Escape to Joliet: Luxurious Stay at Fairfield Inn & Suites!
Escape to Joliet: Fairfield Inn & Suites - My Honest Take (Brace Yourself!)
Alright, folks, let's talk Joliet. And not just Joliet, but the Fairfield Inn & Suites – supposedly a luxurious escape. Honestly, I'm still processing it. This isn't going to be a slick, perfectly-formatted review. This is the raw, unfiltered truth, complete with my inherent biases and questionable decision-making skills.
Accessibility? Mostly a Win, Actually.
Okay, gotta start with a good note. The hotel is wheelchair accessible. I mean, duh, it should be, right? But you'd be surprised. They had ramps, and I remember seeing elevators (thank god, that's crucial when you're lugging around… well, stuff). No complaints here on this front. They seemed to understand the whole accessibility thing. That's a big plus in my book. They even seemed to offer Facilities for disabled guests, which I didn't personally use, but good to know they're there.
The Internet – A Saga in Itself!
Let's dive into the Internet access. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! they crowed. And it worked, most of the time. But it felt… fragile. Like a house of cards in a tornado. Connecting was easy enough – the Wi-Fi [free] was readily available. But I swear, there were moments when I was convinced I was back in the dial-up era. Buffering videos, dropped connections during crucial online meetings… The Internet [LAN] option was totally unappealing, and I’m not the most technologically inclined, so, yeah, the Internet services weren't exactly rockstar-level. I will say, the Wi-Fi in public areas was probably more reliable, but who wants to sit in the lobby all day to browse?
Rooms: Clean(-ish), but… My OCD Kicked In.
Okay, the rooms were sanitized between stays, which is a big COVID-19 win (more on that later). And they did seem to be practicing Anti-viral cleaning products, which felt reassuring. They went the extra mile and provided a Room sanitization opt-out available, which I didn't use, because frankly I'm a germaphobe. I noticed a few nicks and scratches (because I notice stuff, and not in a good way) on the furniture. Daily housekeeping was, well, daily. Which is a good thing, right? But the bathroom…let's just say I’m glad I brought my own Clorox wipes. The linens were clean, but the pillows seemed a little…flat. (Don’t judge my pillow preferences!) However, I will say, the blackout curtains were amazing! I could sleep until noon if I wanted…which I didn't, because I had to write this darn review!
Speaking of, I had a laptop workspace, which was amazing!
The little details: My room had an air conditioning, alarm clock, hair dryer, (didn't use that), in-room safe (I didn't), but they could've been slightly better. I liked the complimentary tea, and the slippers were comfy, even though I don't wear slippers. They even put out a complimentary bottled water, and a desk, score!, The extra long bed was really long, which was good. Overall, they were clean and comfortable.
The Food - A Rollercoaster (Mostly Downhill, Sadly).
Oh boy, the food. This is where things went a little… sideways.
- Breakfast [buffet]: This was my main meal that I tested out. Here's the thing: it was there. Breakfast service was "adequate". The buffet in restaurant was… a buffet. The Asian breakfast option was a real bust and I wouldn't try it. The offerings felt a bit… sterile. The scrambled eggs tasted suspiciously like they were synthesized in a lab. The pre-packaged fruit? A sad, lonely apple and an orange.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: The coffee was like dishwater. I didn't bother with the tea.
- Restaurants: They have restaurants, a snack bar, and a poolside bar. It was pretty basic, but they had food! I didn't try it out, to be honest.
- Room service [24-hour]: Didn't even bother. With food options like this, why bother?
Services and Conveniences: The Good, the Bad, and the "Meh."
- Cashless payment service: Fantastic! In the world of COVID, I love it.
- Food delivery: I'm not sure what they have but they do have food delivery service.
- Car park [free of charge]: Free parking is always a win.
- Concierge: I didn't spend the money to use them, so I can't judge.
