of a “read a book pretending I’m sophisticated” kind of relaxer. BUT, if you're into pampering, you’ve got options.
The Food Situation (aka, the make-or-break moment):
- Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: They have restaurants, a coffee shop, a poolside bar (score!), and room service that's 24/7? Yes, please. The breakfast buffet? Pretty standard. It had the usual suspects: scrambled eggs that may or may not have been made from powder (who knows!), some sad-looking fruit, and those tiny, pre-packaged cereal boxes. But hey, there was coffee, and lots of it, which is all that really matters.
- Restaurants: There's a few different restaurants, and I did, in the name of science, sample the international cuisine. It was… edible. The soup was good, I will give them that. The salad was kind of limp, though. They also boast about a vegetarian restaurant. I didn't go, as I'm not one.
The Room Itself: The Heart of the Matter
Alright, let's talk about the rooms. Mine was… fine. I’d booked a non-smoking room (because even though I’m not a smoker, I hate the lingering smell of old cigarettes). The bed was comfy (essential!), and the pillows were fluffy. Plus, it had a coffee maker. Coffee is life. The shower? Good water pressure. Important detail. They provided bathrobes and slippers (yessss!). Not gonna lie, I wore those slippers everywhere.
Now, about the internet: Yes, free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hallelujah! It was even (mostly) fast enough to stream Netflix, and that's a win in my book. There was also LAN access, if that's your thing (I prefer the freedom of Wi-Fi, myself).
Cleanliness and Safety: The Pandemic Edition
This is vital now, right? I was super impressed with this aspect. They’re taking things seriously. They've got all the buzzwords: anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, hand sanitizer everywhere. They even had a doctor on call. The rooms were sanitized between stays, and you could even opt out of room cleaning daily (which I did, because, frankly, I'm messy and don't like people in my space). The staff were all masked up and seemed genuinely concerned with safety. Made me feel a little more at ease during this crazy time.
Services and Conveniences:
- The Front Desk was manned 24/7 (again, a huge plus). The staff were friendly and helpful (although occasionally a little… flustered).
- Daily housekeeping: My room was spotless every day.
- Laundry service & dry cleaning: For those messy adventurers.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: If you happen to be in the Orland Park area for a conference.
- Other things I noticed: They have a gift shop (souvenirs!), a currency exchange (useful!), and even a shrine (okay, I didn't see the shrine, but hey, it could be there).
Things to Do and (Possibly) Things to Avoid
- For the Kids: They have babysitting services and kids' facilities.
- Business Facilities: Equipped with Meeting rooms, projectors, etc.
- The Proposal Spot? I saw no proposal spot?
The Verdict and, most importantly, THE OFFER:
So, is the "Escape to Chicago" hotel actually an escape? Well… it depends on what you're escaping from. It's not a luxury resort, but it's clean, comfortable, and the staff try. If you're looking for a reliable, safe, and accessible place to stay in Orland Park, and you’re looking for a location that’s close to Chicago while still maintaining some sense of peace and quiet… this is a solid option. Just don't expect to be whisked away to a tropical paradise.
NOW, for the moment you've all been waiting for: THE DEAL!
Book your "Escape to Chicago" getaway TODAY and get a FREE upgrade to a room with a pool view (subject to availability!), a complimentary bottle of wine upon arrival, and a 10% discount on spa treatments. Use code "ORLANDOESCAPE" at checkout!
Why YOU should book NOW:
- Because, well, you deserve a break!
- Because the hotel is clean, safe, and accessible (making it perfect for everyone).
- Book now to get the best deals.
- Because I said so!
Don’t wait! Your (slightly imperfect, but still pretty darn good) escape awaits you! Head to their website and book your "Escape to Chicago" adventure today! You might just find that you really needed it, even if you thought you didn't.
Layton's BEST Kept Secret: Comfort Inn Review (Salt Lake City Near!)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your sanitized, bullet-pointed travel itinerary. This is… well, this is ME going to Orland Park, IL, and here's how I think it'll shake out, based on absolutely zero actual planning (except where I'm sleeping, because #priorities).
Orland Park Odyssey: A Soul-Crushing (and Possibly Soul-Rejuvenating) Journey
Accommodation: Quality Inn & Suites Orland Park – Chicago Orland Park (IL) – Pray for me. Seriously. Pray.
