Escape to Starved Rock: Your Days Inn Awaits!
Escape to Starved Rock: Days Inn? More Like Days Off… (A Messy Review)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I just got back from a… ahem …experience at the Days Inn near Starved Rock State Park. Let’s just say, reviewing this place felt like trying to herd cats with a rusty spoon. But hey, that's life, right? So, here's the lowdown, warts and all, and trust me, there were warts. Lots.
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First Impressions & The Big Picture:
Right off the bat, let's address the elephant in the room: it's a Days Inn. Manage your expectations. Think… slightly upgraded highway stop. This is not a Four Seasons. It’s not even a Holiday Inn Express (which, let's be honest, is the gold standard of mid-range lodging). But hey, you’re there for Starved Rock, right? That majestic, jaw-dropping natural wonder? Good. Because that's the only reason I'm giving this place a B-.
Accessibility: The Hero, Sort Of
Okay, here’s a win! They claim to be wheelchair accessible, and for the most part, they deliver. (Wheelchair accessible, Facilities for disabled guests, Elevator) The main areas – the lobby, the restaurant (more on that later), and at least some of the rooms - are accessible. I saw elevators. The pathways seemed okay. But, and there’s always a but, the details are… well, they could use some work. Getting into some areas was slightly clunky, like an old, poorly-made YouTube video. They tried, bless their corporate hearts. So, Accessibility: progressively better than expected.
Rooms: The Good, The Bad, and the Mysteriously Unexplained Stain
My room? (Available in all rooms, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Desk, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Smoke detector, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens, Extra long bed) Okay, here's where it gets messy. Bed was comfy enough (Extra long bed), which is always a blessing. Free Wifi? Excellent. (Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet access – wireless, Internet) Though I did have to, after a long drive, spend a frustrating 20 minutes working on the connection. The air conditioning worked – thankfully, it was a heat advisory weekend! (Air conditioning) The bathroom was… functional. The rest of the room? Cleanish. Except for, and I swear this is true, a mysterious, vaguely circular stain on the carpet that resembled something between a coffee spill and a crime scene. I chose not to investigate. (Daily housekeeping)
Cleanliness & Safety: Sanitized! …Mostly?
They’re trying. (Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment) The "Daily Disinfection," and "Rooms Sanitized Between Stays" signs were everywhere. And, they had the little bottles of hand sanitizer, which, you know, appreciated in these crazy times. Still, I caught myself constantly wiping things down. My own obsessive-compulsive tendencies, or legit concern? You be the judge!
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: The Buffet… oh, the Buffet…
Okay, let's talk food. The "restaurant" is a… situation. (Restaurants, Breakfast [buffet], Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, Poolside bar, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant) They offered (wait for it…) a buffet. Now, I'm not a buffet snob, but this one was… memorable. Think lukewarm eggs, rubbery bacon, and a questionable fruit salad that looked like it had been through the trenches of a food fight. The coffee? Weak. The service? …Well, let’s just say the staff tried to be cheerful despite the circumstances. The Poolside Bar? I think they had it closed during my entire stay.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Dreams… Crushed.
They advertised a spa. (Spa, Spa/sauna, Sauna, Steamroom, Massage, Body scrub, Foot bath, Body wrap) I was picturing a massage after a long day of hiking. Bliss! I envisioned a hot tub under the stars. But reality? There was some spa stuff. It just seemed to be… closed. Or… deserted. I asked the front desk, and the shrug I got was the most honest answer I received all weekend. So, scratch the spa.
Fitness Center: A Little Bit of Gym
My expectations for the fitness center were low. (Fitness center, Gym/fitness) It was… not great, but better than nothing. It had (I think) two treadmills, a bike, and some weights that looked like they'd been through a war. It worked, and that's something, right?
Internet: Connected… Sometimes
The Wi-Fi, which was supposed to be free, was a nightmare. (Internet, Internet access – LAN, Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas, Wi-Fi for special events, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!) I spent more time trying to get connected than I spent actually connected. Finally, I gave up and used my phone hotspot.
Services & Conveniences: A Mixed Bag
** (Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center)** The staff was… trying. Contactless check-in was… okay. They offered a convenience store, which mostly had overpriced snacks. Luggage storage was available, and the elevators worked. The doorman? Absent. The concierge? MIA.
