We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.
We support the following browsers: Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox. Mac: Safari.
Free Newsletter

Interested in Best Western University Plaza and Evanston?

We'll send you updates with the latest deals, reviews and articles for Best Western University Plaza and Evanston each week.

Best Western University Plaza: Traveler Reviews

Call now to book: 1-800-45-HOTEL from hotels.com
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating:
  • A summary score based on quality, quantity and age of traveler ratings.
2.5 of 5 stars 25 Reviews
5.0 of 5 stars
0
4.0 of 5 stars
3
3.0 of 5 stars
6
2.0 of 5 stars
8
1.0 of 5 stars
8
TripAdvisor Popularity Index:
  • Measures overall traveler satisfaction based on ratings, reviews and other sources.
#5 of 7 hotels in Evanston
Show Hotel DetailsHide Hotel Details
  • Hotel class: 3 of 5
  • Rooms: 159
  • Address: 1501 Sherman Avenue Evanston, IL 60201
Property Type: Hotel
  • Lodging offering guest rooms, a 24-hour front desk and a variety of services and amenities.
Description: Downtown Hotel located 2 blocks from train station; 1 mile from Northwestern University; 15 miles from Chicago & O'Hare Airport. This description is based on information provided by the hotel.
Business Center Fitness Center Restaurant Room Service Swimming Pool
Check Rates: $166 Avg. Price
mm/dd/yyyy mm/dd/yyyy
Check Rates
Opens one window for each offer. Please disable pop-up blockers.

TripAdvisor Traveler Reviews

Reviews of Best Western University Plaza

( 7-11 of 25 )
“Decent staff, old school decor”

Best Western University Plaza

Save Review
3 of 5 stars
Toronto
May 28, 2008

The staff at the BW were quick and friendly at check in. When I had card problem, they were very responsive in getting the problem taken care of. Service was decent, although when I called to get an extra blanket, I had to go down and pick it up myself.
There are no frills or extra decorative touches at the BW. The lobby, elevators and hallways were all just the basics, and kind of unpleasant in feeling. I mostly just wanted to get into my room and get the door closed.
The hotel is quite close to the cta lines, and the first room I stayed in was really noisy, since the trains run until 1am and start again at 5am. Due to the layout of the hotel, you're either close to the elevator or close to the trains, which obviously isn't the optimal set up for a quiet stay. When I asked to switch rooms, the front desk person was very accomodating, and found me a room that was marked as "quiet".Once I switched rooms the noise from the trains was better. The beds were decently comfortable and the free wireless worked without a hitch. The fitness room was closed throughout my stay, and the outdoor pool was empty.
All in all it was a decent place to stay if you're planning to spend little or no time in the hotel, and aren't looking for any particular amenities.

  • This TripAdvisor Member:
    • Liked — Price
    • Disliked — Noise
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Lanabus's Summary
Date of Stay: May 2008
Traveled with: Solo traveler
Visit was for: Business
Age group: 25-34
Member since: August 28, 2006
  • My ratings for this hotel are:
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
    • 5 of 5 stars Business service
Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
most likely
I recommend this hotel for:
Young singles, Older travelers
I do not recommend this hotel for:
An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway, People with disabilities, Great pool scene, Pet owners
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Check Rates
Average price*: $166 (year-round)
Call now to book: 1-800-45-HOTEL from hotels.com
“Great Beds!!!”

Best Western University Plaza

Save Review
4 of 5 stars
Bloomington, IL
May 25, 2008

We booked our reservations through expedia and got a good rate. The exterior of the hotel needs improvement and the garage is a little run down. However, the interior of the hotel appears to be new. The front desk staff was very friendly and told us we were in a newly redone room. The beds are very comfortable, even better than what we have at home. The linens were very nice and we had a feather duvet, not an old brown blanket as another reviewer had mentioned. The hotel is limited in the amenities. They only serve a continetal breakfast, no lunch or dinner. And there is only an outdoor pool which was open in early May. Overall, a very nice stay. We got a very good night sleep and the staff was very nice.