- Business facilities: They have business facilities in case you want to work, and meeting/banquet facilities, and meetings but I had no need for it.
- Laundry service: I didn't need this
- Gift/souvenir shop: I didn't buy anything
- Other: They provided daily housekeeping, luggage storage, front desk [24-hour], elevator, and all that. Seems like a pretty good service!
Things to Do (Besides Avoiding the Buffet).
Okay, let's be honest, this isn't exactly a spa resort. But they do have a swimming pool [outdoor]… I'm a swimmer, but I passed, I didn’t like the water's appearance. They also have a Fitness center, but I didn’t step in. They have a terrace.
Cleanliness and Safety in the Age of… Everything.
They were trying. They had hand sanitizer stations (always a good sign). They claimed to be using professional-grade sanitizing services. Staff trained in safety protocol – hope so! Individually-wrapped food options – a valiant effort. Physical distancing of at least 1 meter – well, it’s a hotel, so… good luck with that. I felt reasonably safe, but I wouldn’t be touching anything without my sanitizing spray. They also have a First aid kit and a nurse Doctor/nurse on call in case of an emergency. They also have CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property which made me feel safer.
My Overall Verdict:
Look, the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Joliet isn't going to blow your mind. It's a perfectly… serviceable hotel. It's clean (mostly), accessible, and has the basic amenities. The internet can be spotty, and the food is… a work in progress. But considering the small town in which it's located, it's not terrible. If you need a place to crash while you're in Joliet and you don't have incredibly high expectations, it will serve its purpose. Just maybe pack your own snacks. And definitely bring some Clorox wipes. It will do in a pinch.
Metadata:
- Keywords: Fairfield Inn & Suites, Joliet, hotel review, accessibility, Wi-Fi, clean, food, swimming pool, fitness center, hotel, travel, Illinois, accommodation.
- Meta Description: My unfiltered review of the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Joliet, Illinois. Honest opinions, accessibility, food, amenities, and whether it's worth your stay.
Alright, buckle up buttercups. This ain't gonna be your pristine, perfectly-formatted brochure-esque itinerary. This is my Joliet, Illinois adventure, and it's gonna be a rollercoaster of emotions, questionable choices, and probably too much caffeine. I'm staying at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Joliet North/Plainfield Joliet, because hey, it's gotta be somewhere, right? Let's dive in (mostly).
Day 1: Arrival, Existential Dread, and Chili's (Oh, Chili's)
- 3:00 PM (ish): Arrive at Fairfield. Okay, first impressions. Lobby: clean, but smells faintly of chlorine and… ambition? The check-in guy seems to be simultaneously managing the breakfast buffet (I'm guessing) and fielding complaints about the ice machine. I get a key card, and I'm off to room 420. (Insert obligatory giggle. Because, you know.)
- 3:15 PM: Room. It’s… functional. Two double beds. One feels firmer than the other. Decisions, decisions. The TV is huge, but the remote is probably possessed by a malevolent entity. (I swear, I've been trying to change the channel for five minutes, and I can't get past the goddamn news.)
- 3:30 PM: Unpack (briefly). Okay, deep breath. I'm here. In Joliet. Why? Don’t ask. Suddenly hit with wave of “Why am I anywhere?” existential dread. (Maybe it's the fluorescent lighting).
- 4:00 PM: Attempt to explore nearby (the area, not the meaning of life). I walk out, look around, and get instantly overwhelmed. Cars. Strip malls. More cars. The vastness of America hits me like a brick. I retreat to the comfort of the in-room coffee and a tiny packet of biscotti that's probably older than me.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner: Chili's. Look, I know. It's not exactly Michelin Star material, but I'm tired, hangry, and it's literally across the street AND it smells of cheesy goodness and fried things. The server is super sweet, and her name tag says "Destiny." Destiny! She’s fantastic – somehow smiling despite the chaotic energy of the place. The chips and salsa are surprisingly good, and the Southwestern Eggrolls, oh god. I order a margarita, and another one, and then another one. (I feel bad for the poor intern who's got a paper to write)
- 8:00 PM: Bed. TV. Try to watch something. Give up. The remote is still fighting back. I feel a deep-seated need for a good book. I fall asleep mid-battle, dreaming of… well, whatever happens when you combine too much salt, tequila, and existential dread.
