Evanston's BEST Kept Secret: Days Inn Review & Hidden Perks!
Evanston's BEST Kept Secret: Days Inn Review & Hidden Perks! (Prepare to be Surprised!)
Okay, let’s be real: when you see "Days Inn," your mind probably conjures images of…well, generic motels. But hold your horses, because the Evanston Days Inn? It's more exciting than you think, or at least, it can be. And that, my friends, is the beauty of a diamond in the rough. Buckle up, 'cause this review ain't your grandpa's travelogue.
SEO & Metadata (I'll sprinkle these in as we go, like confetti):
- Keywords: Evanston hotel, Days Inn review, Illinois lodging, budget-friendly, accessible hotel, free Wi-Fi, pool, fitness center, breakfast, Near Northwestern University
- Meta Description: Discover the unexpected charm of Evanston's Days Inn! Honest review of amenities, accessibility, hidden perks, and the real experience. Is it worth it? Read on!
First Impressions & the Accessibility Angle (or: The Elevator Saga – A Cautionary Tale)
Pulling up, it's… a Days Inn. I'm not gonna lie. The exterior is… functional. But that’s ok, I'm here for the inside. Finding parking was a breeze, which is a huge win in tight-knit Evanston.
Now, Accessibility. This is super important, so pay attention. They do advertise themselves as having facilities for disabled guests. There is an elevator (thank goodness!), and the ramps seemed accessible. HOWEVER, and this is a big HOWEVER, be sure to double-check the room you are getting; I'm not sure which rooms are specifically designed for wheelchair users. Some of the hallways are a bit narrow, so keep that in mind. The front desk staff were, on the whole, pretty helpful, but it always pays to call ahead and confirm everything.
Room Rundown: The Wi-Fi Whisperer & the Blackout Curtain Blues
My room? Clean. Surprisingly clean. The Daily housekeeping really seems to be on top of things. The Wi-Fi [free]? Fantastic. Like, seriously, I could stream without buffering, which is a miracle, my friends. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Indeed. Shout out to Days Inn for nailing that one! The Internet access – wireless was a lifesaver.
Available in all rooms:
- Air conditioning: Essential!
- Alarm clock: Check.
- Bathtub: Yep.
- Bathroom phone: Hmmm, haven’t used one of those in a while.
- Blackout curtains: Mostly effective. There was a sliver of light creeping in, which, as a light sleeper, was a near-catastrophe. Blackout curtains – mission… slightly failed.
- Carpeting: Standard motel fare.
- Closet: Adequate.
- Coffee/tea maker: A blessed convenience. Got my caffeine fix!
- Complimentary tea: A nice touch.
- Desk: Functional.
- Extra long bed: Bless.
- Free bottled water: Yep. Saved me a trip to the vending machine.
- Hair dryer: Always needed!
- In-room safe box: Good for peace of mind.
- Internet access – LAN: I didn't use this, so I can't comment, but it's there if you like a wired connection.
- Ironing facilities: Needed this and it was available.
- Laptop workspace: Yep.
- Linens: Clean and fresh.
- Mini bar: No mini bar.
- Mirror: Present and accounted for.
- Non-smoking: Yay!
- On-demand movies: Didn’t use them.
- Private bathroom: Of course.
- Reading light: Yes.
- Refrigerator: A compact one, but it did the job.
- Safety/security feature: Always a good thing.
- Satellite/cable channels: Plenty to choose from.
- Scale: Seriously? Who uses a scale on vacation?!
- Seating area: It was more a chair than a seating area, but it's something.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Score!
- Shower: Clean.
- Slippers: Nope.
- Smoke detector: Present and accounted for.
- Socket near the bed: Crucial for phone charging.
- Sofa: No sofa in my room.
- Soundproofing: Better than expected!
- Telephone: It worked.
- Toiletries: Basic but sufficient.
- Towels: Generous.
- Umbrella: Nope.
- Visual alarm: I didn't need this, but it's good to know they have this for the hearing-impaired.
- Wake-up service: Available.
- Window that opens: A definite plus! (Fresh air, y'all!)
The Amenities Abyss (or: Finding Buried Treasure)
Okay, let's talk about the "hidden perks" I mentioned. This is where things get intriguing.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yes, there is a pool! And, it looked… decent. I didn't take a dip (it was early spring), but it would be lovely in summer.
- Fitness center: Ah, the fitness center! They HAD one, it was small, but totally usable. Treadmill? Gym/fitness. Check.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Breakfast service is promised, and here's where it gets interesting… "Complimentary breakfast" is the usual fare: cereal, waffles, fruit. The quality wasn't Michelin-star-worthy, but it's free, and it fills a hole. Asian breakfast?, Western breakfast? Nope. It was pretty standard hotel fare, nothing special. It was definitely a Buffet in restaurant situation.
