Recommended Places to Stay

[YMM (Ship 12 Div 98)]

Please include hotel name, phone number, price, and features about hotel.

[X-Ray Momma]

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Waukegan.  I am a very picky person when it comes to staying somewhere as we have an RV so we normally stay in our own place but the HIE was great.  It was very clean, the staff was helpful, and their breakfast was awesome.  They are located only 3-4 miles from the base and there is a Walmart and several good resturants located close by...Buffalo Wild Wings, Chili's, a pizza place, Potbelly's, and several others.

Ask for a navy grad rate.  I think it was $103.  We really found this place to meet all our needs.  You won't be dissappointed.

X-Ray Momma

[Bobbo]

I always travel in and out of Chicago through Midway and NOT O'Hare. If anyone needs a really good, nice, and CHEAP place around Midway Airport try the Carlton Inn on Archer. Great people. Really took care of me. Only about a 10 minute shuttle ride to airport and next to the Orange Line. Ratings on line for this place have it at 4.5 stars out of 5. I totally agree.

[Bobbo]

For staying around the Base for PIR, look in Gurnee just north. There are several places. Best Western and many others. We stayed at Best Western. Microwave and small frig but very clean and modern. Just not a lot of extras. Just the basics. On the less expensive side. Indoor pool and kids zero-pool but no spa. Much to do in Gurnee on Friday after PIR and is very close (12 mins to base) so you aren't wasting precious time. Saturday you can drive to Chicago if they are still around which most are.

[beachlover]

We just had PIR 3/22 and stayed at Navy Lodge.  I would highly recommend it.  The rooms are awesome, all have a microwave and mini fridge. The suites are great with a kitchen, sitting area and separate bedroom. Rooms are spotless. The staff is absolutely fantastic and helpful in every way.  We took Sarge's suttle to PIR and he brough our Sailor back to the hotel with us after PIR. You can take Navy Lodge's packaged food breakfast items into PIR with you to eat while you wait. However there are no restaurants within walking distance, so may not be the best choice if you don't have a car.

[Connie821]

This isn't exactly about a place to stay, but rental cars.  I looked on Kayak.com , then Hotwire and HW quoted my a rate for 12.95/day for a Toyota Corolla or similar.  So with 37 bucks in taxes i ended up paying 75 total for three days.  Keep in mind this is for Enterprise off airport, but they shuttle you.  Oh and this is going into Midway not Ohare.  Also the best airline price from Portland, Oregon was on Southwest.  About 825 r/t for two people. 

[Julie73]

Has anyone ever stayed at the LaQuinta Inn and Suites there?

[Icelsa(Marcusmom)]

Homewood Suites 10 Westminster Way, Lincolnshire, 1-847-945-9300 wonderful place to stay, reservations were $ 89 dollars a night that week but I paid at $80 dollars a night with my AAA card witch you have to show at check in to get the discount,  got to the hotel earlier than checking time but because we were there for graduation the hotel let you check in early, very courteous and helpful  employees. First night we had complimentary light dinner and wine for 4 people, breakfast each morning and great amenities, great pool and gym. Is 15 to 20 min from Great Lakes, I reserved a suite so we could have the space we and our sailor need it to relax and talk, the suite had a kitchen with microwave, electric stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, coffee maker, plates, glasses, cups and utensils; we went to the marker at Dominicks to get groceries; we were staying 4 days and could cook for lunch and dinner if it was necessary. Had a great time and my sailor really appreciated the space and the food I made for him that Friday evening after registering for A School.   

[CatMom509]

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS WAUKEGAN, 611 Lakehurst Road, Waukegan, IL 60085  847-473-4400            

         Very, very nice new hotel about 2 years old. Super clean!  Has King beds and 2 Queens, and suites.  Hot serve yourself breakfast with waffles, biscuits & gravy, scrambled eggs, toast, bagels, pastries, fresh fruit, cereal, coffee, juice, milk (there may have been sausage, but I'm not sure).  Breakfasts starts at 6:00 am for PIR days.  Indoor pool.  Best available rate when we booked in March 2013 was $114.99, but I can see it is now $102.99 (May 2013)  Ask if their Navy rate is any lower than the Best Available as it is not listed onlne (it wasn't when I booked).  No restaurant on hotel site, but there is a McDonald's right next to their parking lot and Sweet Tomatoes, Chilis, Buffalo Wild Wings are down the street from them.  Sarge also provides free shuttle service for his Meet & Greet on Thursday evenings before PIR.  Yes, Sarge also provides shuttle service to the PIR for $3.00 each person and your Sailor can ride back free with you to the hotel.  I didn't want to deal with any line into PIR. So, you can just keep your rental car at the hotel during PIR, then go out after you get back from PIR.  SARGE'S cell phone:  [phone].  I have it programmed into my cell for quick access!

          If you need a late check-out of 2:00 pm or so, join their rewards program and you can get that.  You can join there at their desk.  Their staff is wonderful and very accommodating!!

[irene (9/174)]

We just attended my daughter's PIR on 5/3/13.  We stayed at the Ramada Inn and it was good.  I think $71 a night.  It is ten minutes from the base.  To get to PIR we went south on N. Green Bay Road and made a left on to Martin Luther King.  If you turn right at the street just before second railroad tracks it will take you to PIR.  If you make a right after second railroad track it will take you to main gate.  Just before the main gate is the visitor's center and Navy museum.  We were lucky because we got to spend the whole weekend with her.

[charlottesmomShip14Div019]

How was your stay at Quality Inn?  My hubby just booked there for PIR 11/22.  Thank you

[sonjal (SHIP 02 DIV 921)]

My suggestion to anyone going to PIR, call the hotel and find out the cliental. My daughter graduated April 5th, 2013, Ship 2 division 921..."Hall of Fame" group YEA!. Coming from WA state, the distance and cost of travel, we looked for an economical place to stay. My sister went to Great Lakes 5 years ago for my nephews boot camp graduation and stayed at the Super 8 Motel, said it was decent. Well, boy has it changed! Do not stay at a motel that rents their rooms as an apartment. Do not stay at the Super 8. Even though it was just a place to sleep, I slept with one eye open, smoke throughout the halls (nothing against smokers!), loud all night and people living there bring pitbulls down the stairs. Warning...you get what you pay for! If I wasn't sooooooo Happy seeing my daughter, I would have been very unhappy! Good luck :) Congratulations to all of you and THANK YOU! God Bless America and our Sailors!!!!!

[NavyMom1207 (Ship 12/Div 247)]

Oh sonjal - that sounds HORRIBLE!  Congrats to your SR though, and thanks for sharing.