Escape to Chicago: Luxurious Stay at MainStay Suites Oakbrook Terrace
Escape to Chicago: My Chaotic, Comfy Stay at MainStay Suites Oakbrook Terrace – The Good, the Bad, and the Gloriously Ordinary
Okay, listen. I’m writing this from the fluffy depths of my hotel bed, a literal cloud of perfection thanks to the blackout curtains and the incessant hum of the air conditioning. (That hum? My happy place, apparently.) I just got back from a whirlwind trip to Chicago (whoa, that city!), and I stayed at the MainStay Suites Oakbrook Terrace. Let's be honest, I needed a break. A big one. So, I'm gonna spill all the tea – the lukewarm coffee, the surprisingly good breakfast buffet tea, and the actual tea I did enjoy in my room. Consider this your brutally honest, slightly rambling, and hopefully hilarious review.
First, the Basics (and the Big Breathe of Relief): Accessibility
Right off the bat, HUGE props to the MainStay for being Wheelchair Accessible. It's not always a given, folks, and it makes a massive difference. I didn't personally need the full accessibility features (though I'm a sucker for a good elevator!), but seeing those thoughtful provisions made me feel like the hotel actually, you know, cared. This goes for facilities for disabled guests along with daily housekeeping, elevators, and all the other things the non-disabled folks take for granted. So yeah, big thumbs up immediately.
(Okay, deep breath… now for the messy stuff!)
Cleanliness and Safety – The COVID Chapter (Let’s be Real)
Look, the world is a bit… intense right now. So, naturally, I was hyper-vigilant about cleanliness. And honestly, I think this hotel did a pretty good job.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Made me feel slightly less like I was entering a hazmat zone.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Good. Very good. Made me feel seen.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere. My perpetually germophobic heart did a happy little dance.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Yep, they said so, and I’ll take their word for it.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: You could tell. They were doing their best, and that’s something I can appreciate.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Essential, since… well, you’ll see below…
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Yeah. I love the trust!
But here’s where it gets real: I'm not sure I saw them using Professional-grade sanitizing services (though they said they do, which is a point in their favor). And, let's be honest, I missed seeing the use of Sterilizing equipment during the rush. So, take that for what you will. Look, they're working hard. It's what I can take as a personal, sometimes imperfect check of the place. Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (The Heart of the Matter – and My Stomach)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups. This is where things get interesting.
Breakfast [buffet]: THIS. WAS. A. LIFESAVER. Free breakfast, people! And not the sad, continental kind. Ok, it wasn't Michelin Star by any means, but they had a solid selection of the usual suspects: eggs (sometimes suspiciously fluffy), a rotating selection of breakfast meats, waffles you could customize (!!), fruit (mostly of the canned variety, but hey, it's free), and of course, copious amounts of coffee. (Needed. The city is a lot.) This is where I saw my best friend get absolutely drenched in a rogue juice cascade that was a hilarious start to the day.
Breakfast takeaway service: Excellent for those rushed mornings when you have to get out the door.
Coffee/tea in restaurant: Essential. Caffeine? Check.
Coffee shop: Nope. But let's be honest, I wasn't expecting one.
Restaurants: Yep. Plenty in the area, but I don't consider it part of the in-house hotel options.
Snack bar: Nope. (Or maybe I just missed it during my epic waffle quest.)
Room service [24-hour]: Nope. Huge bummer. Sometimes a girl just wants to order room service at 3 AM. This is where the "slightly rambling" comes in, people. I'm cranky about no room service.
Poolside bar: Ah, to dream! Nope. (Though there is a pool… more on that later.)
Desserts in restaurant: My sweet tooth is crying right now. Nope. But this is a hotel, not a bakery, I suppose.
Other food services: I did not see food delivery, or an Asian breakfast, or Asian cuisine in restaurant.
A la carte in restaurant: Not applicable, see above.
Vegetarian restaurant: Not applicable, see above.
Buffet in restaurant: Oh yes! Breakfast!
Bottle of water: Yes, yes, yes.
Alternative meal arrangement: Not that I saw.
Happy hour: Maybe, if you are in the bar.
International cuisine in restaurant: Not applicable, see above.
Salad in restaurant: Not applicable, see above.
Soup in restaurant: Not applicable, see above.
