La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Chicago Gurnee

We liked the clean pool and hot tub, and the free breakfast suited us perfectly. The room had the expected amenities, including a coffee maker, microwave, and fridge. It's a nice hotel and good value, with rooms as good as or better than GWL and much better service, for over $400 less. Just a heads up for anyone going to GWL: buy day passes online at least 24 hours ahead. We waited until arrival and they were sold out, so we had to spend $500 on a GWL room to get passes. It turned into an expensive vacation, but granny and grandpa had promised the trip. If GWL is the point of your visit, book passes ahead and stay at La Quinta to save a bit. The breakfast helps too. This is a family place with lots of kids, so don't expect a romantic getaway. There was a couple in the hot tub who looked pretty annoyed. I only gave four stars for service because we found out about the pool towel setup after getting in: there are no towels in the pool area, and you have to get them from the front desk. No big deal, I understand hotel towels probably disappear in a waterpark town.

The towel setup was inconvenient: pool towels are only at the front desk, so some guests walked through the main hall soaking wet and left puddles. The elevator was damp, with wet towels in a corner, and smelled unpleasant. We chose this hotel to avoid a long drive before a competition and hoped to sleep well, but we left tired and uncomfortable. I wouldn't recommend it based on our experience, and would spend a little more for better air quality and upkeep. The building had a strange odor as soon as we entered, and the room smelled strongly of deodorizer. Opening the window didn't help much. It was hard to sleep, and we felt congested. At the pool, the chemicals seemed off: after around 10 minutes our eyes were burning and several kids were coughing. My daughter began coughing there, then developed congestion that night. She had a cough and congestion for about a week after we got home. I booked because the reviews were good, so I really expected a comfortable stay.

I'm in town regularly and always stay here. It's reasonably priced, with a decent breakfast included, and the pool and hot tub are clean. The location is very convenient for Great America, Gurnee Mills, and lots of food. Cracker Barrel is right out the back door, and Olive Garden is less than a block away. It feels safe and clean, and the staff are outstanding. I haven't met a single person who wasn't friendly and willing to go the extra mile.

The rooms were a little small, but I really appreciated the mini fridge and microwave, which many hotels don't have these days. The pool was nice and the hot tub relaxing. Breakfast was just okay, though the price for the night was right. Great spot close to Six Flags.