Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Lombard Oak Brook

The breakfast setup was one of the best I’ve had at an Embassy Suites. The omelet station is separate from the buffet, and an attendant serves you. The hotel seemed recently renovated, clean, and well maintained. My bed was comfortable, and the shower had good pressure and a nice spray pattern. I stayed two nights this past weekend. The thermostat wouldn’t go below 65 degrees, which is just my personal preference, and the room temperature was fine. Parking cost $12.50 per night. I know hotel parking fees are common now, but charging that in the suburbs, where parking isn’t scarce, feels unwarranted. Kudos to the staff working the night of the 7th and the morning of the 8th. A swarm of difficult guests were trying to cause trouble and disturb people, and the staff handled them like true professionals. I’ll look to stay here again.

The male bartender I’ve met both times is a real pleasure, very personable with everyone, and always the highlight of my stay. The rooms are pretty clean, and I’d stay again. My reservation asked for a room near an exit or elevator, but as a diamond member I still ended up as far as possible from an exit. The TV was outdated and wouldn’t play Netflix. One shower door was missing, so water flooded the floor.

I always stay at Embassy Suites for extended visits, and the daily reception here is nice. The bartenders were very friendly and cordial. The rooms were quiet, clean, and comfortable. Still, the coffee situation would stop me from staying again. They lock up the automatic coffee maker and only make it available at breakfast. After my month-long stay, that was the biggest downside and a deal breaker for me. I asked if they could leave it open around the clock, since it would cost the property almost nothing, but they said they don’t do that and told me to use the pods in my room. On day two, I was surprised to see a homeless person sleeping in the entryway. I asked the front desk about it, and they said they had no security, so there was nothing they could do.

The kids had fun, but we’ll probably try another place next time. The pool bathroom needs a lot of attention and felt like a public outhouse, and the pool area could use better lighting. A large group of older teens took over the area, so the pool attendant closed it early. The water was cold, according to the kids, and so murky you couldn’t see feet below the surface. The chlorine smell was so strong that our eyes burned even when we weren’t in the water. The hotel also looked dated, just as it did when I last visited 20 years ago. Beds and pillows were okay. There was a random sink in the bedroom, which felt odd, and the bathroom caulking was sloppy, white against the tile. Sunday’s breakfast bar was good, though I wouldn’t recommend the breakfast potatoes.