Clarion Inn Elmhurst - Oakbrook

We paid over $200 even with the group discount, while other nearby hotels have charged us under $150 and offered better amenities. There’s no free breakfast or coffee, the property feels very outdated, and there’s no elevator, so you have to haul everything upstairs if your room is on the second floor. The stay itself was one problem after another. My daughter was upset because the pool was freezing. The room phone didn’t work, and finding the front desk number took far too much effort. I had to contact Choice Hotels and the reservation desk before I got the local Clarion number. There was no conditioner in the shower; they offered to bring some only after I’d finished showering. The Wi-Fi wouldn’t connect, and when I called the desk, the person there couldn’t help, just kept telling me to enter my name and room number when prompted.

We booked a room with two queen beds and a pullout couch, but got one with two full beds instead. When I called to ask what could be done, I was told it wasn’t her problem because we booked through a third party. I tried to let that go, but the pool was so cold and dirty that my kids couldn’t swim. Less than an hour after arriving, I went to the front desk to ask for a refund because I wasn’t satisfied. They said no and wouldn’t give me the supervisor’s or general manager’s contact information. The place felt disgusting and the service was super unprofessional. Worst hotel I’ve stayed in.

We needed somewhere pet friendly near Chicago, and this was a great price. It was quiet and out of the way, with comfortable beds. The rooms could use air purifiers and dehumidifiers, but the AC worked well, and it was tolerable for a night or two unless you’re asthmatic. I’d stay here again.

For $80-$100 a night, this felt like a complete rip-off, and I won’t be back. The room smelled awful, especially around the floor, and didn’t feel hygienic. I wouldn’t be surprised if there were bed bugs, though I can’t say for sure. They say they’ll return your deposit, but that didn’t seem to happen, which felt untrustworthy. The place seemed neglected. The floor mat smelled terrible and looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in ages, and nearly everything in the room was broken or falling apart. Most of the lights didn’t work, leaving only a dim standing lamp. There was no fan or proper ventilation, and the old AC was so loud it made sleeping difficult. The towels were torn and worn out. The bathroom was in bad shape, with a broken tap and outdated fixtures, and there were no basics like shampoo, body wash, or a toothbrush. There are much better options around. Avoid this place.