This was, hands down, the grossest hotel room I have ever stayed in. Or have ever NOT stayed in, I guess I should say, because we didn't stay overnight.
Back in December, Red Roof Inn ran a promo where it was $20. and change to stay one night (January 2nd) at any of their US locations. Since we live outside of Chicago, I thought this would be something fun for my husband & I to do. $20 hotel, great location, what's to lose?
Normally I research hotels to death before booking, but I could *swear* I'd stayed at this exact hotel years ago, so I didn't research this at all. Big mistake, because I stayed at the hotel across the street, not the Red Roof Inn! This hotel's location is fantastic: 1/2 block off Michigan Ave., 8 blocks from Navy Pier, close to tons of restaurants. It's a perfect location for Chicago shopping/touring. It is safe & very "walkable."
Upon check in, the employee looked absolutely startled to see us, perhaps because I am not a hooker? I do not know. In hindsight, I should have known right then that this was a mistake. He was very, very nice. Check in was quick, the rate was correct, we were in our room in minutes.
The room was so outdated- like nothing I'd ever seen before. Seriously, my retro 1970's cottage is more 'up to date' than this hotel. The room was small, which I can handle. It was a bed, a dresser with a flat screen tv and a desk.
The walls were dingy. I could literally see through the sheets. The sheets were stained. The carpeting was disgusting- like keep your shoes on disgusting, because the Red Roof Chicago apparently doesn't include vacuuming with their cleaning service. There was so much lint/ crumbs/ random debris along where the carpet met the walls, I nearly gagged. We reserved a smoking room, so anticipated a smoky smell, again something I can handle. However, there were ashes all over the desk, floor and bed. My husband had to use the washroom and didn't even wash his hands afterwards because he didn't want to touch the faucet!
I would recommend staying anywhere else but here, even if it means buying less while shopping, it's that bad. Remember, this was a $20 room that I wouldn't spend $20 on! I have no idea what the regular rate is, but there is no way I would pay money to stay here.
We immediately checked out & were told that we wouldn't be charged. I would have happily paid $20 NOT to stay in this hotel, so I couldn't care less. All in all this ended up being 19 minutes of my life & $6 for 19 minutes of parking that I am ok losing. We ended up going home & having dinner locally, lol.
Would I recommend this to a friend? I wouldn't recommend this hotel to someone I dislike, let alone someone I might see again!
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