Gurnee's BEST Kept Secret: Red Roof Inn (Waukegan/Gurnee) Review!
Gurnee's "BEST Kept Secret" Revealed? My Wild Weekend at the Red Roof Inn (Waukegan/Gurnee) – A Rambling Review!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to unleash a REAL review of the Red Roof Inn in Waukegan/Gurnee. They call it a "best kept secret," and after my stay…well, let's just say secrets are complicated. Prepare for a wild ride!
First, the Setup: Why the Heck Am I Here?!
I'm a road warrior. Not in the glamorous "business class, champagne at the airport" sort of way. More like, "stuck-in-a-car-with-a-toddler-and-a-dog-fighting-over-a-stale-bagel" road warrior. This trip? A desperate attempt to escape the parental prison for ONE weekend. Needed a place near Six Flags Great America (a must with my niece) and, let's be honest, anything relatively cheap and not a total hellhole. Enter: The Red Roof Inn.
Accessibility & Safety: A Mixed Bag, Baby!
Alright, let's get the practical stuff out of the way. Accessibility? They claim to have facilities for disabled guests. Didn't test it personally, but the website says it's there. Let's hope it's more than lip service.
Cleanliness and Safety – Let’s Dive In, Shall We?
Okay, here’s where things got interesting (read: anxiety-inducing). The website touted Anti-viral cleaning products, professional-grade sanitizing services, room sanitization opt-out available, and staff trained in safety protocol. Sounds promising, right? Initially. The reality? Well, let's just say I did a deep dive inspection upon arrival. And my god, the things I saw… ahem…nothing truly egregious, thankfully. The room looked clean-ish. But I did find a stray hair on a pillow, which, as a germaphobe (yes, I am), sent me into a mini-panic. Spent the first 15 minutes wiping down every surface with my own sanitizing wipes (my own little security blanket, I guess!). They do claim to be taking it seriously with Daily disinfection in common areas. And Rooms sanitized between stays. But I just couldn't shake the feeling that someone maybe cut a corner or two, or maybe I'm just paranoid (which I am). Hand sanitizer was readily available in common areas, which was appreciated. CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property gave me a slight feeling of safety. Fire extinguisher was there. Good! Smoke alarms? Present and accounted for. Whew. Thank goodness.
The Room Itself: A Sensory Journey (Mostly Beige)
Okay, the room. Available in all rooms: (Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Coffee/tea maker, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Non-smoking, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Shower, Toiletries, Wi-Fi (free), and Smoke detector). It was… well, it WAS a room. Pretty standard Red Roof Inn fare. The decor? Think beige, beige, and more beige. The blackout curtains were a lifesaver for sleeping in (thank you, whoever designed those!). The bed was… a bed. Not the most luxurious, but it did the job. The Internet access – wireless (Wi-Fi [free]) was a definite plus, especially since my niece needed constant access to her tablet to avoid the "Are we there yet?" chorus. The TV [Satellite/cable channels] was an okay selection of channels which was a blessing.
I will forever commend the separate shower/bathtub
Food, Glorious Food (or Lack Thereof)
This is where the "best kept secret" status started to crumble. Breakfast? Forget about a buffet, friends. No Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, or Breakfast takeaway service. The website mentions coffee, but I swear, it tasted like dishwater. However, there was a little Coffee/tea maker in my room, so at least I could attempt my own morning brew. But sigh I didn't get the opportunity to have any Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, or Vegetarian restaurant.
Stuff to Do: Beyond the Hotel Walls
The real fun of this location is the proximity to Six Flags. Six Flags Great America is the star attraction, and that, my friends, is the main reason to stay here. So close. Seriously. Close enough to hear the screams (and the general cacophony of a theme park). Things to do in the hotel itself? Well, that’s a resounding nothing.
