Our recent five-day stay at the IHG Holiday Inn Chicago North Shore (Skokie) from Tuesday, November 26, to Saturday, November 30, 2024, was nothing short of delightful. My wife and I were in town to attend a wedding held in the hotel on Friday, November 29, and this experience will remain etched in our hearts thanks to the exceptional service and warm welcome we received throughout our stay.
From the moment we walked into the lobby, the atmosphere radiated professionalism paired with personal touches of genuine care. The hotel manager, Mr. Kamran, orchestrates a team of exceptional individuals whose dedication to their roles is evident in every detail. It’s clear that Mr. Kamran views hospitality as both a science and an art—a harmonious blend of precision and passion.
The front desk team, consisting of Hafsa, Nida, and Shameer, were true ambassadors of excellence. Each of them displayed a level of kindness and competence that elevated our experience. Hafsa, who joined the team only five months ago, is an undeniable asset to the hotel. Her poised professionalism, coupled with her willingness to go the extra mile, was truly commendable. She not only provided us with directions to the Chicago Mosque but also recommended the delicious Usmania restaurant on Devon Avenue, where we enjoyed a fabulous meal.
Nida and Shameer matched Hafsa’s energy with their attentive assistance and warm demeanor. All three of them, alongside Mr. Kamran, ensured that every aspect of the wedding event at the hotel on Friday, November 29, flowed seamlessly. From setting up to food service, their efforts were as polished as the silverware on the dining tables. It’s evident that this team genuinely delights in helping guests, making them feel less like customers and more like cherished visitors.
The housekeeping staff deserves their own standing ovation. Every day, they transformed our room into a sanctuary of cleanliness and calm. The firm bed provided restful nights, and the spacious bathroom added a touch of luxury. The thoughtful inclusion of a microwave and coffee maker made our stay even more convenient, while the complimentary Wi-Fi kept us effortlessly connected.
IHG Holiday Inn Chicago North Shore (Skokie) offers very reasonable room prices. The value for the price was extraordinary—a rare balance of affordability and high quality.
The hotel’s amenities were a pleasant surprise, each designed to enhance the guest experience. My wife and I dined at Bar Louie, where the food was as flavorful as the ambiance was inviting. Additionally, the fitness center, hot tub, and swimming pool provided us with opportunities to unwind and recharge. The hotel truly catered to every aspect of comfort and enjoyment, leaving no detail unattended.
Service That Feels Like Family:
What made this stay particularly memorable was the personal touch. Mr. Kamran and his team didn’t just answer questions—they engaged us with genuine interest and warmth. Whether discussing dining options or pointing out the hotel’s amenities, they made us feel like valued members of their extended family. Their joy in building relationships with guests is both refreshing and rare, creating an atmosphere that is as welcoming as it is professional.
Future Plans:
As we reflect on our stay, we do so with deep gratitude for the people who made it special: Hafsa, Nida, Shameer, and, of course, Mr. Kamran. When we return to Skokie, we’ll undoubtedly return to the Holiday Inn Chicago North Shore (Skokie)—not just for its excellent facilities but because of the exceptional team that turned a simple hotel stay into a cherished memory.
Sincerely,
A grateful couple deeply appreciative of the unparalleled hospitality.
P.S. It seems that Mr. Kamran’s team operates on a motto of “holiday cheer, all year.” We’re now convinced that the Holiday Inn Chicago North Shore (Skokie) delivers more than just a stay—it’s a “Holiday...
Read moreHoliday Inn (A BIG NO). Before making your reservation, please read this review thoroughly to understand the issues I encountered:
Check-in: 06 Jun 2024 Check-out: 07 Jun 2024
I booked this hotel through Priceline and called customer service for more information. I was told I would receive loyalty points and could extend my stay by booking again with those points. However, this information was incorrect because bookings through Priceline do not qualify for loyalty points.
Upon arrival with my parents and other family members, the front desk agent (Nazneen) greeted us with a noticeable lack of hospitality. She appeared to have an attitude and did not smile. She was also seen conversing and laughing with a colleague, which made us feel uncomfortable, as it seemed the topic was about us. When I returned from fetching luggage, she handed over the room keys with the same demeanor. This level of service is unacceptable, especially considering we paid for our stay.
In the room, the lock on the bathroom door was broken. It took 30 minutes for maintenance to arrive, although they fixed it quickly once they did. I appreciate their efficiency, but the initial wait was frustrating.
The microwave in the room was not functional; it did not heat food properly and the plate did not rotate.
I reported these issues to customer service, who contacted the hotel management and provided me with a service request number. During this call, I missed another call from the hotel management, which they did not attempt to reconnect.
First impression: 0 Hotel room: 0 Management: 0
Because of this, I have selected another hotel SUPER 8 near ORD for next day it was bad experience that I had to move and spend my vacation time for moving from one Hotel to another. However, the Super 8 was far better than Holiday Inn.
Our vacation plans were impacted negatively by these experiences. Instead of enjoying our time in Chicago, we had to deal with multiple inconveniences. We choose hotels to enhance our vacation experience, but this stay did the opposite. I hope the necessary actions are taken to improve these issues. Unless there are significant improvements, I cannot recommend Holiday Inn, even though a friend had a positive experience.
I had selected Holiday Inn based on a friend's recommendation, but now I realize that experiences can vary widely based on who you encounter. It felt as though we were treated poorly because we were elder guests and possibly because of language barriers. This raises concerns about discrimination or at least a lack of respect. Hospitality staff should welcome guests warmly and with a smile, regardless of any personal challenges they may face. As someone who has worked in customer service, I know the importance of a positive attitude in face-to-face interactions.
Thank you for starting my vacation on such a disappointing note.
I've also seen many reviews similar to this and Management is not even responding to some reviews this shows how good they are concerned about their customers. When you pay make sure you are getting things you are looking for do not go...
Read moreWe arrived at the property and were promptly checked in. We got to our room and I noticed the room was grimy, not thoroughly cleaned, but hey, I’ve worked house keeping before, it’s a hard job, so I didn’t complain.
First night we got back at 3am from a concert. Went to sleep and got up at 7 to go sight seeing. We ended our day at 3am in the second night. Finally, we got to sleep in. The beds were uncomfortable, but whatever, not every bed is going to be comfortable to every person. The next morning I woke up itchy and with huge welts all over my body. I took a shower and then called my husband in to look at my skin. He comes in to the bathroom and says, I just found a bug on the bed. I shivered with fear. I looked up a picture of a bed bug and asked him if that’s what he saw. He said, yeah, that’s exactly it. I ripped all the coverings off of the bed, and sure enough, there was bed bugs. We gathered all of our items to leave. We still had one more night paid for in that room, but we obviously couldn’t stay there.
I went to the front desk and discretely told the receptionist. She offered to send maintenance up and the maintenance man wanted me to go back in there! I told them there was no way I was going back into that room. They then told me they would have a company come in to prove there was bed bugs and then contact me in a few hours to see if they could give me a “little discount.” I was so appalled, itching all over and frustrated. We just left with the reassurance they would call me with a remedy, since now I had to drive home 8 hours to go wash all my things. I can’t potentially take bed begs to my friends house, or another hotel. I just had to go home a day early. So, I spent the last day of my trip at home washing everything, deep cleaning my vehicle and leathering up my bitten up body with hydrocortisone cream.
Thanks holiday inn, that’s exactly what I had in mind when I paid $500 for a room at your location. At least have a the courtesy to give me a call, refund my room and apologize for the massive headache your bed bugs have caused me. I just pray I didn’t bring them into my home.
What a nightmare.
Do yourself a favor, stay...
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