Multimillion Dollar Renovation at Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago North Shore

Lakhani Hospitality Unveils 15,000 Square Feet of Reimagined Event Space and 250 Guest Rooms

Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago North