Northbrook's BEST Kept Secret: Stay at MainStay Suites!
Northbrook's BEST Kept Secret… or Maybe Not? A Brutally Honest Review of MainStay Suites
Okay, so everyone in Northbrook claims to know about MainStay Suites. It's the "secret," right? The hidden gem. Well, I’ve been there, I’ve seen the… well, everything, and let me tell you: it’s a mixed bag. Buckle up. This ain't gonna be your polished travel brochure review. This is the truth, raw and unfiltered, like that leftover continental breakfast sausage.
First Impressions & Getting There (or "Where Did the Valet Parkers Get To?")
First off, the location? Solid. Easy to find, which is a HUGE plus when you're already exhausted from… well, life. Ample parking – bonus! – and I even spotted a car charging station, a sign of the times. (Though the promised "valet parking" on their website? MIA. I swear, I spent a good five minutes, eyes peeled, hoping they'd magically appear.)
The exterior is… well, it’s MainStay. Think slightly-above-average motel, but with a definite "we're trying" vibe. Nothing mind-blowing, nothing offensive. It is easy to get to… and if you're relying on a taxi? They've got you covered. Airport transfer too, though I didn’t personally utilize that.
Accessibility (A Mixed Bag, Honestly)
Now, this is where things get interesting. They say they have "Facilities for disabled guests," and there is an elevator. That’s a good start! But the devil, as they say, is in the details. I'm not going to pretend to be an expert on accessibility, but I did notice… well, not everything felt perfectly thought-out. The hallways seemed… well, not exactly wide-open spaces. I'd give it a solid maybe on the accessibility front. Proceed with caution if you have specific needs.
The Room: My Fortress of Slightly-Used Comfortable Things
Okay, the rooms. Let's get real. “Available in all rooms” is a long list. We’re talking about everything you expect in a hotel room to be available: Air conditioning (thank GOD, I was sweating already from trying to find the valet!), alarm clock (…which I promptly ignored), bathrobes (didn't use, I'm a towel kind of person), bathroom phone (what even is this 90s tech?), bathtub, blackout curtains (needed!), carpeting, closet, coffee/tea maker (essential for survival), complimentary tea (the good stuff, I swear!), daily housekeeping, desk, extra long bed (appreciated!), free bottled water (always a win), hair dryer (worked!), high floor (got it!), in-room safe box (didn't bother), interconnecting rooms available (not for me), internet access options (more on that later), ironing facilities (huzzah!), laptop workspace, linens (clean!), mini bar (empty!), mirror, non-smoking (thank you, heavens!), on-demand movies (never used them, too busy judging other people), private bathroom, reading light, refrigerator (filled with my snacks!), safety/security feature (smoke detector, etc.), satellite/cable channels (meh), scale (avoided!), seating area, separate shower/bathtub (deluxe!), shower, slippers (didn’t wear… again, towel person), smoke detector (good), socket near the bed (crucial for charging), sofa (sat on it), soundproofing (needed!), telephone (used once to order room service), toiletries (the usual), towels (plenty!), umbrella (forgotten, as always), visual alarm (didn’t test it), wake-up service (yawn), Wi-Fi (more on that later), and a window that opens (needed the fresh air after the sausage fest that was breakfast).
My room was… pleasant enough. Cleanish. The bed was surprisingly comfy. I could sprawl out, which is always a plus. The décor? Utilitarian. Forget Instagram-worthy. This is a place to lay your weary head. I did appreciate the blackout curtains, because, let me be honest, I needed some serious sleep. After that breakfast.
Internet: The Double-Edged Sword of Wi-Fi Freedom
Okay, the internet. This is where things get… frustrating. They proudly proclaim "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" and you get some internet options (Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, etc.). And the promise of Wi-Fi in public areas.
So, I tried to get online. My first attempt? Crickets. The signal was wispier than a sugar-free cotton candy. I wandered around the lobby, hoping to find a stronger connection. Nothing doing. It was like trying to catch a greased pig at a county fair.
Eventually, with a lot of swearing and fiddling, I did manage to get a connection. But it was slower than dial-up in the 90s. I could barely load a website, let alone stream anything. I’m a millennial, I need my internet! My entire existence depends on it! It's a major point for me.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Buffet of Regret (and Possibly Redemption)
Breakfast. Oh, the breakfast. A "Breakfast [buffet]" is advertised, alongside "Asian breakfast," "Western breakfast," and a "Breakfast takeaway service."
This buffet… It was… an experience. The "Western" side was, as previously stated, dominated by a sausage that could double as a hockey puck. The "Asian" options weren't particularly appealing, unless you count the congealed scrambled eggs as a delicacy. There was a coffee machine, thankfully, and the "coffee shop" down the hall was… well, it was there.