For the Kids: A Welcoming Gesture
** (Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal)** The hotel seemed genuinely happy to have families. They offered kids’ meals (I didn’t try them, thank goodness).
Getting Around: Easy Peasy
** (Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking)** The free parking? A definite plus. It was easy to get in and out. I didn't try any of the other services, but the basics were easy.
The Emotional Rollercoaster:
Look, I went in with low expectations, and I mostly got what I expected. The Days Inn near Starved Rock isn't going to blow your socks off. It's not luxurious. It's not a destination in itself. But it's there. It's close to the park. And, in the grand scheme of things, it was a place to crash after a long day of hiking. The hotel had a “vibe” of “trying hard” that was both endearing and depressing.
The Verdict:
Would I stay here again? Possibly. If I was on a budget and absolutely needed to be near Starved Rock and couldn't find a better deal. But I'd brace myself for the buffet, bring my own cleaning supplies, and pack a good book. It’s functional, with a few hiccups. Just, prepare yourself for the Days Off… in your own way. My advice? Lower the bar, and bring a strong dose of humor. This place is a journey, not a vacation.
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Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This ain't your grandma's pristine travel brochure. This is MY Oglesby/Starved Rock adventure, and it’s gonna get messy, I can tell you that much. And yeah, we're staying at the Days Inn. Hey, it's where the adventure starts, alright? (Besides, I'm betting the continental breakfast has those weird, individually wrapped muffins that are magically both stale and somehow also slightly moist. Can't wait.)
Day 1: Arrival and… Oh God, Is That a Squirrel?
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at the Days Inn. Check-in. I swear, the guy at the front desk looked like he'd seen things. Like… a lot of things. "Enjoy your stay," he mumbled, eyes glazed over. I'm already feeling the weight of my life choices. The room? It’s…a room. Let’s just say the decor screams "Early 2000s motel chic." And yes, I immediately checked for bed bugs. Because, you know. Priorities.
- 1:30 PM: Unpacked (mostly). Then sat. Stared at the TV. You know, the kind of staring where you process absolutely nothing but are fully aware of all the flickering pixels right in front of your face. This is the "pre-adventure" state, a crucial part of any successful trip, I’ve found.
- 2:00 PM: Attempt to leave the hotel. Get thwarted by a squirrel. A HUGE squirrel. Okay, maybe it wasn't THAT huge, but it was definitely eyeballing my bag of chips. Squirrels: they're everywhere and they're judging you. I made eye contact, the squirrel froze for like, five seconds, then darted off. Victory! (And chip-related anxiety.)
- 2:30 PM: The mandatory Starved Rock trip. (I'm pretty sure it's illegal not to go.) Parking… a nightmare. Actually, the entire parking lot was a free-for-all. A chaotic dance of SUVs and minivans. Found a spot… after circling for an hour. Worth it, I guess. This place is pretty. The views are amazing, the trails relatively easy. I’d give it a solid “pretty good, almost relaxing”, but I started getting dizzy a little bit, it's the heat and all the walking, but that's good, really good. I liked walking, it helps with my back, and I swear I saw some teenagers holding hands and laughing. It almost felt like I was back in the middle school, how sweet. On the upside, I got to see a waterfall!
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at "The Lone Buffalo." (Okay, the name is pure Illinois, I love it.) Ordered the burger. It was… adequate. Not life-changing, but solid sustenance after all that waterfall gawking. The service was friendly, the beer cold. Feeling a bit of a glow.
- 7:30 PM: Back to the room. Watched some mindless TV. Felt a profound sense of… nothingness. The pure bliss of not having to do anything. This is what vacations are about, right? (And not having to think about that squirrel.)
- 9:00 PM: Stare. Not at the TV, this time. Looking out the window. The parking lot. The lights. The complete and utter quiet. It's actually kind of lovely. Maybe Oglesby isn't so bad after all? (But I'm still checking for bed bugs.)
Day 2: Nature's Embrace (and a Near-Death Experience with a Leaf Blower)
- 8:00 AM: Continental breakfast time! The muffins? The ones I described! Not stale, not moist. I had to try one. It was… a thing. They are their own category of snack food. Accompanied the muffin with coffee that most likely has more chemical make up than coffee taste.