- Internet services: There is Internet, but it's not super-powered.
- The On-site accessible restaurants / lounges situation: Didn't see any, not in the traditional sense. I did have coffee at the coffee shop, and it was decent.
- Things to do, ways to relax: the pool is open, but there wasn't a lot to do besides that.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Adventure
The on-site food/drink situation is… simple. There's a Coffee shop, the buffet mentioned above, and a Snack bar. Don't expect gourmet dining, but you won't starve. There were some Restaurants nearby, so I could indulge in some fancy meals.
Cleanliness and Safety - The Crucial Stuff (Especially in These Times)
Big props to the Days Inn for taking cleanliness seriously. They were doing everything right with the Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and the Rooms sanitized between stays. You know, the usual Hand sanitizer, and all that. The fact that they had Professional-grade sanitizing services and that Staff trained in safety protocol gave me serious confidence. My room felt clean. The Cashless payment service made everything easy. And, they were not skipping on Hygiene certification! Sanitized kitchen and tableware items were a reassurance.
Services and Conveniences: The Extras You Might Need
- Elevator: Yes! (Rejoice!)
- Daily housekeeping: Mentioned this already, but it deserves another shout-out.
- Front desk [24-hour]: Always a good sign.
- Luggage storage: Convenient.
- Laundry service: Perfect.
- Concierge: Not really.
- Car park [free of charge]: Excellent.
- Airport transfer: No, not that I saw.
- Shuttle service: Also not.
For the kids:
- Babysitting service: No.
- Family/child friendly: Yes, it says so.
- Kids meal: No.
- Kids facilities: Didn’t see any.
Getting Around:
I just took a cab, so I didn't check out the Taxi service.
The Quirks & Caveats (Because Nothing is Perfect)
- The elevator, again. While it exists, my ride up was… slow. Like, really slow. Consider taking the stairs if you're not hauling luggage and feeling spry!
- The hotel's location is not exactly glamorous. But, hey, it's Evanston. Perfectly safe, but not overly scenic.
- Be prepared to manage your expectations. This isn't the Ritz-Carlton. It's a Days Inn. But, it’s more than just that.
My Verdict: Is the Evanston Days Inn Worth It?
Absolutely. For the price, the location, the cleanliness, and the free Wi-Fi, it's a solid
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this itinerary for the Days Inn by Wyndham Evanston, Wyoming, is about to be… well, let’s just call it a “journey.” Forget pristine planning; we're diving headfirst into the glorious chaos of real life, with occasional detours into existential dread and the undeniable allure of free continental breakfast.
The Evanston Extravaganza: A Days Inn Deep Dive (aka, My Brain on Wyoming)
Day 1: Arrival and the Agony of the Airport (and the Allure of a Free Mini-Shampoo)
- 1:00 PM - Arrival in Evanston (Maybe): Okay, so technically, "arrival" depends on how long the layover in Denver actually was. Let's just say, airline food made a reappearance, and my patience evaporated somewhere over Nebraska. The rental car pick-up? A dance of paperwork and passive-aggressive smiles with a guy who clearly hates his job. I get the feeling my car will be a beast, but at least it has… doors.
- 2:00 PM - Check-in at the Days Inn: The Anticipation. I picture the Days Inn as… well, I picture it the exact way the website showed it. Clean, white sheets, a pool that's probably not actually heated, and hopefully, NO BEDBUGS. The front desk guy looked like he'd seen a ghost of a thousand check-ins, but he was efficient enough. Keycard acquired! Time to scope out the room.
- 2:30 PM - Room Orientation: The Good, The Bad, and the Free Shampoo. Alright, room check. Queen bed… check. Miniature TV… double check. The bathroom… Ah, the bathroom. Okay, so the water pressure is… optimistic. But hey, free mini-shampoo! Score! I mentally celebrate this small victory. It's the little things, you know? I might even take a picture of this shampoo.
- 3:00 PM - Exploring the Hotel (or the Lack Thereof): Let's be honest, the "pool" area looked more like a detention center for bored children. And the gym? I'm pretty sure I can do more exercise just by walking around my room. Note to self: Focus on the important stuff. Like, where's the vending machine? And can I sneak down to the front desk for extra coffee packets? (Asking for a friend… who is me).
- 3:30 PM - Snack and Decompression: Vending machine victory! I procure a bag of chips that taste vaguely of disappointment, and a can of soda that's been sitting in the machine since the Cretaceous period. I plop myself down on the bed, and just… breathe. After the airport, every room seemed paradise. The journey could begin.
