Unbelievable Chicago Getaway: Marriott Schaumburg Luxury Awaits!
Unbelievable Chicago Getaway: Marriott Schaumburg Luxury Awaits! - A Review That's Actually Real (and a Little Messy)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I just got back from the Marriott Schaumburg, and honestly? My brain is still buzzing. “Luxury Awaits” they say? Well, it's more like "Luxury-ish and Chaos Abounds!" (in a good way, mostly). This review? It’s going to be less polished travel brochure and more… well, me. So, here we go…
Accessibility: They REALLY try. But…
Right off the bat, I gotta say, they try with the accessibility. The website promises a lot, and the lobby looks accessible – ramps, wide doors, the whole shebang. But then… and there’s always a “but,” right? The walk to the elevator from the (very spacious, I’ll give them that) check-in desk felt like a marathon. And the "accessible" room… well, let's just say maneuvering a wheelchair around the furniture was a game of Tetris I didn't sign up for. They've got the basics down, but definitely could use a little more, shall we say, thoughtfulness in the execution. They do have accessible rooms, and that counts for something.
On-site Accessible Restaurants / Lounges: A Mixed Bag, to Say the Least
The website claimed accessible dining, but navigating tables with a mobility device… let's just say you’ll need a good team. The main restaurant, which I believe was… wait, hold on, I need to check my notes… ah yes, Seasons 52 (or something like that, the names blur, okay?) was mostly fine but again, maneuvering around the seating could be a challenge. But their bar? The bar felt more spacious! Accessibility can be a feature not a bug… I will say their staff was always helpful, which can make ALL the difference.
Wheelchair Accessible: As mentioned, it's hit or miss. Needs a little more work.
Internet Access: Bless Their Hearts, It's Free!
YES! Free Wi-Fi in the rooms! And it actually… worked most of the time! I used it for streaming, uploading selfies (duh), and… well, working (ugh). No complaints there. They also offer internet [LAN] but… who even uses that anymore? Honestly, I'm too old for wires.
Internet Services & Wi-Fi in Public Areas: Ditto. Consistent and appreciated.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: The Pool (and the Spa) - My Happy Place
Okay, this is where things took a seriously good turn. The swimming pool [outdoor] was gorgeous, even though it was a little chilly, and then inside the pool was a pool with a view (how awesome), the steam room was heavenly (and honestly, I could've spent all day in there), and the sauna… oh, the sauna. I am a sauna fiend. I've been to saunas all over the world and this one was pretty darn good. The spa was so relaxing I almost fell asleep in the waiting room. The massage was amazing. I did the body scrub and body wrap and honestly, I felt like a new person! They also had a fitness center, which I glanced at, then promptly decided to relax by the pool instead. (Priorities, people!)
Cleanliness and Safety: They’re Trying (Really, Really Trying)
The hotel clearly invested a lot in the whole "cleanliness and safety" thing. They had anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, hand sanitizer everywhere (I mean, everywhere), and staff were definitely in the know for a lot of things. The extra touches like sanitized kitchen and tableware items which were cool. I also noticed some: Individually-wrapped food options which were okay, and the physical distancing of at least 1 meter was generally adhered to. Rooms sanitized between stays gave me peace of mind. And it’s safe to assume that the staff trained in safety protocol. And the Hot water linen and laundry washing and the Professional-grade sanitizing services, it all adds up.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Seasons 52 (or whatever), and More
Restaurants: As I said before, Seasons 52 (or whatever) was decent, I had salad in restaurant and it was tasty. Poolside bar: Definitely a plus! Cocktails by the pool – what's not to love?
Bar: The bar area was a lot of fun, with a good selection of drinks. The Happy hour was a steal.
Breakfast: Yes, please! Breakfast in room Yes!
Services and Conveniences: The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Confusing
The 24-hour front desk was a lifesaver when I realized I’d locked myself out of my room at 2 AM (oops). They also had a concierge, which was helpful with getting directions and making restaurant reservations.
For the kids I saw some families, so they could have fun. They also have Babysitting service
Available in all rooms: They had Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Desk, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Mini bar, Private bathroom, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Smoke alarm, Telephone, Toiletries, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], and Window that opens.
My overall reaction: I would recommend for their pool, spa and that the staff trained in safety protocol and Hand sanitizer everywhere! I found myself in a great space when I went here and met with a bunch of friendly people and staff. There were some hiccups with accessibility, but the staff were helpful and the amenities? Top-notch.
