Escape to Chicago: Unbeatable Midway Marriott Deals!
Escape to Chicago: Unbeatable Midway Marriott Deals! - My Unfiltered Take
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just clawed myself back from a whirlwind trip to Chicago, all thanks to a "Unbeatable Midway Marriott Deals!" ad. And let me tell you, unbeatable might be a tad… optimistic. But hey, I’m a sucker for a bargain and a Chicago deep dish pizza, so I dived in headfirst. This is gonna be messy, honest, and probably a little bit all over the place, just like my luggage after I unpacked (or, you know, didn't unpack).
SEO & Metadata Stuff (Gotta get the bots happy, right?):
- Keywords: Chicago Hotels, Midway Airport Hotels, Marriott Deals, Accessible Hotels Chicago, Spa Chicago, Restaurant Review, Fitness Center, Swimming Pool Chicago, Family Friendly Hotels, Chicago Weekend Getaway, Air Conditioning, Free Wi-Fi, Pet-Friendly (Maybe!), Non-Smoking Rooms, Room Service 24-Hour, Chicago Travel, Wheelchair Accessible Hotels
- Title Tag: Escape to Chicago: Midway Marriott Deals - My Honest Review (Accessibility, Spa, Food!)
- Meta Description: My chaotic, hilarious, and brutally honest review of the Midway Marriott "Unbeatable Deals"! Accessibility, spa treatments, food (hello, deep dish!), and all the messy details you actually want to know.
Let's Get REAL Up In Here:
First things first: Accessibility. This is HUGE for me. My partner uses a wheelchair, and finding truly accessible hotels can feel like finding a unicorn riding a… well, you get the idea. The "Unbeatable Deals" promised accessibility. The reality?… Mostly good, mostly.
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yep, generally speaking, the ramps were there, the elevators worked (most of the time - there was ONE hairy moment… more on that later), and the rooms had roll-in showers. Score! But… and this is a big BUT… some of the doorways felt a tad narrow. Not a dealbreaker, but definitely a gentle reminder to not overpack.
- Elevator: Okay, remember that "hairy moment"? One day, the elevator decided to take a nap. A long nap. We were on the 8th floor. The security guy tried to find a key that will activate the emergency mode in the elevator. He failed. The staff was very kind, but that just threw a wrench into our whole schedule. But, let's be fair, it's probably fixed by now, yeah?
- Accessibility in Public Areas: No issues there! Restaurants, the lobby… all good.
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: This was fine. They have some rooms specially designed for disabled guests.
Food Glorious Food (and the Occasional Disaster):
Okay, food is life, and Chicago… Chicago gets food! The hotel had multiple dining options, so let's break this down. (Warning: May involve some pizza-induced rambling).
- Restaurants, Baby! They had restaurants in the hotel, some with a la carte options, some with buffets.
- Asian Cuisine in Restaurant: Yes, they had Asian cuisine, it was pretty good.
- Western Cuisine in Restaurant: That was the "safe" option for me. Burgers, steaks, and all the usual suspects. Nothing mind-blowing, but it hit the spot after a long day of sightseeing.
- Breakfast [Buffet]: I've got mixed feelings about buffets. On the one hand, endless bacon! On the other hand… I'm pretty sure I witnessed a small child sneeze directly onto the pastries. (Shudder). Still, the breakfast service was nice.
- Coffee/Tea in Restaurant/Coffee Shop: Mandatory. Adequate.
- Poolside Bar/Bar: The pool was great. The bar was okay. The cocktails were a little… weak.
- Room Service [24-hour]: This was a lifesaver on the first night after a delayed flight. Pasta and a movie. Perfection!
- Snack bar: Yes, it was there, and I used it, but I don't remember anything about it. That's probably a good sign.
- Vegetarian Restaurant: I can't say for sure whether they had one or not.
- Breakfast takeaway service/Alternative meal arrangement: All the options were available.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Yes!
The Spa… Oh, The Spa! (And That's Where It Gets Interesting):
Alright, listen up, because this is where the "rejuvenation" part of the "Escape" really came into play. The hotel spa was touted as a major selling point, and, let me tell you, it had its moments.
- Spa, Spa/sauna, Sauna, Steamroom: They had all of these things and more. I mean, a legit full-service spa with a sauna, a steam room… I was ready to morph into a melted puddle of stress.
- Massage: Oh, the massage. I booked a deep tissue massage that promised to knead away all my troubles. And it mostly delivered. My therapist was skilled, and the massage room was dimly lit, and very quiet.
