As much as I want to believe my “mom life” remains super-hip, it’s not always the case. Weekends revolve around sports, homework and shopping-nothing hip about that. But recently we found a way to “get away” to a very cool, very close and not-too-expensive hotel.
Aloft Chicago O’Hare offers a sleek place to stay, starting at just $89 a night. It’s a wonderful combination of modern adult appeal and activities for kids, making everyone in the family happy.
Impeccably clean, the hotel’s lobby is really a lounge where guests can grab coffee or a snack and settle in. During the day, it’s brightly sunlit and surprisingly kid friendly. While I checked our family in for the “Camp Aloft” special, my sons discovered a host of board games, a pool table and outdoor games in the enclosed yard off the lobby. In addition to keeping kids occupied during check-in, it was a great destination for some quiet family time the next morning.
Once we made our way to our room, the boys were excited to find some of the bonuses that accompany the Camp Aloft experience at no extra charge. Each boy had a goody bag waiting with special treats. They also unpacked an air mattress with Sponge Bob sheets and blankets and discovered all the iPod docks and the kids’ channels on the flat-screen TV. While the rooms themselves are small, they’re comfortable. Besides, the appeal of this getaway was not in the hotel room, but in the hotel’s amenities.
So we headed down to the pool. Located just off the lobby, with floor-to-ceiling windows, the pool is where we spent most of our stay. My husband and I enjoyed drinks from the hotel bar while people-watching through the windows, as our sons thrashed and splashed the night away. We practically had to drag them out for dinner.
The hotel doesn’t have its own restaurant but does offer complimentary shuttle service (on the half hour) to a host of area restaurants. We ordered dinner in and found plenty of breakfast options at the Grab& Go snack area.
