Hilton Chicago Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center

HOTEL OVERVIEW

You know what caught me off guard about the Hilton Oak Brook Hills? The fact that it actually feels like a resort despite being twenty minutes from downtown Chicago. I mean, you’re driving through these corporate office parks and strip malls along Midwest Road, and then suddenly you’re pulling into this sprawling property with rolling hills and what looks like an honest-to-god golf course. The valet guys are friendly enough, though honestly, self-parking is free and way easier if you’re not staying for some big conference.

The resort sits on this huge chunk of land that makes you forget you’re in the suburbs – there’s a real sense of space here that’s pretty rare for the Chicago area. The rooms are solid four-star quality, nothing revolutionary but they’ve clearly kept up with renovations over the years. What I really appreciated was how quiet it gets at night, especially if you’re on the golf course side. The business travelers tend to clear out by evening, leaving it feeling much more relaxed. The fitness center is actually decent (I was skeptical), and that indoor pool area has this weird but charming retro vibe that somehow works. Plus, if you’re traveling with kids, they seem to love the whole setup – lots of room to roam around without parents freaking out about traffic or crowds.

Here’s the thing though – this place really shines if you understand what it is. It’s not trying to be some trendy boutique hotel, and it’s definitely not a city experience. It’s more like a really well-run suburban retreat that happens to have excellent conference facilities. The restaurant is surprisingly good for hotel food (the Sunday brunch gets packed with locals, which tells you something), and there’s something genuinely relaxing about walking around the grounds in the evening. If you’re here for business, the meeting spaces are top-notch and parking is never an issue – which anyone who’s dealt with downtown Chicago hotels will appreciate. For leisure travelers, you’re close enough to hit Oakbrook Center for shopping, and getting into the city is straightforward once you figure out the Metra station situation. I’d definitely come back, especially in fall when those trees around the golf course look incredible.