Final Verdict: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (out of 5)
Escape to Paradise: Courtyard Mt. Laurel's Cherry Hill Oasis Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This ain't your grandma's travel itinerary. This is… my itinerary for a stay at the Chicago Marriott Schaumburg. Honestly, the sheer mention of Schaumburg makes me want to grab a coffee. (Which, spoiler alert, I probably did. Multiple times.) Here we go:
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Pretzel Debacle
1:00 PM: Arrive at O'Hare. Ugh, O'Hare. Pray for me. I’m usually a complete mess at airports. I mean, seriously, who designed those security lines? Anyway, taxi to the Chicago Marriott Schaumburg. Hopefully, the driver isn't one of those talkative types. I prefer silence to assess the situation and mentally prepare for…Schaumburg.
2:00 PM: Check-in. Cross fingers for a decent room. And a working elevator. (I'm starting to realize I have a lot of minor anxieties.)
2:30 PM: Unpack. Or, you know, attempt to unpack. I'm terrible at this. My suitcase is usually a chaotic explosion of clothes, chargers, and who-knows-what-else. I'll probably end up living out of it.
3:00 PM: The Grand Ambition: Find a snack. Pretzels! I'm suddenly craving pretzels like I've never craved anything before. The website said there was a snack shop in the hotel. So, I'm off to a quest for pretzels.
- 3:15 PM: I found it. The "snack shop". Okay, it's more like a glorified vending machine area. There were no pretzels. NO PRETZELS. I'm heartbroken. I blame the lack of pretzels for the rest of the afternoon. I'll find pretzels somewhere, somehow.
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Explore the hotel. Gym, anyone? Probably not. The pool? Maybe. I'll be honest, I'm probably going to end up just wandering around, getting slightly lost, and feeling vaguely underwhelmed. This is the expectation.
6:30 PM: Dinner at… hmm. There's a hotel restaurant. Or restaurants right outside the hotel. I'll decide when I'm ravenous. But I'm committed to a greasy-spoon adventure. More on that later.
7:30 PM: Post-dinner wander. Maybe I'll try and find those pretzels out and about. Failure is not an option.
- 7:45 PM: Okay, I may have found pretzels. Small pretzels.
8:30 PM: Back in the room. Possibly watch some TV. Or stare at the ceiling. Or eat all the pretzels.
9:30 PM: Attempt to get some sleep. A good night's sleep is essential for a successful trip. (Famous last words, right?)
Day 2: The Mall, the Coffee, and a Moment of Contemplation (aka, the "What Am I Doing With My Life?" Phase)
7:00 AM: Wake up. Hopefully. The alarm is a fickle mistress. Coffee. Always coffee.
- 8:00 AM: Coffee acquired! Coffee shop outside the hotel is key. Now let's see. It's time to take a deep breath. I'm off to Woodfield Mall. Or, the "Mall of Existential Dread," as I'm now calling it.
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Woodfield Mall. The mission is to find something interesting in Woodfield Mall. The real mission is to survive the crowds and not buy anything I don't need. This is going to be difficult. The shopping centre has a whole bunch of things I don't understand.
12:00 PM: Lunch. This is when things get dicey. My choices are endless. The only certainty is I'm going to overeat.
1:00 PM: Retreat to cafe. Get a coffee (again) to recover after the mall. I always get an urge to write at cafes. Just me? Write down what I see. Write down what I'm feeling.
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Quiet time. Just. Breathe. Reflect. Contemplate the meaning of… pretzels. Consider booking a massage. (Tempting.) Maybe read a book, pretending I'm incredibly cultured and not just desperately trying to escape the crushing weight of… well, of everything.
5:00 PM: Dinner. Somewhere casual. Burgers? Pizza? The options are overwhelming.
6:00 PM: Evening stroll. Maybe try to find a park. Admire the sunset. Maybe find a bench. Or just stare at the sky for a bit. This is getting deep.
7:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Time to stare at the ceiling.
8:00 PM: Consider the possibility of an early night.
Day 3: Departure and Existential Reflections on Pretzels
7:00 AM: Wake up. I miss the pretzels.
8:00 AM: Final coffee run. Gotta fuel up for the journey home.
9:00 AM: Check out. Pray the bill doesn't give me a heart attack.
10:00 AM: Taxi to O'Hare. Repeat the airport craziness.
11:00 AM - Until I reach my home: Reflect on the trip. What was the one thing I will remember? The pretzels. That's the one thing I will remember.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: In the airport, and I'm still thinking of pretzels.
Whenever I get home, I'm eating a pretzel.
Final Thoughts:
This itinerary is, of course, subject to change. Spontaneity is key, right? And the best-laid plans often go spectacularly wrong. But hey, that’s what makes a trip, a trip, right? Now, about those pretzels…
Dallas Luxury Getaway: Unbelievable La Quinta Inn & Suites Deal!