- Body scrub, Body wrap: These were supposed to get me. They were there. I considered them. I ultimately chickened out.
- Pool with view/Swimming pool [outdoor]: Ok, the pool wasn't quite as picturesque as the brochure promised, but it was a solid, clean pool. Plus, the view was… of other buildings. This is Chicago, after all.
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: If you are into that kind of stuff.
The Rooms… My Humble Abode.
The room itself was…fine. Nothing fancy, but clean and functional, which is really the most important thing, right?
- Air conditioning, Blackout curtains, Wi-Fi [free]: These were all essential and worked perfectly.
- Internet access – wireless, Internet access – LAN: Yes, to both.
- Non-smoking rooms: Crucial!
- Additional toilet, Separate shower/bathtub: Yes to separate shower and bathtub in one room, but not in the disabled one.
- Bathrobes, Slippers: The bathrobes were fluffy. The slippers were a nice touch.
- Mini bar: The mini-bar was stocked… with stuff. I didn't touch it.
- Seating area: Present, and appreciated.
- Refrigerator: To keep the leftovers of my deep dish pizza!
- Desk, Laptop workspace: Check and check. Useful for actually getting some work done, or for pretending to.
- Coffee/tea maker: Crucial for the mornings.
- Wake-up service: I never used it. I was too busy sleeping in.
- Extra long bed: Great.
- Interconnecting room(s) available: Yes, they had them.
- Soundproofing: The soundproofing? Eh, not perfect. You could hear the distant drone of… well, you could hear things.
- Safety/security feature, Smoke detector: Thankfully, yes.
- Alarm clock: Yep.
- Hair dryer: I used it
Cleanliness and Safety – Because, Well, These Days…:
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays, Sterilizing equipment, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: They were SUPER on top of this. You could smell the cleaning products (a little too much, maybe?). Made me feel safe, though.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Good.
- Cashless payment service: Convenient.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Mostly observed, though it got a bit tight in the elevator.
Services and Conveniences – The Extras (or Not):
- Concierge: Helpful. They booked us some tours and gave us recommendations.
- Daily housekeeping: Yes!
- Elevator: Yes, and one problem.
- Cash withdrawal: There.
- Convenience store/Gift/souvenir shop: Yep. Useful for picking up a forgotten toothbrush.
- Laundry service/Dry cleaning: Yep.
- Luggage storage: Yup.
- Car park [free of charge]/Car park [on-site]: They have both.
- Business facilities, Meeting/banquet facilities: The hotel had business facilities.
- Doctor/nurse on call: Good to know!
- Invoice provided: Yes.
- Smoking area: Yes, thank goodness.
- Wi-Fi for special events: They can arrange that.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Apparently, yes.
- Check-in/out [express]/Check-in/out [private]: Yes.
Things to Do/Ways to Relax:
This is where I really let loose, and discovered the real soul of this place.
- For the kids, Babysitting service: Yes.
Alright, buckle up, Buttercup! This ain't your sanitized, perfectly-optimized travel brochure. This is real Chicago, Marriott Midway-style, and trust me, it’s going to be a wild ride. I'm practically vibrating with anticipation (and a touch of pre-trip jitters – you know, the classic "did I remember my toothbrush?" kind).
The Chicago Marriott Midway: Our Humble Abode… Maybe?
Okay, so the Midway Marriott. Let’s be honest, it's not the Ritz. But hey, it's clean, relatively close to the airport (which is key when you're flying in and out of Midway, and potentially dealing with the soul-crushing delays that can befall ya), and it has that glorious airport-hotel smell – a weird mix of chlorine, ambition, and the faint whiff of stale coffee. I’ll be honest: I'm hoping the bed is comfy. You know, after a few hours of walking around, you want a good bed. Nothing ruins a trip faster than a bad sleep, right?
Day 1: Windy City Whirl and a Deep Dish Dive (Maybe)
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at Midway, which feels like a smaller, slightly more stressed-out version of O’Hare. Pray the baggage claim gods are with me. (I’m secretly terrified of losing my favorite travel pillow. Don't judge.)
- 1:30 PM: Shuttle to the Marriott. Hopefully, the driver has some decent tunes. I'm already envisioning myself singing along to some 80s power ballads to combat the post-flight blahs.
- 2:00 PM: Check-in. Hopefully smooth. I'm already envisioning myself trying to navigate the self-check-in kiosks and hitting a snag that takes forever. Dear God, let me be patient!.
