Gurnee Getaway: Unwind at Country Inn & Suites!
Gurnee Getaway: Unwind at Country Inn & Suites! - My Hot Mess of a Review
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just wrestled my way through a stay at the Country Inn & Suites in Gurnee, Illinois, and I'm here to spill the tea. This ain't your sanitized, corporate drone review; this is me, unfiltered, and ready to talk about everything from questionable buffet scrambled eggs to the surprisingly good pool view. Let's dive in, folks, and be honest - Gurnee, Illinois? We needed a good time.
First Impressions & the Chaos of Arrival
Finding the place was a breeze, thankfully – the signage was clear, a small but crucial win! Parking? Yup, a free-of-charge car park! Huge win! I'm all about that easy parking life. The exterior? Standard Country Inn fare, honestly. Safe, clean, nothing to write home about. But hey, it looks like a hotel! My inner germaphobe was immediately on high alert, but the 24-hour security and CCTV cameras everywhere gave me a teeny bit of peace of mind. They're definitely trying.
Accessibility & The Blessing of Elevators (and the Potential Drawbacks!)
The accessibility game? Okay, good news and potentially bad news. "Facilities for disabled guests" is listed, and that's a good start. Elevator? YES! A must-have for anyone with mobility concerns, or, you know, if you're lugging suitcases like I was. But I'm not a wheelchair user, so I can't speak to the true accessibility of the rooms – I'd definitely recommend calling ahead to confirm. They better be actually accessible.
Rooms: Cozy-ish Chaos and Free Wi-Fi Glory
Alright, the room! My mantra during this whole escape? "Free Wi-Fi, free Wi-Fi, free Wi-Fi." Check. The "Internet access – wireless" and "Wi-Fi [free]" listings are true. The room itself? Air conditioning that worked like a champ (thank goodness, because Midwest summers!), a desk to pretend to work at (I mostly looked at cat videos), a coffee maker that I needed (critical for my sanity), and a refrigerator that was crucial for keeping my emergency chocolate stash cool. The blackout curtains? Bless them. I slept like a baby.
But the "cozy" part? Well, it wasn't huge, but it was clean, I'll give it that. Daily housekeeping did their job. Clean towels, fresh sheets. The smoke detector and fire extinguisher gave a reassuring presence (I'm a worrier, okay?). And look, they even had those little extras like slippers and a hairdryer. Nice touch, Country Inn.
Now, the "extra long bed"? Didn't realize I booked a king, but I actually did get one extra big bed!
The Spa-Like Dreams (and the Reality Check)
Okay, let's talk about the things that sounded amazing. Spa/sauna, steamroom… the website sold me this fantasy of ultimate relaxation. Realistically, the "spa" is probably just a glorified sauna. I didn’t actually use those facilities, so I can't give you inside scoop. I was too busy inhaling the scent of chlorine from the swimming pool [outdoor].
Swimming Pool and Gym: A Mixed Bag for Relaxation
The swimming pool with a view might be a bit of an exaggeration. It's more of a pool adjacent to something. It wasn’t a bad view, but it was also just… a view. But the water was clean, the air was warm, and the kids weren't too loud. The gym/fitness room? I glanced in. Treadmills, ellipticals. Enough to get in a decent workout, I guess. I, however, was dedicated to the art of lounging.
Food, Glorious Food (Or, the Buffet Blues)
This is where things got…interesting. Breakfast [buffet]? Yes. International cuisine in restaurant (and mostly Western cuisine). Coffee/tea in restaurant, coffee shop. The good news: there was coffee. The bad news? Buffet scrambled eggs. You’ve been warned. They had a breakfast takeaway service, though, which was a lifesaver on my rush morning. I may have grabbed a bagel and a banana to go.
They also listed restaurants, a poolside bar, snack bar, room service [24-hour]. I didn't explore all those options. I was too busy devouring my bagel and banana.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Sanitization Saga
Okay, this is important. In this post-apocalyptic nightmare of viruses, I'm giving it a solid B+. They're really trying. Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, room sanitization between stays, and staff trained in safety protocol are all listed – and that's a huge relief. I saw hand sanitizer everywhere and most of the staff wearing masks. They're taking it seriously, which made me feel less anxious. The items like individually-wrapped food options, sanitized kitchen and tableware items also offered great peace of mind.
