Howard Johnson Addison

«You’re gonna see things in this hotel you ain’t never seen before».
As quoted by the shuttle driver of this hotel. Yikes!
I was waiting in a line of at least 20 people that extended out the doors and took 2 hours. Only 1 lady working and I’ve never seen such a slow process with so much confusion and frustration.
While waiting I witnessed several guests coming back down for various complaints about their rooms. Bad sign for those of us in line!
I was one of the many here sent by the airlines. I really wish I had just spent the night at the airport. I would have gotten the same 2 hours of sleep. The hotel is old and smelly, and has a creepy energy in it. Like people have probably died here.
Just run away and never look back.

Like others who’ve reviewed, if I could give this place zero stars I would. Traveling with a group of 5 others, we were provided a night at this location by United Airlines due to travel problems. When we called for the shuttled from O’Hare we were told by hotel staff that they didn’t know when they could pick us up. About 30 minutes later, the shuttle arrived and brought us for the nearly 25 minute drive to the HoJo. We were greeted by a nasty smell as we entered the lobby. Also greeting us was what I could only guess was the HoJo mascot — a spider and his friends the ants as well as a fellow «guest» who was quite upset by the presence of the spider. We were told to schedule our shuttle return to the airport immediately. United covered our shuttle (normally $ 20 per the sign on the desk) to the airport, both ways. We were given our keys and not told where to go, eventually passing the «arcade» and found the elevator — if you are going to stay here, I would highly recommend finding the stairs, the elevator was quite scary. The smell throughout the place is consistent and indescribable. Our room didn’t really need the key, it was able to be pushed open. We turned the light on, which didn’t work. I entered the dark room, going through two fixtures, including one with the lightbulb hanging out of the socket. I finally found a working light fixture and realized why none of the lights probably worked; they didn’t want you to see the room. The AC was laying on the floor, the windows didn’t open. There was a large flat screen tv, although we didn’t turn it on because we didn’t see a remote. The bathroom door didn’t close, the tub had a leaking faucet. There was visible blood on the chair, limited outlets for plugging in any electronics. There was no lock on the door. Needless to say, our group actually reconsidered going back to O’Hare and spending the night in chairs in the airport. The shuttle stopped running by 1am and so we stayed. The blankets were quite scratchy and I immediately threw them on the floor. The sheets were quite thin and scratchy, they did seem somewhat clean. Outside our window, was a large illuminated billboard for the local gentleman’s club.
Given the number of reviews that stated that guests stayed there due to United flight cancellations, my guess is United looked for the cheapest hotel/​motel around and they succeeded. Given the chance to do it over, I would have sat in a chair at O’Hare all night long. Thankfully I traveled with a great group of people and together, with some laughter, we got through it. If you are paying for a room in this location, I would highly discourage it. If you are being placed her by United, best wishes.

Idk when people started appointing themselves to be the parliamentarian of cleanliness and modernity, but uh .
HUMBLE YOURSELF.
I came here because my flight was cancelled, along with 100+ others. I guess it could have been stressful but I just slept until everyone was registered so check in was easy peasy pie. The older lady was a little feisty but at midnight what do you expect?
The room was clean enough for me to sleep under the cover; yes, there were stains, and there was no conditioner, but you’re at an airport hotel location; not a prime location. Also, this is an independently owned + operated hotel. For $ 59/​night you can’t possibly expect the same things as you do from $ 159/​night hotels.
The water was hot, the tv worked, there wasn’t any trash in the room, and the heater/​AC was great. If you need the shuttle sign up the night before because it runs by appointment only.
I liked this hotel; it did the job. Maybe it’s because I’ve been in actual horrible situations like being in a hotel in the himilayas where there’s no hot water or shower curtain, or a hotel in rural Atlanta that, after three cleanings, still had a dirty washcloth hanging in the shower.
Is it the same quality as the Howard Johnson in DC? Absolutely not. Because this isn’t DC. It’s Addison. Duh

Horrible horrible dump… ONLY thing positive about this place is the wifi. Other than that, this place should be shut down. Shame on you American Airlines for sending me here.