- 9:00 AM: More Starved Rock. Trying a different trail. This time, I'll wear hiking shoes. I didn't the first time. So much regret. Did I mention it's hot? I feel like I'm sweating from pores I didn't even know I had. The views, again, are undeniably gorgeous. The air smells like… trees and dirt. Real earthy, and it makes you feel alive!
- 10:00 AM: Oh, the Leaf Blower. While trying to take a photo of a particularly glorious rock the wind started to blow very, very fast and strong in that area. Maybe it's the heat, but I swear, a guy with a leaf blower almost took me out! I barely dodged him! Talk about an adrenaline rush. Seriously considered writing a strongly worded Yelp review about the dangers of rogue leaf blowers in national parks until I noticed how sweaty I still was.
- 11:00 AM: Trying another trail. This one, a bit less crowded. And I found a few wildflowers. It's moments like these that make you see beauty in the world, am I right?
- 12:00 PM: Attempted to eat lunch in the park but was mercilessly attacked by flies. They were relentless. Caved. Decided to retreat inside and enjoy a much-needed air-conditioned experience.
- 1:00 PM: More mindless TV. Recharged my brain with this amazing feeling.
- 2:00 PM: Headed back to Starved Rock. Decided to spend the rest of the afternoon walking. The park is just so vast, and the views just keep on getting prettier. While I was there I sat down for a while, and just watched people. Children playing and their parents in the background. Lovers holding hands, couples walking together, and some people alone like me. Made me have a good, deep sense of peace. I should do this more often.
- 4:00 PM: The time of day that the heat's start to die. Decided to check out the nearby park.
- 6:00 PM: Decided to have dinner in the hotel room. A feast? Nothing special. But I was tired from all the walking. The food was a mix of things, and I can say that the taste was… ok. It was food, and I was happy.
- 7:00 PM: Stared again. Window. The heat's finally gone. I was at peace with that.
Day 3: Departure and Existential Dread (the Usual)
- 9:00 AM: Same continental breakfast. Muffin? Nope. Not today.
- 9:30 AM: Check out. The guy at the front desk seemed even more glazed over than before. I almost felt bad for him. Almost.
- 10:00 AM: Hit the road. The drive home. The comedown. The realization that I have to go back to work, the things I really wouldn't want to. My brain just kept screaming "I need a vacation from this vacation!"
- 11:00 AM: Stopped for, of course, a coffee and a long, sad look at a gas station bathroom. (Always a highlight of the road trip experience.)
- 12:00 PM: Home. Unpacked. Started laundry. Already planning my next escape, probably when I wake up tomorrow.
Okay, so Oglesby/Starved Rock wasn't the tropical paradise of my dreams. But it was… something. A little messy, a little sweaty, a little squirrel-filled. And, you know what? I wouldn't have traded it for anything. It was enough. For now. Until the next adventure.
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Escape to Starved Rock: Your Days Inn Awaits! (Or Does It?) - A Rambling FAQ
So, what *is* this "Escape to Starved Rock" thing? Is it some kind of… actual escape? Like, break-out-of-jail escape?
Hah! Wishful thinking, friend. No, no handcuffs or daring rooftop leaps. This, my friend, is about escaping… your life. Or, at least, a few days of it. It's a marketing thing, see? They want you to come to Starved Rock State Park, which is gorgeous by the way - those canyons are breathtaking! - and stay at a Days Inn. So, yeah, the 'escape' is from the daily grind, not the law (hopefully).
I, personally, escaped the mountain of laundry building up in my apartment. It's a win, in my book.
Okay, sounds… vague. What's the Days Inn *actually* like? Don't sugarcoat it. I'm picturing… questionable carpet stains and questionable air freshener, aren't I?
Alright, look, let's be real. It's a *Days Inn*. It's not the Ritz. It's not even a Motel 6 (no offense to them, either!). The carpet? Well… let's just say, I wouldn't eat off it. And the air freshener? That's a crapshoot. Sometimes it's floral assault, sometimes it's… well, it's trying.