Western breakfast: Yes, the waffle station!
Western cuisine in restaurant: Not applicable, see above.
Poolside bar: Not applicable, see above.
The Real Stuff: Things to Do and Ways to Relax (Or at Least, Try)
Okay, so, I’m a spa addict. A total sucker for a good pampering. So, how did the MainStay fare in the relaxation department? Well…
Fitness center: Yes. Treadmills, some free weights. Did I use it? Nope. I was on vacation. Let’s be honest.
Swimming pool [outdoor] Yes. Beautiful. I saw some kids having a GRAND time. I'm guessing the view was the parking lot… but I still had a good view. I loved that it had an atmosphere of calm and fun, despite it getting a bit crowded at noon.
Spa/sauna: Nope. That’s a big minus in my book. But hey, this isn’t a luxury resort.
Massage: Nope. Sigh.
Sauna: Nope. But I bet the pool was lovely if I'd had time.
Steamroom: Nope.
Pool with view: See above…
Body scrub: Nope.
Body wrap: Nope.
Foot bath: Nope.
Spa: Nope.
My Verdict: The Comfy, Chaotic Reality Okay, here's the bottom line: the MainStay Suites Oakbrook Terrace isn't flawless. It's not the Ritz. But it is clean, comfortable, and convenient. And for the price? A solid choice. It's a good jumping-off point to Chicago (the city is the main event, let's be honest). I could sleep, eat, and get ready for the day. And sometimes, that’s all you need. Especially after a hectic city trip.
Unbelievable Tuscan Escape: Villa Poggio Di Gaville Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercup. This isn't your grandma's itinerary. This is real life, Chicago-style. And we're starting… at the MainStay Suites in Oakbrook Terrace. Sounds glamorous, right? Let's see if we can make it that way… or just… make it.
MainStay Mayhem: A Chicago-ish Itinerary (and a Whole Lot of Me)
Day 1: Arrival, Anxiety, and the Quest for Decent Coffee
1:00 PM - Arrival & Check-In Disaster: Okay, so first impressions. The lobby? Fine. Standard. The smell of chlorine in the hallway? Less fine. My room… well, let's just say the promised "suite" felt more like a particularly generously-sized shoebox. My first reaction? Instant, low-grade panic. Did I book the wrong place? Did I accidentally end up in a parallel universe where beige reigns supreme? (Spoiler alert: I think I did, mostly.) Checking in was a breeze, the front desk guy was overly pleasant, which always makes me suspicious.
1:30 PM - The Coffee Catastrophe: This is a serious problem. I need coffee. The in-room "coffee maker" looks like something from the Pleistocene era. I bravely attempt a brew. It comes out… well, let's say it tastes like sadness warmed in a sock. I need real coffee. My mission, should I choose to accept it: find a decent caffeine fix ASAP. (Side note: anyone know a good therapist near this hotel? Just kidding - mostly.)
2:00 PM - The Oakbrook Terrace Shuffle (in a Desperate Search for Caffeine): Okay, Google Maps to the rescue! There's a Starbucks a mile away. A mile?! After the coffee, I'm hitting the streets, and let's just say the "charm" of Oakbrook Terrace is definitely… understated. It's a sea of strip malls and chain restaurants. Not exactly inspiring stuff, folks. Maybe too early for the "Chicago" feel. But that coffee? Worth it. It was a godsend.
3:00 PM - Room Reconnaissance & Existential Dread: Back in the Room. Okay, let's assess the situation. The bed looks… clean. The TV? Big. I pull out a book. An hour later, I've read three sentences and spent the rest of the time staring at the ceiling, rethinking my life choices. This travel stuff is a lot sometimes. Maybe a nap? No. Too much potential for feeling even worse later.
6:00 PM - Dinner Debacle and the Art of Mediocrity (with a Side of Regret): Found a restaurant - it's called "XYZ Grill." It's fine. My pasta was… edible. The service? A little slow. My company? (Me). I try not to dwell on the fact that I'm eating alone in a place that's probably catering to business travelers who are also secretly questioning their life choices. (Am I projecting? Possibly.) The dessert, a sad little cheesecake, provided a fitting end to the evening. It was… there.
