Escape to Chicagoland: Luxurious Courtyard Hammond Getaway!
Escape to Chicagoland: Luxurious Courtyard Hammond Getaway! - The Good, the Bad, and the Surprisingly Soggy Croissant. (A Rambling Review)
Alright, folks, buckle up because I just got back from a stay at the "Luxurious Courtyard Hammond Getaway" and, well, it was an experience. Let's dive in, shall we? And yes, I'm still trying to scrub the lingering spa scent from my brain…
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, Frankly.
Okay, so the good news is the promise of accessibility. The website touted "Facilities for disabled guests," which is always music to my ears. Truthfully, I didn't rigorously test this. It's hard to do a full accessibility audit unless you're actively using the needed features. I saw the elevator, which is a huge plus. The website did have some info about the accessible rooms. But honestly, it was a bit…vague. More specifics needed. So, let’s say “mixed bag” for now. They need to be really clear and offer a specific, detailed description of their accessible rooms, maybe even with floor plans.
On-Site Restaurants & Lounges: Fueling the Adventure (or at Least Trying To).
The hotel boasted on-site restaurants and a bar, which is always a plus when you're trying to avoid the horror of a greasy, late-night drive-thru. But… the descriptions online were a bit too rosy.
- Restaurants: They had a couple of restaurants. One offered "International Cuisine." This turned out to be a plate of surprisingly decent pasta and the other was a standard American-style grill. Nothing groundbreaking, but edible enough. The "A la carte in restaurant" option was good - I appreciate not being forced into a buffet, even though it was there.
- Bar: The bar… well, it existed. It was dimly lit, and the bartender seemed a bit…detached. The "Happy Hour" was a saving grace, though. They served a decent margarita. Bonus points for the "Poolside Bar" which I imagine is a lot more fun in the summer.
- Coffee Shop: I'm a coffee fiend! I need my morning brew. The coffee shop served me a pretty average cup, but it was open and available at the right moment, so all is forgiven.
Cleanliness & Safety: The Modern-Day Worry.
Let's get real: COVID has turned us into the germaphobes we always secretly were. I was incredibly happy to see the measures they had in place. I mean, "Anti-viral cleaning products," "Daily disinfection in common areas," and "Rooms sanitized between stays"? Yes, please! The "Hand sanitizer" stations were everywhere, and the staff seemed genuinely committed to safety protocols. I even saw "Professional-grade sanitizing services" in action in the hallways. It gave me peace of mind (a huge win!).
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: The Quest for Sustenance.
This is where things get…interesting. Let’s revisit the meals.
- Breakfast: The "Breakfast in room" option was a lifesaver on a couple of hungover mornings. I also took advantage of the "Breakfast takeaway service" one day when I was running late. The "Breakfast [buffet]" was there, but I wasn't in the mood.
- The Croissant Conspiracy: This is where my day got a little…dramatic. The buffet had these croissants. They looked divine, all golden and flaky. I reached for one, and… it was soggy. Like, tragically, soul-crushingly soggy. I tried another. Same. I'm not exaggerating when I say I almost wept. It was a small thing, I know, but it completely encapsulated my whole relationship with this stay - lots of potential, some lovely bits, and then…a watery, disappointing pastry that broke my spirits a little. I should have complained, I know, but I was too stunned.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Day or… Not?
So, the spa. The spa was a highlight, absolutely! They had everything… well, almost everything.
- Spa & Wellness: I made full use of the Spa! The "Body scrub" was amazing, I swear, I shed a layer of stress. The "Sauna" and "Steamroom" were excellent! The "Massage" was divine. I mean, pure bliss. The "Pool with view" was very pleasant. It wasn't the best view in the world, but it was good enough.
- Fitness Center: I did hit the "Gym/fitness" center and it was decent. Standard equipment, well maintained.
- The Missing Pieces: I did not see any "Foot bath", which would have been lovely. And the "Body wrap" was a letdown, but generally the spa was wonderful, even if not entirely complete.
Rooms & Amenities: The Heart of the Matter
- The Good: The "Air conditioning" worked a treat (essential!). "Air conditioning in public area" was nice. The "Free Wi-Fi" in all rooms was a godsend! "Internet access – wireless" and "Internet access – LAN" were both available, too. The "Blackout curtains" were a lifesaver for sleeping in. The "Bathtub" was luxurious, as was the "Bathrobes"
- The Not-So-Good: The "Mini bar" was… well, let’s just say the selection wasn't exactly top-shelf. And my room felt a little… sterile. Not as in clean, but as in lacking character.
- The Quirks: I loved that I could open the "Window that opens" but the view from my "High floor" room was just of the car park.
Services & Conveniences: The Little Extras.
- Concierge: The concierge was helpful and friendly.
- Laundry Service was quick and efficient.
- Cash withdrawal: They had an ATM, which was convenient.
- Dry cleaning: Available
- Daily housekeeping: My room was always spotless.
- Food delivery: The website said food delivery was available, but it wasn't clear which restaurants offered the service.
For The Kids: Family Fun (Or Not).
I didn’t travel with kids, so I can't give an informed opinion, but the listing included "Babysitting service," "Kids facilities," and "Kids meal."
