Oak Park Motel

The HVAC unit worked, but kept switching on and off loudly through the night, so I didn’t get much rest. Check-in was uncomfortable from the start. I’d booked online that same day and paid in full, but the desk staff immediately asked whether I had cash. After I explained I’d already paid, she went to the back, made a phone call in another language, then returned and asked me to fill out a registration card and show my driver’s license. She said there was a $25 cash deposit. I had no cash, and instead of taking a card, she told me to go to the bank. When I asked why it had to be cash, she said she’d keep my license until checkout. That felt unsafe and unprofessional. I later found out that holding a license is against the law, and they’re only supposed to verify it and record necessary information. At checkout, a man came out of the office and ran to inspect the room. About 10 minutes later, he returned and let me go inside to get my license back. Overall, the check-in was unprofessional and the loud HVAC made the stay unrestful.