SpringHill Suites by Marriott Chicago Waukegan/Gurnee

The heated pool was a hit with the kids, and the noon checkout meant we didn't have to rush out. Breakfast was kept warm and had fruit, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, eggs, bagels, and cereal. Our room at SpringHill Suites was spacious, clean, and well kept, with a pull-up bed available if needed. The staff were kind and ready to help. We went to Gurnee mall and stayed here, and I'd recommend it if you're visiting the area.

The location is convenient, close to restaurants and the shopping mall. My company had booked the room, but the receptionist didn't tell me someone had already checked in. She even asked whether I needed another keycard, which made little sense if someone was already checked in. I went back to reception, and only then she said there was a roommate.

The room looked nice and was clean, with no issues there. But at about 5:45 in the morning, loud yelling outside woke everyone in my room, so I called the desk. Breakfast was disappointing: the waffle mix and cereal dispensers were broken, and by 9 there was no oatmeal. The person working there seemed unaware of what was happening and had to be asked to restock things. Check-in had been friendly and welcoming, so I was excited to stay. Checkout was the opposite. The desk person barely spoke to me. It was a disappointing change, and the staff need help.

The breakfast was good, but the man working that shift really stood out. He noticed me looking at the fruit and offered to let me choose from the fresh tray he had in back. He was sincerely kind to everyone coming through the lobby. That hospitality made the stay memorable. We were four friends sharing a suite at SpringHill Suites by Marriott Chicago. The split bathroom had the toilet in one room and shower in another, with the closet between them. It meant two people could get ready at once, but the sliding doors to both rooms left a gap of about an inch. Since it was just us girls, we managed, though I'd feel awkward with coworkers or people I didn't know well. The gym was well equipped, with a good treadmill, weights, a bench, and two ellipticals. The pool was sparkling clean and nice for a quick break. The rooms were clean and the staff were great. The split setup seems handy for friends or bridesmaids getting ready, but keep those door gaps in mind.