I haven’t checked in yet, but I have been standing in this hotel waiting for the lady at the front desk to acknowledge me for 25 minutes. She has gone from conversation to conversation chatting about her life and even left the desk for several minutes.
I assumed this place was going to be pretty gnarly, and the hotel definitely failed to even live up to those expectations. The lady, ginger, at the front desk swore the whole time and didn’t know how to use the PC. Even after paying $ 60 to get a cab to the place, I am debating leaving for someplace else, I am scared to see the rooms.

Adequate and clean…1 tiny elevator… Staff a little cranky as 180 people checked in from cancelled international flight

I have stayed at this hotel a number of times when in a HUGE pinch. I think the best way to describe what will likely be your experience is with the following statements:
1. Its dirty. Period.
2. It does not feel safe; however, I never had any issues with safety here and I have stayed as a single lady.
3. The staff is smazingly friendly.
4. It smells.
5. Your covers will likely have burnt patches in them even though the room is a designated non-​smoking area.
6. Do not assume that your AC/​HEAT will work– that will not be consistent or will be consistently inefficent.
7. It has good old wifi but… it does not work in the rooms. Bummer, thats where I tend to like to use the wifi.
It will give you a place to lay your head, for a price that though cheap is still over-​price; beyond that you are expecting too much.
In terms of the area:
1. Across the street is a gas station with a few toiletry items.
2. A resturant that is fairly good.
3. A sex store that is incredibly fun to peruse.

Very old hotel. It creeped us out at first. We were booked at this hotel from American Airlines due to plane mechanical issues.
Staff was very kind and gracious.
The place is old. Amazingly our room was very very clean! Cleaner than the 5star we stayed in last. Bed was hard. Shower was nice and hot.
There is THE BEST RESTAURANT accross the street. SunMist

United put me up due to flight mechanical delay. Try to get someplace else if at all possible. It was a 20 – 25 minute shuttle from airport. Place is worn, tired. The hallways and Lobby smell. My nonsmoking room didn’t smell too much, but the place is far from fresh. Front desk staff was fine and pleasant. Comp continental breakfast at 8 am was 3 kinds of kids cereal (ie fruit loops), five plain bagels, one slice of white bread, 2 juices, and coffee. No half and half, just a coffee mate type powder. Not appetizing and the smell of musty age was overpowering. The shuttle also reeked of cig smoke even though no one was smoking, must be the drivers when alone? There are no walking distance restaurants, and nothing open late nearby. I appreciate the comp room but this place is below one star. It is not the staff’s fault, it is just an old tired smelly property. Free wifi was nice though and the TV worked.

I recently stayed here for one night and it was a rough one. The night manager in front was very nice and they did their very best to accommodate me but the hotel is run down. I would give this place one star but the management staff at night was very nice and I saw them do something very kind for another guest.
The heater barely works in Room 242. There are some stains on the carpet and please triple check your sheets for any bugs before you sleep.
The space above my headboard had 4 big boogers on it. There are some green ones and some red ones. It’s so noticeable that the cleaning crew should have seen them and removed them. I slept in an awkward position to ensure the crust from these boogers don’t fall off and into my mouth overnight as I slept. I did like the positioning of the boogers, as they resembles the little dipper. if you dim the lights they glow as if they were real stars and that was quite dreamy.
the bathroom floor is very cold so make sure you wear your socks and shoes as you shower.
In the morning, when I checked out the manager looked at me like I was insane. I think she didn’t expect me to survive the cold night but she’s underestimated my strength to survive mid-​west winter nights. She looked at me like I had a big problem, though i didn’t say anything and just gave her the keys. I think she thought she was looking at a ghost or a dead man walking.
Overall, I think I had an ok stay. The boogers caught me off guard but ended up softening the cold night and acting as a very nice decoration.

