I am going to Chicago in mid-August and was unable to find any places that were in the downtown area that were within my budget. Because of this I am staying out in the suburbs in Lombard, IL. I am staying at the Embassy Suites Lombard Oakbrook there and have seen only a few photos of it. I was wondering if anyone has seen it or stayed there and what they thought of it.

Thank you!

Jim, you are going to be quite a long way out of the center of Chicago if you stay in Lombard! Did you look at the Days Inn that's near Navy Pier? It might take about an hour to commute from Oakbrook to the Loop, depending on the time of day. If this is a vacation trip, please try to find something more centrally located.

Did you check rates at the Residence Inn near Watertower Place?

In December I stayed at a NEW Hilton Garden Inn located at 10 East Grand in Chicago. (We overlooked the Hard Rock Cafe and Rock 'n Roll McDonalds - if that helps you locate it in your mind.) It was a new hotel with an introductory offer of $115 a night ($132 with taxes). It was a very clean, nice hotel. I would definitely recommend it and would absolutely stay there again. I'm not sure what rates they're charging now, but check it out and ask about weekend specials, etc. If downtown is where you want to be -- you may as well pay more for the hotel because you'll spend it on transportation getting downtown (unless you're familiar with using the 'EL.)

As to your original question, no I have not stayed at the Embassy Suites in Lombard but I lived in the area for 20 years. It is a fairly new hotel...maybe 5-7 years old. It is in an upscale suburban area, however there isn't much adjacent to it restaurant-wise.

If you need to be downtown Chicago for business or if you are going to visit downtown for vacation, you need to find another place. It is NOT conveniently located to downtown. Even though it isn't far in miles, it will take you an hour to get downtown. And 'rush hour' on the expressways lasts almost all day now.

I'd suggest you go back to the drawing board if you really want to be downtown. Lombard is not the place to stay.