Things to Do (Besides Binge-Watching TV)
Gurnee is a suburb… There's not an immense list of things to do, but they got it. Nearby are Six Flags Great America, Gurnee Mills, and I think that's about it.
The Verdict: Would I Go Back?
Look, Country Inn & Suites isn't the Four Seasons. It's a solid, comfortable, and safe place to crash. Is it perfect? Nope. But they're trying. They were friendly, the bed was comfy, and the Wi-Fi was solid. If you're looking for a convenient, relatively affordable stay in Gurnee, and you’re not a fussy eater… then Gurnee Getaway: Unwind at Country Inn & Suites! is worth considering.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5 Stars.
Here's Your Tempting Offer (and a little extra honesty!)
Escape to Gurnee - Your No-Stress Getaway Awaits!
Tired of the grind? Craving a break? Then ditch the stress and book your Gurnee Getaway at Country Inn & Suites!
- Cozy Comforts: Sink into our comfy beds, enjoy free Wi-Fi to stay connected (or disconnect!), and let the blackout curtains lull you into a sweet slumber.
- Safety First: Rest easy knowing our commitment to cleanliness is serious. We're going above and beyond to ensure your peace of mind with sanitization protocols and staff training.
- Fuel Your Adventures: Grab a quick breakfast and head out for a day of exploration. Or, if the buffet scramble eggs don't cut it, order something from our room service.
- Relax and Recharge: From the gym to the pool, we've got all the bare necessities you want!
Special Offer! BOOK NOW and get:
- 10% off your entire stay! (Because everyone loves a discount!)
- Free parking! (Save your change for the snack bar!)
- Late check-out, based on availability! (Because we know you might need that extra hour of sleep.)
Don’t delay! Book your Gurnee Getaway today! (Or, you know, whenever you feel like it. No pressure.) Be sure to check our website for current offers. And, yeah, I’m not going to promise the best buffet breakfast you’ve ever had, BUT the coffee is hot, and that’s what matters, right?
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. We're going to Gurnee, Illinois, and we're going to do it wrong. Gloriously, messily, and with a healthy dose of existential dread sprinkled on top. This is the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Gurnee, IL, experience, raw and unfiltered.
Day 1: Arrival and the Illusion of Control
- 1:00 PM (ish): Arrive at O'Hare. Okay, flying into O'Hare felt like entering a vortex of stress. Navigating those baggage carousels…it's a competitive sport. And the rental car? Don't even get me started. Let's just say my GPS had a vendetta against me. Found myself muttering, "This is what I get for trying to be spontaneous!" Finally, after an hour of circling and questionable hand gestures, I was on the road to the promised land…Gurnee.
- 3:00 PM: Check-in at Country Inn & Suites. Ah, the sweet, sweet smell of… chlorine? The lobby was cheerfully generic, the kind of place where you’ve seen a million times. Quick check-in. I was greeted with that generic "Welcome to Country Inn & Suites!" smile that's probably programmed into their faces. My room? Slightly underwhelming. Clean, yes. Exciting? No. But hey, it’s a bed, right? A bed and a bathroom – the two pillars of any successful travel endeavour!
- 3:30 PM: Struggle with the TV remote. Seriously, why are TV remotes always a puzzle? After at least 15 minutes of button-mashing, I found ONE channel showing a rerun of a show I'd never heard of. Gave up and stared at the ceiling. Contemplating life choices!
- 4:00 PM: Unpack (sort of). More like, "dump stuff on the bed, hope for the best." My toiletries were already exploding in the bag. "This is going to be a disaster!"
- 5:00 PM: Mandatory wander around the hotel. Found the “fitness center” (basically a sad little room with a treadmill that looked jury-rigged). Decided against it. Definitely not. After a long day, I deserved a nap.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. The hotel had a (surprisingly decent) restaurant, but I was craving something greasy and full of regrets. Headed out to the local casual dining chain, and the food was exactly what I needed, which is to say, utterly unsatisfying and deeply comforting. The server? Lovely. Bless her heart, she kept the coffee coming, which is a small mercy.