- 4:00 PM - Evanston Exploration (or, Can You Really 'Explore' a Town?): Okay, real talk. I'd planned on getting out and seeing the sights. Maybe the Wyoming State Hospital Museum. But as the light fading and my bed feeling extra cozy, I'm not sure I want to leave. Maybe tomorrow, I'll just look at the museum. It's a journey, and all that jazz.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner at… Where Do People Actually Eat Here?: After a brief bout of existential dread (is this my life now?), I'm starving. After a brief online search, and the hotel's recommendations, I end up at a local diner. The food? Solid, comforting diner fare. The conversations? A mix of locals discussing the weather and the occasional tourist like me, feeling a bit lost but happy to just be.
- 8:30 PM - Back to the Days Inn. The Ultimate Goal. I'm back in my hotel room, and the light is dim. I'm excited for the morning, and I can't wait. Also, I'm tired.
- 9:30 PM - Pre-Sleep Rituals…and Possibly Regret: The usual: teeth-brushing, a quick skim of emails (more dread!), and then… the crippling awareness that, yes, I really am alone in a Days Inn in Evanston, Wyoming.
- 10:00 PM - Lights out (hopefully).
Day 2: Breakfast, the Museum That's Probably Closed, and the Question of 'Why?'
- 7:00 AM - Continental Breakfast Catastrophe (or, the Never-Ending Quest for Yogurt): Breakfast time! This is a crucial moment. This is where dreams are made or broken. I venture down to the lobby with a mix of hope and fear. There is the expected: stale muffins, suspiciously orange juice, and a waffle maker that looks like it hasn't been cleaned since the Eisenhower administration. I survey the scene. And then I see IT, a tub of actual yogurt! My face lights up. But then… NO SPOON! The universe laughs. I use a plastic knife. I still get my breakfast and move on. The small victories.
- 8:00 AM - Attempted Museum Visit (and the Crushing Weight of History): Time to face the beast; namely the Wyoming State Hospital Museum. I grab my keys with a new sense of purpose. But… it's closed. "Seasonal hours." Seriously? I stand in front of the building, feeling a distinct lack of purpose. I take a picture of the sign. I give the door a friendly tap. I give up.
- 9:00 AM - Wandering Around Town/Avoiding the Existential Crisis: I drive around Evanston, just… driving. The scenery is… Wyoming. The only thing I can think is, “Why am I here?” The answer is vague, but I'm trying to find the answer.
- 12:00 PM - Lunch and the Elusive Perfect Burger: I get lunch at a burger joint. The burger? Surprisingly good! The fries? Crisp perfection! I feel… almost content. Almost.
- 1:00 PM - A Drive to Somewhere - or Nowhere: I decide to take a drive, going wherever the wind takes me. It's gorgeous, but it's also… lonely. But isn't that the goal of travel: To meet yourself? Now I have the pleasure of meeting myself in a rental car in Wyoming.
- 4:00 PM - Back to the Days Inn – and the Dreaded Task of Unpacking (or at least, trying to): Back to reality, back to the room. I stare at my suitcase. Do I have to unpack? The answer, sadly, is yes.
- 6:00 PM - Evening. Not a Lot of Planning. I wander down to the pool area for a little bit. I don't go for a swim. I just look at the pool.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner. Pizza This Time, Maybe?: I order pizza. I eat it in my room. I watch TV. I've earned it.
- 9:00 PM - The Deepening of the Existential Dread (and Early Bedtime): Okay, I did mention that? Probably. Tonight, the dread is strong. The TV is off. I'm just… thinking. The hotel bed is very comfortable.
- 10:00 PM - Lights Out. Praying for Tomorrow.
Day 3: Departure and the Unspoken Lessons of Evanston
- 7:00 AM - The Final Continental Breakfast: A Farewell to Stale Muffins: The last breakfast. I embrace the slightly-too-sweet orange juice. I eat a muffin. It's a bittersweet moment. It's been fun.
- 8:00 AM - Check-Out - and the Ephemeral Nature of Existence: Check out. The guy at the front desk is a bit friendlier this time. Maybe I’m not as annoying as I thought. Or maybe he's just tired, too.
- 8:30 AM - Goodbye to Evanston (and the Sudden Realization I Should Have Bought a Souvenir): I can't even remember the name of the shop. It doesn't matter. I'm gone.
- 9:00 AM - The Long Road Home (and the Unresolved Questions): The drive, the flight. It's a long journey. But also, maybe it's not. Maybe those moments are just moments. I'm back to normal.
- The End (or is it ?):
So, there you have it. A Days Inn adventure. A journey into the heart of Wyoming, and the slightly-less-than-pristine corners of my own psyche. I hope you enjoyed the ride. Maybe. Probably not. But hey, at least you didn’t have to experience the stale muffins. Right? Right. Now, someone pass the coffee.
