Into the USA and The Crowne Plaza O’Hare
Surprise, Surprise!
After eight hours, it’s time to deal with entry into the United States of America. How long will I wait at the border and to get out into the public space?
It’s also time for the first hotel stop on this trip, with an old standby of the Crowne Plaza O’Hare.
In this surprise-laden adventure
- We all know the drill by now… don’t we?
- The early morning road to nowhere (and Heathrow Terminal 3 first thing in the morning, with an equipment change shock)
- Morning Lounging at the Cathay Pacific and American Airlines Lounges
- AA87 London Heathrow to Chicago O’Hare – Main Cabin Extra
- Into the USA and The Crowne Plaza O’Hare
- Hyatt Regency O’Hare
- Airplane Art Special from the Hyatt Regency O’Hare
- Various nibbles around Chicago
- An Instagram Trap? Coffee at Brü
- Chicago Classics: Giordano’s Deep Dish Pizza
- Enjoying a Chicago River tour… in the rain
- Back to O’Hare and the British Airways lounge
- BA296 Chicago O’Hare to London Heathrow – Club World (Club Suites)
- Racing across Heathrow… but where’s the coach?
- To onward surprises
Into the USA
Heading off the jetbridge, I wasn’t in the mood to hang around – to put it mildly. Not going at speed at US Immigration is a recipe for a very long wait to clear the border.
Or was I running away from the feet that were next to me for the previous eight hours? You might very well think that. I possibly couldn’t comment.
Bening dropped off at Gate M21, it was a case of walking quickly – and skipping the small room.
I continued downstairs as they seemed to have done a lot of refurbishment since I was here last – with actual lighting.
Wow. It looks nice now. This is one hell of a glow-up.
I followed the lanes through, with the first set of immigration stations kept for US Residents, with the second set used for Visitors.
The first immigration hall
Thankfully, there was only one lane of switchbacks in the tensabarrier maze – meaning it would be a short wait.
I was directed to a lane, where I waited, then instructed to go to another lane by an immigration officer for processing.
With my biometrics taken, and my passport scanned, I was questioned about my visit reasons. With the officer satisfied, I was let into the USA.
Next on the list was the joy of the luggage belt. By some miracle, I had timed it right, with the two bags appearing one after the other a few minutes after I arrived.
Yikes. This never happens.
I headed over to customs for the final hurdle. With the blue form handed over, I was in the USA.
Stopping the timer – from entering the immigration hall to a seat in the arrivals hall – 13 minutes 12 seconds. Even adding in the walk from M21, 19 minutes in total.
Wow.
I was speechless. What a wonderful smooth arrivals experience, compared to some airports I’ve been through.
After making a few calls post-landing, it was time to get active. I had a list of stuff to get done. It was a matter of how long I would stay awake.
But first I needed to donate to the Chicago taxi fund for the short ride over to the hotel. As we know, Rideshares require you to take the Airport Transit System to Terminal 2 and pick up your ride from there.
With the luggage load I travel with, I haven’t got the time or the energy to deal with that.
I headed outside and to the taxi rank, as a scalper tried to grab me for business. After shaking them off, I was directed to a taxi and informed the driver it was going to be a short ride. With that, we were off to Chicago traffic.
And off to the first hotel this trip: The Crowne Plaza O’Hare.
Crowne Plaza O’Hare
Rate paid: $136/Night (including taxes)
Yes, we are back at the Crowne Plaza O’Hare. Again.
I choose this property for one reason alone: convenience.
I’ve said it once, I’ve said it many times. We enjoy having our hotel photos taken at night on this blog.
The hotel is near enough to the Rosemont L Station to be within walking distance. It also is close enough to the airport that it’s a short taxi ride away.
For me, The Crown Plaza O’Hare is one useful thing – a convenient and reliable crash pad that I know inside out. That after a long flight is something to be thankful for when you don’t have to think about much – you just can go on automatic and head to a room once checked in.
As it is also near a freeway to downtown, it’s also an express link to the city of Chicago. It’s convenient – and for day 1, that’s perfect.
I wheeled my junk in the hotel lobby and was welcomed by the front desk staff.
We went through the formalities of check-in, with identification checks carried out and payment taken (along with a $50 holding charge).
With that done, I headed down to the elevators. Well, with the trash I carry, dragged everything. Even if that suitcase handle is not in good condition and was making noises that I’d describe as “please hold out for the next few days”.
I found the lifts and headed up to the 10th floor. There was one more groan, as the room I had been allocated was at the end of the hallway.
Heading into the room, it’s a typical Crowne Plaza hotel room that I know and love. From the king-size bed, that welcomes you after multiple hours on the move, to the sofa that’s great to crash out on.
I took the opportunity to freshen up in the bathroom. This is fitted with the usual US-style bathroom, with the shower to try to get the transatlantic muck off me.
The bathroom is appointed with individual amenities- a rarity these days, One that I can take.
With me slightly fresher, I explored the room a little deeper. As usual, there’s a reasonably sized TV wall mounted.
Power is a little more traditional, with it in various wells and a lamp stand. There were no USB outlets near the beds – considering how many hotels on my previous trip had them, it’s a bit disappointing.
The concession to power by the bed…
I guess in this interconnected age, the demands for power change – and high output USB-A or USB-C is becoming no longer a luxury, but a requirement for many travellers these days.
The TV itself had the usual content one would expect – I didn’t Cast to it – mainly as my energy tank was more than low. And I needed to do other things in Chicago.
The views were limited – with a view of the Rosemont Theatre and a Stroad.
Sadly, I wasn’t here for the view – there was a laundry list of crap to get on with. It was time to take an Uber (or was it a Lyft? Not overly relevant to be honest), and party on out to the city centre.
Laundry List Item number one. Tech heaven.
It was touch and go which direction I would go – I could have headed back to the hotel, or downtown, depending on the first train.
I went downtown.
With some of the laundry list done, I headed back a lot more exhausted to the hotel – this time taking the L to Rosemont, then walking. If you’ve got time, the hotel is indirectly served by the Rosemont Entertainment Circlar – Bus 811 from Rosemont station. You’ll either need to get out at the Fashion Outlets of Chicago and walk, or at the Convention Centre and cross the road. Both are valid (especially on a cold or wet day).
I pondered cheating, but there was a local… in a mood that was less than welcoming. It was easier to walk, even if I was exhausted.
Getting back to the room, I think I faceplanted on the bed… and that was me out like a light for eight hours plus.
Poor sleep patterns and transatlantic travel don’t mix.
I honestly don’t know what time I woke up – it was early. But at least the hotel Wi-Fi was good enough to remote back to the real world to cause more chaos. With everything that’s happening there, keeping one step ahead is more important than usual.
As I didn’t have a breakfast voucher on the rate I was on, I skipped it I had a few other fish to fry – as well as go through the missing list of items. I might had also self-catered… just in case.
One battle at a time. It also gives me a chance to complete some editorial photography work, as well as work through the Keurig Machine with KCups.
At least water was provided free of charge. There was a fridge underneath if needed.
With that done, it was past 11 am. Time to make like the wind and check out.
Or rather get out of the room.
I repacked the bags and headed down to the reception. With no further charges against the account, I was all set to go.
I stayed a little longer as I wanted to delay my arrival at the Hyatt (and try and skip a fee), but with stuff done, I was ready to move on
Overall:
I like the Crowne Plaza as a crash pad. There are times when I get off a flight that I don’t want to walk around a hotel I don’t know. I want to go on autopilot and find my room, get in and relax.
And this hotel does the job perfectly for that.
Next:
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