Spark by Hilton Des Plaines Chicago O'Hare

My flight was delayed and I missed my connection in Chicago. The airline provided me with a hotel room here (I had to insist - they try to tell you that they can't do that). After I got the voucher, I looked up reviews of this hotel and was pretty worried about all the one-stars. Shuttle: they offer shuttle service, and the van that they have se is about a 10-seater. It took me awhile to find where to go, so if you're reading this while still in the airport, go to Terminal 2 on the second level and walk to 2A. I stood waiting for awhile and then called the hotel to ask when I might expect it. The agent told me the driver was there and she'd send him over. He arrived 15 minutes later and was very kind and helpful. So my advice is to call the hotel and request that the shuttle be sent. Check in: I arrived at about 6 pm and the two people at the desk greeted me and got me checked in right away. They were friendly and made sure to find out what time I needed the shuttle in the morning. Room: it was clean and comfortable with enough furniture (yes, there's a nightstand between the two queen beds). No coffee maker or water but there's coffee in the lobby. Not fancy but fine for a budget-type hotel. The bed is comfortable. There is an iron and ironing board and a hairdryer. Breakfast: very basic. I don't usually eat breakfast unless it's really good so not an issue. All in all, this is a fine place to stay near the airport. If I was coming for a visit in Chicago, I'd probably choose something close to downtown.

Terrible Experience – Completely Inaccessible and Unhelpful Staff We arrived yesterday at Spark by Hilton Chicago O’Hare with my parents and grandparents. Both of my grandparents use wheelchairs – my grandmother can walk a little, but my grandfather cannot walk at all. The first thing I did was ask the front desk if they had a wheelchair we could use. The woman at the counter simply told me “No.” I explained that my grandfather cannot walk, that it would be very difficult to get him to the room without one, and asked if there was any solution. She still said “No” and made no effort whatsoever to help or offer alternatives. Eventually, she pointed at a regular metal chair and told me I could use that. That’s not a wheelchair. So my father, the bus driver, and I had to struggle to get my grandfather from the bus to the room. He would take a few painful steps, then sit down on this hard chair, then get up again. It took ages. All the while, staff at the front desk could clearly see his suffering, and not a single person offered to help. This hotel is completely unequipped for people with mobility issues. For a Hilton-branded property, this is unacceptable. A hotel of this level should always be prepared with proper accessibility equipment, and at the very least, staff who care enough to assist. I would never recommend this hotel to anyone traveling with elderly family members or anyone who needs accessibility.

This hotel is changing from a Quality Inn to Spark by Marriott. The pros are the friendly front desk person, great beds, and nice breakfast. The con was the airport shuttle. They have a tiny van which you have to climb in like children, not recommended for the elderly. The shuttle to the airport was fine as you tell the front desk, the night before, the requested time and how many people. However at ORD the shuttle (1 van) shows up about every 30 to 45 min. We had about 25 people waiting for the shuttle when we needed it. It’s a small van, takes about 10 people at a time. Hence we took a taxi to the hotel. Cost $30. We did not want to wait over 2 hours for the shuttle. Oh and its a free for all to get the shuttle, whoever jumps in the van first gets the ride, so if you are older you will wait much longer. I saw one wheelchair bump an older person right out of the way.

No tea and coffee making facilities, no microwave oven.No trash bins in the room.No milk.No coffee or tea. No room made up even if you ask for it. Their affiliated Tiffany's restraunt was dismal to say the least. I ended up getting a snack and I had a better selection of beer and mixed drinks from the local gas station for dinner the next night. I have stayed in youth hostels and some outback motels and never would have associated the "Hilton" brand with accommodation that does not deliver at all on the expected basics. Woeful!1