Carlton Inn Midway: Chicago's BEST-KEPT Secret Hotel?
Carlton Inn Midway: Chicago's BEST-KEPT Secret? Let's Find Out! (Prepare for the Real Deal)
Okay, so "Chicago's BEST-KEPT Secret?" That's a bold claim, Carlton Inn Midway. Let's be honest, those are fighting words in the competitive hotel game. But I'm here, after a recent stay, to break it down, no sugarcoating. And let me tell you, it's a wild ride. Buckle up.
The Big Picture (and My First Impression, Which Was a Doozy)
Finding a good hotel near Midway Airport in Chicago can feel like navigating a minefield of overpriced rooms and questionable hygiene. My initial thought? "Please, God, let this not be another airport hotel that smells faintly of stale airport dreams." Luckily, Carlton Inn Midway, while not exactly a palace, managed to surprise me. This place is all about accessibility. The elevator was a lifesaver, navigating through the hotel was super easy. I'm not even a wheelchair user, but even I appreciated the thoughtfulness.
Accessibility: A Major Win
Seriously, the accessibility at the Carlton Inn Midway is a huge plus. The fact that it's a real consideration is a major pro. The elevator was quick -- a huge relief after a long travel day -- and I saw plenty of evidence that they’re serious about making things easy for those with mobility issues. Facilities for disabled guests are clearly a priority.
The Rooms: Cleanish, Comfy, and Wi-Fi Galore!
Let's dive into the room. I mean, it's where you're going to live (at least for a little while), right? There was free Wi-Fi (thank you, modern world! 🙌). And it worked! I'm talking strong signal in my room! I could actually get things done! They also had Internet access – LAN available, but honestly, Wi-Fi is where it's at. The air conditioning was a lifesaver, Chicago summers are brutal. I loved, too, that they had things like blackout curtains and soundproofing. I will admit – the bed wasn't the most luxurious, but seriously – I've slept on worse. The cleanliness was pretty good, and that's a huge win. They had free bottled water, which is always a nice touch, an in-room safe box, and a refrigerator which let me store my midnight snacks. They also had the basics, like a hair dryer, ironing facilities, and a coffee/tea maker.
The Amenities: A Mixed Bag (and the Hidden Gem)
Okay, here's where things get interesting. They have a fitness center, but I didn't use it – airport hotels don't exactly inspire me to pump iron. They have something they call a spa and massage service, but my travel-weary back was too sore. They have a swimming pool [outdoor] which would have been cool if the weather had cooperated. They have a bar and a restaurant. They've got, potentially, everything you need.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Breakfast Buffet Saga
Breakfast. The most important meal of the day, or so they say. The breakfast [buffet] was a mixed experience. They had your standard Western breakfast, with eggs (scrambled, naturally), bacon, and those weird little breakfast sausages. They serve Asian breakfast, which may be your interest. Plus standard coffee/tea in restaurant. The alternative meal arrangement was great. The coffee, however, was that "hotel coffee" stuff. You know the type. The kind that tastes of burnt disappointment. But they had juice, toast, and pastries, so I'm not complaining too much. Also. Coffee shop nearby. I did have a delicious salad in restaurant for lunch.
Cleanliness and Safety: A Very Important Consideration
During my stay, I noticed a strong emphasis on cleaning and safety. They're clearly taking the pandemic seriously. There was hand sanitizer everywhere, and all the staff had their masks on. They practiced physical distancing of at least 1 meter, and the staff was trained in safety protocol. They mentioned they make use of Anti-viral cleaning products, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, and Rooms sanitized between stays. It made me feel safer.
Services and Conveniences: What About the Extras?
They had a concierge. Not that I needed one, but it's nice to know they're there. There was a business center with xerox/fax. They have laundry service and dry cleaning. They also had luggage storage which was useful. The most helpful thing might be the airport transfer. The amount of walking an airport and traffic can take out of you can be quite high.
Getting Around: Easy Peasy Airport Access
One of Carlton Inn Midway's biggest assets is its location, literally right next to the Chicago Midway Airport. It's ideal for short or long layovers, or if you need to be in that area of Chicago.
Beyond the Basics: My Quirky Observations and Imperfections
I'm not going to lie, this hotel has its quirks. The decor isn't cutting-edge, but it's clean and functional. There's a slightly odd smell in the hallways (it definitely wasn't stale airport dreams!), but it wasn't a deal-breaker. Also, I'm a night owl. While there are 24-hour front desk and 24-hour security, I wasn't exactly expecting a vibrant social scene. The staff were generally friendly and helpful, even when I was being a grumpy traveler. Oh, and the elevator again! God bless that elevator on the way from and to the room!
The Verdict: Secret? Maybe Not. Solid Choice? Absolutely.
So, is Carlton Inn Midway a "secret"? Probably not. It's not like it's hiding in a jungle. It's right next to the airport! But is it a solid choice for a comfortable, convenient, and affordable stay near Midway? Absolutely. The accessibility features alone make it stand out. It caters to a wide range of needs.
My Emotional Verdict
Look, is the Carlton Inn Midway going to win any awards for luxury? Probably not. But it's a good value, especially for being so conveniently located near the airport. I felt safe, I slept well, and I got to work done (thanks, Wi-Fi!).
