Finding a place to crash near O'Hare is usually a nightmare of overpriced airport hotels or sketchy motels that haven't seen a vacuum since the 90s. If you’re looking at Extended Stay America Select Suites Chicago O Hare, you’re likely in that weird middle ground. You need a kitchen. You need more than two days of space. But you also don't want to pay downtown Loop prices just to be near a runway in Des Plaines.
It’s located at 1201 E Touhy Ave. That’s the core of the suburban sprawl surrounding one of the busiest airports on the planet. Honestly, if you aren't familiar with the "Select Suites" branding, it’s basically the no-frills, budget-conscious sibling of the standard Extended Stay America hotels. It’s built for the person who is moving to Chicago, the traveling nurse on a six-week contract, or the person whose house just flooded and needs a place where they can cook a grilled cheese at 2:00 AM without a "No Hot Plates" sign staring them down.
The Reality of Living Near Touhy Avenue
Location is everything. If you’re staying at Extended Stay America Select Suites Chicago O Hare, you are basically living in the heart of Des Plaines. It’s about 3 miles from the terminals. That sounds close. In Chicago traffic? It’s a roll of the dice. You’ve got the Allstate Arena right there, which is great if you’re catching a concert, but a total headache if you’re trying to check in at the same time 15,000 people are trying to see a show.
The neighborhood is functional. You aren't here for the nightlife. You're here because you can walk to a Target or a Starbucks. There’s a Chili’s nearby. It’s the kind of area where everything is convenient but nothing is particularly "charming." That’s the trade-off. You trade the aesthetic of a boutique hotel for the utility of being able to buy groceries at the Jewel-Osco down the street and keep them in a full-sized fridge.
Most people don't realize how loud an airport hotel can be. At this specific location, you're going to hear the roar. It’s O’Hare. Planes take off every few minutes. If you’re a light sleeper, bring the heavy-duty earplugs or a white noise machine. It’s part of the deal.
What’s Inside the Rooms?
Let’s talk about the "Select Suites" part. This is where things get specific. Unlike the "Premier" tier of this brand, the Select Suites are stripped back. Think of it as an apartment-lite.
Every room has a kitchen. This is the big draw. You get a stovetop, a microwave, and a fridge. But here is the kicker: they don't always stock the cabinets with pots and pans by default. It’s a "bring your own" or "buy a kit" situation. It sounds annoying, but it keeps the nightly rate lower. If you’re staying for a month, buying a $20 frying pan at the nearby Target is still cheaper than eating out every night at the airport McDonald's.
- The Bedding: Simple. It’s clean, but it isn't high-thread-count luxury.
- Workspace: There’s usually a desk area. Essential for the "business" part of your business trip.
- Storage: Plenty of it. Since people stay here for weeks, they actually give you places to put your clothes so you don't have to live out of a suitcase like a drifter.
The Wi-Fi is generally okay for emails, but if you’re trying to stream 4K movies or run a high-stakes Zoom meeting, you might want to look into the "enhanced" Wi-Fi upgrade they offer. It’s a common gripe among long-term guests.
The "No Frills" Philosophy
Housekeeping is the biggest shock for people used to Marriott or Hilton. At Extended Stay America Select Suites Chicago O Hare, they don't come in every morning to fluff your pillows and give you fresh towels.
It’s more of a weekly thing.
They do this to keep the price down and to respect the privacy of long-term residents. It feels more like an apartment than a hotel. If you need fresh towels in between, you usually have to head down to the front desk and swap them out yourself. It’s a bit of a DIY experience. Some people hate it. Others love that no one is knocking on their door at 9:00 AM while they’re still in their pajamas.
Dealing with the "Select" Tier
There are no free breakfasts here. If you want coffee, you make it in your room. There’s no gym on-site. If you need to burn off some steam, you’re looking at a jog around the local office parks or finding a local Planet Fitness. It’s a "pay for what you use" model. This is why the rates are often 30-40% lower than the "Standard" Extended Stay America locations just a few miles away.
Navigating the Logistics
Getting to the airport from here is a bit of a nuance. They don't run a 24/7 dedicated shuttle like the massive Hilton O'Hare does. Most guests rely on Uber or Lyft. A ride to the terminal usually takes 10 to 15 minutes, but during peak Monday morning flight times, you should probably double that. Touhy Avenue can become a parking lot.
Parking on-site is usually available, which is a massive win. Try finding free or cheap parking anywhere else near O’Hare. It’s nearly impossible. If you have a rental car or your own vehicle because you’re transitioning between homes, this is one of the few places where that won't cost you an extra $40 a day.
Comparison to Nearby Options
Why choose this over the Hyatt Place or the Wyndham? Honestly, it’s the price and the stove. If you are staying for three nights or less, the Select Suites might feel a bit too basic. You’d probably be happier at a full-service hotel. But once you hit that seven-day mark, the math changes.
Eating out in Chicago is expensive. Tax and tip alone will eat your budget alive. Being able to boil pasta or sear a steak in your room saves hundreds of dollars over a two-week stay.
Essential Survival Tips for Your Stay
Don't arrive expecting a bellman to grab your bags. This is a self-service kind of place. Grab one of the luggage carts near the entrance if they’re available.
Check your room immediately upon arrival. Because these hotels have such high turnover with long-term guests, wear and tear happens faster than at a luxury resort. If the burner on the stove doesn't work or the fridge is making a weird clicking sound, tell the front desk right away. They’re usually pretty good about swapping you to a different suite if you catch it early.
Go to the grocery store early. There is a Target and several grocery stores within a short drive. Stock up on the basics—salt, pepper, dish soap—because the hotel provides the bare minimum.
Watch the Allstate Arena schedule. If there is a major concert or a Disney on Ice residency, traffic on Touhy is going to be brutal. Plan your airport departures accordingly.
Actionable Next Steps
If you’re planning a stay at Extended Stay America Select Suites Chicago O Hare, follow these steps to make it suck less:
- Book through the official site for long-term rates. Third-party sites often don't trigger the deep discounts for stays over 7 or 30 days.
- Verify the kitchen situation. Call the front desk at (847) 296-3390 before you arrive to ask if they have "dish kits" available or if you need to bring your own.
- Download a noise-canceling app. Between the airport noise and the thin walls common in budget suites, a "Brown Noise" generator on your phone will save your sleep.
- Check the parking fee. While often included or cheap, policies change. Confirm if it's currently "complimentary" for your specific booking tier to avoid a surprise bill at checkout.
- Join the Extended Perks program. It’s free. Even for a one-time stay, it usually nets you a percentage off the nightly rate that you won't get as a guest.
This isn't a vacation resort. It’s a tool. Used correctly, it’s one of the most cost-effective ways to live in the Chicago suburbs without signing a year-long lease or burning through your savings at a traditional hotel.