Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Waukegan/Gurnee, an IHG Hotel

I came here for my sons Navy Graduation and felt so welcome from my first encounter. We were even upgraded to a suite and was so so so appreciative and amazed that this happen to us , just a ordinary family. Absolutely loved all the staff I had the pleasure in talking with. Tyrone, Angela, Magdalena and security, cook ( I did not catch their names) but they were all Amazing!!! definitely made me feel like family. I loved everything here. Hot breakfast every day and coffee all day long in the lobby. Very family oriented here. Super close to Sarge Meet and greet, many restaurants, Walmart is within walking distance. Not even 10 mins to Navy Graduation and NEX building. Best hotel for anything for your recruits graduation. They also had hot dogs and chips and juice for after Navy graduation if u wanted to come back eat. There is also a pool with a hot tub. * pictures are all of inside our room. double queen suite*

nothing I did not like

On this journey we were heading for my grandsons graduation from naval bootcamp in Great Lakes, Illinois. He mailed home a pamphlet that would help assist us in choosing the best hotel for our stay. After reading through the list, I decided on the "Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites" in Waukegan-Gurnee, Illinois which was about 3.5 miles from the naval base (a ten minute drive). It offered a free shuttle to and from the base on graduation day and for those who decided to stay back at the hotel, they had streamed the graduation in the hotel lobby. All the staff from front desk to housekeeping and dinning hall we're exceptionally friendly, accommodating and very professional. Our room was very spacious which included two big beds that could easily fit four adults very comfortably. Amenities included shampoo, conditioner, liquid soap and bar soap. Our room had a keurig machine with k-cups for coffee and tea bags included. Above the keurig a microwave was provided and to one's left stood a mini refrigerator. A large screen TV was mounted upon the wall, AC etc. A fairly large closet with clothes hangers were provided where your recruit could hang up his uniform while he relaxed with the family. I believe the most important thing for your new sailor was to take a nice hot shower and get some long deserved rest. Just these two things would make his day. No better place to do this than at the "Holiday Day Inn Express Hotel and Suites. " Breakfast was included in the price and was way above your normal continental which included scrambled eggs, link sausage, meat patties, biscuits and gravy, cinnamon buns and various doughnuts, fruits, cereals, coffee, tea, fruit juices and so much more. It's basically all you can eat before closing at a certain time. For lunch or dinner a McDonald's was within walking distance along with a small grocery store where you could purchase items to place in the fridge.

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the hotel was very clean and well kept. they provided a very nice hot breakfast and kept coffee going all day. the room was very spacious and beds were comfy. they were very accommodating for the families that were attending the Navy boot camp graduation. they provide a shuttle to take you and bring you back. And they also provide tv coverage for those that cannot attend due to Covid-19’s restrictions. they also provided a little hot dog social after the graduation for families to meet and greet. Bravo Zulu to this establishment.

the only dislikes were that there were no sheets on the pullout sofa, and the hot tub was broken so the jets would not work.

The staff was EXTREMELY friendly and hospitable. The kind that makes you feel welcome. The room was very spacious and LARGE. It was not a bunch of furniture jammed into a room. The continental breakfast was really decent (during COVID we had a continental breakfast [NOT HERE] that was a honeybun, apple and a yogurt- sugar, sugar, sugar at a different hotel chain that was not satisfying.) This hotel more than made up for it. We will have to visit the area at the end of summer and we will probably stay here again. To me, if a person looks forward or plans a repeat visit, it's probably decent.

The room was SPACIOUS, clean and comfortable. That made it easy to overlook the lackluster chipping paint and some stains on the carpet. The bathroom was small. My 5'11" son joked about having to maneuver in the bathroom.

The hot breakfast buffet was very good. A wide variety of foods. The service in this hotel was outstanding. Their regard for Navy families was greatly appreciated. I would recommend this hotel to all my friends.

I can’t think of anything that could have been better.

The Front desk attendant was very helpful. She went above and beyond to get my situation rectified I booked my reservationsonline booking.com and it told her on her and that my transaction did not go through which it had took my money but somehow she fixed it and I was able to check in so I was very grateful

booking.com took my money and when I arrived I told the hotel system that the transaction didn’t go through thanks to the front desk attendant she was able to fix it and I was able to check in when I was very disappointed that I was told at first that my transaction had canceled but with me having a confirmation she was able to figure out what happened and fix it

The staff was very friendly, the continental breakfast included sausage gravy and biscuits, pork and turkey sausage, egg white omelets, cereal and assorted baked goods. We stayed here as our grandson was graduating Naval bootcamp and they streamed the ceremony for those who weren't able to attend in person. While the ceremony was being streamed they also had hotdogs that were being served which was a great plus!

I can't say there was anything I didn't like other than the price. I felt it was expensive at $190/night

It was close to Six Flags and plenty of places to eat near by. There was a Walmart& other shopping near the hotel if we needed something. It was clean& up to date. There was a nice open breakfast area, with plenty to choose from.

There wasn’t enough towels left in the room, even though I reserved it for 5. The front desk was helpful& gave us more.

The extra amenities provided to families with Navy graduates. The packet when you check in, the shuttle to base, and live-streaming the ceremony in the breakfast room. We didn't know all of that was going to be available, so it was a wonderful surprise!

No waffles or pancakes for breakfast and our breakfast crew for Sat and Sun were very bad at keeping everything stocked. Fri breakfast was perfect!

The property was good for the cost. Located close to Great Lakes RTC.

The room was mostly clean however there was hair on the sheets when we inspected the room upon arriving. As we frequently do we check under around the bed and nightstands and it was evident attention in those areas has been neglected for a long time based on the crumbs ,dust and articles that had collected there.