Super 8 Franklin Park Hotel

Although going to Chicago was a wonderful experience for British travelers, it was somewhat ruined by the awful accommodation we had to endure! We stayed at the Super 8 Motel, in Franklin Park, which was the worst hotel I have ever stayed in!

When we arrived we were given a smoking room, which was changed when we complained, because the door looked like it was about to fall off. Although our new rooms were pretty bad, they were better than the originals and didn't reek of stale smoke! After settling in we discovered the toilet was blocked-we told reception and were given a plunger!

The only satisfactory thing about our stay was the manager, who went some way into trying to make our stay better (But wouldn't refund our money so we could stay somewhere else!). Please do not stay in this hotel! It is unsafe after dark, run down and dirty (With bouncers in the entrance incase the guests misbehave!)

Once you're in Chicago and have made the decision to stay somewhere other than a Motel 8, I would recommend the Sears Tower, which not only gives a great view of Chicago and Lake Michagan, but also has a lot of information about the formation of the city. Later in the day you might also like to visit Navy Pier, which has many attractions for all ages-mini golf, a small fair, a theatre and food. Definitely worth a visit!

It was the first time we'd been to America and wasn't sure what to expect, especially from a 1 * motel. We'd be out exploring Chicago all day, so the accommodation wasn't massively important - just a crash pad if anything.

Our room was non smoking and quite basic, but pretty big - 2 double beds, TV, and shower/tub combination.

We also had a complimentary breakfast which consisted of coffee and donuts (!) The best thing about the hotel was that it offered a complimentary shuttle bus to/from Chicago O'Hare airport, which we made full use of.

The hotel is very isolated unless you drive, so we had a free trip each day to O’Hare to catch a train downtown.

The Franklin Park area is decent enough if you want eating places and shops - there was a Denny's and a Burger King within 5 minutes walk, plus a Q-Mart and local shops. The hotel wasn't a palace or anything, but everyone was polite and we had a good holiday.

If we go again, I'd definitely stay closer to Downtown Chicago.