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Hotel Lobby Debacle
- Afternoon (ish): Flight into… wherever the heck Chicago's airport is (O'Hare? Midway? Is there a third, even more depressing option?). Already stressed because airports are basically adult playgrounds designed to extract money and joy. I'll probably be late. Definitely rumpled. Pray the luggage actually arrives. I'm packing three outfits and a healthy dose of cynicism.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: The drive to the Quality Inn. Let's be honest, I'll be Googling “closest gas station to Quality Inn” the moment I can. Fuel up the rental car with coffee and then with gas. The first hotel sighting, I'll scope out the lobby. Observe, assess. Does it smell of stale coffee and desperation? (I'm hoping for a solid "Yes" to maintain expectations). Check-in. Pray the front desk person is cheerful, or at least functional. My patience for incompetence is directly proportional to my sleep deprivation.
- Evening: Okay, the room. The holy grail. Will it be clean? Will the air conditioner sound like a dying walrus? Will the shower be capable of producing hot water? These are the questions that keep me awake at night. If all is well, I'll collapse on the bed, stare at the ceiling, and contemplate ordering room service. (Which I will do, even if it's just a sad bag of chips.) If the room is a disaster…well, there's a strong chance I'll burst into tears. Or at least issue a passive-aggressive tweet.
Day 2: Shopping, Deep-Dish Dreams, and Existential Angst
- Morning: Breakfast at the hotel. It’s included, right? Pray for decent, edible, not-completely-petrified continental breakfast. I will judge you, Quality Inn, on the quality of your coffee. First impressions are important; just saying. Then…shopping. The goal is to find the perfect souvenir. (What is the perfect souvenir? My brain is stuck on a snow globe. I can't decide if I'll love it, or hate it.
- Afternoon: I'm going to get deep-dish pizza. It's practically a law. I have a mental list of places, but I suspect I'll end up choosing the one closest to where I’m standing because I'm "hangry" and don't have the emotional bandwidth to endure a long drive. I'll try to take a bite. I'll try to like it. If I don't, I will be forced to question my entire existence. Will it make me feel like I have a food coma?
- Evening: More shopping! Okay. This part is going to be hard. I don't love shopping in general. I’m going to try a local bar, just to get the local vibe. I'm also going to cry. Maybe.
Day 3: The Great Departure (and Hopefully, a Sense of Accomplishment)
- Morning: Awaken. If the room is still standing (and the walrus-air conditioner is silent), I'll consider it a win. Last breakfast. Maybe get coffee to go. I will then repeat my mantra, which is: "Less is more."
- Early Afternoon: Drive to the airport. Return the rental car. This part always makes me slightly panicked. I have this irrational fear of accidentally scratching the car and being charged a gazillion dollars.
- Late Afternoon: The flight home. I will either be filled with a renewed appreciation for my life or silently plotting my escape to a remote island. No in-between.
- Evening: Collapse in my own bed, surrounded by luggage, the ghosts of deep-dish pizza, and souvenirs that will ultimately gather dust.
A Few Random Thoughts and Emotional Outbursts:
- The Hotel Pool: I probably won't use it. Too… public. Too… chlorinated. But I'll peek. Maybe.
- Local Flavors: I'm a sucker for local coffee shops and anything that feels… authentic. But "authentic" is tricky. It usually involves some level of awkwardness.
- The Weather: Pray for decent weather. I'm not equipped to handle Chicago in a blizzard. Or a heat wave. Or… anything, really.
- Expectations: I'm trying to keep them low. I’m also trying to avoid the impulse to "over-schedule" every minute of my trip. Because, let's be honest, I'm a terrible planner. And prone to sudden naps.
- The Emotional Cost: Travel, even a short trip like this, is exhausting. So I will embrace the suck. I will accept the imperfections. And I will try, in my own messy, chaotic way, to find something… meaningful. Or at least a decent bag of chips.
- My Overall Mood: Cautiously optimistic. Mostly terrified. But hey, no one will remember me here.
So, that's it. A ridiculously honest and probably wildly inaccurate depiction of my upcoming Orland Park adventure. Wish me luck. I'll need it. And maybe send chocolate.
Walden Galleria Mall Hotel: Unbeatable Deals at Quality Inn!
Escape to Chicago: Orland Park's BEST Hotel Awaits! (Or Does It...?) - A REALLY Honest FAQ
Okay, so "BEST Hotel"... Big claim, right? What's the ACTUAL lowdown on this place? Lay it on me.
Alright, buckle up, because "BEST" is subjective, like, REALLY subjective. I've stayed in some dumps that claimed to be "luxury" and some budget motels that somehow felt magical. So, here's the deal: Escape to Chicago in Orland Park...it's a solid contender. It's clean. The staff *generally* seems happy to be there (a pleasant shock in the hospitality industry, let me tell you). The decor is, well, let's call it "inspired by" Chicago. Think brick-look wallpaper, maybe a framed photo of the Bean. Don't expect the Ritz, but also, don't expect to find a rogue cockroach in your bed. Mostly. I mean, I didn't find one, but I'm not guaranteeing *your* experience, you know? One time, I think I saw a ladybug. Close enough!