- 2:30 PM: Drop off bags, scout out the local breakfast places - the hunt for a good breakfast is on!
- 3:00 PM: Head downtown. This is where things get…interesting. I'm thinking a quick train ride (the CTA, I assume? Gotta learn these acronyms) to the Loop. My grand plan is to wander aimlessly, soak in the architecture, and try not to get flattened by a rogue bike.
- 4:00 PM: Wander around the Loop. Wow, this architecture is amazing. (I’m a total sucker for old buildings. I will probably stop and stare at every single one!)
- 6:00 PM: Deep Dish Dilemma. Okay, here's the big question folks: the holy grail of Chicago dining – deep dish pizza. I've heard arguments for Lou Malnati's, Pequod's, Gino's East, and the rest. I'm open to suggestions! Let me have a few more hours to consider the matter before I have a panic attack.
- 7:30 PM: Pizza time! (Whatever place I decide on – will report back with a full, probably slightly greasy, review.). Probably have a meltdown of decision regret right after.
- 9:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Collapse. Recharge. Hopefully, the hotel's not too loud and I can actually fall asleep tonight.
Day 2: Art, Architecture, and the Elusive Green River
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. I am thinking of trying a local breakfast place to get myself a good start.
- 10:00 AM: Art Institute of Chicago. This is the "must-do" of my trip. I am pretty sure I will spend all day here. I absolutely love art so, so much. And the Art Institute of Chicago is just amazing. The Thorne Miniature Rooms are a particular obsession. I will probably get lost. I will probably cry. I will have no regrets.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. I definitely won't skip lunch for my art adventures.
- 2:00 PM: Back to my Art Institute.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner (somewhere near the Art Institute, because I will be art-ed out.)
- 7:00 PM: I'm gonna try to catch the Chicago River dyeing. If I see a green river, I'm going to need picture proof! I will probably be late.
Day 3: South Side Stories, and Farewell Bites
- 9:00 AM: More breakfast. This time, I'm thinking about trying out that local joint I saw.
- 10:00 AM: I'll hop on the metra. I'm going to visit a museum. I'm going to see the history of this place. Maybe I'll eat a Chicago hot dog.
- 1:00 PM: Late lunch. Trying to find a good meal.
- 3:00 PM: I will wander around a park for a while.
- 6:00 PM: Farewell meal. Where to? What to eat? The pressure! Probably trying a classic Chicago meal.
- 7:00 PM: Pack my bags. Maybe I'll buy a souvenir.
- 8:00 PM: Back to the hotel.
- 9:00 PM: Early bedtime because my flight is early is tomorrow.
Departure Day: The Big Goodbye (and the Dreaded Souvenir Hunt)
- 6:00 AM: Wake up. (Ugh.)
- 6:30 AM: Do some stretching, quick shower.
- 7:00 AM: Check out.
- 7:30 AM: Breakfast at the hotel (if it's remotely palatable). Scramble for a last-minute souvenir. Always the worst part.
- 8:00 AM: Shuttle to the airport. Pray the shuttle doesn't get lost.
- 9:00 AM: Departure. Chicago, you beautiful, slightly chaotic beast, you've been a total blast (even with the likely inevitable travel issues).
This, my friends, is a living, breathing, messy itinerary. It’s subject to change, whims, and the unpredictable forces of Chicago. I'll try to update as I go, but no promises. I might be too busy devouring deep dish, getting lost in art, or just staring at the breathtaking skyline with a stupid grin on my face. Wish me luck – and wish me a solid, uninterrupted night's sleep!
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Escape to Chicago: Unbeatable Midway Marriott Deals! (Uh, Maybe?) - FAQ-ish Thingy
Alright, so you’re thinking about Chicago? Chicago, Chicago, that toddlin' town! And Midway Airport? Good choice, avoiding O'Hare is basically a small victory in itself. And you saw some Marriott deals? Okay, let's dive into this whole shebang. Buckle up, it's gonna get... personal.
Okay, so… what *is* so "unbeatable" about these Midway Marriott deals? Seriously, what’s the catch?