But! Hear me out. My last stay had a perfectly functional, if slightly underwhelming, shower. And the *bed*…oh, the bed was a solid 7/10. Firm enough, not lumpy. A good, clean place to collapse after a day of hiking, which, by the way, is what you *actually* came for.
One BIG (minor) caveat: the elevator. It's slow. Seriously, I was convinced I could've walked to the top faster by the time it got to my floor. And the beeping when it's close to the floor? *Shudder*.
Is the breakfast… palatable? Or should I just pack a box of granola bars and resign myself to sadness?
Okay, the breakfast… alright, let's be honest. "Breakfast" is a generous term. You get the standard continental fare - cereal that probably tastes like cardboard, (possibly) stale pastries, maybe some sad, overcooked eggs, and of course, the glorious, self-serve waffle maker. Which, by the way, is a must-do. Even if the waffle itself is… well, a waffle. It’s the *experience*. The hope of a perfectly cooked, golden-brown masterpiece.
My advice? Pack a decent protein bar *and* hit that waffle maker. Embrace the mediocrity, find the funny side, and load up on the coffee. Coffee is the one true constant in all Days Inns and, frankly, the best part of waking up.
What's the deal with Starved Rock State Park itself? Is it worth the trip? Seriously. Be honest.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! YES. YES, A THOUSAND TIMES YES! Starved Rock is freaking gorgeous. Seriously, my jaw dropped when I first saw those canyons carved out by glaciers and water. You hike, you see waterfalls (hopefully – it depends on the time of year and the amount of rain), you breathe fresh air, you get away from everything.
My first time, I nearly twisted my ankle (I'm not graceful) scrambling down a slippery trail, but the view from the bottom? Worth it. The second time, I wore better boots and actually made it to the top without incident. (I think I was extra cautious after the first time.) Do yourself a favor and GET OUT THERE. Just, maybe pack some ibuprofen for your muscles afterwards.
A tip: Go during the week if you can. Weekends are *packed*. You'll be jostling for space with a million other people all trying to take the same Instagram-worthy photo.
Are there any other things to do in the area besides hiking? I'm not sure I can hike for *days* straight.
Smart. Yeah, hiking all day every day can get a little… intense. Luckily, there are options. Some of it is touristy stuff, like the shops that hawk all sorts of Starved Rock/canyon-themed souvenirs (I saw one that had a "Starved Rock Rocks" t-shirt, which I'm still, to this day, considering...). You could check out some of the nearby towns; Utica is cute. Apparently there are wineries and… oh, god, I think there was a haunted house? I don't do haunted houses. I *do* do pizza - and there's at least one decent pizza place nearby. (Research is your friend.)
Honestly, the main draw is really the park, the waterfalls, and getting away from the dang screens. .
What's the wifi situation like? Because, you know... gotta stay connected, sadly.
Ah, the ever-present internet. The wifi is… well, again, it's a Days Inn. It's not blazing fast. It works. Sometimes. Let's just say, don't plan on streaming HD movies. I could usually check emails, doomscroll a bit, and post a couple of blurry photos to Instagram. I wouldn't count on it for a serious work-from-hotel situation.
My personal experience? I once tried to upload a video of a waterfall (the *real* reason for the trip, let's be honest) and it took… forever. I ended up giving up and just enjoying the waterfall, you know, in real life. It was probably for the best. Perhaps a blessing.
Any tips for making the most of my "Escape"?
Okay, wisdom time. Here's the gospel of "Escape to Starved Rock (and that Days Inn)":
- Embrace the Mediocrity: Don't go expecting luxury. Go expecting a clean-ish bed, a questionable breakfast, and a good location. Lower those expectations. You'll be pleasantly surprised (maybe!).
- Pack Smart: Comfy hiking shoes (essential!), layers (weather can change fast), and snacks (life-saving). A good book for downtime. Maybe earplugs, if you're a light sleeper.
- Get Out There: Starved Rock is the whole reason you're going. Explore! Get lost! Take a deep breath of that fresh, clean air!
- The Waffle Maker Rule: Follow it. Do it.
- Don't Expect Perfection: Things *will* go wrong. The elevator *will* be slow. The air freshener *will* be intense. Just roll with it. Hotel Hop Now
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