This place should be condemned, how is it legal to keep it open!!! The place looks like a palace outside compared to the horrific filth inside! United Airlines dumped us off here after the driver took an hour and a half to get us from the airport and it’s REALLY far from the hotel in a sketchy part of town next to a freeway. I heard cars all night! This place is a real dump, no vending machine, dirty smelly hallways, questionable elevator with standing water surrounding it. All you hear is squish squish squish walking through the halls. The room itself smells damp and moldy, stains everywhere, cracks everywhere and just filth everywhere!!! The towels were so stiff I doubt they use detergent to wash them. I took several pictures but they do no justice. I was so tired after my delayed flight that I made the mistake of not looking up this place before coming here and I hope that I will save another United passenger the agony! The smell alone will make you vomit! I slept in my clothes with a sweatshirt on and took the covers off and only covered myself up to my knees with a sheet hoping they were at least bleached.
DO NOT come here, stay in the airport if need be. Especially if you are traveling alone, this place looks unsafe on top of being absolutely vile.
United should offer $ 60 towards the hotel of your choice, this is unacceptable lodging in more ways than one. Look at my pictures to get an idea.

United booked this and gave vouchers to about five unrelated, different destination customers. I waited in cold and rain number 1 pick up across from hilton. I called hotel asking when shuttle was suppose to be there. They said will be 20 minutes. So I waited. 20 minutes go by and I called hotel again. This time it will be thirty minutes. I ask them to confirm with driver. They said oh he just left but there is no way to confirm where he is, but he will be there. Thirty more minutes go by and no driver. I call back they pick up and hang up. The other members in similar situation try calling the hotel doesn’t answer any of thier phone calls. I waited a total of 1 hr and 20 minutes for shuttle before going back into terminal because it was 40 degrees out! Terrible customer service at hotel.

If there was a no star option that’s what I would give this unprofessional dump! I couldn’t even believe my experience here was real life it was so bad. Sleep in your car before you deal with this place!!! Who’s running this ghetto circus?!?

If it wasn’t for the friendly staff I’d give it a 1 but I don’t think I’d ever stay here again. The furniture and carpet give me that dirty feeling. The bed was uncomfortable. The walls are super thin; I could hear the cops knock at someone’s door around 2 AM (though they did leave apologizing to the lady for disturbing her). The complimentary breakfast was powdered donuts, plain bagels, raisin bran, sugary juice and coffee. The TV is over a decade old. The toilet made a running noise every hour, keeping me awake.
But you get what you pay for, right?

NO! Do not stay here, this is an absolute crap hole! American Airlines flight was delayed and caused me to miss my connecting flight. They provided a voucher and sent me here and stated they would cover half of the hotel fee which they claimed was 60.00. I was thinking ok a hotel around 120.00 a night will be decent. I was wrong! After I arrived I asked for a shuttle back to the airport and they stated there are no more shuttles leaving for the night. The AC does not work, the hallways smell like cigarette smoke and bad decisions, the floors are beyond filthy, I plan to sleep with my shoes on because it’s dirty and incase I need to get up and defend myself in this craptastic dump, and I’m fairly certain if I lay on the bed I will get bed bugs. I refuse to shower here in the AM, it would actually be more sanitary to not bathe than to jump into their cesspool of a shower. I’m actually going to leave as early as possible in the am and go to the hilton at ORD and get a pass for their gym so I can workout and shower there. I searched for a vending machine. They are all gone exempt for one that is out of service and has a piece of paper hanging from it that says to go to the front desk for chicken noodle cups, redbull, or a coffee. I didn’t find the ice machine and quit looking for fear I would be stolen and drug into someone’s room. I don’t think meth heads would even pay to stay here! Seriously, no, do not stay here!!!