Look, the "unbeatable" part? That's marketing. They have to say *something*. But honestly? Sometimes, they're actually pretty decent. I snagged one a few months ago – the rate was, like, shockingly low. The catch? Well, it's *Midway*. You're not landing downtown. You're in that... zone. A little further out, but hey, it often means saving serious cash. And maybe you don't *need* to be in the middle of everything. Maybe, like me, you're mostly interested in deep-dish pizza and avoiding crowds. (Priorities, people!) Also, remember: "unbeatable" can mean different things to different people. Bargain hunters, this is your hunting ground. Luxe travelers? Maybe not so much.
Anecdote Time! I once got a killer deal at one of these places. The elevator (bless its mechanical little heart) was perpetually a bit… shy. Like, it took FOREVER. But hey, exercise! And the breakfast buffet? Let's just say the scrambled eggs resembled a very sad, orange cloud. Still, I'd do it again for that price! (Also, the front desk guy was *hilarious*).
How do I actually *find* these "unbeatable" deals? Like, tell me the secret handshake.
Alright, here's the gist. You know the usual suspects, right? Marriott's own website, of course. Then the big travel sites: Expedia, Booking.com, Hotels.com... You know the drill. But here's the key, and it's going to sound like a no-brainer, but it's true:
BE FLEXIBLE.
Seriously. If you're locked into specific dates, you're screwed. Play with your dates. A day or two on either side can mean a huge price difference. Check midweek versus weekends. Be prepared to be impulsive!
Also, don't be afraid to be a little… *stalker-ish*. Set up price alerts. Keep an eye on things. The best deals don't stick around forever.
What's the *actual* hotel experience like? Are we talking Motel 6, or… what?
Okay, this is the *really* important question. It varies. You're talking different Marriotts, different levels, different ages of the building. Some are perfectly fine. They're clean, they're comfortable, they have a gym that you'll maybe, *maybe* use once. They have free Wi-Fi. They're safe. They're... boringly functional. (Which is sometimes exactly what you need, right?) Then, you get the occasional gem. A really nicely renovated place. A hotel with a decent restaurant. A place with a *killer* view… (it's Midway, so maybe not a skyscraper view, but still!) And yeah, some might be a little... dated. Maybe. Read the reviews. Read ALL the reviews. Photos can be staged. People are honest (usually) in the reviews.
Emotional Response Alert: I HATE a hotel with a bad shower. Seriously, water pressure that feels like a dribble? Cold water at 6 AM? That can ruin my *entire* day. So check the reviews! Pay attention to the shower situation! It's a CRITICAL detail! Don't be me - ALWAYS check!!
How do I get from Midway to downtown Chicago? Is it a nightmare?
Okay, this is a valid concern. It's not *right there*. You don't step out of the airport and BAM! You're at the Bean. The good news: The CTA (the "L" train) is your friend. The Orange Line goes right from Midway to downtown. It's cheap, it's relatively easy, and it's a good way to see a little bit of the city. The bad news: It can get crowded. Super crowded. Especially during rush hour. You might be sardined. Get ready to smell other people's… stuff. Taxis and ride-sharing are options, but factor in traffic. Traffic in Chicago can be brutal. Especially around certain neighborhoods! And those can get expensive. (Though, sometimes worth it to avoid the sardine experience, I'm just saying...) Also, factor in time. It's not a hop, skip, and a jump. The whole trip will take you about 45 minutes - an hour, including the walk to the station and waiting time. Just be aware!
A Moment of Realness: I once, exhausted after a red-eye, tried to take the train downtown. Big mistake. Rush hour. I thought I'd die of the heat. It was packed to the gills - everyone's armpits practically in my face. I started hallucinating pizza. It was a test of my sanity! Next time? Cab. ALWAYS a cab, or at a minimum, a Uber/Lyft.
Are there any good restaurants or things to do *near* Midway? Or am I trapped in a food desert of chain restaurants?
Okay, it's not a gourmet paradise, but it's not a complete wasteland. You'll find the usual chains. But, do a little digging! There are some decent local places around the area. Some places are worth it! Depending on your taste, of course! You can look up more! If you're really dedicated, a quick train ride can get you to some interesting neighborhoods with better food options.
A Thoughtful Observation: I always think it's a little sad when people go to a city and only eat at chains. You're missing out on the *soul* of the place. So yeah, maybe venture out!
What about parking? Is it a nightmare? (Because Chicago parking...is a *thing*.)
It depends on the hotel. Some have free parking, some charge a fortune. Always, *always* check the parking situation upfront. Some hotels have a deal with an off-site garage. Others have on-site parking. Do your homework.
Quirky Observation: I swear, I've spent more time circling parking lots in Chicago than IJet Set Hotels
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