Services and Conveniences: Hit or Miss
Here's where things got a little… dicey. Air conditioning (thank god, it was HOT!). Daily housekeeping was a plus – they actually made the bed and did a decent job. Cash withdrawal? Not applicable. Contactless check-in/out? Worked smoothly, which I appreciated. Laundry service was NOT offered (bummer). Luggage storage was available, but I didn't need it. Car park [free of charge] was a godsend. Seriously.
The "Why Didn't They Think of That?" Moments
- The lack of a vending machine with anything besides stale chips and sugary drinks! A girl needed a late-night snack!
My Verdict: The "So, Was It Worth It?" Question
Okay, deep breaths. Would I stay at the Red Roof Inn (Waukegan/Gurnee) again? Maybe. If I could find this place at like $40 a night and needed a place only to sleep for a weekend, then yes, I guess. But if I were looking for a relaxing getaway or a romantic escape? Absolutely freakin' not. It's a functional place to crash, a stepping stone for an adventure. It's clean enough. The staff were friendly. But it’s not exactly a haven of luxury. It's a perfectly acceptable, if slightly beige, experience. And sometimes, in the crazy circus of life, a perfectly acceptable, even beige experience is all you need. So, the "best kept secret"? Maybe it's a secret because it's not THAT amazing. But hey, you gotta start somewhere.
Kirksville Getaway: Unbeatable Deals at Quality Inn!Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's travel itinerary. This is more like a messy, glorious, probably-going-to-question-my-life-choices kind of trip plan. We're tackling Red Roof Inn Gurnee - Waukegan, Illinois. Emphasis on the "tackling." Here we go:
The (Un)Official Red Roof Rendezvous - Gurnee/Waukegan, IL. May (ish) 2024: A Human Being's Guide
Day 1: Arrival and Existential Dread (Probably)
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Arrive at O'Hare (ORD). Pray the flight wasn’t delayed. Pray I packed something besides sweatpants. Pray the person in front of me doesn’t recline their seat immediately. Already regretting this whole thing.
- 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: The Great Rental Car Panic. Navigating rental car counters is a contact sport. Hope I don't get the tiny car. Pray I remember which way to get out of the airport without getting lost.
- 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Drive to Red Roof Inn. Okay, deep breaths. This is just a building. It has a red roof. It probably has a bed. I'm good. Check-in… hopefully, the clerk is friendly. Pray my reservation is actually, you know, there.
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Settling in. Inspect the room. Judge the pillows. Decide if the carpet's questionable or just aged. Unpack (or just throw everything on the bed, let's be real). Maybe grab a mini-fridge snack if it's not suspiciously empty. Try to find the remote. Sigh.
- 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Light reconnaissance. Scope out the immediate surroundings. Is there a decent burger joint? A place to buy beer? A park where I can wallow in self-pity and people-watch? This is crucial research, people.
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner. Pray for edible food. Whatever choice it is, it is the first meal of the trip. Celebrate by eating the whole thing, or a massive portion, with an odd mixture of emotions.
- 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: "Relaxing." Which means mindlessly scrolling through social media, watching whatever's on TV, and occasionally glancing out the window at the parking lot. Am I even having fun?
- 9:00 PM - Bedtime: Attempt sleep. Fail. Stare at the ceiling. Think about all the things I have to do tomorrow. Wonder if I should have brought earplugs. This is going to be a long trip.
Day 2: The Great Amusement Park Avalanche (Six Flags Great America)
- 9:00 AM: Wake up. Hopefully. If not, drag self out of bed. Realize I forgot to set an alarm (genius). Curse myself.
- 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Six Flags Great America! (Okay, this is the supposed "main event.")
- The Quest for the Perfect Ride: This is where the day goes sideways. Expect long lines, screaming children, and the constant scent of overpriced funnel cake. I'M READY. OR I AM NOT. There will be breakdowns, there will be tears (possibly mine), and there will be a crushing sense of existential dread.
- The Food Court Debacle: Fast food perfection? Or deep-fried disappointment? The food court is a gamble. One bite of a hot dog will tell all.