I wish I could give this place a ZERO. There are some hotels that are cheap and nice, this place was cheap and DISGUSTING. Dead bugs all over the place, in the entry way, the hotel room – everywhere. The horrible rude front desk lady said they were «seasonal» bugs… yeah right.
The hotel room was not clean. Upon entry my best friend and I found an ice bucket half filled with water (?), 2 cups with some liquid in them, and wall paper peeling off the wall. There was mold in between the tile in the bathroom, and the beds were HORRIBLE.
I could say more, but I think you get the picture. Do not stay here. Spend an extra $ 20 a night somewhere else. I demanded a full refund of my stay which was granted. Lesson learned.

Yo so I’m all for gettin a deal but damn son you get what you pay for sometimes, and shit that’s whats up here. The hallway kinda smelled like stale piss and the bed was the equivalent of sleeping on some of those damn cinder block things. An WTF i walked all over that place an only found one ice machine, and that’s some BS. Anyway this place might be good for a quickie with a hooker but that’s about it.

I would give them zero stars if I could, dirty toilet. When I used the hair dryer it didn’t turn on and I called downstairs and they said I should change rooms, it was around 11pm I don’t think so, They let me just use another room with a working hair dryer instead. Breakfast was adequate.

I wish I could give half-​star ratings so I wouldn’t have to «round up» or «round down». In any case, this HoJo would be getting my 2.5 score if that option were available to me.
Addison is just far away enough from Chicago to offer cheaper rates on economy hotels. This fact meant a helluva lot to my companion and I – a Milwaukee-​based couple in our late 20s with student loans and a small bit of wanderlust — when we wanted to spend a night or two in the Chicago area with out impoverishing ourselves or inconveniencing friends. All we were looking for was an AFFORDABLE, safe, basic, and clean (ish) place to crash that wasn’t more than an hour away from downtown.
We got exactly what we were looking for with this HoJo. Nothing less, nothing more.
When I say that we found this HoJo to be affordable I mean that it cost us around $ 60/​night. And when I say that it was basic I mean that it DID look a little run-​down on the outside, the rooms were sparsely appointed inside, there wasn’t a pool or hot tub to splash around in, but the front desk made sure our needs were taken care of with extra pillows and towels.
As cleanliness goes, I’ve paid three times this amount to stay in a hotel where I STILL didn’t want to chance walking around with out my socks. It’s a hotel — it’s NOT home. The Addison HoJo was no different in that I didn’t feel inspired to take too many risks when it came to my health. So while I didn’t take my socks off in my room during my stay in the middle of summer, the air conditioner worked very well to keep me comfortable (despite the socks).
We felt safe leaving our (securely locked) car in their empty-​ish parking lot, though we were sure to park in a spot we could see from our room. The morning after our first night’s visit my boyfriend found that the driver of a truck parked next to us had nearly ripped his side-​view mirror off the car — I don’t feel comfortable blaming this on the hotel, but knowing this may be important to someone in the future. Something else we happened to notice from the parking lot was another guest who appeared to be keeping big dogs in his room. We didn’t hear them barking, but it still seemed pretty weird. So suffice to say there are some other visitors in this hotel who may be a little more lively than you are.
The Addison area, and those surrounding it, was pleasant enough to wake up to, so we’ve since been back a couple of times to this HoJo. We never once expected it to be the Taj Mahal, so we’ve always left feeling satisfied with the way we’ve spent our pennies.

This place looks like it was built in the mid 80s, and has never had one ounce of care since then. I am use to going to cheap places, and saving a buck, but at $ 129 a night, this place wasn’t cheap.
To be fair, it didn’t smell of cigarette smoke as most scummy hotels, it did look like the staff does try and keep things clean. But its just so old and run down, all the ceiling tiles are bowing and look like they are going to fall in. I didn’t want to walk around in bare feet for fear of what was in the carpet.
And as Natalie B. said, the gentleman that checked us in was amazingly slow, 30 minutes to get 3 rooms setup!
If this place was $ 40 a night i would have been fine with it, at $ 30 i would have felt like a deal, but $ 129!!! crazy
Howard Johnson should be ashamed to have their name on this place.