Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Chicago-Algonquin by IHG

Swimming was the main reason we booked, but the water was so cold that my daughter wouldn't get in, and I couldn't stay in it either. That was a huge letdown for the kids' pool time we came for. We were also charged $6 for one bottle of water billed to the room, which seemed excessive. When we got to the room, the bathroom sink counters still had water on them, so it didn't look properly cleaned. We were very disappointed with the stay.

At checkout they took my key but didn't give me a bill to look over. Once I got home, I spotted a $160 pet fee on my account. I called to dispute it, and the woman on the phone asked whether I had a pet. If I did, I wouldn't have called. She seemed more interested in arguing than fixing it, though the rep who started off with more attitude than professionalism later toned it down, gave me some points and submitted my refund. Housekeeping was inconsistent. The policy says rooms aren't cleaned daily, but beds should be made and fresh towels provided. My bed was made poorly, towels were hit or miss, and they took my bathmat without replacing it. At 5:00 AM one morning, I had to call the front desk because I had neither towels nor a floor mat. The shower was also dangerously slippery. Some staff were kind and professional, but a few weren't very presentable, and the service lacked consistency. The fitness center is only about 145 square feet, with four old treadmills and three sets of dumbbells crammed in. It had no ventilation, felt like a sauna and was visibly dirty. I never skip workouts when I travel, but I couldn't use this space during my stay. The hotel is one of very few options in Algonquin, Illinois, but I had a disappointing experience and can't recommend it. Check your bill before you leave and don't expect consistent service. Breakfast wasn't 100% healthy, but it was nice to have some mornings.

It was a convenient place to stay for my nearby event, and the price wasn't too high. The hotel is basic, nothing fancy, but fairly clean and really quiet. They offer free breakfast, though I didn't have any. I have no complaints.

We booked for a weekend because the hotel was close to The Port of Edwards Restaurant. We arrived Friday around 8:30 pm after driving a couple of hours. The woman at reception asked if I'd been there before, and it took her a while to give us the keys. In the room, rose petals led all the way to the bed. I figured perhaps the hotel had arranged it because it was a suite and Valentine's Day weekend. There were also wine and drinks in the fridge. I've seen that at other hotels and know you pay if you use them, so we hadn't taken anything. Then, around 12:30, if I'm remembering right, the police banged loudly on our door and woke me up. When we opened it, two officers and a hotel worker were there asking for the drinks from the fridge. I couldn't believe the hotel sent police upstairs over $40/50.00 dlls worth of booze. I would have paid that myself as a hotel just to avoid disturbing guests. I went downstairs, where two women were laughing about the situation. When I asked what happened, they said another receptionist had let someone in before me, but they couldn't explain it clearly. There was no manager on site to speak with. In the morning I asked for the manager and was told they wouldn't be in until Monday. I think there's no professional person there to handle issues like this when they happen, just apprentices on site. I still haven't spoken to the manager to hear what excuse they'll give me, but I'll write again if anything comes of it.