Have a question about the Navy Gateway Inns and Suites....

The Navy Gateway Inn and Suites is located across the street on the main part of the base, not on the RTC. Yes, she will be able to get onto the base. Even people without a military ID are able to stay at the Navy Gateway Inn and Suites since their Sailor can be their sponsor. Since she has the military ID, it makes things a little easier since she doesn't need a sponsor. Check with the Navy Gateway Inn and Suites when making the reservations for more information on how that works. See Saving Money PIR Weekend and PIR Day and Liberty during PIR Weekend once you get the form letter.

A lot of people get confused between the “Navy Lodge” and the “Gateway Inn and Suites”. 
Both have goods and bads….

Any civilian that is attending PIR can book at either hotel.  Here is the big difference:
Navy Lodge - This hotel is off base about 1 mile from the RTC front gate, so you can just drive up to the hotel.  You don’t need your sailor with you to register.  You can register yourself.
Gateway Inn – This hotel is located on Naval Station Great Lakes.  It is about 5 miles from RTC Great Lakes (where your sailors are training).  If you book your hotel prior to 30 days before your arrival, you do not need your sailor with you to gain full access to the base.  You can walk in by yourself.  You will be given your own identification indicating you are allowed access to the base without your sailor.  Remember, they will be doing a background check on you, thus why they need a minimum of 30 days to check you out, and if you have any police warrant against you, they will call the North Chicago police department and you could be arrested.   If you book between 0-30 days prior to your arrival, it doesn’t give the Navy enough time to run a back ground check, so your sailor will be required to be with you.  This is sort of hard since they are still in boot camp and can’t come over to sign you in. 

The Gateway Inn (Bldg 62) is really nice; however they only have one queen size beds. This limits the guest to 2.   Some rooms do have a pull out couch and they have roll-away beds, but it's not guaranteed.   If you do get the pull out couch room, they you can have 4 to a room.  Remember your sailor doesn’t count, since they can’t stay overnight. 

So what is the benefit over the Navy Lodge?

- If you request a room in the main complex (Bldg 62) on the 4th or 5th floor, AND, you request an "odd" numbered room, then you will get the full Lake Michigan view.  It's outstanding! 

- The Gateway inn is located on the hill above "Nunn Beach".  Nunn Beach is located on the lakefront of beautiful Lake Michigan, offering a perfect place for a cool refreshing swim.  It is open Memorial Day to Labor Day, weather permitting. Your sailor would love to put on their PT gear and/or Swim suit and go to the Beach.  The Beach is outstanding. 

- If your sailor is attending "A" school at Great Lakes, they just have to walk to your hotel room. All the barracks are really close to the hotel.  They will need to submit a request chit to allow them to go there, which is real easy since they have family in town. 

- You can book a room at the Gateway by calling:  1-877-NAVY-BED

(Remember you need to call at least 30 days in advance so they can run the back ground check on you).  

Here is a map:  http://www.pointsmap.com/mwrgl/

Go to this website for more info:
http://ngis.dodlodging.net/propertys/Great-Lakes-NS---IL
and
http://www.pointsmap.com/mwrgl/ (great map)

I know is I had a sailor staying at GL for “A” school, this is the hotel I would stay.