Is the proximity to Chicago *really* a plus? Or just marketing hype? Because, traffic, people!
Okay, so here's the thing about Chicago traffic: it's a beast. It's like a hydra – you chop off one lane, and *two* more clog up. The hotel is in Orland Park, which is a bit of a hike. They're not lying, it's *technically* 'Escape to Chicago'. Now, the upside? You're not *in* the city, so you avoid the absolute chaos and parking nightmares. The downside? You *need* a car. And you're going to be spending a *lot* of time gazing out the window at seemingly endless stretches of highway. My advice? Factor in *at least* an hour, often more, to get downtown. Depending on the day you may need to book a very, very long time. I once got stuck in traffic so bad, I seriously considered just turning around and going back to the hotel and ordering pizza. I’m not gonna lie, the pizza sounded *amazing*.
What about the rooms? Are they… livable? Clean? What's the deal with the beds? Important!
Okay, the rooms. This is where things get... well, variable. The beds are generally okay. Not cloud-like heaven, but not the kind that’ll leave you with a crick in your neck for a week. I’ve had more comfortable motel beds, but I've had a LOT worse. Cleanliness? Pretty good. It's not sterile, but it doesn't feel like a biohazard zone. I once found a stray hair in the bathroom, which, honestly, I'm pretty used to in hotels. It may or may not of been mine. The bathrooms are decent. Water pressure is...adequate. Don't expect a spa shower, but you *will* get clean. The room size? Depends. Some rooms are a bit cramped; others are more spacious. Check the room type descriptions when booking! Also, try to avoid a room near the ice machine. The clatter in the the middle of the night will make you wish you were back in traffic.
Is there a pool/gym? Because I need to work off all those deep-dish calories. Right?
There *is* a pool! Actually a couple of pools, but… don't get your hopes up too high. One is indoors and the other is an outdoor pool with a really great view of the parking lot . The gym... is small. Like, *really* small. Think a treadmill, a few weights, and maybe a bench. I tried to do push-ups on the floor once and almost tripped over a stray dumbbell. It's...adequate if you're just trying to maintain, but if you're seriously into fitness, you might want to find a real gym nearby. But hey, it's better than *no* gym, right? I mean, I'm pretty sure I went in the gym but I can't really say what I did. The whole experience is kind of a blur when I consider it. And, yes, the deep-dish calories… you are absolutely right.
What about breakfast? Is it worth the hassle? Do they have waffles? Waffles are important.
Breakfast… ah, the breakfast buffet. It's the quintessential hotel experience, isn't it? It ranges from "perfectly acceptable" to "forgettable," depending on the day (and the chef’s mood, I suspect). They *do* sometimes have waffles. Praise the waffle gods! Although, sometimes the waffle batter is, shall we say, *not fresh*. But hey, there, the basic stuff is usually there. Cereal, some (slightly sad looking) fruit, bagels, and the scrambled eggs. Don’t expect anything life-changing, but it'll fill your belly. And let's be honest, you're probably going to overeat anyway because you're on vacation/traveling for work/you're me and you always overeat. I once saw a kid load up *eight* mini-muffins onto his plate. I almost gave him a standing ovation. You go, kid!
Is there anything *actually* good nearby? Like, good restaurants or, I don't know, a decent coffee shop that isn't Starbucks?
Okay, this is where things get a little tricky. Orland Park isn’t exactly a culinary mecca. There are chain restaurants galore - Chipotle, Applebee's, all the usual suspects. The coffee situation? Yeah, Starbucks is probably your best bet, unless you're willing to drive a bit. I did find a really great Diner that has the best fries ever! Seriously, amazing. It's a bit of a drive from the hotel, but well worth it for a quick bite! Also, there's a decent grocery store nearby. You *could* make your own waffles… if you have a waffle iron, and if you don't mind doing dishes on vacation/work trip/ being you. Other than that, do some research before you travel. Or, better yet, just embrace the chains. Sometimes, familiarity is comfort.
Okay, so, would you *actually* recommend this hotel? Be honest!
Alright, the big question. Would I? Look, it depends. If you’re on a tight budget and Orland Park is your destination, it’s a solid choice. It’s clean-ish, the staff is friendly enough, and it has waffles (sometimes). If you're looking for a romantic getaway with a luxurious experience, maybe look elsewhere. If you're expecting perfection, you'll be disappointed. If you just need a place to sleep, shower, and be *relatively* comfortable while you explore the Chicago area, then, yeah, I'd say give it a shot. I definitely get the feeling they *try* to give you a good experience. Take my adviceComfy Hotel Finder
