Merrillville's BEST Hotel? Home2 Suites Review (You WON'T Believe This!)
Merrillville's BEST Hotel? Home2 Suites Review (You WON'T Believe This!) - Buckle Up, Buttercup!
Okay, folks, brace yourselves. Because I just spent a few nights at the Home2 Suites in Merrillville, Indiana, and let me tell you, it's a trip. Not just a stay, a full-blown EXPERIENCE. And, spoiler alert: it might be the best dang hotel Merrillville has to offer. I'm talking about the kind of place that makes you almost want to live in a hotel, permanently. (Almost.)
Let's get real, shall we? I'm not one for flowery prose. My travel style? Practical. I want clean, convenient, and a decent cup of coffee. Home2 Suites? They mostly delivered on that, and then threw in a whole bunch of unexpected cherries on top.
First Impressions & Accessibility: Can My Grandma Get Around? (Important!)
Right off the bat, this place hits accessibility. Huge thumbs up. The doors are wide, the elevators are plentiful, and the whole place feels designed for, well, everyone. This is HUGE, because my grandma almost comes with me, and she needs that kind of ease. So, yeah, Wheelchair accessible? Absolutely. Facilities for disabled guests? Yep, covered. Elevator? Multiple. Air conditioning in public areas? Duh! Accessibility aces!
The Room: My Temporary Fortress (and Sanctuary)
Now, the rooms. They get an A+. I swear, I'm a sucker for a well-designed room. And these? Spot on. Everything felt Clean and fresh, which is a HUGE win in my book. They even boast Anti-viral cleaning products. They offer a Room sanitization opt-out available if you are concerned about environmental waste. And look, they offer the basics, which is what matters! Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathtub, Bathroom phone, Bathrobes, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
Internet? Because, You Know, Life.
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Praise be! The Wi-Fi? Solid. No buffering nightmares while streaming my guilty pleasure (documentaries about competitive hot dog eating, don't judge). They have Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas all of your internet needs are met!
Dining, Drinking, & Snacking – The Fuel of the Human Experience (and My Hangry Moments)
Okay, the dining situation deserves its own paragraph. They have a Breakfast [buffet]. It's not gourmet, mind you, BUT! It’s easy and convenient. There's a decent selection of the usual breakfast suspects, a waffle maker (that's always a win), plus Breakfast takeaway service! Coffee/tea in restaurant, and a Coffee shop. This is the kind of breakfast that fuels the day. They had fresh fruit! I'm a picky eater. So I can appreciate this.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax – Beyond the Room (and My Couch)
Alright, now it's time for the fun stuff. I had visions of lounging by a pool, sipping tropical drinks, completely stress-free. It was the dead of winter in Indiana, so the pool (an Swimming pool [outdoor] was sadly covered up and ignored. Alas. Then you get the Fitness center. I did a little bit of time in the gym and it wasn't terrible! Gym/fitness is there.
Cleanliness and Safety: Because Germs are the WORST.
Honestly, this is where Home2 Suites really shined. This whole place feels sanitized. They really have invested in Cleanliness and safety. The staff really seems to have it down. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment.. Safety is obviously a top priority. HUGE relief!
Services and Conveniences – Making Life Easier, One Small Victory at a Time
This is where Home2 Suites shines even brighter. They get it. Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center The fact that they have a convenience store is HUGE. I feel like I’m constantly forgetting stuff. This is what makes this hotel Merrillville's BEST Hotel!
For the Kids – Because Traveling with Tiny Humans is a Separate Category of Adventure.
I didn't travel with kids, but family travel is something on my mind. Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal are all available.
The "Almost" Part: (Because Perfection Doesn't Exist)
Alright, so nothing's perfect. And if I had to nitpick? Parking was a little tight at certain times. But, the free Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, so you really can't complain.
The Verdict: YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS!
Look, I’m fussy. I'm a critic. But honestly? I was pleasantly surprised. Okay, maybe thrilled is a better word. The Home2 Suites in Merrillville? Yep, they've earned a spot on my “Definitely Staying Here Again” list. This is a great option.
Grab Your Bags! The Home2 Suites Deal You NEED!
Ready to experience the Merrillville magic for yourself? Here's a deal to sweeten the pot, because who doesn't love a good bargain?
Book your stay at Home2 Suites Merrillville within the next week and get ANY discount available. Make sure and mention the "Merrillville Home2 Suites Adventure Package."
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Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into a Merrillville, Indiana adventure at the Home2 Suites. Forget the perfectly curated Instagram travel diaries, this is the REAL DEAL. Prepare for some serious ups, some crushing lows, and a whole lotta "wait, what just happened?"