Day 2: Prison Break and the Deepest Regrets, with Extra-Large Fries
- 8:00 AM (ish): Breakfast. Breakfast is a breakfast buffet. Enough said. The waffles are… meh. The coffee is… coffee. There’s that guy in the corner, definitely judging my choice of cereal.
- 9:00 AM: The Joliet Correctional Center. So, this is it, the big draw! The former (and very creepy) prison, and its imposing, gothic architecture. Honestly, it's got an undeniable vibe. The tour guide, Bless her heart, is clearly a local historian with a passion for prisons. He tells amazing stories of escapes, notorious inmates, and ghosts. The place is… haunted. I swear, while standing in a cell, I felt a cold breeze. (Maybe it was the tequila from last night.) I can't help but feel a strange mix of fascination and a little bit of fear. You know, the kind that makes you double-check the doors.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch - Wait. I'm starting to realize that I haven't been eating or drinking water, and I'm very very very hungry. So I went to McDonald's, because everything is closed (even the gas station). The thing is, it was bad, and it was the worst food I've ever eaten. Maybe it was because of the prison visit.
- 1:00 PM: Back to prison tour. I did a double-take on this visit because I had a lot to explore in the city, and the prison holds a lot of significance. The history is so fascinating.
- 3:00 PM: After all this, I found the nearest park, sat on a bench, and journaled. This is where the deepest regrets came in. What was I doing with my life?
- 4:00 PM: I did a marathon of TV. I just had to unwind after the whole day, It was the best time I could have.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner: What to eat? I'm tired of chain restaurants. (Except Chili's. Still love you, Chili's.) I find a small, local pizza place. The pizza is… surprisingly good! Crispy crust, perfect amount of cheese. The owner is a really friendly guy, tells me his life story and something about his future. I leave with a full belly and a slightly lighter mood.
- 8:00 PM: Bed again - The whole prison thing… It's a lot. But hey, at least the sheets are clean.
Day 3: Breakfast Chaos, and Departure (Thank God)
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast, Round 2: Confront the waffle maker. This time, I am victorious! I eat all the waffles. The judgemental guy is gone. (Did I eat him?) Today is a good day.
- 9:00 AM: Pack. Check out. Say goodbye to my room. I am ready. Freedom!
- 9:30 AM: Drive.
Final Thoughts:
Joliet, you unpredictable beast. You were…interesting. The prison was haunting. The Chili's was comforting. The pizza was a triumph. I saw a glimpse of something… real, something past the strip malls and the chain restaurants. Will I be back? Maybe. But first, I need a long nap and a serious detox. And maybe, just maybe, a good book.
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Escape to Joliet: Your Fairfield Inn & Suites Revelations (and Random Thoughts!)
So, *Escape to Joliet*... What *is* that exactly? Sounds...prisony. 😂 Is it, like, a themed getaway?
Okay, so the "Escape" part is kinda ironic, right? Because, hello, Joliet! But no, it's not actually *about* escaping from prison (thankfully!). It’s more like...escaping the *everyday* to Joliet, specifically to the Fairfield Inn & Suites. Think of it as a basecamp for exploring the area. (And maybe, just *maybe*, mentally escaping the dishes you have to do when you get home… shhh, don't tell my partner I said that.)
Look, Joliet's got a history, a real one. But this trip, it's all about the *comfort* of that hotel. You know? That sweet, sweet, air-conditioned bliss. I mean, even *thinking* about the commute and the packed highway... yeah, that's what I'm "escaping" from.