They did have individually-wrapped food options (a nod to the times). The "safe dining setup" seemed to be in place. And hey, they even had "essential condiments." (Thank goodness, I'm a ketchup fiend.)
There's also a “Snack bar” and "Restaurants" listed. Didn’t see any evidence of the former. The latter? Nope. Unless the breakfast buffet counts, which, let's be honest, it doesn't.
Oh, they do have "Room service [24-hour]!" But after that breakfast, I opted to risk the outside world.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: The Gym… and Possibly the Pool…
They boast about a "Fitness center" and a "Swimming pool [outdoor]." I did see a pool. It looked… inviting? I didn’t get in, but it looked okay. The gym? Oh, the gym. Small. Cramped. The equipment looked like it had been on a long journey. I’m not sure if I'd call it a "fitness center."
They also list a spa, spa/sauna, and steam room. Maybe I missed it? I’m a little unclear, to be honest.
Cleanliness and Safety: The "Trying Hard" Award
They really seem to be trying on this front. "Anti-viral cleaning products," "Daily disinfection in common areas," "Hand sanitizer" everywhere, "Room sanitization opt-out available," etc. The staff seemed well-trained in safety protocol. The front desk looked like a fortress of cleanliness. It felt… safe. They get points for effort, though they still need to up their cleaning game.
Services and Conveniences: A Mixed Bag of Helpful and "Huh?"
The list is long… (air conditioning in public area, business facilities, cash withdrawal, concierge, contactless check-in/out, convenience store, currency exchange, daily housekeeping, doorman, dry cleaning, elevator, essential condiments, facilities for disabled guests, food delivery, gift/souvenir shop, indoor venue for special events, invoice provided, ironing service, laundry service, luggage storage, meeting/banquet facilities, meetings, meeting stationery, on-site event hosting, outdoor venue for special events, projector/LED display, safety deposit boxes, seminars, shrine, smoking area, terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center).
There’s a “Concierge.” I didn't see one. There is an elevator. And daily housekeeping? Yeah, that actually happened, which I appreciated.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly… Maybe?
"Babysitting service," "Family/child friendly," "Kids facilities," "Kids meal." I don’t have kids, so I can’t fully assess this. But the overall vibe? Not exactly a kid's paradise. I'm picturing a lot of bored children, and stressed parents.
Getting Around: Easy Peasy
“Airport transfer,” “Bicycle parking,” “Car park [free of charge],” “Car park [on-site],” “Car power charging station,” “Taxi service,” “Valet parking.”
As I mentioned earlier, the car park IS free, and on site. The "Valet parking" seemed mythical. Taxi service? Easy. The location is good, so getting in and out is no problem, as is getting around.
The Verdict: A Solid "Meh" with Occasional Sparks of Excellence
MainStay Suites is… fine. It's definitely not the "BEST Kept Secret." It's a solid, affordable option
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Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your sanitized, perfect-Pinterest travel guide. This is a REAL travel itinerary, and we're starting in… MainStay Suites Northbrook Wheeling, Illinois. Yes, the glamorous life, folks. Don't judge. It was affordable.
Day 1: Arrival & Mild Panic
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at O'Hare. "Oh, great," I thought, surveying the endless sea of…people. And the lines. The lines. I'd forgotten how much I loathe airports. My luggage, naturally, decided to play hide-and-seek with the carousel for a solid fifteen minutes, during which a small child screamed about a missing Elsa doll and I silently willed myself not to join her.
- 1:45 PM: Finally, victory! Baggage retrieved. Taxi to MainStay Suites. The driver, a lovely, chatty man named Sal, regaled me with tales of Chicago winters and the best Italian beef. I tried to look interested, but honestly, I was still processing the airport trauma.
- 2:30 PM: Check-in. The front desk guy, bless his heart, looked like he'd seen some things. He had a subtle, weary look in his eyes. "Welcome to Wheeling," he said. "You're in room 307. Enjoy." I already knew this was not going to be the Ritz.
- 3:00 PM: Room inspection. Okay, it's clean. Acceptable. The air conditioning is working (praise the lord), and the view… well, it's a parking lot. But hey, at least it's my parking lot to look at. I unpacked, feeling the familiar sting of travel fatigue – the kind that makes you want to curl up in a ball and eat an entire bag of chips. Decided against the chips, for now.
- 4:00 PM: Must find coffee. The in-room coffee maker, bless its heart, looked like it might have seen better days. Decided to be safe and venture out. Found a Starbucks a short walk away. The barista was a tattooed young woman with brightly colored hair who knew my order before I even said it. "The regular, right? Rough day?" Nailed it.
