Good hotel for graduation?

[Damaris]

Hi everyone! My son is now in boot camp on ship 11 Div 244. His graduation Date is Aug 5. Does anyone know of a nice hotel with a suite? 

[TFAN2]

It depends on the money you want to spend. This site has a lot of good comments about Residence in Waukegan, IL. I just called them last night for rooms for the 8/19 PIR. He quoted $114 each night for Thurs, Fri and Sat nights. He said it's a studio apt set up with a King bed and sofa bed. The only reason we didn't book it, we need Wed and Sun night too and they want $179.00 each night. Make sure to tell them you are reserving the room for Boot Camp Graduation and the give you the $114 rate. I have read that the Ramada wasn't good or the Super 8. We booked at the Motel 6 for $260 for 1 room, 5 nights, 2 queen beds, a microwave and a little frig. Hope that helps!!!

[Damaris]

Thanks i check and if you have AAA card it is 107 a night  when is your love ones Graduation my date is 08/05/11 

[ebigirl]

We stayed at The Homewood Suites in Lincolnshire in early May. It is a 15 minute drive from RTC, a straight shot down the main freeway. Our suite was 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, and the couch in the living room folds out for another bed. The hotel was beautiful, has an indoor pool, free breakfast in the A and free dinner Sun-Thurs. night.

We booked under the "Senior Rate" since grandma was with us, and were told it's a cheaper rate than the PIR rate. We paid $143.10 per night and it was worth every penny!!

I hope this helps. One other suggestion I have is either buy or borrow a GPS unit. We drove to PIR and it was the BEST investment we made for the trip. Have fun and enjoy your new sailor!

 

[Damaris]

thank you so much i just booked it I paid $89.10 with AAA card you are pocket saver.

[ebigirl]

Your welcome. Every penny counts when planning for a trip as important as this one. You will also need a variety of change (quarters, dimes and nickles for the very odd toll charges on the freeway.

[proudmama ship10 div267]

Try the hampton inn and suites Libertyville.I got a rate of 89.00 but I can't remember if the discount was for the grad or for law inforcment.But try it they also have a pool ant include a hot breakfast.No shuttle though its a 15 min ride to the base, we are driving in from Philly so we will have our car...goodluck!

[bsteele100/Ship 11/Div 244]

We are staying at the Red Carpet Inn 1800-251-1962.  i heard it was reasonable and roomy.  I am hoping it is also close to the meet n greet!

[Damaris]

 We have reservation at the Homewood Suites in Lincolnshire i hope it is close to meet n greet!

[ebigirl]

Damaris; I have to admit that we got lost going to the meet and greet from the Homewood Suites in Lincolnshire. If you have a GPS system....USE IT!!!! We had one, but it was taken out of the car without my knowledge. If you don't have one and are driving to PIR, invest in one or borrow a good one from a friend. Our new GPS is THE best investment that we made for our trip. It was right on 100% of the time. If your renting a car, rent a GPS unit with it. Trust me, it will save your sanity!

Others at the meet and greet said map quest and other sites were VERY confusing, and not up to date. We did finally find the Ramada with the map book! Then we got lost trying to get back to Lincolnshire. The roads are NOT marked very well at all. I saw a Sailor at a gas station and knew he would be a "safe" person to ask. He was, and very courteous and kind as well! When asking for directions, tell whomever your asking that you just want to get back to the freeway...you don't care about the tolls. Many people try to give directions to avoid the tolls. At the point I was at in the evening I just wanted some sleep, and didn't give a hoot about the tolls. I probably spent over $10 on tolls that night....oh well!

 

Also, take a container with a mixture of quarters, dimes and nickles with you. Most of the toll roads are "unmanned", meaning you need exact change to "throw" in the vat. Tolls are very oddly priced, from .30 to $1.90. Very confusing!

 

Have fun, I hope you enjoy the Homewood Suites as much as we did, and take A LOT of tissue to PIR...everyone will need it! Thank your SR for me for his/her service.

[Damaris]

I do have a GPS but is drive to the Graduation a long one. why did it take so much money that night. oh yes i'm looking for some coupon's for tissue I'm going to need them all. :) walmart here I come

[ebigirl]

We drove from Washington State to Chicago via Omaha to pick Grandma up! That was the main reason for the purchase of the GPS unit. The streets in Chicago are very poorly marked. Example: Your sitting at a stop light trying to figure out what street your on, and the street sign is above your car! If your the 4th or 5th car back that's great, but cars #1, 2, and 3 can't see it!

The reason it took so much money the night of the meet and greet is because I didn't know that the GPS unit had been taken out of our vehicle until it was too late. Hubby is a little over protective of new "toys". :(  I kept getting on/off the freeway (toll road) for various reasons, trying to find the Ramada...mainly for getting on going the wrong direction.

The drive from Lincolnshire to both The Ramada and Graduation is about 15 minutes as long as you know what exit(s) to take. We had never been to Chicago before, but learned quickly! When is your SR's graduation?

[Damaris]

It's good to know that Lincolnshire is not but 15 minutes away. His graduation is 08/05 were you able to be with your SR for any time after graduation.