Courtyard Chicago Southeast/Hammond, IN

Wow I was really impressed (relatively speaking). I thought this place would be a bit dumpy but it’s all updated. Décor is nice and the place is super clean.
I was digging the bistro:
— Really good breakfast sandwiches
— Late night pizza and other fried food, snacks
— BEER! And other beverages… pop, Gatorade, etc.
— Starbucks coffee ²⁴⁄₇
We stayed here for DARK LORD DAY (don’t be too jealous) and it wasn’t too far from Three Floyds Brewery. Essentially we were just looking for a bed to crash in but enjoyed the stay and sat out on the patio at night. The people who worked there were friendly and helpful. Hope to be back next year!

Boarding pass station to print boarding pass, interactive touch board for finding local amenities, nice rooms, bistro with food and adult beverages, hot tub open until 11pm, small fitness center beer in the little market… what more could I ask for!

There are some great reasons why you’d want to stay here and why we sometimes do when I head home to Chicago. This location is not too far from downtown and you get the benefits of a reasonable rate, free wifi, and no outrageous parking charges (I once paid $ 55/​night at the downtown Hilton). This location is no frills and could use some updating/​remodeling (the same applies to the two other Marriotts in that location). Usually I have a «standard» hotel experience here but the last time we stayed we had multiple housekeeping issues: one day they forgot to clean the room, another day there was a wet dirty towel left under the sheets, another day I had to nearly go to war with them to get them to change the sheets (after been informed that their policy was to change the sheets every 4 days, so?!?). They need to take a good look at the housekeeping staff. Barring those issues, I’d probably stay again. Not sure that I would now though.

Soccer moms in shorts and tight t-​shirts drinking Heinekens.
Soccer dads in baggy shirts eating pizza and drinking Bud.
Soccer kids swarming the pool throwing wet towels and yelling.
Old people staring at all this as they walk through the lobby.
That’s the weekend scene at a Courtyard by Marriott.
They all look the same, I guess there is something to be said for that. Myself, I like some character to where I stay. Breakfast isn’t free, but only $ 8.95 for pretty much all you want, and eggs cooked to order. Free coffee, cookies in the lobby, and beer or wine can be bought from the desk clerk — the same at all of them.
Room dcor is the same dresser, desk, table, chair, and bed in all of them. Even down to the silly throw cover draped over the foot of the bed. It’s not a bedspread because it’s only 3 feet wide, not sure what it is.
Checked in with my brother for the weekend and the two bed reservation wasn’t fulfilled — 1 king and a small sofa bed. Guess who got the bed the first night, at least we switched for the second night.
At least this one had two computers in the lobby with a printer. Unfortunately they were always used by the above mentioned soccer kids and soccer dads. Was able to finally check in on-​line and print a boarding pass.
And there is a little courtyard out back to sit in. But you had to go through the swarmed pool area to get there. And once outside you realize the freeway is about 50 feet away.
Oh well, it was relatively inexpensive.