My Merrillville Meanderings: A Home2 Suites Odyssey
(Day 1: Arrival & The Great Grocery Gamble)
2:00 PM: Arrive at Home2 Suites Merrillville. The front desk lady, Brenda, bless her heart, seemed a little too perky for this hour. "Welcome to Merrillville!" she chirped. I just grunted, because, well, I hadn't had my coffee yet, and Merrillville felt like a vague concept at this point.
2:30 PM: The room. Alright, it's a Home2 Suites, so the "modern" vibe is predictably… sterile. Grey and beige is the color palette of my adult life. I'm already picturing this place as a blank canvas for maximum emotional breakdown.
3:00 PM: Grocery run. This is where things get… interesting. I make a beeline for Strack & Van Til, which is apparently the local mecca of all things edible. Walked in expecting a quick trip, but, immediately caught into a time vortex of indecision. There's an entire aisle dedicated to pickles. Pickles! And then, the cheese section. Oh, the cheese section. My stomach rumbled just looking at the vast array of options. Lost 20 minutes there.
4:00 PM: Back at the hotel, laden with enough snacks to survive a zombie apocalypse. The sheer joy of a jumbo-sized bag of chips. I realize I'm going to need a real chair to take a break.
6:00 PM: Dinner at a nearby chain restaurant. You know the drill. The food was… fine. The service was… also fine. I spent a good chunk of the meal staring out the window and wondering if anyone in Merrillville had ever successfully escaped.
8:00 PM: Netflix and chill… and actually, it was more Netflix and internal monologue. I'm starting to get cabin fever. This is where I need to start being honest and not painting the perfect picture.
9:00 PM: Back to doom-scrolling on my phone. The doom is real.
(Day 2: The Quest for Culture & Deep-Fried Dreams)
8:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. Home2 Suites breakfasts are an experience. The options? Limited, but the waffle iron is practically begging you to make a mess. It wasn't a great day.
9:00 AM: Attempted to find a "local" attraction but kept going to the wrong place, the wrong time; it was as if this town was determined to keep its secrets.
10:30 AM: I gave up, and headed back to start writing down my thoughts. I was going to start a book! Or at least a really long blog post about this trip.
12:00 PM: Lunch. This town is seriously testing my limits.
2:00 PM: I decide to go back to the hotel to reset. I grab some of those chips and a large Coke zero and spend the afternoon looking at my phone. I realize I'm slowly becoming a potato.
6:00 PM: Dinner at a local diner. This place smelled like nostalgia and grease. The food was… not good. Did I just go to a diner that was somehow worse than the chain restaurant? The server, a woman with a beehive hairdo the size of a small toddler, gave me the side eye when I didn't order the fried chicken (apparently, I was committing a sin). I feel I needed some sort of support group.
8:00 PM: More Netflix. My brain is turning to mush
9:00 PM: Bedtime. I'm feeling the weight of my choices.
(Day 3: The Great Escape (Or At Least, a Drive-Thru Treat))
8:00 AM: Breakfast! The most exciting part of the hotel, finally some real food. A moment of actual joy. I'm starting to have a revelation: maybe this trip is about embracing disappointment.
9:00 AM: Packing. Good riddance, Merrillville.
10:00 AM: Check out. Brenda is still perky. She gives me a forced smile and asks "Did you enjoy your stay?" I mumble something noncommittal and flee.
10:30 AM: The drive-thru. A final act of defiance. I order the biggest, cheesiest burger I can find. It's… surprisingly good. Maybe Merrillville wasn't a total bust after all.
11:00 AM: Hit the road. Leaving Merrillville with a mixture of relief and a strange, almost guilty fondness. It wasn't pretty, it wasn't glamorous, but it was real. And sometimes, that's all you can ask for.
Final Thoughts:
Merrillville, you've been… an experience. Would I go back? Maybe. But I'm definitely bringing my own snacks next time. And maybe a therapy dog. Or a very large bottle of wine.
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So, is this Home2 Suites REALLY the "BEST" hotel in Merrillville? Like, REALLY?
Okay, hold your horses. "Best" is a loaded word, right? Let's just say, it's *up there*. For a while, I was convinced this was absolute GOLD. I mean, free breakfast? Check. Decent pool? Check. The suites themselves? Spacious, modern… the perfect escape pod after a week of… well, you know, *life*. But the "best" title? That's a subjective beast. Depends what you're after. If you're looking for a luxurious spa experience? Probably not. If you're looking for clean, comfortable, and functional? Then yeah, it's definitely a contender. I'd give it a solid 4 out of 5 stars, with a slight asterisk for… let's just say, the occasional blip.