Alright, sounds good. But... is the Fairfield Inn & Suites *actually* luxurious? My expectations are, let's just say, tempered.
Luxurious? Okay, let's be realistic. We're not talking about a *palace*. But for a Fairfield Inn & Suites? I'd say it's exceeding expectations. Clean? Absolutely. Comfy beds that you just *melt* into after a day trudging around? Yup. Free breakfast? A lifesaver, especially when you're running late like I always am. You know, that waffle iron is a Godsend.
My *real* test of luxury? The shower pressure. And the Fairfield's? Excellent. I felt like I'd been sandblasted clean... in a *good* way. The water was hot, the pressure was perfect. That's luxury, people. That’s a small victory, a spa day in a shower. (I may or may not have stayed in there a little too long...)
What's the *best* part of the Fairfield Inn & Suites experience, in your very important opinion?
Okay, THIS IS IMPORTANT. It's a tie, actually. One is the *bed*... the holy grail of slumber. Seriously, I don't know what kind of magic polyester they use on those sheets, but I slept like a baby (a baby who occasionally drools and snores, but still!).
But the other? Okay... the pool. *Hear me out*. I am not normally a pool person. I'm more of a "read a book under a shady tree wearing a floppy hat" kinda gal. But this pool... it was *indoor*. A warm, inviting beacon of chlorinated joy. I spent a good hour, maybe more (don't judge!), just floating around, letting all my worries *disappear* into the azure depths. Actually, that's not entirely true. My phone nearly *did* disappear, when I wasn't paying attention. Luckily the pool was pretty shallow. Whew.
The most perfect part? It was empty. Pure, unadulterated, pool *silence*. The water lapping gently, just me, and my thoughts. It was... blissful. I haven't felt that relaxed in... well, a *long* time. That pool... made the trip.
Anything I should be *wary* of? Any downsides? Because nothing's perfect, right?
Okay, yeah, gotta be honest. There's always *something*. The breakfast, while convenient and wonderful for the waffles, can get a *little* crowded. And the coffee... it's hotel coffee. You know the deal. Not terrible, per se, but you're not going to be writing poetry about it. Pack your own, if you're that serious about your morning brew.
And, okay, the gym... I glanced in there. It looked... gym-y. You know? Like, treadmill and weights and the smells of sweat and effort. I noped out of there pretty fast. But hey, maybe you're into that sort of thing. I’m not. (Okay, I *am* trying to incorporate more exercise, but my idea of exercise is walking to the ice machine.)
What's the *area* like? Is there anything to *do* other than float in a pool like a soggy potato?
Oh, *yes*, there's stuff to do! I, personally, went to the Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum. Which was a fun, quirky, and slightly chaotic experience. I loved the old signage, the history...it was surprisingly interesting. (Plus, air conditioning! Necessary!)
There are also casinos, restaurants, and the Joliet Correctional Center is *right there* if you're a fan of *The Blues Brothers* (which, let's be honest, who isn't?). I didn't go *in*, mind you, but taking photos of the outside was pretty fun. It's just good times all around. You know, if you're into history-adjacent locations.
Oh! and the local ice cream shop? Divine. Divine, I tell you. Worth every calorie.
Any tips for making the most of the "Escape to Joliet" (Fairfield Inn) experience?
Pack your swimsuit! Seriously. Don't be like me and almost forget. That pool is calling your name. Bring a book, a good podcast, or a truly terrible rom-com to watch on the provided TV. Embrace the moment. Leave your work emails at home! (Ok, fine, *check* them, but try not to *answer* them. I failed at this, admittedly.)
And, this is crucial: *lower your expectations*. You're not at a five-star resort. You're at a Fairfield Inn & Suites in Joliet. But embrace the low-key, the simple pleasures. The clean sheets, the decent shower, the quiet pool...that's where the magic happens. That is what makes the escape worth it.
Also, did I mention pack a good coffee? You'll thank me later.
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