The Westin Chicago Northwest, Itasca

BOOK A DIFFERENT HOTEL: This hotel is FAR from Chicago - 35 minutes driving west of O'hare and more than an hour to the city (an hour and a half to drive to the nearest Park&Drive train station and take the L downtown. More than and hour and 10 min with Metra to Union Station and a sporadic train schedule). There are no reasonable dining options within a walking or even a 15 min. driving range so you are stuck with the restaurant. We checked in late and ordered a 6" pizza and a burger - $51.00 plus tax!!! Internet and Wi-Fi are NOT FREE. The hotel charges $9.99 per connection. Business center costs money. Fitness center costs money. The pool does not allow you to take towels from the pool and the water is VERY cold. The hot-tub is VERY hot (they even have a sign warning not to put small children due to the high temperature. Breakfast is NOT complimentary. They do not have a refrigerator in the room. Shuttles costs money. The rooms are comfortable but the TV is too small and the cordless phone was not charged - quite a headache for the wake-up call. Parking is free but quite a walk and is very nasty in rain and cold weather. With so many other options this hotel is NOT WORTH IT - stay somewhere else for a better price at a better location with basic services included and you would not feel that you were nickel and dimed and you will be close to actual sites/trains/dining options. For business people with LARGE expense accounts only!

I liked the size. It was very large and beautiful. The service was great! The hotel made me feel wealthy. They also offer great travel industry rates. In back of the hotel were beautiful waterways with ducks and Swans. A great place for a peaceful walk. The only problem was that the location was so isolated it was difficult to find an inexpensive place to eat. The hotel had a restaurant and bar but not cheap. Overall a great experience and I will return.

I like the convienence of attending the meetings/trainings and going right to my room. The view of the pond was nice. I did not like I had to pay to go in the whirlpool, I think that should have been a part of the package.