- 5:00 PM: Wandering the area. Okay, this is honestly a lot more… suburban than I expected. Found a cute little park. Actually, it was quite pretty, and for a moment, I thought, "Maybe this won't be so bad." Then a rogue squirrel nearly stole my coffee, and the moment vanished. Squirrels, man. They're the worst.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Decided on a local pizza place, "That's Amore." The pizza was okay, the service was friendly but a little slow. I overheard a couple arguing in the booth next to me. Okay, maybe the idyllic small-town vibe was a little overblown.
- 7:30 PM: Back to the hotel. Exhausted. Watched some mindless TV, ate a leftover slice of pizza.
- 9:00 PM: Attempted to plan the next day. Failed. Stared blankly at a map. Fell asleep.
Day 2: The Art Institute & Deep Dish Debacle
- 7:00 AM: Woke up, feeling vaguely like a bus ran over me. Coffee is absolutely essential. The hotel's free breakfast… well, let's just say I stuck to the fruit (which, surprisingly, wasn't half bad).
- 8:00 AM: Headed into Chicago. The drive was a nightmare. Traffic, ugh!
- 9:30 AM: Art Institute of Chicago. Okay, this was worth the drive. Saw the Seurat, spent an hour just staring at it. The sheer genius of that man. Almost cried in front of the Monet water lilies. The place is a masterpiece itself. (Pro-tip: wear comfy shoes. My feet were screaming after the first hour.) I got lost. Twice.
- 12:30 PM: Lunch. The museum cafe was crowded. I opted for a lukewarm sandwich and a ridiculously overpriced bottle of water. Sigh. Tourist trap!
- 1:30 PM: More art. Lost myself in the Impressionist wing. Almost bumped into a famous critic and blurted out something incredibly awkward.
- 4:00 PM: Deep Dish Pizza adventure. This was a disaster. I’d heard the hype, the legend. I had to experience Chicago deep-dish! Followed a recommendation for a place called "Lou Malnati's." The wait was longer than my entire life. The pizza, when it finally arrived, was a greasy, cheesy, tomato-y behemoth. It was…okay. Honestly, after the hype, I was underwhelmed. It was filling, I’ll give it that.
- 6:00 PM: Trapped. The traffic was worse on the way back. Decided to take a backroad. It worked… until I got lost.
- 7:30 PM: Finally back at the hotel, and it felt like I'd been gone for a week.
- 8:00 PM: Collapsed on the bed.
- 8:15 PM: Thought about going to the pool. Gave up.
- 9:00 PM: Ate the rest of my pizza, watched some more TV, and decided I needed a vacation from my vacation.
Day 3: Suburban Exploration & Existential Dread
- 8:00 AM: The breakfast buffet was…predictable.
- 9:00 AM: Decided, against all my better judgment, to try to enjoy Wheeling. There has to be something beyond chain restaurants and parking lots, right?
- 9:30 AM: Explored the local area. Found a cute little antique shop. The woman running it was wonderful, and I spent an hour just chatting with her. Bought a ridiculous vintage trinket.
- 11:00 AM: Went to one of those mega-Walmart places. I needed a decent coffee pot. Got lost. Spent way too long comparing brands. This is my version of a nightmare.
- 1:00 PM: Found a nice deli for lunch. Salad and sandwich. Finally a stress-free eating experience.
- 2:00 PM: Tried to make the hotel gym. It was a tiny room with rusty exercise equipment. Decided to skip it.
- 3:00 PM: The existential dread started to creep in. I'm alone in a suburban hotel, eating mediocre pizza, surrounded by… what? Just endless, beige strip malls?
- 4:00 PM: Went back to the cute antique shop and bought another item. The woman gave me a sympathetic smile.
- 5:00 PM: Decided to order room service. It was bland.
- 6:00 PM: Walked around the parking lot. Still. Beige.
- 7:00 PM: Ordered an entire cheesecake from the hotel. Ate half of it.
- 8:00 PM: Realized that my "adventure" was really just a series of minor inconveniences and minor triumphs.
- 9:00 PM: Watched late-night TV and wrote in my journal.
Day 4: Departure & The Promise of Home
- 7:00 AM: Up. Actually, relatively okay. Breakfast was the same, but at least I knew what to expect.
- 8:00 AM: Packed. Said goodbye to the parking lot.
- 9:00 AM: Checkout. The front desk guy looked even more weary. "Enjoy your trip home," he mumbled. I will.
- 10:00 AM: Airport again. Easier this time. Even smiled at the Elsa screaming child.
- 11:00 AM: Found my gate and got my pre-flight coffee.
- 12:00 PM: Took off.
- 1:00 PM: Finally. Back home.
Final Thoughts:
This wasn't the most glamorous trip. It wasn't a perfect trip. It was a…trip. A series of small adventures, moderate disappointments, fleeting moments of joy, and a whole lot of pizza. Would I go back to MainStay Suites Northbrook Wheeling? Maybe not. But would I recommend traveling, even if it means battling traffic, eating mediocre pizza, and occasionally questioning your life choices? Hell, yeah. Just pack your own snacks, and expect the unexpected. And for the love of all that is holy, avoid the squirrels.
