Arrival Of Passenger Service And Subsequent Growth
Scheduled passenger service began in 1955, but growth was slow at first. Although Chicago had invested over $25 million in O’Hare, Midway remained the world’s busiest airport and airlines were reluctant to move until highway access and other improvements were completed. The April 1957 Official Airline Guide listed 36 weekday departures from O’Hare, while Midway had 414. Improvements began to attract the airlines: O’Hare’s first international terminal opened in August 1958, and by April 1959 the airport had expanded to 7,200 acres with new hangars, terminals, parking and other facilities. The expressway link to downtown Chicago, now known as the Kennedy Expressway, was completed in 1960. And new Terminals 2 and 3, designed by C. F. Murphy and Associates, opened on January 1, 1962.
O’Hare had four runways in 1955 8,000 foot runway 14R opened in 1956 and was extended to 11,600 feet a few years later, allowing nonstops to Europe. Runway 9R/27L opened in 1968 and runway 4R/22L in 1971.
Very Clean Hotel In Excellent Location With Free Airport
Very clean hotel in excellent location with free airport shuttle every half hour. The lobby is spacious, rooms are very large and comfortable with large desk and sitting area, fridge in room. Friendly staff, breakfast is very good and served from 6.00 AM till 10.00 AM. There is an exercise room and a quite large pool with 83 degree water! Some rooms have airport view to see planes land and take off, stores and eateries are within a few minutes walking. Buses are down the street.
If You Don’t Drive If You Are Just Staying For One
If you don’t drive, if you are just staying for one night, if you are not looking for any nice place to eat within walking distance, if you are ok with basic facilities, this hotel is a very good choice.Shuttle bus is always operated by only one driver, so you may need to wait about 30 minutes. Please ask the reception how long you may have to wait. I called twice to see how long to wait.There are only three places to eat around the hotel within walking distance. Subway, Burger king and a local pub restaurant.
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Awesome Benefit: Late Check
The Delta event ended around noon and my flight wasnt until well after 5:00 PM.
Delta Sky Clubs dont allow guests to enter more than three hours before their original departing flights. So, I needed somewhere to spend two hours where I could edit a couple of hundred photos and get some writing done.
Hilton Gold status to the rescue! The front desk rep said I was allowed a 2:00 PM checkout. And that helped a lot in terms of getting work done.
Even for people taking flights in the late afternoon or evening: the later you can access your hotel room, the better.
Would I Stay At The Hilton Chicago Ohare Airport Hotel Again
Like most airport hotels, this is geared toward travelers needing somewhere to stay for one night. Maybe two. Perhaps some people who are attending a convention or other event in the immediate area.
If I were visiting Chicago as a tourist, Id stay somewhere downtown.
If I were on something like an MQD status run, maybe. You cannot beat the convenience to OHare.
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Hilton Chicago O’hare Airport
- Breakfast fee: between USD 27 and USD 33 per person
- Fee for in-room wireless Internet: USD 14.95 per night
- Fee for in-room wired Internet: USD 14.95 per night
- Valet parking fee: USD 75 per day
- Pet fee: USD 50 per accommodation, per stay
- Refrigerator fee: USD 25 per day
- Crib fee: USD 5.0 per stay
- Rollaway bed fee: USD 30.0 per stay
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
Hilton Chicago O’hare Airport Hotel
- Free Wi-Fi in public areas
- Air conditioning in public areas
- Luggage storage
- Pay in local currency at the property
Find a cancellation policy that works for you
From 6 April 2020, your chosen cancellation policy will apply, regardless of Coronavirus.
We recommend booking a free cancellation option in case your travel plans need to change.Read more
Please check your booking conditions
For bookings made on or after 6 April 2020, we advise you to consider the risk of Coronavirus and associated government measures. If you dont book a flexible rate, you may not be entitled to a refund. Your cancellation request will be handled by the property based on your chosen policy and mandatory consumer law, where applicable. During times of uncertainty, we recommend booking an option with free cancellation. If your plans change, you can cancel free of charge until free cancellation expires.
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On Airport Grounds Seven
As the only Chicago OHare hotel on airport grounds within Terminal 2, this Hilton is unbeatable as far as the convenience factor goes for guests in transit. Using indoor walkways, travelers can reach domestic terminals within seven minutes on foot. An on-site shuttle station to other terminals is located a three-minute walk from the lobby. On the flip side, the hotels surrounding area doesnt offer much by way of atmosphere or entertainment.
The Blue Line train station is an easy one-minute walk from the lobby using indoor walkways, and the train provides access to downtown Chicago. However, most of the citys main tourist attractions, including Millennium Park, Wrigley Field, Navy Pier, and the Field Museum are easily 50 minutes to an hour away by public transport.
How And Why I Selected The Hilton Chicago Ohare Airport Hotel
The Hilton Chicago OHare Airport Hotel is about a 5-minute walk from Terminal 2. And its around 5-7 minutes to the Airport Transit System tram that takes passengers to/from Terminals 1, 3, and 5, and the Multi-Modal Facility .
Its fantastic in terms of proximity. You cant beat it.
Thanks to The Platinum Card® from American Express, Im a Gold status member of Hilton Honors . I knew that would give me either an $18 food and beverage or 1,000 bonus Honors points.
