Chicago's Hidden Gem: Bloomingdale Courtyard Hotel (Unbelievable!)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I just got back from a stay at the Bloomingdale Courtyard Hotel, and WOW. "Hidden Gem" doesn’t even begin to cover it. Seriously, I could do a whole VICE documentary on this place. (Okay, maybe not. But I feel like I could.) This review is gonna be less about the bullet points and more about the FEELING. Let's get messy. Let's get real. Let's get… Bloomingdale-d.
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First Impressions (and Why I Almost Screwed Up My Trip):
Finding this place? Kinda felt like one of those treasure hunts where you’re pretty sure you’re lost until…BAM! There it is. Nestled in a quiet, leafy corner of Bloomingdale… well, wherever Bloomingdale even is. (Turns out, I'd have to do a whole other review of the BLOOMINGDALE neighborhood). The exterior? Charming, in a "grandma's house on a postcard" kind of way. My first mistake? Arriving ridiculously early after a red-eye, looking like I’d wrestled a bear. My second mistake? Assuming I should just "wing it" with the accessibility stuff. Which, uh, let's just say, could have been a disaster.
Accessibility: (Almost Didn't Get In!!)
Okay, so this is where I have some thoughts. The website mentioned "facilities for disabled guests," which is vague. I’ll be blunt: for a place claiming to be a hidden gem, getting into the hotel itself was… well, it took some doing. (I’m mildly mobility-impaired, so that’s relevant). There’s an elevator (thank god), but the entrance… Anyway, I'm gonna be honest, it felt a little bit like a treasure hunt where the treasure is…a slightly wider door. The fact that the staff were super helpful once I got in made up for it, but the initial experience could be smoother. Important note if you do have accessibility needs: CALL AHEAD. Don't be like me and roll up hoping for the best. The rooms themselves, thankfully, were much better. Spacious, maneuverable, and… breathe… actually designed with accessibility in mind.
Inside the Rooms - My Safe Space!
Thank god for the in-room free Wi-Fi because I needed to post about how exhausted I was on Instagram immediately. It was bliss when I got in. The free Wi-Fi was great, no password faffing about. The rooms also had all the usual: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Coffee/tea maker, Closet, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Mini bar, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Wake-up service. I’m a sucker for blackout curtains, and these were amazing. Finally, a hotel that understands that sometimes, you just want to disappear in a pit of luxurious darkness! The bed was divine, and I slept like a… well, a person who had finally escaped the torture that is early flights. The daily housekeeping was efficient, but they never, EVER, touched my book pile. (They know those are sacred.)
Cleanliness and Safety: (My OCD Approved!)
This is where the Bloomingdale Courtyard REALLY shines. Like, gleaming. I'm borderline germaphobe, so trust me when I say I was impressed. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Double check. They even offered room sanitization opt-out (which, HELL NO, I opted in). The staff were masked up, and there were hand sanitizers everywhere. I felt safe, which, let’s be honest, is huge these days. And they had safe dining setup! It was all good!
Food Glorious Food – And My Near-Epic Breakfast Blunder:
Alright, let’s talk eats. The Bloomingdale Courtyard has a few options. There’s the main restaurant, which offers both a la carte and a buffet. I went for the buffet initially…and nearly fainted. This was a bad way to start. (It was good; just the concept of the buffet at that point was too much).
Then, for the next few days I had breakfast in my room because, let’s be real, sometimes you just wanna eat in your pajamas whilst watching Judge Judy. The room service [24-hour] was efficient, although I think I ordered a whole lot of stuff I didn't end up touching. Coffee/tea in restaurant was good, and I’m not hugely into the desserts in restaurant, but hey.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (and My Deepest Regret):
Okay, confession time. I completely missed out on the Poolside bar! I know, I know. I'm kicking myself. But, I was just so completely in my room that it was a massive error in judgment. The restaurant itself offered a nice variety. I really wanted to try the Vegetarian restaurant, but I never made it. They have Happy hour, which I also completely missed from my cocoon.
Things to Do and Ways to Relax (or, Why I Missed EVERYTHING):
This is the biggest tragedy of the entire trip because this place has so MUCH.
