Best Western University Tower Hotel Hotel - Page 1

Stayed here in Sep. 06, and found it to be more than acceptable for my needs. If you're looking for a very convenient location with neighborhood appeal, this is a good pick.

This Best Western sits on the southern part of Chicago's Evanston suburb. Evanston turned out to be a great place to stay, as it had a lot going for it. There were a wide variety of restaurants (from chain to ethnic spots with Indian and Ethiopian) and shopping to be found just blocks away. A short walk east through the neighborhood brings you right to the shores of Lake Michigan. The area does have its share of homeless wandering through, but I didn't find them menacing.

The hotel itself is a good midgrade, not bare bones, but not full of frills. If you're looking for an included breakfast or piano bar, you're looking for too much here. One nice touch is the availabilty of luggage checking, great for those leaving later, who want to explore Evanston before heading into town to leave town.

Evanston also makes a good home base to explore Chicago using its easy transit access. Word to the wise though, make it out in time to get the peak hour Purple Express or take the METRA line into Union Station. The midday alternative of the Purple to the Red seems to take an eternity.

I would return here, but every date I've checked lately, either the prices have been steep, or the dates are unavailable. If you can get the hotel for a rate of under $110 a night, I would certainly recommend it for the adventurous Chicagoland explorer.

It was more expensive than I was looking for.

The room key computer was broken, but the staff was extremely accommodating at letting us into our room whenever we needed it. Usually our bed is quite comfortable, but this time we had one that was not quite as good. I also remember our coffee maker being a larger size than the one we had this time. The rooms are always clean and stocked properly. The parking garage is convenient and restaurants are close by. There is not a restaurant on site, but there is a breakfast offered that is catered, I believe. It is our preferred hotel in Evanston.

Booked this hotel through an online travel website and was required to pay in advance. Upon arriving, I was informed that my reservation was canceled. I am still fighting the website and Best Western to get my money back.

We didn't know until we checked in that there would be a $14/day charge for parking.

There was a sign on the desk phrased in a somewhat confrontational style stating the extra charges if you came early, stayed late etc. Not exactly a friendly greeting.

They charged $7.81/ person for a miserably luke-warm breakfast. Some items (sausage) tasted like they had been left in the warming pan since the day before. I was surprised that I didn't get ill from that item. The egg and potatoes were really sad. Compare this to Comfort Inns and Suites and you'll NEVER go to this hotel. They overlooked one potential profit item. They forgot to put a coin slot on the elevators