What's the deal with... mornings? (Honestly, I need a pep talk.)
Ugh, mornings. Don't even GET me started. My ideal morning? Waking up in a field of kittens, who then bring me coffee and croissants. REALITY? My alarm blares that infernal song I swore I loved but now actively HATE, I trip over the cat (who, by the way, is judging me), and I spend half my morning trying to convince myself that I *don't* need to call in sick. It's a daily battle, folks. The only thing keeping me going is the *promise* of coffee. Seriously, coffee is my lifeblood.
How do you deal with... overwhelming to-do lists? (Because they're breathing down my neck.)
Okay, so here's the truth: I DON'T always deal. Sometimes, the list *wins*. Sometimes, I just curl up into a fetal position and pretend the world doesn't exist. But, when I actually MANAGE to be a functioning human, here's the method to the madness: I break it down! Like, REALLY break it down. Instead of "Clean the house," it becomes "Wipe the kitchen counter," "Sweep the living room," "Avoid eye contact with the mountain of laundry." Baby steps, people, baby steps. And if I only get ONE thing done? WIN! Honestly, that's how I get through.
What's the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you? (Spill the tea!)
Okay, okay, brace yourselves. This is a doozy. Picture this: a high school talent show. Me, brimming with youthful confidence (and heavily teased hair), attempting to perform a dramatically choreographed dance to... wait for it... "I Will Survive." Yes, I know. The irony is not lost on me now. Anyway, halfway through, my shoe flew off. Not just *slipped* off. Like, rocketed off. It landed, with a resounding *thwack*, right in the middle of Mrs. Henderson's perfectly coiffed bouffant. Mrs. Henderson was, at the time, the principal's wife and a woman who did not suffer fools gladly. The ensuing silence was deafening. My face? A blazing inferno. The rest of the dance? A blur of mortification and a desperate attempt to retrieve my rogue footwear. I ran off stage and cried. Then, I laughed. Because, well, what else could I do? The memory still makes me cringe, but also burst into uncontrollable giggles. It's... complicated.
What's your go-to comfort food? (Asking for a friend... meaning me.)
Oh, comfort food. Now we're talking! My soul food is a giant bowl of spaghetti and meatballs, swimming in marinara, and topped with way too much Parmesan cheese. It’s the simple things, you know? It's like a warm hug on a plate. Doesn’t matter if your day went to hell, a heaping plate of carbs and tomato always fixed it for me. Even now, I can almost *feel* the comfort just thinking about it.
Okay, but like... how do you handle *actual* problems? You know, the grown-up kind?
Honestly? Badly. Kidding! (Mostly). Look, I'm not a superhero. Real problems? They're the worst. I have to remind myself to breathe, first and foremost. Then, I try to break the problem down into manageable pieces (like my to-do lists, but with more anxiety). I talk it out – with friends, family, even my cat (who, surprisingly, sometimes offers insightful, if somewhat purr-based, advice). Sometimes I just cry. And you know what? That's okay too. We're all a work in progress, you know? Things go wrong. That's life. The important thing is to allow yourself to go through the emotions, get back up, and try again. Or, you know, give up and eat pasta.
What's the weirdest thing you've ever believed in? (Don't be shy!)
Oh, this is a good one! When I was about... eight? Nine? I was CONVINCED that the moon was made of cheese. Not *just* cheese, but like... a giant, cosmic wheel of cheddar. I spent a good portion of my childhood devising elaborate plans to get there. (My parents were not amused.) I even wrote a letter to NASA, detailing my cheese-harvesting strategy. They didn't respond. Obviously, because they were jealous of my genius. The funny thing is, I *still* look at the moon sometimes and think, "Hmm... maybe?" Okay, maybe not. But still. Cheese.
What's the one thing you wish people understood about you? (Get deep with it.)
That I'm trying. All the time. Even when I'm messy, even when I screw up royally, *I'm trying*. And that's what I want people to see. The effort. The hustle. The, often hilarious, train wrecks along the way. Because behind it is the heart of someone who is trying to figure it out. And yeah, sometimes I might be a bit of a hot mess. But hey, who isn't? I’ll spill it, but I’m not ashamed.
Let's say you could have ANY superpower… what would it be? (And don't say "being able to fly.")
Okay, no flight. Hmm… I'd want the ability to instantly clean any room I walked into. Not just tidy it, CLEAN it. Like, germ-free, dust-bunny-vanquishing CLEAN. Imagine the possibilities! I could conquer my own messy house. I could be the hero of the perpetually-untidy friends' houses. I could start a world-saving cleaning service! And, best of all, I wouldn't have to spend my weekends scrubbing toilets. Yeah, that’s the superpower for me. It would be so *satisfying*.
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