Getting Around:
- Car park [free of charge]: Excellent! Free parking is always a win.
- Airport transfer: Available, but I didn't use it.
- Taxi service: Also an option.
The Verdict?
Look, the "Luxurious Courtyard Hammond Getaway" has potential! It's clean, safe (important!), and has some fantastic amenities, like the spa. The staff were mostly great. But there's room for improvement. They need to amp up the restaurant offerings, the croissant crisis needs to be addressed (seriously!), and they could really use some more personality. Overall, a good stay I did enjoy it, and I would return.
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Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This is MY trip plan, and it's gonna be less "polished travel brochure" and more "what actually happened in Hammond, IN" with a healthy dose of my usual chaos. Forget those pristine itineraries, we're going FULL messy realism. Prepare for rambles, opinions, and probably some existential dread.
COURTYARD CHICAGO SOUTHEAST/HAMMOND, IN - The "Accidental Tourist" Edition
Day 1: Arrival… and Mild Panic
- 1:00 PM: Arrival at O'Hare Airport (ORD). Okay, so I meant to fly into Midway. Don't ask. Lost in a world of online bookings and panicked flight changes, here I am. The Chicago skyline always looks impressive from the plane, though I'm pretty sure I saw a pigeon giving me the stink eye from the window.
- 1:45 PM: Rental Car Retrieval: The Great Escape (Attempted). Finding the rental car shuttle was like navigating the River Styx. Seriously, it took longer than the flight itself. Finally, I get to the counter. "And your name is…?" "It's… [insert my name here, definitely not the one on the reservation]." Turns out, I'd booked a hatchback and they'd only got SUVs and trucks. "I'll take the biggest one you have." Because, well, why not. This is the start of the adventure.
- 2:30 PM: The Hammond Highway Shuffle. Okay, Google Maps, be my guide. The interstate is a beast… lots of trucks, lots of construction, and me, humming along with my music, pretending I know what I'm doing. Chicago traffic is no joke. I’m pretty sure I saw a guy eating a whole pizza while driving. Impressed and slightly horrified.
- 3:30 PM: Check-in at Courtyard Chicago Southeast/Hammond. FINALLY. The hotel looks… like a Courtyard. Clean, beige, functional. The front desk person gave me a weird look (probably because I look like I've been through a war just getting here). No eye contact, just processing that I'm actually here.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Attempt at Relaxation/Panic Spiral. Unpack, shower, collapse on the bed. That’s the plan. Reality: Checking emails (stress), scrolling through social media (more stress), wondering if I packed enough socks (definitely not). Damn, I need to buy a charger.
Day 2: Hammond Haps and a Craving
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast - Eggs, Unspecified Side, and Existential Dread. The hotel breakfast bar is a study in the mundane. Scrambled eggs that look suspiciously like they're made of rubber, a bowl of sad-looking fruit, and coffee that tastes faintly of disappointment. Perfect start to the day.
- 9:00 AM: Downtown Hammond Exploration. I thought "Downtown" in a small town could be fun! Okay, so it was… not exactly bustling. Some interesting architecture, a few closed shops, and a general air of quietude. Walked past a barber shop that smelled like old-school cologne and ambition. It was an experience I did not expect.
- 10:00 AM: The Casino Experiment (Because, Why Not?). Okay, maybe I’ll win big. Probably not. A few slots, some people-watching (everyone seems to be really serious), and a weird feeling of… nothing. Left with less money than I started with, but at least the air conditioning was nice.
- 11:30 AM: Lunch – The Search for Authenticity. I NEED real food! The internet, my trusted guide, recommended a local diner. It looked promising. The air smelled of bacon and regret. The waitress was a total boss (in a good way). The burger? Solid. The fries? Life-affirming. Thank GOD.
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: More Driving, More Searching. Drove around the area. Looked at houses. Wondered if I should move to Indiana. (Answer: Maybe not). Tried to find a local brewery. Got lost. Found a really awesome park instead (surprise!). So much for the brewery.
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: "The Best Thing Ever" aka Chocolate. I found a chocolate shop. This is the highlight of the whole trip. I purchased a variety of truffles, ate two, and bought more.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner and Contemplation. Another chain restaurant, but this time it was with a friend. The conversation, like the meal, was pretty decent. The world seemed less bleak. For a few minutes, anyway.
Day 3: Farewell, Hammond (Probably Forever)
- 8:00 AM: Another Hotel Breakfast. I'm starting to know the nuances of the rubber-egg texture.
- 9:00 AM: Last-Minute Souvenir Hunt (or Desperate Measures). Found a gas station with a surprisingly good selection of snacks and drinks.
- 10:00 AM: The Great Escape (Part 2). Back to the rental car shuffle. This time, I knew the way.
- 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: The Drive Home and Thoughts. This trip was… unexpected. Did I enjoy Hammond? Maybe. Or, maybe it was my emotional rollercoaster of a life. The truth is, I've been doing a lot of thinking. I hope I return, maybe I won't.
Overall Impressions:
Hammond, Indiana: A place of unexpected charm, a touch of gritty reality, and a whole lot of… silence. It's not the most glamorous destination, but it’s real. And maybe, just maybe, that's what makes it interesting. Plus, the chocolate was divine.
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