Motel 6 Joliet, IL - I-80 — Hotel in Joliet

We ended up exhausted, didn't even know what city we were in on I-80 -- rush hour and a heavy rain storm, with threatened hail. We couldn't face a traffic jam at that point, so we got off and prayed to find a place that didn't cost and arm and a leg (and would take a dog).||||We went here, based on a previous night at another Motel 6 that was fine. ||||So.... this is a mixed review. The room was OK, shabby but clean. TV worked. A/C cold and worked well. The first tub on our trip that was deep enough for a real bath! though the finish on it was peeling. TV wouldn't come on, but the friendly manager came promptly and fixed it. Price was very moderate, other nearby places were over $100 a night and we only need a room to sleep and recharge for the next day's drive.||||The problem? as out of towners, we had no idea that "Joliet" means "state prison". We didn't even know what city we were in! and this motel, sadly, seems to have gone over to long-term residents who pay by the week (and keep charcoal grills outside their doors!) and apparently folks who just got OUT of prison or are visiting relatives IN prison. (Told this by the manager!)||||Others have said there are drugs used, sold and prostitutes. We saw a lot of "characters" hanging around outside the rooms, but nothing loud or bothersome. If they were doing drugs or prostitution, they were quiet about it. ||||The only problem was at 7AM when a man knocked loudly on our door, looking for two men for something -- geez Louise, that has never happened to me at any motel in years of travel. WHAT. THE. HECK! -- we let the manager know, and he shrugged and said yes, that guy hangs around and is a problem. (WELL, DO SOMETHING! he's bothering your GUESTS!)||||I don't know what Motel 6 policies are about this sort of thing, and I know it is hard to make a living off an modest older motel, and how many residents these days can't rent a regular apartment and therefore, stay in motels long term. But honestly, motels should be short-term stays for TRAVELERS. They are not welfare hotels.||||On the other hand, in fairness.... we stayed in "fancier" places for more money, that were dirty -- had weak A/C -- TVs that didn't work and other problems. We had no problems here. though the room is as "bare bones" as it can get -- not even a dresser or suitcase folding stand!||||But a decent hot bath and working A/C or TV makes up for a lot, when you've just pulled in, dog tired off the road. So I can't give a bad review here, though the place definitely needs WORK and better policies about long term residents and known criminals frequenting it.||||Clean this place up, and it would be a decent budget motel I could give another star or two.||||NOTE: next door to several other pricier motels/hotels, plus a Sam's Club for supplies and a Culver's for...

We were offered the choice of a smoking or smoke-free room when booking online. We chose smoke-free room as we are a smoke-free family with one child having asthma. The room had such a thick stale smoke smell that it stung the eyes and burned in the throat. There were cigarette burns and numerous other stains in the comforter. The pillows looked badly stained, but on closer inspection it was the fact that they were so thread bare you could see the stains and patterns of the pillows underneath. We stripped the beds and slept in our street cloths on top of the fitted sheets without using the pillows.

The refrigerator had no gasket in the door, so was worthless. There were numerous cuts along the bathtub rail and counter as if from razor blades. There were puddles of wax and some harder, previously molten, splatters on the table all of which seem to indicate long history of drug usage in the facility. There were numerous "residents" who had the doors propped open with a view of so much personal items it seemed apparent that they lived there.

The walls had been patched and painted with at least three different colors of orange. The door that would otherwise connect the adjoining suite was simply nailed shut! Not at all representative of the pictures online.

We had chosen a motel because we needed a basic safe, clean, comfortable place to rest on our long drive and were not in need of the extra amenities of a hotel. While we were not harmed, the overall sense was not one of safety. There were signs posted to keep the deadbolt and latch engaged at all times for our safety and that the patron assumes all risk. Our experience was certainly Not clean or comfortable.

The same too young guys with dilated pupils and bloodshot eyes that checked us in late at night also checked us out early in the morning. So, I do not know if they are overworked, or what the arrangements are, but I have always seen a separate night crew and morning crew wherever I have stayed.

This is not a family friendly establishment. I cannot recommend it as it fits all the stereotypes and scary movie vibes of a "motel" vs hotel. I have used motels in the past and they offered just what one needs when traveling a long distance: a safe, clean, comfortable, affordable place to stay the night before continuing on one's journey. Unfortunately, this was not my experience with Motel6...

We brought the kids to JOLIET, my home throughout elementary school, in March of 2017, so they could experience its sweet small town charm and also tour Chicago and see Hamilton. The kids absolutely loved joliet, and I just loved being back in town and seeing so many charming sights I hadn't seen in 35 years. This hotel is clean, conveniently located in town, not a far drive from Chicago and other areas fun to explore, and the staff are beyond friendly and helpful - every single person we encountered. One morning the kids even made themselves coffee in the lobby - they couldn't get enough of this place. When my uncle, who lived in Freeport. suddenly and unfortunately passed away last July, one small silver lining was that coming for his memorial gave us all a chance to be back in Joliet. The two trips were so sentimental and emotional for me, as I retraced steps around my old stomping grounds in the midwest and soaked in nostalgia and charm, and magical for the children to see that all I had shared with them about this wonderful town was true, and the kind treatment and TLC of the Motel 6 staff greatly enhanced our entire experience. The kids in no way wanted to stay anywhere else for the second trip, and are dreaming about their next visit here. I've stayed in some luxurious hotels and seen so many amazing places around the world, but I can't think of any destination that compares with this sweet trip down memory lane, catching up with every new and old thing lovable Joliet has to offer. If you're looking to make those kind of priceless memories, the Motel 6 in Joliet is home base for your stay !!! Specially on Drag...