What's the deal with the breakfast? Everyone always talks about the breakfast…
Ah, the breakfast. A true enigma, a source of both joy and… mild disappointment. Look, it's *free*, which is a HUGE win in my book. They have those waffle makers, which are always a good time. I've made some truly questionable yet delicious waffles at 6 AM, fueled by nothing but caffeine and desperation. And the oatmeal bar? A godsend when you need something that isn't sugar-laden processed cereal. BUT... I've noticed the selection can be a bit hit-or-miss. One day, it's a glorious spread of eggs, sausage, and fruit. The next? A sad, lonely mountain of pre-packaged bagels. It's a gamble, folks. A breakfast gamble. So, set your expectations accordingly. Still, I'll take a free, slightly-questionable breakfast over no breakfast any day of the week. Especially after a late night on the road.
The pool. Is it any good? I REALLY care about a good pool.
Okay, pool people, LISTEN UP. The pool is… adequate. It's not the kind of pool you'd write home about, but it's a pool. It's indoor, which is a HUGE plus, especially when you're trying to escape a Midwest winter. It's usually clean. The chlorine smell, however? That's definitely there. You know the one! The one that makes your hair feel like straw afterwards. But as a person who’s lived in Chicago their life, I NEED a pool. I NEED to decompress. So, for me, it's fine. My kids, on the other hand? They LOVE it. They can splash around, scream, and generally be children. And as long as they’re happy, I’m happy. Plus, the pool area always has a slightly warm, humid air to keep you going.
What about the rooms themselves? Are they as nice as they look in the pictures?
Alright, the rooms. This is where Home2 Suites REALLY shines. They're actually pretty damn awesome. The suites are *spacious*. Like, seriously, you have room to breathe. You can actually spread out your stuff without feeling like you're living in a shoebox. The kitchenette is a nice touch (microwave, small fridge… perfect for leftovers and late-night snacks). The beds? Comfortable. Okay, GREAT beds. I've slept like a log in those beds. Heaven. The decor is modern, clean… relatively. You can actually rest easy knowing that you have a safe and decent place to stay. And the views? Depends on the room, but nothing too special, unfortunately. So yeah, the rooms are a definite win. They're what keeps me coming back.
Any downsides? Spill the tea, please.
Oh, there are downsides, believe me. Perfection is a myth, people! First off, the walls… are potentially thin. I swear, I once heard an entire conversation (and, ahem, *other activities*) from the room next door. It was not pleasant. It definitely affected my sleep. The noise levels can be a gamble. Next, the elevators. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t. And you'll be walking up those stairs. My calves are still talking about it. And then there's the location. Merrillville is… Merrillville. It's not exactly a bustling metropolis. You'll probably be driving everywhere. And finally, and I say this with a heavy heart… sometimes, the service can be a bit… slow. But, I cannot stress this enough, it’s a pretty decent trade.
Okay, let's talk about that "occasional blip" you mentioned earlier. What's the deal?
Aaaah, the "occasional blip." Okay. Buckle up. This is a story… a *saga*. One time, I was there, and things were going great. Wonderful even! Breakfast was AMAZING, the kids were behaving, the water was perfect. Then, the air conditioning in my room… decided to take a nap. A long nap. A *very* long nap. I called the front desk, who were, you know, helpful. Sort of. The engineer came, tinkered, and LEFT. The AC did not. It remained stubbornly, and oppressively, *off*. It was July. It was sweltering. My kids were melting. I was melting. I was reaching a level of frustration that rivaled the time my car broke down in the middle of rush hour traffic. I probably should have requested a room transfer sooner. Luckily, after several more calls (and a healthy dose of passive-aggressive emails to the front desk), they moved us. After several hours, and a lot of sweat. It was a long, hot, and memorable lesson on the importance of proactive AC maintenance. So yeah… blips happen. But hey, it adds character, right? (I hope they have fixed the AC by now).
Would you recommend it? Seriously, would you go back?
Look, despite the occasional AC-related drama and thin walls, YES. Absolutely, without a doubt. I would. The good definitely outweighs the bad. The clean rooms, the comfy beds, the free (and sometimes questionable) breakfast… it's a solid choice. And honestly? I'm a creature of habit, so, yes. I'll be back. Just… maybe I'll bring a fan. And some earplugs. And a good sense of humor. Because, let's be real, life, like a stay at Home2 Suites in Merrillville, is full of surprises. And I’m here for it… mostly.