- The "Lost" and Found: Seriously, I'm going to get turned around. I tend to get lost in malls – which is why I can't ever seem to leave them. Pray I don't lose my phone. Pray I can find the way back to the car.
- Riding the "X" coaster: Get ready for what is probably going to make me scream like I'm being violently murdered.
- Emotional Reaction: Honestly, I probably will feel a mixture of exhilaration, queasiness, and mild regret. Was that really as fun as I remembered? Probably not. But the memories will be worth it, kind of. Or, I'll just be wishing I had stayed in my room.
- 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Exit Six Flags. Collapse into car. Contemplate the meaning of life.
- 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Dinner. We're going to need comfort food. Pizza? Burgers? Whatever.
- 9:00 PM - Bedtime: Regret all life choices. Watch some more TV. Forget what happened earlier. Try to get to sleep.
Day 3: Chasing History (and Avoiding Tourist Traps)
- 9:00 AM: Wake up. Drink coffee (if there's a coffee maker, and it works). Try to decide if I should exercise. (Spoiler: probably not.)
- 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Explore a Historical Spot! Or, at least, try to. This will depend on what's interesting in the area. Museums, historical sites, anything… but, the tourist traps? Nope. Try and make my own adventures. Get some information before.
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch. Need a real lunch spot. Something local. Find something that's not a chain. Maybe I'll meet some interesting people, or make a new friend.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Free Time. Some meandering. Maybe check out a local shop.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Dinner. Get a little fancy. Maybe try a local restaurant.
- 6:00 PM: Go home and try not to think about the fact that I have to get back to reality.
Day 4: Departure - And That's All She Wrote. (Thank God)
- 9:00 AM: Wake up. Check out of the hotel. Pray the bill is correct. Pray I didn't leave anything behind.
- 10:00 AM - Departure: Drive to O'Hare. Return the rental car. Pray the rental car company doesn't try to charge me extra for imaginary damage. Go through security. Pray the TSA agent is having a good day. Board the plane.
- Plane: Pray I don't end up next to the screaming baby. Pray for a smooth flight. Pray I can actually sleep.
- Arrival: Land. Get home. Unpack (eventually). Start planning the next escape.
Important Notes and Disclaimers:
- Flexibility is key: This is just a suggestion. If I get bored, or something goes wrong, I'm changing it. I change everything, if I can.
- Food is fuel: Don't judge my food choices. I have feelings. Comfort eating is a legitimate coping mechanism.
- Embrace the chaos: Things will go wrong. It's part of the adventure. And, let's be honest, it's often the funniest part.
- Honesty is the best policy: I'm not afraid to admit if I'm tired, bored, or just plain grumpy.
- This whole experience is a potential train wreck But, that's what makes it exciting.
Okay, that's it. Wish me luck. I have a feeling I'm going to need it.
Unbelievable Deals at Quality Inn Near Lewisburg! (PA)
Gurnee's BEST Kept Secret: Red Roof Inn (Waukegan/Gurnee) Review – The Ultimate Guide! (Or At Least, My Personal Odyssey...)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the… well, the experience that is the Red Roof Inn in Waukegan/Gurnee. Before you picture gleaming towers and marble floors… lower those expectations. Way, way down. But hey! That's part of the charm, right? (Right?! Someone tell me it's right...)
Okay, so, what's the *actual* address? Don't want to end up in... Waukegan's version of a haunted house.
Technically, it's in Waukegan. Google Maps will guide you. Look, I'm not going to give you the address *specifically* because the element of discovery is key. Part of the RR experience is finding it... and then wondering if you *really* found it! But generally, it's conveniently (and a little suspiciously) close to Six Flags Great America. Meaning, families! (More on *that* later...)
Is it… clean? Please, for the love of all that is holy, CLEAN?