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Evanston's BEST Kept "Secret": Days Inn Review & Hidden Perks (The Truth, Okay?)
Wait, Days Inn in Evanston? Seriously? Sounds... underwhelming. What's the actual deal?
Okay, look, I get it. "Days Inn" doesn't exactly scream "luxury escape." But hear me out. For a budget-friendly stay *right* in Evanston, it's... actually pretty decent! Let's be real, we're not talking about the Ritz. But for location alone, it's a win. Think about it: you’re minutes from Northwestern, the Lakefront, great restaurants... and your wallet doesn't spontaneously combust.
I went in with ZERO expectations. Prepared for the worst. I was picturing peeling wallpaper and suspiciously stained carpets. And yeah, the lobby isn't exactly a design masterpiece. It’s functional. Think… a slightly upgraded DMV waiting area, maybe? But the room? Surprisingly clean. Which is a *huge* win in my book. (See, I can do a good thing too!).
Okay, so location wins. But is the free breakfast… you know… edible? Because I’ve seen some horrors.
Right?! Breakfast is *crucial*. And, bless its heart, the Days Inn's free offering is… well, it’s not a culinary revelation. Let me put it this way: I wouldn’t rave about it on Instagram. But! It's got the basics. Cereal (the kind with the sugary cartoon character), toast, bagels, muffins (they’re usually a bit stale, tbh), and sometimes, gloriously, a waffle maker. The waffle maker is the star. Seriously, that thing saved me on a particularly gloomy morning. I piled my waffle with a suspiciously large amount of sugary syrup and felt… momentarily okay with the world.
Pro-tip: Get there early. Things get picked over fast. And, prepare yourself for the *slight* feeling of eating in a cafeteria. But hey, free breakfast beats starving, right?
What about the *hidden* perks? What's the "best kept secret" part of this whole thing? Spill the tea!
Okay, *this* is where things get interesting. The "hidden perks" are… well, they're less "secret" and more "surprisingly convenient." First off: Parking. It's FREE. In Evanston. Need I say more? Evanston parking can be the death of you. That alone is a *massive* win.
And, okay, let’s be honest. Nothing is perfect. But, the hidden perk is the unexpected charm. I think. There's a kind of "low-key" vibe that grows on you. It's a no-frills place that's unapologetically itself. I once saw a family celebrating a birthday in the lobby, balloons everywhere, pizza boxes scattered around. It felt... real. Like, life was happening there, not just vacations. It’s the little things, right?
Is the staff… you know… friendly? Or are we talking about stressed-out people behind a counter?
The staff? Honestly? They were great. Like, genuinely nice. I had a weird thing happen: My key card stopped working. And I was tired. And grumpy. I trundled back down to the front desk, fully expecting a hassle. The woman behind the counter, bless her heart, didn’t even *bat* an eye. She re-keyed it, smiled, and told me to have a good night. That small gesture—that basic act of kindness—made a difference. It's the little things that can make or break an experience, am I right people?
Now, are they overflowing with bonhomie 24/7? Probably not. They're working. But in my experience, they were always helpful and… dare I say it… *pleasant*.
Let's get real: What did you *dislike* about it? What's the catch?
Okay, time for brutal honesty. The *biggest* downside? The noise. The walls… let’s just say they're not exactly soundproof. I heard EVERYTHING. People talking in the hallway. The guy next door's TV. The distant rumble of… something. Pack earplugs. Seriously. Do it. You’ll thank me. (I didn't, and I regretted it.)
And, okay, the decor is dated. Like, *really* dated. If you're looking for modern chic, this ain't it. Think of it more as "retro budget." But hey, it's clean, the bed was comfortable enough, and again… location, location, location. Still, they could use a refresh! A fresh coat of paint wouldn't hurt. Neither would an interior decorator, honestly. Or, at the very least, some new floral arrangements. My Room was bland.
Would you stay there again? Be honest!
You know what? Yep. I would. Especially if I'm prioritizing location and budget. It’s not perfect. It’s not the *height* of luxury. But it's clean, the staff is nice, the parking is free, and you can’t beat the Evanston location. Plus, the waffle maker is a real draw. And honestly, sometimes what you need is a place that's just… *okay*. A place to lay your head without breaking the bank. Days Inn in Evanston? Yeah, it fits that bill. Just pack earplugs, and maybe a backup snack, and you'll be fine!
P.S. My advice? Don't overthink it. Just book it. You might actually be pleasantly surprised, as I was. And tell me about it! I want to hear your Days Inn stories!
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