Tru By Hilton Naperville Chicago

“Come for the Lobby, Stay for the Coffee, Escape to Cracker Barrel”

This hotel is like if IKEA and a candy store had a baby. The lobby is modern, colorful, and full of quirky seating options that practically beg you to plop down and pretend you’re cooler than you are. Big TVs, a pool table, board games, coloring books for kids, and most importantly a 24/7 snack bar… more

This hotel is like if IKEA and a candy store had a baby. The lobby is modern, colorful, and full of quirky seating options that practically beg you to plop down and pretend you’re cooler than you are. Big TVs, a pool table, board games, coloring books for kids, and most importantly a 24/7 snack bar. (Pro tip: bring your life savings if you plan to buy the ice cream. My son fell in love with it, and one little cup cost us $4. Think “movie theater prices,” but without the free sticky floors.) Bonus points for the secret paved path that leads straight to Cracker Barrel ~ biscuits, rocking chairs, and prices that don’t make you weep like the snack bar does. We booked the room so our son could swim, but let’s talk about rooms. They’re…fine. Basic. Not “wow,” but not “yikes” either. Ours had two queen beds, one lonely chair, and a bench under the TV. Translation: if four people stay here, someone’s eating dinner cross-legged on the bed like it’s a picnic blanket. Beds? Serviceable. AC? Arctic blast approved. Water pressure? Strong enough to knock regrets off your shoulders. But housekeeping? Let’s just say I found enough crumbs behind the bed to make a trail for Hansel and Gretel. I bring Clorox wipes to every hotel to wipe down high-touch surfaces, and after cleaning our room, they looked like my kids’ socks after recess. The pool area was actually pretty solid. New-ish, clear water, not humid enough to suffocate you while supervising the kids. Depth ranges from “toddler splash zone” to “just deep enough to lose your sunglasses.” There’s a little couch for lounging, a bathroom with a changing table, and plenty of towels. Sadly, no swim-up bar, but hey, it’s Hilton, not Vegas. Breakfast was…meh. They had a variety of breakfast foods, technically. A sluggish pancake machine that tests your patience, sausage links, hard-boiled eggs, cereal, fruit, toast, and mini omelets. But no waffle maker. And that, my friends, is a crime against humanity. The coffee, however, was my redemption arc. They brew Lavazza, smooth, bold, basically angel tears in a cup, and I believe it’s available on tap all day. Bless them for knowing caffeine is a round-the-clock emergency. Staff were friendly and we never had to ask for anything, though I almost asked for a broom to sweep up previous guest crumbs. Instead, I decided to live dangerously since they seemed to be swept up against the back wall. Most of our time was happily spent in the pool, lobby, or sitting outside under the twinkle lights. Beautiful September night, no fire pit required. Which is good, because they didn’t have one anyway. Bottom line: cheap(ish), cheerful lobby, good pool, snack bar that’ll drain your bank account, and rooms where the vibe is “clean-ish.” Would I stay again? Sure. Would I wipe down everything like I’m prepping for surgery? Absolutely.

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“Safe but overall mediocre”

Safe & clean, very mediocre breakfast, no microwave in room, friendly staff. 3* rating due to I don't feel it is worth 200$ a night compared to other places I have stayed, but I know theres something to be said for paying for safety. No microwave in room is something I haven't experienced in a very… more

Safe & clean, very mediocre breakfast, no microwave in room, friendly staff. 3* rating due to I don't feel it is worth 200$ a night compared to other places I have stayed, but I know theres something to be said for paying for safety. No microwave in room is something I haven't experienced in a very long time.

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