Alright, let's be real. "Clean" is a relative term, especially when dealing with budget hotels. My first stay? Let's just say the coffee maker looked like it hadn’t seen a cleaning product since the Clinton administration. (I'm aging myself, aren't I?) The sheets? Well, they were *technically* sheets. No visible stains, but a certain… *lived-in* quality. Like they’d seen some things they weren’t telling. I may or may not have slept on the top sheet only, hugging my travel-sized ClingFree sheets (yes, I'm *that* person). Honestly, it's a crapshoot. Sometimes, surprisingly clean. Other times... bring wipes. A LOT of wipes.
What about the amenities? Free Wi-Fi? Breakfast? A pool... maybe even a *gym*?!? (Okay, maybe I'm dreaming…)
Okay, deep breaths. Wi-Fi? Yes. It works. Mostly. Don’t expect blazing speeds; think more… dial-up in the digital age. Breakfast? Oh, you sweet summer child. It's "continental," in the loosest possible sense of the word. Think prepackaged muffins, instant oatmeal, and coffee that tastes suspiciously like it was brewed in the aforementioned coffee maker. Free, though! Which is the key. Pool? NOPE. Gym? Double nope. Just the soul-crushing existential dread of staring at the vending machine (that probably doesn't have your favorite chips). But hey, gotta love the bare bones.
The Staff? Are they… nice? Actually helpful? Or are they just… there?
The staff, ah, the staff. It’s a mixed bag, and that's putting it mildly. I've encountered some genuinely lovely, helpful folks. They're the ones who make the whole experience almost… palatable. But then there are the others. The ones who seem to have seen things, man. Things that have chipped away at their souls and left them with an eye perpetually glazed over. And the occasional grumpster. Honestly, it's the luck of the draw, but be nice! They're probably dealing with a LOT. Remember, you're at the Red Roof Inn. Lower your expectations. Way, way down. Smile. It might help.
Okay, the main question: Is it worth it? Is it… *good*?
This is where it gets complicated. "Good" is not the word I’d use, unless you're defining "good" as "a place to lay your weary head after an exhausting day at Six Flags, without breaking the bank." It's cheap. That's the main selling point. It's a budget hotel for a reason. And, honestly? Sometimes, that's exactly what you need. My first stay was a disaster, but honestly, the memories... priceless! If you're looking for luxury, go elsewhere. If you're on a tight budget and need a place to crash, Red Roof Inn Waukegan/Gurnee *might* do the trick. Emphasis on the *might*. Just pack your own bleach wipes. And maybe some earplugs. And a good book. And some chocolate. And a therapist on speed dial… I'm kidding. Mostly.
The "Vibes"? What’s The Crowds Like?
Oh, the vibes are a… mixed bag, to put it delicately. Lots of families, especially during Six Flags season, which, honestly, explains a lot. You'll hear a lot of excited squeals in the hallways, and possibly the distant thrum of roller coaster cars (depending on your room's proximity). You might encounter the "late-night travelers" – you know, the ones who seem to arrive at 3 AM, loudly discussing their travel plans and the merits of different kinds of gas station coffee. And then… well, let's just say it's a place where people from all walks of life intersect. You'll witness some interesting fashion choices (the "travel wear" that probably hasn't seen a washing machine in weeks), hear a symphony of slamming doors, and possibly catch glimpses of people who *definitely* regretted their life choices that particular day. It’s a slice of life, alright! Part of the *experience*.
The "Incident": My Personal Red Roof Inn Saga...
Okay, so there was this ONE time… I'd driven *hours*. Arrived around midnight, exhausted. The clerk (a very, very tired-looking young man) handed me my key card. Entered my room, flipped on the lights… and discovered a party. Not *my* party, mind you. But the *previous* occupants' party. Plates of half-eaten pizza, empty beer cans, and a general aura of… well, let's just call it a lack of cleanliness. My heart sank. I marched back to the front desk, feeling a mixture of rage and utter despair. The poor clerk, already stretched to his limit, looked utterly bewildered. He apologized profusely, gave me a new room, and I spent the next hour trying to scrub the lingering… *energy* from my mind. It was a masterclass in overcoming adversity. Honestly, the experience has created a bond between me and that hotel that can't be broken. We've been through things. You might too.
