Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, a Lake Zurich-Barrington by IHG

We had a quiet, comfortable weekend in a convenient spot for our other stops, celebrating our first anniversary. The room was tidy, and I loved the pillowcases marked “firm” and “soft.” Seeing Dove products in the bathroom was a fun surprise. The staff were so thoughtful. Dev and the newest team member were especially kind, and Piyu, I think, helped me fill my water bottle at the hallway fountain while I was carrying towels. The hotel also had a clean, beautiful look and a refreshing scent when we arrived. Breakfast was tasty and had a good range of choices, including my favorite, turkey sausage. We’d stay here again.

I felt at home here while I was hospitalized in Chicago, and I’d come back for any occasion. It’s a great spot for family gatherings too, with large rooms, a pool, and fantastic amenities. The remodeling looked great, everything was clean, and the staff were fantastic.

We arranged a block of rooms for a wedding at very reasonable rates. The clean, comfortable rooms worked well, but our guests especially noticed how professional the staff were. Everyone was friendly and kept a great attitude.

A little pond out back was a nice surprise in the morning. It wasn’t anything spectacular, but I’d take that view over a concrete pad or more buildings. The rest of the stay was pretty much standard for a Holiday Inn Express: clean, modern, basic rooms, a comfortable bed and pillows, and free breakfast. Nothing bad, just not especially memorable. I called ahead because our arrival would be very late and wanted them to note that we were still coming, so our room wouldn’t be treated as a no-show and given away. The man at the front desk said not to worry and that the room would be there whatever time we arrived, but his thick accent was hard for me to understand and he didn’t ask for any of my information. I wasn’t very confident I’d understood the call. Still, our room was waiting when we got there, and check-in was seamless. Good stay overall, and I’d recommend the place to anyone in the area.