8:00 PM - Evening Entertainment: Channel Surfing and a Deep Dive into True Crime: I try to watch something on TV. Nope. Every channel is horrible. I end up watching a documentary about unsolved cold cases. I am so easily sucked in by true crime. All the weird noises I was already attributing to the hotel settling? Now every creak is a serial killer. Great.
9:00 PM - Sleep (or the Lack Thereof): Sleep? Ha! With the lingering taste of mediocre cheesecake and the ghosts of unsolved crimes, sleep is a distant dream. The air conditioning is too loud. The bed feels lumpy. This hotel is plotting against me. I will now stare at the ceiling for about five hours.
Day 2: The Magnificent Mile (Misery?) and Deep-Dish Dreams
7:00 AM - The Coffee Redemption (Maybe): Back to Starbucks. Twice. I need it. I need caffeine to face the day. Even though I'm still trapped in Beigeville. At least now I have the strength to be disappointed in the morning.
9:00 AM - The Magnificent Mile and the Joy of Aggravation: Okay, time to brave the Chicago Metro. I'm going to the Magnificent Mile. (Deep breath.) The train ride is… an experience. People, smells, the city rushing by… it's sensory overload. The Magnificent Mile itself? Crowded. Overpriced. Overwhelming. I get pushed around by a gaggle of teenagers and nearly run over by a selfie stick. The only redeeming factor? I saw a cute dog. The experience gave my anxiety new material.
12:00 PM - Deep-Dish Decadence and a Moment of Bliss: I find a place to eat deep dish pizza. A slice of Chicago heaven. The cheese… the sauce… the crust… It's a religious experience. For a few glorious minutes, I forget about the chlorine smell, the beige, the anxiety. I don't care about the tourists bumping into me. This is pure joy. I would stay here forever.
2:00 PM - The Art Institute and the Crisis of Culture: After the pizza, I'd planned on the Art Institute of Chicago. But I just can't. The crowds, the expense, the potential for more existential dread. I'm officially burnt out on cultural experiences. Maybe next time.
4:00 PM - Back to the beige abyss. This is becoming a pattern, unfortunately. I need to find something to salvage some joy from this trip.
6:00 PM - A Quest for the Unexpected: OK, I'm striking out. I can't even think of a direction to go. I will probably have to go back to the hotel.
8:00 PM - The Inevitable Hotel Room Nightcap and the Ghosts of Regret: I'm going to have a little glass of wine. And then, I'm going to bed. With earplugs. And a prayer that this hotel room doesn't try to break me. I'll have to write a five-star review on the way out. This entire trip needs to stop now.
Day 3: Escape From Beige (and the Aftermath)
8:00 AM - Final Coffee Run and a Sigh of Relief: Seriously? Another coffee run? Yes . . . but it's almost over. Almost time to leave.
9:00 AM - Check-Out and the Promise of Freedom: Check out goes smoothly (thank god). The front desk person is still overly friendly. I smile back, but inside, I'm already mentally planning my escape.
10:00 AM - Goodbye, Beige! Hello, Life (Hopefully): I'm out. On the road. I'll leave a very vague review. Okay, Chicago, you were… an experience. (And Oakbrook Terrace? Let's just say, you're not on my list for a return visit.) Next time, I'm bringing earplugs, a hazmat suit, and my own coffee maker.
So, You're Thinking About a Chicago Getaway... at the MainStay Suites? Buckle Up. (FAQ-ish Thingy)
Okay, First things first: Is Oakbrook Terrace REALLY as… suburban as it sounds?
Look, let's be honest. Oakbrook Terrace screams "chic suburbs," not "Chicago grit." You trade the El and dive bars for… well, impeccably manicured lawns and… a Starbucks on every corner. I'm not gonna LIE, the first thing that hit me stepping out of the car was… the scent of freshly cut grass. Like, aggressively fresh-cut grass. Reminds me of when I was a kid and my dad would meticulously mow the lawn every Saturday. It's… different. But hey, sometimes a break from the chaos is *good*, right? Especially if you're escaping from living in **[Mention where YOU live, even if it's a fictional location, and why the break is good!]**.
The MainStay Suites… Is it actually *suite*? Should I expect, like, a tiny kitchen? And are the breakfasts any good?
