That syringe looks as if it fell out of a bag that was stored there. In the very back of the top shelf of a closet is a very random place to find a needle. And like mentioned, if the housekeeping staff member was on the short side, they would have never seen it. Ive worked in EMS for years and that is a common style syringe that is used by insulin dependent diabetics.
It's definitely a great review for a rather historic hotel of its kind. The bathroom is definitely nice and the room was, for the most part, clean. If it were me, I would've probably docked the hotel's rating a little bit for the syringe, but then again, not a bad room for that type of hotel, especially since it was the cheapest in downtown Chicago. Whenever I go on trips (and I grade each one based on my experience), I do a 10-point scale with a weighted average of 10% transportation/flight, 15% lodging/hotels, 25% dining/restaurants, and 50% activities/excursions. For example, the train ride to Chicago on business class would probably be a 10/10 for getting you there safely, the hotel would probably be an 8/10 for the room quality, one restaurant could have a 10/10 for exceptional service and food quality, and one tourist attraction in Chicago could have a 10/10 for a good overall experience; so then I calculate the weighted average and the grade for the trip would be an A (97%). Just thought I'd give you my suggestion as to a grading system for when I go on trips.
I always enjoy your video reviews. I have also stayed in some "budget" rooms. The issue with the syringe would make me wonder about the other guests staying in the hotel and what they might be doing. But in truth, this is none of my business although I might feel uncomfortable. In such an old hotel I would not expect some of the nicer features you pointed out. Good job.
Next time you're in Chicago, you should check out the Chicago South Loop Hotel. It looks pretty dated from the outside, but the rooms look are pretty nice. It is a bit pricier than the tavelodge, but lower than the name brands. I always try to stay at the Chicago South Loop Hotel whenever i'm there, but could not this past labor day weekend, it was all booked!
The corridor reminds me of the Hotel Carter in New York City. Aside from the used syringe in the closet (which I hope you reported to the staff) this seems like a very solid lodging facility!
That syringe in my opinion would be a safety hazard. Other than that, this place looks nice. Luckily for me since I live in Milwaukee, I can just do a daytrip to Chicago and not spend so much on a hotel. But parking in downtown got more expensive recently. Its like $45 for only staying for about 4 hours now. Its way overpriced now I'd say. And its probably like $70 per day. Its way cheaper for me taking the Hiawatha train down there. Lol. But its almost impossible to find a 3-star hotel in downtown at $130 or less per night with all the demand.
I always enjoy your videos, but for a completely different reason than most, I suspect. While I'm not that interested in elevators, car washes, or motel rooms, I watch every video, because you have the best voice. You should be doing voice-over work!
Another excellent vid! I liked the Club Quarters hotel where you stayed (the River Hotel) better, but, say, if that hotel were completely booked, I would stay at the Travelodge -- but only at the kind of discount rate you had (and no more than $80). That syringe would be a deal breaker for me, too, but alas: I'm so short, I wouldn't have found it.
Wow, that place is nicer than expected! In Fredericksburg, the only time you see Travelodges is when a hotel loses its previous franchise, but this doubtfully was the case. Unfortunately, the government has enforced very strict rules on what building owners can and can't do with their old buildings, like replace the windows. The outlets on the wall were added in at some point with Wiremold, but it is better than nothing, if anything it shows effort. I think this is a great hotel, the syringe thing was most definitely a fluke. If it was on the floor, or in the bathroom, that would be different, but it is on the back of a very tall shelf. I will bet if you told them about it, they will make it right.
Quite an interesting review. I wouldn't be so forgiving (and I do strive to be) on the used syringe in the closet. Other than that, looks like a good room and I love the toilet in the bathroom, very quirky.
I was so torn on that. Its a BIG mistake... in an otherwise solid property. And a hard one to catch too (I almost didn't notice it myself). I couldn't decide whether to make it the focus of the review or to sort of ignore it. I ended up giving them the benefit of the doubt, but if I ever returned and found an issue like that again, I'd be much less forgiving.
One has to give the origin of the used syringe the benefit of the doubt; perhaps the guest who stayed there in Room 1112 before you could have been a diabetic and that could have been a dose of insulin that they needed. Notwithstanding that possibility, that could also be admissible as drug paraphernalia, for the potential owners I sincerely pray to find a local gospel-centered rehabilitation facility to lead them into permanent remission from their stranglehold of addiction.