And maybe Id score a complimentary room upgrade, though I wouldnt hold my breath.
I went to make my reservation: but the Hilton Chicago OHare wanted 50,000 Hilton Honors points for a single night or something like $350. My Honors balance was on fumes and I didnt want to spend so much money for just one night.
So, I booked a room at the Holiday Inn & Suites Elk Grove Village for 17,000 IHG Rewards One points. Its about a 15-minute ride I have some Uber Cash thanks to The Platinum Card® from American Express and American Express® Gold Card that would help me save a little money on ground transportation. Plus, Im very familiar with the hotel and have a sentimental connection to it.
But then I remembered American Express® Membership Rewards® was running a great promotion: transfer Membership Rewards points to Hilton Honors at 1:2.6 ratio.
I transferred 19,000 Membership Rewards points to Hilton. About three minutes later, my Honors account held over 50,000 points and I made my reservation!
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How To Get To The Hilton Chicago Ohare Airport Hotel From The Airport
Get thee to Terminal 2 baggage claim and then follow the signs.
From there, you have three options: the elevator, stairs, or escalator .
From there, walk through the tunnel and follow the signs.
Once you reach the Hilton connector you have a couple of multiple options to reach the lobby: an elevator or escalator.
Bensenville For Me Was A Good Distance From My Event At The
Bensenville for me was a good distance from my event at the McCormick Place downtown Chicago. Although the shuttle at the hotel I stayed at made commuting daily to downtown easier the CTA was horrible. If you’re traveling for business and the area is close to your activities and you dont need sites, food variety, etc. then stay in Bensenville.
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Massive Airport Hotel Lacking Sufficient Lounge Space
The sheer size of this hotel may be its most eye-catching aspect, as the gigantic facade — a neat grid of seemingly endless windows — gives off an imposing, no-nonsense vibe. Inside, some effort has been made to make the massive and well-worn space a bit cheerier, with bright lighting and geometric patterned carpeting in the lobby. However, the carpet is impractical for rolling luggage, and the lack of proper seating in the reception area can be inconvenient, especially given the high volume of flight crew and business travelers who seek a place to lounge while in transit. Noise levels can also get high in the common areas. Still, most guests are drawn here by the Hilton’s convenient location, attached to the airport, and its generous list of on-site features.
Why Ride With Airport Express
- Our shared ride shuttles to Hilton Chicago have no more than 2-3 stops
- Pickup and Drop off are of close proximity
- Upgrade to Priority Riding Be the first stop!
- Around Town Options are also available
The Hilton Chicago has a grand lobby with modern rooms and options for lake views. Rooms have flat-screens and free Wi-Fi. Places to eat include a bar & grill, Kitty OSheas Irish pub, and a coffee shop. Other amenities at the Hilton Chicago are an indoor running track, pool, whirlpool, and Athletic Club.
Executive rooms at the Hilton Chicago offer free breakfast and evening appetizers. Their business meeting facilities have over 234,000 sq. ft. of event space. Options include 50 breakouts, 3 ballrooms, and over 100,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space. Executive travelers can get an affordable shuttle with Airport Express to start your next business trip to downtown Chicago.
This Chicago hotel is located 19 miles from Chicago OHare International Airport and 11 miles from Midway International Airport. Reserve Midway or OHare Shuttle to Hilton Chicago with Airport Express!
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Checking Into The Hilton Chicago Ohare Airport Hotel
Checking in was a breeze. The gentleman at the front desk confirmed my upgrade was, indeed, a runway view room. He also offered me a couple of bottles of water.
I opted for the $ 18-a-day food and beverage credit over the bonus points. But Im pretty much a free agent when it comes to hotels and knew I had some F & B research to provide my readers.
More on that soon.
Here are some views from my room.
Pretty decent, right? I wish I had more time to just sit and look out the window. OHare is such a busy airport plane spotting, people-watching, and trainspotting would keep me entertained for hours.
How about the room itself? Well, it needs refreshing.
The place certainly shows its age.
I didnt see any USB ports. That surprises me yet doesnt: again, you stay here for the location. Not the amenities.
I dont know about you but I love a cold bedroom. The thermostat read 65 F but felt a good 10 degrees warmer. It took several hours for the room to cool down.
To be fair, my first nights sleep somewhere new usually isnt fantastic.
The mattress was fine but unremarkable. I didnt crawl into bed and say, Wow, this is Heaven! Nor did I gripe, This is awful. Im sleeping on the floor!
If thats a problem for you, bring earplugs and/or request a room that doesnt face the closer runways.
The pillows werent as firm as I like. Most Marriott and IHG pillows seem just right.
The bathroom was fine. Kind of dark. Needs some LED lights.
Really Liked That The Hotel Was Within Walking Distance Of
Really liked that the hotel was within walking distance of Allstate Arena. Loved the convenience of the shuttle to the airport. Breakfast was better than expected. I expected only cereal and muffins, but there was scrambled eggs, bacon, bagels, oatmeal, toast, yogurt, juice, milk, and coffee. Pleasantly surprised. My 3 biggest complaints were there was a restaurant and bar on site, but it was shut down. Curtains in room were too shear, and light came pouring into the room at 5 am. Also, housekeeping was pushy about getting us to leave.
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