Into the USA, A Scammer Taxi Driver and The Crowne Plaza O’Hare
TRIP REPORT: Still for the Friends
Nothing says welcome to Chicago more than going through the immigration hoops, as well as the seemingly mandatory scamming by Chicago Taxi Drivers. Oh, let’s look at the Crowne Plaza O’Hare too.
- Still for the friends
- But first. A trip to Liverpool, North West England. But why?
- To the… daytime Heathrow run?
- Lounging around with Cathay Pacific and American Airlines
- AA87 London Heathrow to Chicago O’Hare (Main Cabin Extra)
- Into the USA, A Scammer Taxi driver and the Crowne Plaza O’Hare
- The Hyatt Regency O’Hare
- Airplane Art Extra from the Hyatt Regency O’Hare
- Exploring Modern Photography at MCoP
- Gundam Base, Chicago
- Quick Food Adventures
- An Early Return to O’Hare and the American Airlines Flagship Lounge
- AA882 to Chicago O’Hare to Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport (Exit Row)
- An Atlanta Transit
- BA226 to Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport to London Heathrow Terminal 3 in World Traveller
- Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory
- Still for Friends
Into the USA and a Scam Taxi Driver
Arriving at Terminal 5, I exited the aircraft and followed the signs down to the arrivals corridor. With my arrival time, plus the budget not being approved for workers, I was expecting a long delay to be processed into the USA.
Let’s move it, people.
Shifting into the visitors’ lane
And indeed, the queue for a US passport, green card, etc., was long, with people stacked into multiple lines.
Heading to the international queues, there was about one switchback worth of people to be processed.
Hooray.
It took around 10 minutes to see an agent, and after some light questioning, they stamped my blue form (not my passport) and admitted me into the USA.
That went smoother than usual. Although I would have loved a new stamp in my new passport.
I continued to belt 3, where it was time to play my favourite game, “When Will My Luggage Turn Up”
It’s a game when you travel with stuff that won’t fit into your hand luggage; one has to play.
Another 10 minutes, and both bags appeared on the luggage belt. With everything secure, I headed to customs, where my blue form was taken from me, and I was able to enter the USA.
Door to exit, 35 minutes or so. Not world record setting, but not the end of the world. Certainly better than some London airports I can name.
I was in the mood to keep going, mainly as I needed to get a few things done before the night had fallen, and my exhaustion levels got the better of me. Thus foolishly, I chose to catch a Chicago taxi driver.
That should have been a warning sign.
Once again, this one seemed to be happy to do a short hop, but charged $34 for the privilege (for a $15 ride normally). He blamed not setting the meter.
I told him to quit the conning of people. He didn’t like that.
Crowne Plaza O’Hare
After being stung by a Chicago Licensed Tax driver (and making more mental notes to take the train over to Terminal 2 next time and be done with it), I headed into the lobby of the Crowne Plaza.
Revoliving
Receotion
After presenting my passport, I was welcomed and checked in at my booked rate. I was offered a welcome amenity of 600 IHG Points (which are always welcome) as well as a bottle of water from the fridge.
It’s the small things that matter – well, maybe not at the rate I was paying, £128 for this hotel is on the pricey side.
With everything done, I was assigned a room on the 14th floor. I was happy with this and headed to the lifts, whilst trying not to make my luggage topple over (and failed).
Public Area
Shop.
Elevators
Up we go.
Long Corridors.
So, let’s see the room. If you’ve seen one of my Crowne Plaza room reviews before at this hotel, it’s… pretty much the same as usual.
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 was in one of my preferred crash pads.
Flanking the bed, there were two tables with lamps with mains outlets.
And of course, the day sofa. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve edited posts on one of these in this hotel.
Art, they call it.
Opposite the bed, there was a glass desk and a large-format television, as well as an oddly placed chair.
TV. And yes, Nickolden. Least political thing I could find to watch.
Well, you have to park it somewhere, I guess. Good for watching things, maybe?
Lamp with power outlets
There was a Keriug Machine there, with the usual mixture of capsules – all branded (and including the tea, which was in capsule form). They made a passable cup of drink in the morning when I needed to try to wake up. Although I wish they used proper mugs rather than disposable cups.
That and a proper mug is sometimes a warming thing when in bed and telling someone I’m 4000 miles away and cannot fix their machine remotely, and instead will need to book in for a re-image when I return home. There’s also a fridge underneath this.
Iron, hangers, and an ironing board. My German hotel friends are having a freak-out moment here.
As for the bathroom, it was the usual bathroom, this time full of bulk-pump amenities, all Dove-branded. The shower gave a good pressure level to keep me awake or wake me up (still working out which is which)
Bathtub and shower
Apothekeamenitiess on the shower.
And by the sink
Flush once for yes.
This time, the room faced outward to the DoubleTree next door. That’s a little interesting, as I was facing towards the departing path of the aircraft in the morning.
A free chance to do some airplane spotting whilst getting ready is never a bad thing. Especially when I’m still not over transatlantic lag. These were all shot on a Canon EOS R6 Mark II, with a Canon EF 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM Lens.
American Eagle E170
United Airlines Airbus A319
Silkways West Boeing 777F
United Airlines Airbus A321neo
China Southern Cargo Boeing 777F
American Airlines Boeing 787-8
ANA Cargo Boeing 777F
Whilst I wandered out a couple of times to do some bits and bobs, I cheated and got bowl noodles for the first night dining and some sort of wrap for breakfast.
I could have paid for breakfast, but that would have required planning and paying for breakfast (which wasn’t in my rate). And also being semi-presentable first thing in the morning. On a post-transatlantic fight day… that doesn’t happen, especially with the bags under my eyes that can be used.
With 11 am coming and most of my preparation done for the next few days, it was time to be presentable again and check out of the hotel.
With no further charges against the room, I was ok to continue my Chicago adventures.
Overall
For a first night hotel, it has to be clean, easy to get to and provide a decent night’s sleep. The Crowne Plaza O’Hare made it easy, even ignoring the additional amenities it had.
With a comfortable bed, good views and service, it’s still one of my go-to properties in the O’Hare area, especially if time is tight.
Next:
Onto an Economy Class and Beyond classic, The Hyatt Regency O’Hare – but is change afoot? Maybe. Just maybe.
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