Anthony Melchiorri would've lost it at the syringe... lol!! Anyway, I (again) totally agree with you. Not being rich (and, God willing, someday I will be), I can't justify spending a bundle on a room when so many of this type of safe, clean affordable lodging is available. Unfortunately, while the miracle of gentrification is renewing areas that have long been in need of cosmetic and social renewal (which, in turn, provides much needed employment in many cases), some of these gems are either being renovated or replaced... which, in either case, usually replaces $85 rooms with $250 rooms. A perfect example is my beloved Cadillac Hotel at Venice Beach (LA, CA). Throughout the late 90's and most of the 00's, you could still stay there, right on Ocean Front Walk, without selling a kidney! Thank goodness a few places still exist a few blocks inland (I recommend Rose Hotel when at Venice Beach).
You should've gone to the Swissotel they have OTIS COMPASS there! It's a mod they were originally ADA compliant Vectors. They received this mod in 2012, The building was built in 1989.
Thanks for the review! It's too bad they couldn't just renovate the hotel to it's 1920's charm and use that feature as a selling point. Some people like the nostalgia of old Chicago buildings and history.
Not a bad looking hotel. That used syringe is...seriously...unacceptable! The ugly looking curtain should be replaced. I've never seen a hotel room with so many power outlets, but it's sometimes good for people who brings many gadgets without having to use an adapter in one outlet and charge all three gadgets at once.
Walked past this hotel today and I agree it does look dated. Did you happen to get a look at the exterior of the Best Western down the street? It is in very bad shape.
I stayed there a few years ago. Really grungy place inside and out. I liked the Travelodge much better, which is saying a lot since it's a 2-star hotel and much cheaper.
I like your hotel review videos. They make me laugh so hard i watch them many times. Glad you post these vids. Keep up the great work.😃👍
That syringe looks as if it fell out of a bag that was stored there. In the very back of the top shelf of a closet is a very random place to find a needle. And like mentioned, if the housekeeping staff member was on the short side, they would have never seen it. Ive worked in EMS for years and that is a common style syringe that is used by insulin dependent diabetics.
It's definitely a great review for a rather historic hotel of its kind. The bathroom is definitely nice and the room was, for the most part, clean. If it were me, I would've probably docked the hotel's rating a little bit for the syringe, but then again, not a bad room for that type of hotel, especially since it was the cheapest in downtown Chicago.
Whenever I go on trips (and I grade each one based on my experience), I do a 10-point scale with a weighted average of 10% transportation/flight, 15% lodging/hotels, 25% dining/restaurants, and 50% activities/excursions. For example, the train ride to Chicago on business class would probably be a 10/10 for getting you there safely, the hotel would probably be an 8/10 for the room quality, one restaurant could have a 10/10 for exceptional service and food quality, and one tourist attraction in Chicago could have a 10/10 for a good overall experience; so then I calculate the weighted average and the grade for the trip would be an A (97%). Just thought I'd give you my suggestion as to a grading system for when I go on trips.
I always enjoy your video reviews. I have also stayed in some "budget" rooms. The issue with the syringe would make me wonder about the other guests staying in the hotel and what they might be doing. But in truth, this is none of my business although I might feel uncomfortable. In such an old hotel I would not expect some of the nicer features you pointed out. Good job.
Next time you're in Chicago, you should check out the Chicago South Loop Hotel. It looks pretty dated from the outside, but the rooms look are pretty nice. It is a bit pricier than the tavelodge, but lower than the name brands. I always try to stay at the Chicago South Loop Hotel whenever i'm there, but could not this past labor day weekend, it was all booked!
The corridor reminds me of the Hotel Carter in New York City. Aside from the used syringe in the closet (which I hope you reported to the staff) this seems like a very solid lodging facility!
One of the elevators used to be manually controlled with an attendant that would take you up and down but got unfortunately ripped out.
That syringe in my opinion would be a safety hazard. Other than that, this place looks nice. Luckily for me since I live in Milwaukee, I can just do a daytrip to Chicago and not spend so much on a hotel. But parking in downtown got more expensive recently. Its like $45 for only staying for about 4 hours now. Its way overpriced now I'd say. And its probably like $70 per day. Its way cheaper for me taking the Hiawatha train down there. Lol. But its almost impossible to find a 3-star hotel in downtown at $130 or less per night with all the demand.
I always enjoy your videos, but for a completely different reason than most, I suspect. While I'm not that interested in elevators, car washes, or motel rooms, I watch every video, because you have the best voice. You should be doing voice-over work!
That's exactly what I said about ten minutes ago! He must be a ham radio guy… Are you?
We were just talking about that. I wonder if he was ever in broadcast?
No experience with voiceover or broadcast work, but thanks guys! Very flattering :)
Do you drink much coffee? You should start brewing a cup and evaluating the quality of the coffee they give guests!
Another excellent vid! I liked the Club Quarters hotel where you stayed (the River Hotel) better, but, say, if that hotel were completely booked, I would stay at the Travelodge -- but only at the kind of discount rate you had (and no more than $80). That syringe would be a deal breaker for me, too, but alas: I'm so short, I wouldn't have found it.