- Spa: Yes, there’s a full-blown spa. Treatments include Body scrub, Body wrap, Massage, Spa/sauna, and Steamroom. (Insert aggressive sobbing here). I didn't book anything. Why? Because I was too busy… sleeping. Don't be me.
- Fitness Center: I did manage to hit the Fitness center. It was surprisingly well-equipped.
- Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor] – I didn't get to see it, except for the one time I peeked after getting a coffee from the coffee shop.
- Sauna. (Insert more dramatic sobbing here). I'm such a fool!
- Foot bath. Did I mention I'm an idiot?
In short: I completely, utterly failed to take advantage of the relaxation options. MY BAD.
Services and Conveniences (The Little Things That Matter):
The Bloomingdale Courtyard is good on this front. The concierge was incredibly helpful, even with my weird requests (I needed help finding… a specific kind of Chicago deep-dish pizza). They had a convenience store (lifesaver!). Dry cleaning and Laundry service came in handy. They even had a Doctor/nurse on call. I'm giving it 5 stars here.
Getting Around:
They offer airport transfer and taxi service, which is great because…well, getting to the hotel is an adventure in itself! Also, they have car park [free of charge] which is a lovely bonus if you're driving.
For the Kids:
While I wasn't traveling with children, I did see a Babysitting service offered. They seem to have something for everyone.
The Quirks and the Feels:
Okay, let's talk about the vibe. This isn't your cookie-cutter, corporate hotel. There's a certain… charm. It’s a bit like staying in a well-loved, slightly eccentric aunt's house. The staff are genuinely friendly, and the whole place has a relaxed, unpretentious feel. And a massive security level, because I totally noticed the CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], and Smoke alarms. I love this place!
My Final Verdict and a Compelling Offer:
Listen, the Bloomingdale Courtyard Hotel isn't perfect. But the location? The CLEANLINESS? The incredibly comfy rooms, and the potential for total, blissful relaxation? This place oozes charm. Just… don’t be me. Don’t miss out on the spa!
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because here's a travel itinerary for the Courtyard Chicago Bloomingdale, Illinois, that's less "perfectly planned brochure" and more "me trying to hold it together while simultaneously having a good time." This is gonna be a wild ride, so grab your metaphorical Dramamine.
Day 1: Arrival, Awkward Interactions, and the Quest for Decent Coffee
- 1:00 PM - Arrival at O'Hare (ORD): Ugh, airports. Always a symphony of stressed-out sighs and questionable fashion choices. My flight was delayed, naturally. Because, you know, life. Now I'm stuck navigating the labyrinthine baggage claim, hoping my polka-dot suitcase actually made it. (Fingers crossed it did – I have some serious emotional baggage in there, and I'm not just talking clothes!)
- 2:30 PM - Rental Car Retrieval – The Existential Crisis of the SUV: Found the rental car place. The guy behind the counter looked like he'd seen some things. "You want the… uh… truck?" he drawled with a raised eyebrow and a smarmy grin. Now I am the proud owner of a gargantuan SUV that I'm pretty sure requires its own zip code to park. This thing is enormous! Seriously, am I compensating for something? Probably.
- 3:30 PM - The Drive to the Courtyard Bloomingdale: Okay, Google Maps, don't fail me now. The drive itself was a blur of highway exits, construction cones (Chicago, I swear!), and me yelling, "Left! No, RIGHT!" to the GPS woman. Finally pulled into the Courtyard. I am exhausted.
- 4:00 PM - Check-in and the Room Reveal: The lobby was…well, it's a Courtyard. Predictably beige. Check-in was a blur of pleasantries, including a front desk person saying I look like "I just stepped out of a magazine". I probably looked like a crumpled paper bag at this point. Whew!
- 4:30 PM - Room Reconnaissance and the Coffee Catastrophe: Alright, let's assess the situation. Clean, somewhat sterile, and the promise of a coffee maker. This is crucial. I NEED coffee. But the hotel-provided coffee? I think I'd prefer drinking dish soap. This is a tragedy. RANT ALERT: Seriously, how hard is it to make decent coffee?!
- 5:00 PM–6:30 PM - Unpacking & Decompression: Unpacked my suitcase and the existential dread that followed. Watched some random TV shows. Took a long, deep breath, and prepared to deal with the rest of the day.