- 7:30 PM: Back in the room. Watched more mind-numbing TV, which was the ultimate relaxation.
- 9:00 PM: Contemplating an early night. The siren call of the comfy bed was strong. Maybe, just maybe, this trip wouldn't be a total disaster after all.
Day 2: Six Flags and the Carousel of Existential Dread
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. Ah, the continental breakfast. The land of stale bagels, sad fruit, and a waffle maker that always seems to test my patience. I gave up and grabbed some of those mini-muffins. Sugar rush activated!
- 9:00 AM: Hit Six Flags Great America. The grand plan: conquer the coasters! The reality: Wait in line for 45 minutes for a ride that lasts 90 seconds. The sheer volume of people… the chaos! The screams! It was sensory overload. I felt a strange mix of exhilaration and pure, unadulterated panic.
- 9:45 AM: First coaster- The Demon. I wanted to go on the biggest, baddest coaster right away. I rode The Demon and for a moment I blacked out. I felt a surge of adrenaline as I was terrified.
- 11:00 AM: Food at Six Flags. Had a slice of pizza and a slushy. The pizza was edible, the slushy was pure sugar. No regrets. Maybe a little.
- 1:00 PM: After trying all of the rides, I realized I had no stamina. The heat was getting to me. I decided to spend some time in the air-conditioned arcade. All of the games were too challenging. After a few minutes, I was too bored to continue playing.
- 3:00 PM: I went back to the hotel and took a nap. The nap was excellent.
- 6:00 PM: Food
- 7:00 PM: The pool was closed
- 8:00 PM: Back in the room. Contemplated life choices!
- 9:00 PM: Early night
Day 3: Departure… and the End of an Era
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast again. Repeat of Day 2.
- 9:00 AM: Check-out. The speedy check-out was a welcome relief.
- 9:30 AM: Last-minute panic shopping - Oh god, I forgot the souvenirs. Wandered aimlessly through a gift shop. Ended up buying a t-shirt that definitely wouldn't fit anyone.
- 10:30 AM: The drive back to O'Hare. More navigation struggles. More muttering. More white knuckles. This is the point where you realize you're going to miss the trip!
- 12:00 PM: Drop off the rental car. The rental car process was a breeze.
- 1:00 PM: Flight. I hope this plane doesn't fall out of the sky.
- 2:00 PM: Arrival back home. Back to the grind.
This whole trip was a mess. There were moments of joy, moments of terror, moments of profound boredom. It's all par for the course, right? And that, my friends, is the messy, imperfect truth of travel. And sometimes, that's exactly what you need. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a vacation from my vacation.
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Gurnee Getaway FAQs: My Brain Dump Edition! (Country Inn & Suites)
Okay, *is* this place actually a getaway? Like, does it *deliver* on the “unwind” promise? (Because seriously, I need it.)
Alright, here's the real deal. "Unwind" is a subjective beast, right? For *me* and my perpetually-wound-up-like-a-toy-soldier self? Yeah, mostly. It depends on your definition. If “unwind” means no screaming toddlers next door (we'll get to that later...), decent coffee, and a fluffy pillow that doesn't immediately crumple to nothing... then YES. It gives you a fighting chance. I mean, the lobby? Smelled vaguely of cinnamon and… well, mostly just cinnamon, which is already a step in the right direction for unwinding, in my book. It IS Gurnee, so you're surrounded by… experiences. But the place itself offers a buffer. Kinda like a fluffy, cinnamon-scented ninja shield against the chaos.
The Free Breakfast: Is it REALLY free? And is it… edible? Because hotel breakfasts can be a minefield of disappointment.