Okay, so the “suite” thing is a *loose* interpretation of the word. It's not the Ritz, folks. You get a separate seating area, which is nice for sprawling out with a book (or, let's be real, your phone). The "kitchenette" is more of an… alcove with a microwave, a mini-fridge, and a sink. Don't plan on whipping up a gourmet meal. I learned *that* the hard way, attempting to make a fancy pasta dish with... a microwave. Disaster. Absolute, culinary catastrophe. Let’s just say, I had to settle on a frozen pizza. Which, in retrospect, was the right call. And the breakfast? Ah, the breakfast. It's included. Which automatically earns it points. It’s the classic continental spread. Think: waffles you can make yourself (always a plus!), some sad-looking scrambled eggs, cereal, and the ever-present mystery sausage. I’m not gonna lie, the sausage was… questionable. I’m pretty sure it was held over from *last* week, but hey, free food is free food, am I right? I stuck to the waffles and the coffee, which, surprisingly, was drinkable. So, yeah. Manage your expectations.
Parking at the MainStay...a nightmare? Free? Hidden fees? Spill the beans!
Parking? Oh, honey, this is the burbs! Parking is… plentiful. And, thankfully, free. No hidden fees, no crazy city street parking shenanigans. You just pull up, park, and breathe a sigh of relief that you *didn't* have to circle the block for 45 minutes praying for a space. It’s a small victory, but a victory nonetheless! It actually felt REALLY good. After, of course, I'd spent a good 15 minutes getting lost on the access road to the hotel, which seemed to enjoy changing its lanes at random.
Okay, but *why* Oakbrook Terrace for a Chicago trip? Shouldn't I be, like, *in* Chicago?
Alright, this is where I get *real*. If you're ALL ABOUT the city, the art, the architecture, the deep dish pizza at Lou Malnati's (which, YES, you HAVE to go), then maybe Oakbrook Terrace isn't your *first* choice. But! Hear me out. It's cheaper. Significantly cheaper than staying downtown. You've got easier access to some of the things you might want - like, being close to the Oakbrook Center Mall. And, it's a perfectly fine base if you're planning day trips into the city. The drive into Chicago is, like, 30-45 minutes, depending on traffic. Which, let's be real, is always a gamble. I once got stuck in traffic so bad, I thought I'd age another five years just waiting for the car to move an inch. I ended up catching up on podcasts. And also, I have to say, the quiet at night. Oh. My. God. Pure bliss after all that honking and constant noise.
What's NEAR the MainStay? I need retail therapy / good eats / any suggestion
Oakbrook Center Mall. That’s the big one. Giant. Lots of stores. You could spend an entire day (or two, if you're into that sort of thing, and… well, I am) just wandering around. There are tons of restaurants there too. Some decent, some chains. Honestly, after eating at the mall, I had to take a hike to burn off some extra calories, and there’s a lot of beautiful nature near by. There's some nice little nature preserves around (check Google Maps), which is a pleasant surprise. Like, imagine my face: "Oh. Nature. Right here? Near the Banana Republic?” It’s a weird juxtaposition, but hey, I'll take it. Also, you're relatively close to the Brookfield Zoo, which is a classic outing. Good for families, good for… well, me too. Animals are always good.
Tell me about the *vibe* of the hotel itself. Is it… depressing? Clean? Smell weird?
Okay, so the vibe is… functional. It’s not falling apart, which is a *major* win. It IS a bit… beige. Beige walls, beige furniture, beige… everything. It’s the kind of place where you can just *relax* and not worry about judging the decor. It’s clean, which is the most important thing. And, thankfully, it didn't smell like anything *too* weird. (Sometimes budget hotels have a… distinct aroma. You *know* the one). They had this weird, generic "air freshener" smell in the lobby that faded after I got to the room. I have seen worse. I once stayed in a hotel where the air freshener smelled like… regret. The staff are helpful, but not overly chatty. I think they get a lot of transient guests. One thing I will admit, I'm terrible at remembering names, but they were all SUPER friendly.
Would you stay there again? Be completely honest!
Honestly? Yeah, probably. If I was on a budget, and needed a base for exploring Chicago, I'd go back. It’s not fancy, it’s not glamorous, but it’s clean, it’s convenient, and the breakfast is… there. It's a solid choice, and that's what matters. It definitely beats sleeping in my car. (I’ve considered/done that).
Any final tips or warnings?