Day 2: Bloomingdale Adventures (and the Persistent Coffee Crisis)
- 8:00 AM - The Morning Coffee Hunt (Part Two): Okay, mission: find actual coffee. I ventured out and found a… gasp… a Starbucks! Ah, the sweet, sweet nectar of caffeine, and a perfect beginning to the day!
- 9:00 AM - A Bit of Suburban Nature (With a Side of Squirrel Dramas): Decided I would explore the local area. Went to a local park, which turned out to be surprisingly lush and green. Watched squirrels engage in a particularly dramatic acorn-related dispute. Those squirrels, man, they're intense! Witnessed a whole soap opera unfold involving two fluffy-tailed rivals, over a single, precious nut.
- 11:00 AM - Early Lunch: Found a local deli, and ordered a sandwich. The sandwich was… decent, but I immediately regretted not adding the pickle. Always remember the pickle.
- 12:00 PM - The Shopping Spree (Or, My Attempts to Find a Souvenir): Bloomingdale has a mall. I can't deny my tendency to shop for hours on end if I don't have plans. This is a danger. Got myself a nice gift! And maybe some extra clothes? So much temptation!
- 2:00 PM - The Afternoon Nap of Exhaustion: Holy moly. All that walking and shopping? Turns out, it takes a toll! Back to the hotel for a glorious nap. Sleep is wonderful.
- 4:00 PM - Back to the Real World; Dinner: Went to a local restaurant. Had a nice meal. Nothing amazing, but it filled me up.
- 7:00 PM - Attempting to be a Local: The bar at the hotel. Met a few other guests, and had some lively conversation. Turns out, everyone appreciates a good drink and a good joke.
- 9:00 PM - Bedtime Routine: Watched some television, and prepared for another day of adventure!
Day 3: Departure and Lingering Thoughts
- 8:00 AM - Another Coffee Run: Starbucks is my savior – again!
- 9:00 AM - Final Hotel Inspection and Farewell: One last look around the room. Did I leave anything? Yep, I'm sure I did. Oh well.
- 9:30 AM - Check out: Easy.
- 10:00 AM - Drive to O'Hare (and a Moment of Reflection): The trek back to O'Hare… the final chapter. The SUV and I are finally getting along. I'm not sure it's the best thing, but…
- 11:00 AM - Airport Shenanigans: The airport is chaos, as always. Lines, delays, the whole shebang. But hey, at least I have a belly full of memories.
- 12:30 PM - Delayed Flight: My life? Delayed! The airline announced another delay. At this point, it's just par for the course. I'm getting used to the fact that plans are just suggestions.
- 1:30 PM - Homeward Bound: Back to the real world (eventually!). The trip may not have been perfect, but it was mine. And sometimes, that's all that matters.
So there you have it. A messy, imperfect, and utterly honest account of my adventure in Bloomingdale. Hopefully, it was entertaining, and maybe now you'll remember to always pack extra coffee (and, you know, the pickle).
Christiansfeld Hotel: Denmark's BEST Kept Secret? (You HAVE to See This!)
Bloomingdale Courtyard Hotel: You Gotta Know! (And Maybe You Won't Like What You Hear...)
Okay, spill! Why is this Bloomingdale Courtyard "hidden gem" so hyped? Is it *actually* hidden?
Let's talk rooms. Are they, you know, *livable*? Because Instagram can lie.
Breakfast. The make-or-break moment for any hotel. What's the deal with the free breakfast?
Is there *anything* good about the hotel?! Anything at all?
Location, location, location! How easy is it to actually get to Chicago from here?
What about parking? Any hidden fees lurking around the corner?
Any tips for survival? Or should I just... book a different hotel?
- **Pack air freshener.** Seriously. You'll thank me later.
- **Bring snacks.** The free breakfast might not cut it.
- **Download a podcast or two.** Or three. Or twenty. The commute can get *long*.
- **Check CTA service alerts.** Constantly.
- **Lower your expectations.** A lot.
- **Consider the price.** If the deal is *really* good, and you're on a budget, it might be worth it. *Might*.
- **Most importantly:** If you are looking for something magical, an experience, a place where you feel pampered? Run, don't walk, to a different hotel. Seriously.
Okay, be honest: would you stay there again?
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