The Offer to Sway You (Because I'm Persuaded)
**Here's the deal: Book your stay at the Carlton Inn Midway now. I'm talking: *guaranteed, comfortable stay near Midway Airport, close proximity to the airport, strong Wi-Fi signal*. If you're looking for an airport hotel that cares about accessibility, cleanliness, and giving you a decent stay without breaking the bank (and you can live with a few quirks), then get ready to love this place! I'll give you some real tips to help you do it yourself!
Don't Delay, Book Today, and See the Real Deal for Yourself!
Okinawa Paradise: Kariyushi Condo Resort Oceanfront Getaway!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your perfectly-polished travel brochure. This is the Carlton Inn Midway, Chicago, through the warped lens of yours truly. And trust me, it’s gonna be… something.
Carlton Inn Midway: A Whirlwind of (Semi-) Organized Chaos – My Chicago Adventure, As Seen By Me (and My Stomach)
Day 1: Arrival, Aching Feet, and the Mystical Power of Late-Night Pizza
- Early Afternoon (ish): Touchdown at Midway. Okay, first hurdle: that baggage claim. Seriously, feels like a clown car sometimes. This time, mine actually did show up, a victory for the weary traveler! Found the Carlton Inn Midway pretty easily. Front desk? Perfectly… fine. Not particularly warm, not cold. Just there. Room? Standard. Smelled faintly of… cleaning products. A bit aggressive, honestly, but hey, at least it looked clean. (Fingers crossed.)
- Late Afternoon (sort of): Okay, the plan was to hit up Navy Pier. Got totally sidetracked by the sheer, overwhelming Chicago-ness of it all. The buildings! The wind! The… smells. (Mostly good, thankfully.) Wandered around for what felt like hours, more lost in thought than geography. Ended up just staring at the architecture, completely mesmerized. Seriously, I could have been a tourist trapped in a giant, beautiful, stone and glass cage of wonders for 6 hours!
- Evening: Hunger Strikes! The official plan: Eat somewhere "authentic Chicago." The reality: Ended up eating the closest pizza because my stomach was screaming and I was losing the daylight/will to live. Luckily, the pizza place was actually decent. Ate the whole damn thing, cheese crusted ALL over my face. Judge me, I dare you. Late night, walking back: realized legs were killing me.
- Night: The Carlton Inn Shuffle: Decided I needed to watch TV to unwind. Ended up channel surfing for an hour and a half. Actually found a really good documentary about… squirrels. Don't ask. Fell asleep with the tv remote on the bed next to me.
Day 2: Deep Dish Dreams & Art Institute Adventures (or, How to Look Cultured and Crave More Pizza)
- Morning (a lie, more like mid-morning): Woke up with a crick in my neck. Apparently, my "sleep like a log" position is actually "sleep like a pretzel." Needed coffee. Desperately. Went down to the hotel lobby. The coffee was… lukewarm. A minor tragedy, but hey, that's life.
- Mid-Morning: Deep dish pizza. The holy grail or the food that would clog my arteries and die? I'll never know because I was already craving more! Totally worth it. The cheese pull alone was a spiritual experience.
- Afternoon: Art Institute. Attempted Sophistication. Okay, here's where I try to seem cultured. The Art Institute is MASSIVE. Got completely lost in the modern art wing. Spent an hour just staring at one painting that looked like a giant plate of spaghetti. (Maybe I was still thinking about food). Saw a sculpture, that I was sure I understood and liked the concept but it was so abstract i quickly forgot.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Did more walking around, because apparently that's what tourists do. Walked around Michigan Avenue but didn't buy anything. I'm proud of myself.
Day 3: The Blues, the Wind, and a Farewell Pizza (Because Why Not?)
- Morning: The Blues: Okay, let’s be honest. Check-out day always brings a pang of… existential dread. Packing is always a disaster. Managed to fit everything in my suitcase. The Carlton Inn feels… different this morning. Not just because I'm leaving, but like, I finally got used to the smell? Or maybe I'm just used to it.
- Mid-Morning: Headed downtown again to see the blues show at the blues club. Chicago is alive. The music was amazing. Felt a rush of everything and was almost in tears.
- Late Afternoon: Last-minute souvenirs, because of course. And (you guessed it) one last pizza because it would be a Chicago trip not have pizza.
- Departure: Taxi to Midway (again). The airport felt familiar, in a weird way. Boarding the plane, that bittersweet moment of "adventure over, back to reality." But hey, at least I have the memories (and the faint smell of pizza and cleaning product) to remind me.
Overall Rating of Carlton Inn Midway:
- Cleanliness: 8/10 (Aggressive smell, but visually clean.)
- Location: 7/10 (Close to the airport, but a bit out of the "action.")
- Bed Comfort: 7/10 (Slept, so I guess it worked.)
- Breakfast: 3/10 (Lukewarm Coffee. Need I say more?)
- Overall Vibe: Meh. It was a hotel. It did its job.
