Navy Lodge - The best place to stay in Great Lakes...
 

There is many places to stay in Great Lakes, I perferred "The Navy Lodge". Although your not military, you can still stay there because your spouse, son, or daughter is in bootcamp.

To get a room you need to book well in advance. The rooms are quickly booked. So as soon as you see their graduation PIR listed, make sure you book a room. You can see the graduation schedule here >> http://www1.netc.navy.mil/nstc/rtcgl/upcoming_grads.asp
Even though the rules say you must have your sailor there when checking in, they make an exception for Great Lakes. So you don't need them there. Also remember, in Great Lake you are allowed to use the Navy Exchange while you are there...

Their Navy Lodge website is:
http://www.navy-lodge.com/index.html

Navy Lodge
Great Lakes
Great Lakes Naval Training Center
Great Lakes, IL
60088-5000
847-689-1485 -
Fax: 847-689-1489 Amenities ...

how much is it to stay at the Navy Lodge in GL? Looked at the site but didnt see any rates...

Just click the link and select "reservation"... Put in Illinois and it will show the rate.

Looks like it $65 per night....

We didn't stay Navy Lodge - we would have had to get two rooms, and had read some-not-so-good things about it. (it's more of a motel than a hotel, and yes, I'm very spoiled thanks to priceline when it comes to hotels). Because we also had my parents with us, we got a two bedroom suite at Residence Inn for $120/night. Residence Inn also provides you with breakfast (a pretty good one too), so for a group of 4 + 2 year old, it saved us about $40/day!

The $120 IS a military rate, so you have to call to book it, but we loved it!

Personally I liked the Navy Lodge, even though back when I was there a few years ago, it wasnt wired for WiFi, now it is. I got one with a kitchenette and it was fine for me and my son, and Justin didnt care...he just wanted to watch TV and eat! He wanted my food, as in Home Cooking! They provide the pots and pans, silver ware, cups and everything, so we were set. Had an oven ,stove, frig, a nice small kitchen. Not all rooms have kitchens, you have to ask and they do not cost anymore. At least the Navy Lodge is also not taxed. If you have a small child and need a crib, just tell them, they will provide you with a crib. I personally give the Navy Lodge a 2 thumbs up :you rock:
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The 2 bedroom suite at Residence Inn also has a full kitchen with all necessary utensils. It really is the size of a small 2 bedroom apartment. It even had 2 baths! But since we were 2 families, we didn't have to get two rooms. I am always told that my DH and I snore, so we had to have 2 bedrooms! And Thursday night dinner was covered too!

So when Tim was with us, they had their own area to go to! Each room had a TV and had a TV in the living room! And free Wifi! Oh, and it was away from the base, so Tim actually felt like he got away from the Navy for a bit! Even though there were a lot of Navy families at the hotel.

The Navy Lodge was awesome!!! I am staying there again when I go up to see Jesse again. They were so nice and answered every question I had very well. Felt very safe there. The beds were so comfy and the little kitchen was so cute. Didn't have an oven, so I was a little bummed about that, but still, Jesse really liked how we ordered out Saturday night and got to transfer our Chinese to real plates and utensils. :yesnod:

It was very nice and worth it and SO close to the gate too which was really nice.

Loved the Navy Lodge Hotel...so nice!!

And they don't squeak.....:rofl:

Two thumbs up for the Navy Lodge when we stayed there. It was nice to see the other recruits families as well. Nice place and great price.

We stayed at the Navy Lodge in May of '09. It is so close to RTC and the rooms are comfortable and clean. For the $65, it's a good buy. :)

We stayed there in April and May '10. It was definitely idea. And the front desk staff recommended Wild Berry Pancakes for breakfast - it is the best breakfast restaurant I think I've ever been to. About 10-15 minutes away. Be prepared to wait a while.

We liked the fact that it had a kitchen! Yeah...my son wanted me to cook!

It actually wasn't a convention - it was the NATO Summit. Just trying to be accurate.