HotelChatter

Check-in: We waited on the curb at O'Hare airport as the various airport hotel courtesy shuttles passed by, with pilots piling in to the Holiday Inn one and families into Sheraton Four Points and single women business travelers into the Westin shuttle. By the time the Aloft bus rolled around, we were feeling very cool indeed, as our fellow Aloft-bound travelers were the hippest of the lot standing on the curb.

Pulling up the hotel some 5 minutes away from the airport, we skipped the front desk and went straight for the touchscreen check-in monitor, which had us all set and with room keys in hand in under a minute flat. Our only issue was that this automatic check-in didn't ask our room preferences, and assigned us room 101, on the first floor off the lobby. Well, we aren't handicapped and we didn't have a car outside to keep watch over, so we turned right around to the front desk where the receptionist speedily switched us up tp the top 6th floor corner. Room 649 with a standard king bed, to be exact.

Room Reaction: Holy moly, was it ever a large room, for something labeled "standard king." We could have people doing yoga on either side of the bed if we wanted, or perhaps we could throw a freaking sleepover. The room is also laid out quite openly, with the only door being the sliding mirrored divider between the toilet and shower area and the sink/closet portion of the bathroom. A very nice desk sits in front of one window and a raised unpacking area sits in front of the other. Between them is a large bench almost long enough to sleep another person and a high flatscreen HD-TV, which can connect to your laptop or other gadgets via cables you can borrow from the front desk (although it won't work with Mac computers because they don't have the right cord for them).

True to current hotel bathroom trends, there is a play on privacy in the shower. A frosted glass panel in the bedroom looks completely innocent, but it's actually one of the wall of the shower, making for some scintillating shadows when the lighting is right and someone is all a-loofah. With features like this and the TV hook-up, the room has a very fun vibe.

Amenities: It's almost too bad that this is an airport hotel where travelers typically spend just one night, arriving late and leaving early. We took full advantage of the check in and out hours, since this Aloft not only had an indoor swimming pool, but also a very nice gym, indoor lounge and Wxyz Bar, pool table, grab-and-go snack area, outdoor lounge area with fireplace and even a bean bag throwing lawn. Perhaps make your own tea or coffee from the complimentary in-room selection and then grab one of the magazines and head down to the lobby to watch others play bean bag toss? We could spend many evenings doing just this. Additionally, Alofts are internet-savvy and provide their guests with two computers in the lobby for checking email and whatnot, and you can also check into your flight and print the boarding pass from one of the other two touchscreen terminals next to the front desk. But if you're not into staying inside at night, we recommend asking the complimentary shuttle bus driver to drop you off at one of the area's good steak and beer joints (we ended up at Ram's Brewpub, with a peanut butter burger).

Internet Connect: You can't get much more free than this, with great fast signal throughout the hotel, even in the outdoor loungey area. The lobby, while dark and bar-focused at night, is the perfect spot for checking your email in the light of morning.

What We Liked: We haven't been too impressed with our past Aloft hotel stays, but this O'Hare one seems to have some serious mojo that the others don't. If pressed for money, we'd even consider staying here while visiting the city, and not just before and early flight out of the airport. The expansive, comfortable and design-forward lobby was a major bonus, as was the free wifi and chic pool. We threw a few bean bags out on the lawn for the heck of it, and made full use of the nice gym, and enjoyed both simple pursuits immensely, perhaps because this Aloft boasts a lot of space and is still new enough to be cute with bean bags.

What We Didn't Like: We know it's an airport hotel and all, but the plane noise can be quite loud in the evenings when the large international flights leave right overhead. For this reason, we probably should have refused a top-floor room; learn from our mistakes. Also, the pillows SUCK. Where'd they buy these little things? The 99-cent bin at IKEA?

We were also unhappy with the food selections in the grab-and-go area, and because the hotel doesn't have a restaurant and none are exactly within walking distance, you're stuck paying like $3 for a crappy small muffin in the morning. And although smoothies were advertised on the price board, we couldn't for the life of us figure out how to make one ourselves there.

Bottom Line: Of all the other O'Hare airport hotels, Aloft is definitely our number one choice and recommendation. You kind of feel bad for those staying at the Intercontinental next door, seeing as how they're paying double to triple what you are with half the perks and likely smaller, more cookie-cutter rooms. This Aloft is far more comfortable than what you expect from an airport hotel, and it's a great relief to find a hotel that gets the whole free wifi and touchscreen check-in thing completely.

One night is simply not enough to enjoy it properly though, so if you do stay here, be sure to check in as early as possible and out as late as possible. But bring your own snacks or head out on the shuttle for dinner, because food is the only major weak spot.

[All Photos: HotelChatter]