  • This TripAdvisor Member:
    • Liked — The Beds
    • Disliked — No room service
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
sblock0906's Summary
Date of Stay: May 2008
Traveled with: Spouse / significant other
Visit was for: Hobbies / interest / culture
Age group: 25-34
Member since: May 25, 2008
  • My ratings for this hotel are:
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
    • 3 of 5 stars Business service
Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
absolutely!
I recommend this hotel for:
Tourists
I do not recommend this hotel for:
Pet owners
I selected this hotel as a top choice for:
Other
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Check Rates
Average price*: $166 (year-round)
Call now to book: 1-800-45-HOTEL from hotels.com
“Great Improvents!”

Best Western University Plaza

Save Review
4 of 5 stars
dvoorst
May 12, 2008

After reading the reviews regarding this hotel, my husband and I kept our expectations low. The price and location were right so we boldly checked in on a Friday night expecting the worse and boy were we pleasantly surprised! Our experience here was nothing like many of the other reviewers. The staff was very friendly checking us in, they quickly resolved a minor miscommunication issue before sending us to our room for a two night stay. The elevator was clean and quick (contrary to another reviewers experience) and the hallways were bright and freshly painted and papered. The room was quite a pleasant surprise! All new bathroom fixtures, feather beds and comforters, new carpeting and furniture. We did hear the metra train occasionally throughout the night, but it wasn't bad, and we consider that part of staying in the city. In the loop we hear ambulances which is worse. All in all, it looks like this hotel is really making some improvements...we would definitely stay here again.
Oh yes, there are some really good restaurants within walking distance and parking is very convenient.

  • This TripAdvisor Member:
    • Liked — The improvements made recently
    • Disliked — the view from the outside looking at the hotel (curtains all messy etc)
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
dvoorst's Summary
Date of Stay: May 2008
Traveled with: Spouse / significant other
Visit was for: Personal event (wedding, ...)
Age group: 50-64
Member since: May 12, 2008
  • My ratings for this hotel are:
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
    • 4 of 5 stars Business service
Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
absolutely!
I recommend this hotel for:
Families with teenagers, Tourists
I do not recommend this hotel for:
Pet owners
I selected this hotel as a top choice for:
Shopping
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Check Rates
Average price*: $166 (year-round)
Call now to book: 1-800-45-HOTEL from hotels.com
“On the low side of mediocre”

Best Western University Plaza

Save Review
2 of 5 stars
New York
Apr 4, 2008

It looks like many other Best Westerns I've been in: poorly tended public areas, garish colors in the rooms, blankets made of that fuzzy artificial stuff. The bed is far from plush. The wireless Internet doesn't connect and the cable internet has glitches that made it impossible for me to send, though I could receive. My door could be closed only by slamming hard. The breakfast is disgraceful: $6 plus for watery coffee, high-fat yoghurt, supermarket doughnuts and waffles, and Wonder Bread toast.

One positive: the bathroom, and for that matter the room, were immaculately clean.

There aren't a lot of options in Evanston, but this is at the bottom of the pack. If you do stay here, by all means skip the breakfast.

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Achillea's Summary
Date of Stay: April 2008
Member since: May 09, 2007
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Check Rates
Average price*: $166 (year-round)
Call now to book: 1-800-45-HOTEL from hotels.com
“Bad hotel!”

Best Western University Plaza

Feb 25, 2008

We stayed here while visiting Northwestern and this place is a joke. We had no hot water and were told they would have their "engineer check it out". We finally had hot water in the afternoon sometime after 1:00.

This hotel has terrible curb appeal. You would not believe what it looks like from the street. They use the upper levels for storage and all of the curtains are open. We saw junk, mattresses. etc. leaning up again the windows...very tacky. I cannot believe that the Best Western executives put up with this!

I walked in and checked out the breakfast food. It looked horrible so we did not waste $7.00 per person.

We paid about $130 per night for this place and it was not worth it at all!

I do not recommend this hotel.

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
nothappyOhio's Summary
Date of Stay: February 2008
Member since: February 25, 2008
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Check Rates
Average price*: $166 (year-round)
Call now to book: 1-800-45-HOTEL from hotels.com

Reviews of Best Western University Plaza

( 7-11 of 25 )
Travelers Who Viewed This Property Also Viewed
Location: Evanston, IL
$193*
Check Rates
No photo provided
Location: Evanston, IL
$137*
Location: Evanston, IL
$146*
Check Rates
*Average price
Write Your Own Hotel Review
Been to Best Western University Plaza? Share your experiences!

Do You Own Best Western University Plaza?

Best Western University Plaza Also Known As

Address: 1501 Sherman Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201