Holiday Inn Express & Suites Elgin - Chicago Northwest by IHG

Reviews

• CM

  Clodina Makhmour

  2 days ago
  1.0
  I want to start by saying that the hotel itself and the staff were absolutely amazing. Every staff member we encountered was kind, sincere, helpful, and genuinely seemed to care about the guests. The customer service was excellent. The hotel was also very clean, organized, and well maintained, especially considering how busy the property is. Unfortunately, our concern was not with the hotel or its employees, it was with the number of people who appeared to be accessing and lingering around the property without actually being hotel guests. Three women in our group were originally supposed to stay here for two weeks. After one week, we made the decision to move to another hotel because the activity outside and around the property became increasingly uncomfortable and concerning. Throughout the week, at all hours of the day and night, we repeatedly observed groups of people lingering in the parking lot, often around pickup trucks and other vehicles. Some appeared to sleep in their vehicles, approach guests for money, walk around the property for extended periods, and use areas intended for hotel guests, including the pool and outdoor seating areas. There were adults as well as children present. At times, people who did not appear to be staying at the hotel were also ordering from the restaurant and using the hotel facilities. I became concerned enough that I repeatedly checked my account to make sure nothing had been charged to our room without our knowledge. What made the situation more unsettling was how closely some individuals appeared to watch guests entering and leaving the hotel. On one occasion, someone approached us asking whether the restaurant was open, despite our having seen the same individuals around the property for several days. At other times, vehicles would drive slowly past us while we were sitting outside or reposition themselves near areas where guests were coming and going. At one point, we counted approximately five vehicles associated with people who appeared to be lingering around the property. One evening, the situation apparently became concerning enough that hotel staff were walking through the parking lot looking for individuals who were not registered guests, and security became involved. I also had an interaction/observation involving a member of the contracted security team that raised serious concerns for me about whether unauthorized individuals may have been receiving assistance or information. I cannot independently verify what relationship, if any, existed, so I do not want to make an accusation as fact. However, what I personally observed was concerning enough that I believe hotel management should investigate the security contractor and review camera footage and access activity. I want to emphasize again that the Holiday Inn staff were wonderful. This review is not intended as criticism of the employees who treated us extremely well. The hotel has so much going for it, and the outdoor and pool areas could be a great place to relax. However, guests should be able to enjoy those areas and walk to and from their vehicles without feeling watched, approached, or uncomfortable. We ultimately gave up the second week of our stay and moved to another hotel because we no longer felt comfortable with the activity surrounding the property. My recommendation to management would be to strengthen parking lot monitoring, verify that people using the pool and other guest areas are actually registered guests, and closely review the performance of the contracted security company. For future guests, be aware of your surroundings, protect your room information, check your hotel charges, and report suspicious activity directly to hotel management. It is unfortunate because the hotel and its employees deserve a great review. The staff truly were amazing. With stronger control over unauthorized access to the property, this could have been an excellent two-week stay instead of one we felt we needed to end early.
• VV

  VnB

  Aug 16, 2026
  2.0
  Not a fan. They advertise EV charging but don't have it installed yet. And didn't seem to care or apologize that their website has misinformation. Overnight parking was particularly bad this weekend with truck haulers taking up to 8 spaces (no exaggeration) and ZERO spots to park at 1:30am. We had to make a spot far away even though we have a handicapped permit. Finally, only two luggage carts for the whole hotel (we asked). Needless to say, we never got to use one at checkout. Overall the service and responsiveness was severely lacking. That's not even accounting for the several hairs in the sink and shower area (that happens at a lot of places though unfortunately). Would not stay here again or recommend to others.
• MT

  Maximinus Thrax

  Jul 28, 2026
  5.0
  Flight was canceled. Was able to get a room here at 2am on the phone , last one available in the whole city. Room was modern, clean and comfortable. 100% cotton towels, hope the sheets were the same. Slept through brekkie
• JL

  Joshua Lidberg

  Jul 21, 2026
  5.0
  Very nice hotel. The building is brand new. From my understanding they opened this year. Rooms, lobby, lot and the overall condition of the hotel is very good. I’ve stayed here probably for 4 night scattered separately, and enjoyed each and every one of them. There has been an occasion where they have been fully booked, and I went to another holiday inn. Not all of them are the same! This one is much much better than the ones nearby. Staff is very nice as well! Will definitely recommend and stay here again when coming to Chicago suburbs
• JG

  Joe Gilbertson

  Jul 18, 2026
  5.0
  After multiple stays I dont even shop around for hotels anymore. This hotel has consistently delivered on all fronts. Traveling is stressful enough and after having issues trying to book multiple rooms in town for a funeral, Harin and his staff went above and beyond to make our stay as stress free as possible. The rooms, the staff, and the accommodations are all 10/10. Very clean rooms, really comfy beds, in room thermostat, microwave and mini fridge. Not to mention a shower big enough you could rent it out as a separate room. Ive stayed at enough crappy hotels Im not gonna spend hours scrolling through hotel ads, Im gonna go to a hotel I can trust to deliver everytime. Sign up with them for free and get a discount on your stay. Shout out to the front desk staff for helping me through a very stressful time.

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