Final Thoughts:
Chicago… you’re something else. And the Carlton Inn Midway… you were a place to rest my head. Would I stay there again? Maybe. If I was going to Chicago and needed somewhere close to the airport, I might. But next time, I'm bringing my own damn coffee pot. And maybe a hazmat suit for the cleaning product smell. Till next time, Chicago. You beautiful, pizza-filled, wind-swept beast.
Escape to Portland: Luxurious Hillsboro Getaway at Hampton Inn & Suites
So, like, what *is* this thing anyway? Seriously, explain it to me like I'm five and just ate a whole box of crayons.
Alright, crayon-muncher. Think of this as a bunch of questions about… well, *things*. Stuff people ask, things I’ve *thought* about (sometimes at 3 AM, fueled by existential dread and questionable caffeine), and the answers, hopefully, are a little less… corporate robot voice, and a little more, "Yeah, been there, done that, got the slightly stained t-shirt." Basically, it's me, spilling my guts in response to your potential burning questions. Consider this a digital fireside chat, except I control the marshmallows.
Who are *you* to be answering all these questions? Are you, like, a certified expert? A doctor? A highly-trained squirrel?
Haha! Certification? Doctor? Squirrel?! Nope. I'm just… me. A regular human being, just trying to navigate this crazy, beautiful, often-disappointing planet. I'm a collector of experiences, a connoisseur of awkward moments, and a chronic overthinker. I *do* have a ridiculous amount of experience in, well, *living*. So, take everything I say with a grain of salt – and maybe a side of nachos because… nachos.
Okay, so, what kind of questions *will* you be answering? Give me some examples! (I need to know if this is worth my time.)
Ah, the critical question! Okay, hypothetically, we might cover everything from "What's the *deal* with socks that disappear in the dryer?" to "Is it okay to have a secret stash of cookies because, let's be honest, yes." We could venture into the profound: "What does it mean to be happy, really?" Or, you know things like "Why did they discontinue my favorite flavor of yogurt!?" (This one will trigger me, fair warning.) Basically, if you’ve got a semi-coherent query, I'll likely have an answer. Or, at the very least, a rambly approximation of one.
I have a question about cats. Are you qualified? Because, cats.
Cats. Oh, cats. I'm not sure anyone is *fully* qualified when it comes to cats. They're little furry anarchists who seem to exist solely to judge us. I lived with one. Her name was Princess Fluffernutter (don't judge, I was young). Now, she may have terrorized me, but she also showed me the true meaning of napping. So, yes, I'm moderately qualified. I can empathize, and I can most *certainly* tell you that whatever you do not listen to everything, you *will* be ignored. And judging you.
What if my question is SUPER personal? Are you going to share my deep, dark secrets with the world?
Unless you give me express permission to share, and even then… probably not. This isn't a confessional. If your question is truly, deeply personal, consider seeing a therapist. I'm not trained (or even remotely qualified). I'm just here to offer my own bumbling experiences, which are probably less helpful, but at least free.
I'm feeling down today. Can you… cheer me up?
Whoa, hold up there, sunshine. I'm no miracle worker. But, okay, I get it. Life is hard. Here's the thing: I personally, have found a solid dose of ridiculousness is often effective. Did you know there's a whole subreddit dedicated to poorly-shaped bread? It’s… glorious. Also, chocolate. Always chocolate. Maybe watch a silly video? Let me know when you've done one of those, and if you're *still* down. Actually, maybe just do that anyway. And maybe... take a nap. Naps are underrated.
My cat is *still* ignoring me. I swear, I feed him, I give him head scratches... What gives?!
Oh, the eternal cat conundrum. Let me tell you a story. Princess Fluffernutter, my former feline overlord, would do this. I'd buy her the most expensive, organic salmon pate. I'd groom her for hours. I'd even *sing* to her (terribly, mind you). And what was my reward? A withering stare of disapproval. A slow blink, maybe, *if* I was lucky. The truth? Cats are a law unto themselves. Accept it. Love them. Probably be secretly judged by them. It's the circle of life. Maybe your cat is secretly judging your choice in socks. It's a strong possibility.
Okay, okay, fine. How do I even *submit* a question?
Whoa, hold on! Okay, so, like, *if* this catches on, and *if* you can find a spot to submit a question, go for it. Then I check them when I remember, answer them in a way that's hopefully somewhat helpful, and then it's back to staring at the ceiling and wondering if the universe is a giant chocolate chip cookie. I'm trying to make a spot. So. Wish me luck! (Or, I guess, wait for a spot, and then wish me luck.)
This whole thing seems… informal. Is it supposed to be?
Informal? Heh. Honey, it's a glorious, unpolished, slightly-chaotic mess of thoughts, anecdotes, and questionable life choices. Precisely. This isn't some slick, airbrushed corporate PR. It's me, raw and real, with all the quirks and the occasional existential crisis. So yeah. Informal. Like, seriously informal.
Will you, like, update this thing? Or is it just a one-and-done deal?
Oh, you're asking about my commitment? Listen, I'm easily distracted. Things might get forgotten sometimes. Some days, I'll be all *about* it. Other days, I'll be deep in a Netflix hole, wondering why the remote control mysteriously disappeared andInstant Hotel Search
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