Wow, that place is nicer than expected! In Fredericksburg, the only time you see Travelodges is when a hotel loses its previous franchise, but this doubtfully was the case. Unfortunately, the government has enforced very strict rules on what building owners can and can't do with their old buildings, like replace the windows. The outlets on the wall were added in at some point with Wiremold, but it is better than nothing, if anything it shows effort. I think this is a great hotel, the syringe thing was most definitely a fluke. If it was on the floor, or in the bathroom, that would be different, but it is on the back of a very tall shelf. I will bet if you told them about it, they will make it right.
Quite an interesting review. I wouldn't be so forgiving (and I do strive to be) on the used syringe in the closet. Other than that, looks like a good room and I love the toilet in the bathroom, very quirky.
I was so torn on that. Its a BIG mistake... in an otherwise solid property. And a hard one to catch too (I almost didn't notice it myself). I couldn't decide whether to make it the focus of the review or to sort of ignore it. I ended up giving them the benefit of the doubt, but if I ever returned and found an issue like that again, I'd be much less forgiving.
One has to give the origin of the used syringe the benefit of the doubt; perhaps the guest who stayed there in Room 1112 before you could have been a diabetic and that could have been a dose of insulin that they needed. Notwithstanding that possibility, that could also be admissible as drug paraphernalia, for the potential owners I sincerely pray to find a local gospel-centered rehabilitation facility to lead them into permanent remission from their stranglehold of addiction.
Anthony Melchiorri would've lost it at the syringe... lol!! Anyway, I (again) totally agree with you. Not being rich (and, God willing, someday I will be), I can't justify spending a bundle on a room when so many of this type of safe, clean affordable lodging is available. Unfortunately, while the miracle of gentrification is renewing areas that have long been in need of cosmetic and social renewal (which, in turn, provides much needed employment in many cases), some of these gems are either being renovated or replaced... which, in either case, usually replaces $85 rooms with $250 rooms. A perfect example is my beloved Cadillac Hotel at Venice Beach (LA, CA). Throughout the late 90's and most of the 00's, you could still stay there, right on Ocean Front Walk, without selling a kidney! Thank goodness a few places still exist a few blocks inland (I recommend Rose Hotel when at Venice Beach).
Hi Jacob i like the hotel and. The Chicago union station where the Metra and Amtrak trains comes daily. In Chicago il
i stayed in that travelodge. 7 or 8 outlets in one room is surprises me.
You should've gone to the Swissotel they have OTIS COMPASS there! It's a mod they were originally ADA compliant Vectors. They received this mod in 2012, The building was built in 1989.
Otis Compass Elevonic 411M.
All I can imagine is that height-challenged housekeeper reaching up there to dust the shelf and getting stuck. Did you tell anyone about that?
Thanks for the review! It's too bad they couldn't just renovate the hotel to it's 1920's charm and use that feature as a selling point. Some people like the nostalgia of old Chicago buildings and history.
Great tour!
Did you tell the hotel staff about the syringe?
Not a bad looking hotel. That used syringe is...seriously...unacceptable! The ugly looking curtain should be replaced. I've never seen a hotel room with so many power outlets, but it's sometimes good for people who brings many gadgets without having to use an adapter in one outlet and charge all three gadgets at once.
Did you tell the hotel staff about the the room
0:59 Don't you mean eleven-twelve?
Walked past this hotel today and I agree it does look dated. Did you happen to get a look at the exterior of the Best Western down the street? It is in very bad shape.
I stayed there a few years ago. Really grungy place inside and out. I liked the Travelodge much better, which is saying a lot since it's a 2-star hotel and much cheaper.
Yesterday it didn't look like it was even open. Looked like they were either demolishing the property or it was being rennovated.
***** Recent TripAdvisor reviews suggest they're in the middle of a renovation. Which is good; it's much-needed.
REMEMBER WHEN HOTELS HAD FULL ROM SERVICE 24 HOURS THING OF THE PAST AND NOW $40 A NIGHT HARD TO BELIEVE DOWNTOWN CHICAGO OOOPS!
Great Video!!!!!
Room 1112 Tour 1:05
Damn thats a health hazard finding used syringe in the closet! Omg
was this a hotwire hotrate deal?
Yep. I've gotten really good at predicting the hotel I'll get.
*****
you seem to get great deals and decent hotels for what you pay
Alex Ola I've gotten better at it over the years, though I still miss sometimes (which you'll see with my next hotel review).
Was it that days inn in Norfulk
That syringe gives this room an automatic fail for me. It's a shame, because this place is otherwise perfect.
Not bad at all
September 24 2016
2-star Hotel...
Did you tell the hotel staff about the syringe?
Did you tell the hotel staff about the syringe?