Okay, this is CRUCIAL. The breakfast? Yes, it's free. And here's the important part: It’s *better* than you’d think. We’re not talking Michelin star quality, obviously. But the waffles? Actually pretty good! I got a little *too* excited about the waffle iron and may have made three… *okay, four.* Don't judge. They had the usual suspects – scrambled eggs (questionable, sometimes a bit rubbery, but hey, protein!), sausage (iffy, but edible in a pinch), cereal, fruit (the pineapple chunks were a lifesaver, honestly), and all the bad-for-you, but delicious, carbs you could ever want. The coffee? Fine. Not world-changing, but it gets the job done. And there was a young girl manning the breakfast area who kept refilling the juice and was ridiculously cheerful, which, after a night of questionable sleep, was genuinely appreciated. Worth it? Absolutely. Gives you fuel for your Six Flags escapades (more on THAT later...)
What about the rooms? Clean? Comfortable? Or like, a biohazard zone?
Look, my standards are… evolving. I'm not expecting the Ritz Carlton. But CLEAN is a must. And thankfully, the room was… CLEAN. Seriously, I did a little deep-dive inspection when I first walked in (you know you do it too!). No questionable stains, no mystery hairs… (that's a win!). The bed? Comfortable enough. The pillows were… well, they weren't the cloud-like down pillows of my dreams, but they did the job. The TV worked (essential for late-night channel surfing after a long day of amusement parks). The bathroom? Functional and, again, clean. It wasn't a spa, but it wasn't a prison bathroom either. I'd give it a solid B+. Maybe a B+ if I *really* liked the air conditioning. Which, blessedly, I did.
Okay, the dreaded "Noise Level." What's it *really* like? Because I'm a light sleeper.
This… this is where things get *interesting*. And by interesting, I mean… potentially problematic for light sleepers. Let's just say, you're not entirely insulated from the world. We were on the ground floor (rookie mistake for a light sleeper, I know). We had a family with children next door. And those children must have possessed the vocal chords of opera singers. They screamed. They shrieked. They ran up and down the hallway. I considered leaving them a passive-aggressive note about the importance of indoor voices (tempting… so very tempting). But I soldiered on. The walls are… well, let's just say they're not soundproofed. So if you're easily disturbed, bring earplugs. Or, if you're feeling bold, request a room on a higher floor. Or, you know, just embrace the chaos. It's part of the charm, right? (Cue nervous laughter... and a desperate longing for silence.)
The Pool. Is it worth the chlorine exposure?
Okay, the pool. This is another area where things get… *subjective*. I’m not a huge pool person, to be honest. I’m more of a “lounge chair and a good book” kinda gal. But… my kid? They’re a fish. And they were SO EXCITED. The pool itself? It was… a pool. Clean-ish. The water was a reasonable temperature. There was a tiny little hot tub that was occupied by… well, mostly kids. And, yes, there *was* chlorine. My hair felt a bit like straw afterward. Did my kid love it? ABSOLUTELY. Was I forced to spend a significant amount of time IN the pool? Yes, yes I was. Would I do it again? Probably. Because sometimes, you just gotta do what your kid wants. Even if it means smelling faintly of chlorine for the rest of the day. The chlorine smell lingered for, like, a week. Ugh.
Location, Location, Location! How easy is it to get to Six Flags Great America and other attractions?
Pure gold. Honestly, this is a HUGE selling point. The Country Inn is practically *right there*! I'm talking, like, a five-minute drive to Six Flags. Which is *amazing* after a long day of rollercoasters and funnel cake (and maybe a few meltdowns, let's be real). Super convenient. You're also close to the Gurnee Mills Mall, which is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing for shopping (duh!), a curse for my bank account. There are plenty of restaurants nearby, too. So, in terms of location? A+ all the way. Perfect for maximizing your Six Flags fun, and minimizing the travel stress.
Parking? Easy peasy? Or a total nightmare?
Parking... Let's just say, it's better than trying to find parking at Six Flags. (Seriously, that's an Olympic sport). The Country Inn has ample parking. It's free, and it's right in front of the hotel. No circling the block for ten minutes, desperately searching for a space. A HUGE win in my book. So, yeah, parking: Easy peasy lemon squeezy. One less thing to stress about.
Would you actually stay here again? The bottom line, folks!
Hotel Adventure
