Red Roof Inn DeKalb (IL): Your Perfect DeKalb Getaway Awaits!
Red Roof Inn DeKalb: My DeKalb Getaway Didn't Quite "Await" (But, Hey, It Was Alright!) - A Brutally Honest Review
Okay, look. Red Roof Inn DeKalb promised me a "perfect DeKalb getaway." Let's just say my getaway was more… DeKalb-y. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't exactly a fairytale either. Buckle up, because this review's gonna get REAL.
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- Keywords: Red Roof Inn DeKalb, DeKalb hotels, Northern Illinois University, NIU, budget hotel, accessible hotel, free Wi-Fi, pet-friendly (sort of), DeKalb accommodation, Illinois travel, cheap hotel, comfortable hotel, clean hotel, reviews, hotel review, DeKalb getaway, accessible rooms, daily housekeeping, free parking
- Meta Description: Honest review of the Red Roof Inn DeKalb, Illinois, from a real guest! Find out about accessibility, cleanliness, amenities, and if it's worth your stay. Spoiler: Not perfect, but potentially okay.
Accessibility: (Did They Actually Think About This?)
So, accessibility. This is where things get a little… dicey. The website claimed wheelchair accessibility. I'm not in a wheelchair, but I did notice some potential issues. The ramps were there, thankfully, but the sidewalks leading to the ramps? Not always super smooth. Inside, the hallways seemed wide enough, but I didn't get the sense they’d gone above and beyond. More of a "minimum standard" situation, ya know? I appreciated having the features, but it definitely felt more functional than thoughtfully designed. The elevator was a godsend though, a big win. I do need to mention I saw a couple of rooms being made accessible, i think that’s a great thing.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: Nope. Nada. Zero. You're on your own on that front.
Rooms (The Heart of the Matter, Right?)
My room? Ah, the room. It was… a room. Air conditioning? Check. Coffee/tea maker? Check. The basics were covered. Internet access? They boast about their Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! and there was, indeed, Wi-Fi. It was… fine. Not lightning-fast, but enough to check emails and stream some questionable reality TV. I did appreciate having the daily housekeeping. The room was clean-ish, which is always a plus. Non-smoking rooms? Absolutely, and thank goodness.
Cleanliness and Safety: (COVID Times, Baby!)
Look, I’m not gonna lie, I was a little freaked out about being in a hotel during a pandemic. They made a show of promising all this super strict cleaning. Anti-viral cleaning products? Supposedly. Room sanitization opt-out available? No, they cleaned it, whether I wanted it or not. I definitely saw the hand sanitizer stations, and the staff wore masks religiously. It felt… as safe as a hotel could feel in these uncertain times.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: (My Breakfast Disaster)
Okay, this is where things went sideways. The "complimentary" breakfast was NOT what I’d call a "buffet." No siree. It was a sad little grab-and-go situation. Individually-wrapped food options? Yep. Think pre-packaged muffins, instant oatmeal packets, and watery coffee that tasted suspiciously like sadness. I’m not gonna lie; I skipped breakfast the second day. I would say it was a major let-down. Breakfast service? technically there was a meager attempt, but I am not sure it counts.
In the dining, drinking, and snacking area, they offered a bottle of water - which was nice. I didn’t take advantage of the the coffee shop or the snack bar but they were there.
Services and Conveniences: (The Good, the Bad, and the “Meh”)
The 24-hour front desk was a lifesaver when I locked myself out (don't ask). Cash withdrawal? No, I don’t think so. No currency exchange either. Dry cleaning? Nope. Laundry service? Negative. They did offer luggage storage, which was convenient for my late checkout. The elevator was nice. The car park [free of charge], and the car park [on-site] were great! I did notice the facilities for disabled guests and also did see that there was a smoking area, which I appreciated.
Things to Do: (Beyond the Hotel Walls)
Now, this isn't really on the Red Roof Inn, but it's worth mentioning. DeKalb is… DeKalb. It's not exactly a hotbed of tourist attractions. You're likely there for NIU, which is fine. Things to do? Well, you can hit up the university, go to a couple of small parks, or drive around. I'm not the target demographic for the Kids facilities, Babysitting service, or Family/child friendly. There are also no Spa/sauna or anything of the sort.
For the Kids: (The Little People Factor)
The little ones are probably going to have a better time than me. There is no available, Babysitting service, there is no Kids meal, no Kids facilities, nothing - sorry kids.
Getting Around: (Navigating DeKalb)
You've got the usual options: Car park [free of charge], and Car park [on-site] are awesome, which makes things simple.
My Final Verdict (The Truth, Baby!)
Look, the Red Roof Inn DeKalb isn't a luxury resort. It's a budget-friendly option that gets the job done. It's fine for a quick trip, especially if you're on a budget or visiting NIU. Don’t expect the world, and you won’t be totally disappointed. The cleanliness and safety measures during COVID are a definite plus. The breakfast situation? Well, pack your own snacks.
Would I stay again? Maybe. If I needed an affordable place to crash in DeKalb and didn’t have sky-high expectations, then yes. It wasn't perfect, but it wasn't a disaster either. Just… DeKalb-y.
Uncover Lahan Select Gyeongju's Hidden Gems: Your Gyeongju-si Escape Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups. We're going to DEKALB, Illinois. And frankly? After the week I've had, I need this like I need air. Here's the (highly suspect) itinerary for a stay at the Red Roof Inn & Suites, a place I'm already picturing with a distinct aroma of… well, let’s just say “mystery breakfast buffet.”
