Extended Stay America Chicago Schaumburg Convention Center

I booked two nights but didn’t stay, and I’m never going back to this specific ESA location. A nearby location a few minutes away is better quality for a similar cost. I noticed trash in the parking lot and lots of people coming and going, but assumed it was just the holiday weekend. The first room on the second floor looked clean enough for a last-minute booking, though I planned to spray down the tub, toilet, and sink. I always check a room before bringing my things in, and that’s when I saw roaches near the kitchen and bathroom. I quietly asked the front desk for another room and whether someone had been living in that one long-term. That might explain the roaches, in my opinion, but it’s no excuse. Some people have different hygiene practices at home, let alone in a hotel. The desk worker didn’t seem surprised or eager to fix things. He gave me a new key but wouldn’t come check the room with me, saying he couldn’t leave the desk. I understood he seemed to be the only one on duty, but if this were a random problem, he could have put up a sign in case another guest came in. It made me think this happens often. In the next room, on the third floor, roaches came straight out of the sink. I asked for one more room, not out of faith but to finish my research. I like to look into things thoroughly before giving businesses constructive criticism. This last room was back on the second floor and, due to “limited options,” was pet friendly. There were roaches on the nightstand under the TV too. The hotel was low on vacancies for Valentine’s Day weekend, which suggests they make “good money” on holidays. I don’t know whether the roaches are only in vacant rooms or whether some guests are used to staying with them. I spoke to some guests without mentioning my experience, and none brought up roaches. One couple checking in had seen the reviews and took a chance; their room turned out clean. I’ve stayed in motels and hotels rated from two to five stars, and this is the first time I’ve ever seen roaches at a hotel. I don’t advise anyone to spend hard-earned money to stay or live somewhere infested. They need to treat the place and provide guests with free or paid accommodations in the meantime. It’s unacceptable to charge rent prices for a place with roaches. I booked through Priceline, so I had to get the refund through them. When their agent called, the hotel gave them the runaround about refunding the first night. The front desk said the manager wasn’t there to approve it. Given the time of night, that was believable, but the worker knew my cancellation policy meant they’d get paid for both nights if I waited until morning. I cancelled myself to at least get a partial refund and the $50 incidentals back. Incidentals are $50 by card, or $150 if you pay cash. This hasn’t put me off the ESA brand.