New Navy mom needs a hotel deal for bootcamp grad!

[heartsy77]

My DS shipped out last Thursday for Great Lakes, IL Navy boot camp!
We haven't gotten the official gradation info yet but my estimation is graduation will be Sept 30 or Oct 7.

I'm starting too look into area hotel prices as we will drive out Thursday afternoon here and stay till Sunday am.

My family will consist of DH, DD 15, DD 12 and I ; I would like a hotel with a pool with in 15 minutes of the naval base. I would love to get a deal on a room as we are on a budget!

I looked at the Navy Lodge but I think it maybe for service people only?

And hotel tips, places or etc. would be appreciated!

 

[chris31997]

My DS shipped out last Thursday for Great Lakes, IL Navy boot camp!
We haven't gotten the official gradation info yet but my estimation is graduation will be Sept 30 or Oct 7.

I'm starting too look into area hotel prices as we will drive out Thursday afternoon here and stay till Sunday am.

My family will consist of DH, DD 15, DD 12 and I ; I would like a hotel with a pool with in 15 minutes of the naval base. I would love to get a deal on a room as we are on a budget!

I looked at the Navy Lodge but I think it maybe for service people only?

And hotel tips, places or etc. would be appreciated!

Your son should be able to get you on the lodge IF he has the time. I am not sure how it works for the Navy. DH is a Marine and he did not really have time to make the reservation. They may let you make the reservation and have him show up. Best bet would be to contact the Navy Lodge on that base directly and talk to them. The other issue you would have is getting on base, but because it is graduation they will ask your son who is coming and get that info and have a pass for you.

The hotels in the area probably will have a discount for people attending the graduation. You will need to speak to that hotel directly. The training command might even send out info about what hotels to stay at. You might even be able to look that information up on the base website.

Congrats and good luck

 

[NotUrsula]

Great Lakes is fairly close to Gurnee/Waukegan area. I've Pricelined hotels up there several times.

 

[dclfun]

When my son had his graduation, the Navy Lodge was full but there are LOTS of hotels in the area that are not costly. I'd choose one close to the mall in Gurnee- they have shuttles for the graduation and most of the kids want to eat at a nice restaurant/go to the mall/see a movie, etc. and you'll be right there. Don't forget to ask where he wants to have a meal and make a ressie- he may want to join newfound friends too and their parents. Have fun- the ceremony is awesome!---Kathy

 

[MickeyManiac]

I stayed at the Ramada in Waukegan when my then DBF (now DH) graduated from BC. They had a shuttle that took me to the base. At the time it was nice and I seem to remember it being close to a mall but that was 22 years ago so my memory is a little hazy.

 

[Sandy321]

I live nearby - but started planning when my niece from Texas joined the Navy - this site was helpful

http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/grad_day.asp


http://www.bootcampgraduations.com/hotelsGL.html

If you google great lakes naval graduation - a google map will pop up - from there you can click on that map - then click "nearby" then add "restaurants' for choices too -

As others have said heading up I94 to Gurnee Mills is a great option (I94 and 132) - fast food places like Steak and Shake, as well as Red Lobster, Rainforest Cafe, again, put Gurnee Mills Mall in Google, and add restaurants to see the variety of choices!!

 

[Them!]

I think that Navy Lodge has a graduation deal. Call them. I saw lots of parents when I went a few years ago to a graduation there. BTW that graduation was so touching and made me very proud of these young kids. Hugs to you and him!

 

[Want2liveatWDW]

It will be a year ago this Friday that my son left for bootcamp, so we were just out there last October.
I remember him mailing us a packet with the info about graduation and there were lots of hotels that have graduation packages. We stayed at the Navy Lodge it was $65 per night (My husband is a DOD employee so he booked it) and if I remember correctly quite a few of the hotels were around that price.
The ceremony is awesome and made me cry. It makes you so proud of your recruit.
I found this website helpful http://www.navyformoms.com
They have forums and message boards with lots of info. You will also find other moms on there with their sons/daughters who are in boot camp at the same time as yours. They become like a support group and with a few I found the friendship continues long past boot camp.
I hope this is helpful. PM me if you have any questions. Be proud of your recruit. I know I am! Go Navy!

ETA: The Ramada is within 15 minutes of the base and has an indoor pool.

 

[heartsy77]

Just wanted to say thanks so much for all the info and support!

I really am excited to go out and see him! We are packing up the Pilot, with the family, and making the 12 hour one way trip!

I'm so proud to be a Navy mom!

 

[Want2liveatWDW]

I really am excited to go out and see him! We are packing up the Pilot, with the family, and making the 12 hour one way trip!

I'm so proud to be a Navy mom!

We did this. 13 hours each way.

My DS shipped out last Thursday for Great Lakes, IL Navy boot camp!
We haven't gotten the official gradation info yet but my estimation is graduation will be Sept 30 or Oct 7.

It's a year ago this week my son left for boot camp and his graduation was Oct 8th. So if I had to guess I would say his graduation day would be Sept 30th, seeing as he left last week.

 

[hrslvr142]

Have no travel advise...just wanted to say Congratulations to your son and best wishes to your family. If the bootcamp graduation is anything close to USMC graduation it will be one of the proudest, most incredible events of your life. My son graduated in 10/05 and I can still see those young men marching out...wow..thanks for the memories

God bless our Military!

Very Proud Mom of a US Marine

 

[malibuconlee]

My advice would be to book early. I'd book now for both weekends at someplace that will let you cancel without penalty. We live near Ft. Leonard Wood a large training installation for the ARMY. Family Day/Graduation are mid week here and it can be impossible to get a hotel reservation mid week if you don't book in advance. It's also funny because restaurants are busiest here Tu-Th instead of the weekend like most places!

 

[Shmily1]

I have nothing at all to add to the hotel hunt, but wanted to say thank you to your family for your service.

 

[PigletsPal2]

Are we allowed to post specifics? If not, I assume the mods will delete this post.

I priced these for the weekend 30 Sep - 02 Oct.

Candlewood Suites - Waukegan
1-877-226-3539
$75.99 for a double room

Candlewood Suites - Libertyville
1-877-226-3539
$80.49 for a double room

Holiday Inn Express - Waukegan
1-888-465-4328
$108 for a double room

Holiday Inn Express - Libertyville
1-847-549-7878
$89.99 for a double room

If you end up reserving at any of these places, remember to sign up for their free rewards program. My DH stays at a Staybridge Suites for extended stays (but more frequent shorter stays work as well) and he earned me enough points to "buy" $600 worth of gift cards for Christmas last year. For short stays, I particularly like Holiday Inn Express.

We thank your family for their service!

Queen Colleen

 

[heartsy77]

I just wanted to update and say thank you to everyone who posted!
All your comments and support made my family feel so proud!


We got the Navy grad packet today and the ceremony is September 30.
Inside the brochure was ad for the Navy Campground on base; I don't know why I didn't think of it before ! We just bought a new camper in June and haven't used it yet so I booked it !

It will be a nice dry run for our camping trip to Disney next Oct!