DEKALB DETOX: A Hot Mess Itinerary (Because That’s How I Roll)
Day 1: Arrival and Apprehension
2:00 PM: Drive from… wherever I'm coming from (details are fuzzy, okay?). I swear my GPS has a vendetta against me. Always. It’s like it wants me to take the scenic route, complete with questionable roadside attractions and the unwavering hope that my car doesn't spontaneously combust. This whole driving thing? Stressful.
4:00 PM: Arrive at the Red Roof Inn & Suites (crossing fingers for no sketchy characters lurking in the parking lot). Okay, deep breaths. Check-in. Does the lobby look like it's been recently updated? Or is it rocking that classic “80s motel chic” aesthetic? I'm preparing for both outcomes. Praying for a decent coffee machine. Seriously, that's key to my survival.
4:30 PM: Settle in. Room check. Ugh. The last time I stayed in a hotel that smelled like… air freshener trying way too hard… I got sprayed with a literal cockroach (long story, involving tequila and a really bad decision). So, first thing – sniffing the air. Is it… tolerable? Is there a working TV so I can binge watch something ridiculous while I unpack? And most importantly: Is the bed not a death trap?
5:00 PM: DeKalb Discovery (or, more like “Where am I even?”) I'll need to actually, you know, Leave the hotel. I'll get a quick reconnaissance mission to find some food. Hoping for a quaint little diner, preferably staffed by sassy waitresses and serving up a killer burger. Nothing fancy, just comfort food. If I see an old-school arcade, I'm 100% going in.
7:00 PM: Dinner and Doubt. Okay, the diner was… fine. The burger was edible. But the waitress? Bless her heart, she seemed like she hadn’t slept since Y2K. Now, back to the hotel. Maybe a glass of wine and a good book. Or maybe just staring into the abyss of the TV screen, contemplating the meaning of life. Either way, it's going to be a long night.
Day 2: Adventures in Awkward and Over-the-Top
8:00 AM: Rise and Regret. Breakfast. Oh, god. The hotel buffet. This is where I'm bracing myself. Hopefully, they at least have some mediocre instant coffee. No, scratch that. Praying for some decent coffee. And maybe, just maybe, if I'm really lucky, some slightly-less-stale pastries. Gotta gear up for the day!
9:00 AM: Northern Illinois University (NIU) Campus Tour (or, "Pretending to be a Student again"). I’m not sure why I thought this was a good idea, but here we are. I'm imagining myself wandering around, trying to look like I totally belong, while secretly feeling like a confused tourist who is probably too old for this. Maybe I'll try to blend in… wear a hoodie, a backpack, pretend to be super-involved in learning. The question is: Will anyone buy it? Prepare for epic awkwardness.
12:00 PM: Lunch at a "Local Favorite" (According to Google). Yelp reviews are a mixed bag of truth and lies, I've learned. I'll embrace the ambiguity. I found a place called "Hillside Restaurant" – and apparently, it's legendary. Expectation: A hole-in-the-wall that actually serves amazing food. Reality: Probably something completely different. I'm prepared for anything…even the disappointment. And that’s when things get interesting…
- Side Note: During Lunch
- The food at Hillside was actually… pretty decent. Turns out the reviews were right, sort of. The wait was long, the service a little slow, but still.
- The waitresses? Full of charm, and the local regulars felt like family. I didn't think I wanted any of it, but after that, I felt much happier.
- The jukebox, the music, everything about it. I was smiling.
- What I didn’t expect was to see how many people come in and out. The food wasn’t just food. It was community. And the next thing I know, I was chatting with other locals and laughing.
- I’m tearing up again, thinking about how I had a bad day yesterday. That’s when I realize… The best part of the trip? The messy, unexpected connections, the feeling of belonging. It wasn’t about the perfect itinerary, or the ideal hotel room. It was about this… this tiny restaurant, and all of its imperfections, and the happiness of being fully present.
- Side Note: During Lunch
2:00 PM: "Local Attraction" Hopping. Whatever the local brochures declare as "must-sees." Probably museums, a park, a historical building. I’ll feign interest. Try to be cultured. Fail hilariously.
5:00 PM: Back to the Hotel. Rest and Recover. Because let's be real, this… "adventure" is exhausting. Time for a nap. Or a long, luxurious bath. Or just staring at the ceiling, wrestling with the existential dread of modern life. One of those.
7:00 PM: Dinner and Reflections. Hopefully, something less… emotionally intense than lunch. Maybe a nice, quiet room service dinner at the Red Roof itself. This is the part where I decide if this trip was a miserable failure or a pleasant surprise.
Day 3: The Escape
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. Praying for new options. It's the last one, so the best one, even if it's the worst.
- 9:00 AM: Packing and Checking Out. Trying to remember everything. Am I forgetting something? Did I get a souvenir? I'm getting ready to get out of here.
- 10:00 AM: The Long Drive Home. Saying a silent goodbye to DeKalb.
- 12:00 PM: Finally Home.
Final Thoughts:
Look, the actual "perfect" trip? It very rarely exists. But this? This is my version of the perfect trip. It’s about those small moments, the unexpected connections, the hilarious failures… and the coffee, of course. Always the coffee.
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