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Okay, Seriously, What's the Big Deal About Stay at MainStay Suites in Northbrook – Is It REALLY a "Best Kept Secret"?
Alright, look, I'm going to be brutally honest. It's not like it's the lost city of Atlantis or anything. But, yeah, for Northbrook, and *especially* when compared to some of the other, let's say, "less charming" options around, MainStay Suites is pretty damn solid. "Best Kept Secret?" Maybe. Depends on who you ask. More like, "Good Value for the Money That Doesn't Crumble into Dust the Second You Walk In" is a more accurate title.
The reason it *feels* like a secret? Probably a combo of three things. First, it's not exactly the flashiest building. Second, Northbrook isn’t exactly buzzing with tourists. Third… well, honestly, it’s probably because the people who love it, like me, are super possessive and don't want the price to go up! Shhh, don't tell anyone!
What's Actually *Good* About this Place? Be Specific!
Okay, here's the breakdown. Location: It’s close-ish to the highway and a few decent restaurants, which is a HUGE plus when you're exhausted after a long drive. The suites are spacious. Seriously, like, you can actually *breathe* without bumping into furniture, which is a godsend when you've got a mountain of luggage (and kids, let's be real). The breakfast? Look, it’s not a Michelin-starred experience, but it’s FREE and has waffles. Waffles always win. Always.
And there's this super nice lady who always seems to be working the front desk. She greets you with a smile, remembers your name, and actually *cares* if you need anything. Seriously, that kind of hospitality makes a huge difference. I forgot my toothbrush *once* and she handed me a brand new one. That's the kind of service I'm talking about! Honestly, she's worth the price of admission alone.
Are There Any Downsides? Because, You Know, Nothing's Perfect.
Oh, absolutely. Of course. Let's keep it real here. First, the decor? It's... dated. Let's call it "early 2000s chic." It's not offensive, but it's not going to be featured in *Architectural Digest* anytime soon. And the Wi-Fi can be a little dodgy at times. A dealbreaker? Not for everyone. But if you *need* to be glued to your email for work, pack a backup plan.
Remember that 'dealbreaker' comment? Well, here's a story about the time the elevator was out of service, so I didn't take a trip to the gym on my long solo trip there. I had a very bad day and it was raining. So I don't blame the elevator, and it's fine now, I just wanted to give you a little more of my feelings about the place, as well as that, it really is the hidden gem here.
Let's Talk Location, Location, Location. How Convenient is it?
Okay, so, it's in Northbrook. Which, if you're not from the area, means you’re probably near a lot of chain restaurants and some shopping areas. Close to the highway means quick access to Chicago (about a 30-40 minute drive, depending on traffic – *shudders*), and the surrounding suburbs. It really comes down to what you're looking for. Want a quiet, comfortable base to operate from? Bingo. Want to walk to a trendy nightclub? Probably not the place.
Tell Me About the Breakfast. The Waffles, You Mentioned? Be Honest!
Alright, the breakfast. The holy grail of budget travel sustenance. The waffles are indeed real. They’re the kind you make yourself, which, let's be honest, is half the fun! It's a good breakfast, it can get crowded, sure but if you're a fan of a carb-loaded start to the day (raises hand enthusiastically), you're in for a treat. There's usually some kind of fruit, cereal, and the usual suspects. Coffee is… well, it's coffee. Drinkable. Gets the job done. Don’t expect gourmet, but hey, it’s free and it's better than nothing, especially when you're bleary-eyed and facing a day of meetings/sightseeing/whatever.
Do They Have a Pool? Because I *need* a pool.
Yes! Thankfully, YES. They do have a pool. It's not Olympic-sized, and it's not exactly luxurious, but it’s there, and it's indoors, which is a godsend during the colder months. You know, for a late-night dip after a long day of driving. The pool is always a win in my book.
Parking situation? Hidden fees? The Devil's in the Details!
Parking: Easy-peasy. Loads of free parking, right outside the door. No valet, no crazy parking fees. Always a win. Hidden fees? I haven't noticed any nasty surprises myself. Always double-check your bill, of course (because, you know, trust no one), but in my experience, the price you see is the price you pay.
Okay, Last Question, Before I Go Book It! Would You Recommend It? Honestly.
Look, are you looking for the Ritz? No. Go somewhere else. Are you looking for a clean, comfortable, convenient place to stay in Northbrook at a reasonable price, with friendly service and free waffles? Then yes, absolutely. I wholeheartedly recommend it. It's a solid choice. It’s not perfect. It's real. And sometimes, that's just what you need.
And it’s the best kept secret in the area that I know of, and I recommend it more than the other places around Chicago, if you're not trying to spend a whole fortune.
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