Hotels

[Jussurfin2]

Can anyone recommend hotels for PIR. I am new to all of this.

[Phoenixmom]

The brochure that is included with The Form Letter from MWRGL about hotels and other things is at RTC Friends and Family Brochure July 2017 rev.pdf. It should have some suggestions with contact information. 

The Page, Saving Money PIR Weekend, has information on hotels, transportation to GL, and more. 

The Navy Gateway Inns & Suites is located on the main base, about 1.5 miles from RTC. Only those with military IDs can access the base to stay there.  http://dodlodging.net or 1-877-NavyBed (1-877-628-9233). 

The Navy Lodge is located 1.9 miles off base from RTC and guests of graduation are allowed to stay there.  https://reservations.staydod.com/hotelSearch.do?action=View&pro... or 847-689-1485. 

There are also hotels in Vernon Hills, Gurnee, and Waukegan.   Hotel Indigo-Vernon Hills .  Here are other places that people have mentioned (listed in the order I found them and I added the links for your convenience; I do not recommend or endorse any particular one): Ramada Inn Waukegan (some like the place and others do NOT), Hampton Inn in Libertyville, Residence Inn Waukegan, Red Carpet Inn in North Chicago, Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham at Wadsworth Waukegan,  La Quinta Inn & Suites in Gurnee... That should give you some places to try. 

The discussion, Recommended Places to Stay, within PIR Reference Information may give you some ideas. Check http://www.tripadvisor.com/ to see what others have said about any hotel you are considering.  

[Phoenixmom]

I actually stayed at the Residence Inn and it was a very nice Hotel friendly customer service.

[Jussurfin2]

Thank you!!

[Phoenixmom]

You are welcome and also most of the Hotels have Shuttle just make sure to ask and when you check in make sure you put yourself on the list and the time. we took ours at 6:15 we were there in like 10 min. Not bad at all $3 a person to and then another on way back.

[BoogiesMom]

Good morning Ladies,

Just returned from my Sailors PIR on 8/10/18, and I wanted to share some information regarding hotels with you.

When researching hotels, we decided to go with a recommendation from the flyer sent home from RTC with the Form Letter, which was the Red Roof Inn on Belvidere Road in Waukegan.  The price with the PIR discount was about $65.00/night, and the reviews (most written by parents from previous PIR's) were good.  My husband and I are not too picky about where we stay, so long as it's clean and comfortable, so we figured we would give it a try.

I would NOT recommend this place to anyone.  We were there for (4) nights, and there were just too many things that we didn't like about this place. 

First off, the overhang in the front of the hotel had a huge hole in it when we drove up (almost looked like a semi truck might have hit it).  No big deal, stuff happens. 

We get inside, and the carpet, which is a very dark red/black pattern, had white paint EVERYWHERE.  They had painted recently, and apparently not used a drop cloth.  Everywhere you walked in the hotel, there were white paint splatters. 

They also don't have an elevator.  There are only two floors, so we had to walk up about 12 steps to get to our room with our bags.  Not a big deal, we needed the exercise, but for older people or individuals who use wheelchairs, this is a huge problem.

They have seating throughout the hallway of the hotel, light green arm chairs, which were incredibly dirty, stained.  I'm a country girl, and not very squeamish, but it was bad enough that it grossed me out.

The room had been newly painted, with new wood laminate flooring, and was clean, however, same dirty, stained green armchair, and the comforters on the bedding were stained as well.  Sheets were clean, and the bed was comfortable. 

They told us at check in that they had coffee made round the clock, at any time day or night in the "lounge" area, but it never was.  No continental breakfast, and no pool.

The final straw, was when we spent the last 2 days of our trip having to go to the front desk to get our key card redone, as it never worked, and we couldn't get into our room.  This happened atleast 6 times over the last two days, and the card wouldn't work for the owner either.  He actually came up with us one of the times, as he was convinced WE were doing something wrong.

All in all, it sufficed for our needs, but when you keep having to tell yourself, "well, we go camping...this is like camping", it's not that great. 

Just an FYI. 

[Marcia1976]

This is what our Recruiter recommended (we are from Illinois so our Recruiter is from the area)

Candlewood Suites Chicago-Waukegan (https://www.ihg.com/candlewood/hotels/us/en/waukegan/chiwr/hoteldet...)

Residence Inn by Marriott Chicago Waukegan (http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chirw-residence-inn-chicago-w...)

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Chicago North-Waukegan (https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/waukegan/chilr/h...)

 

The Residence Inn is a Marriott property and offers Military Discount through their website at time of booking. It would be the U.S. Government Rate.

 

I would avoid: 

Red Carpet Inn

Crossland Chicago - Waukegan

[Anne Marie]

Hello. My son's PIR date just came yesterday, it is Oct 19th.  Do I need to book w trip ins or refundable airfare?  We have 4 ppl traveling from NJ, I really can't afford to have it switched after I book.  Thanks!

[anasazigypsy]

Anne Marie if you book with Southwest airlines and your date changes, all you will pay will be the price difference between the original flight and the rescheduled one. Refundable air fares would probably be a lot more than the difference would be. Think positive ☺

[catsknit]

I know this is an older conversation but has anyone been able to click on the link for the Navy Lodge?  I can call and make reservations that way but I was hoping to find out more info on the website first. If I click the link directly I get the message "no active session."  If I copy/paste the link into a browser window it says my browser isn't compatible (Firefox 66.0.3) and that you need at least IE 5.0.  I tried Microsoft Edge and it gives me the same message. I really don't want to download a 3rd, older browser (esp one which is less secure than either FF or Edge)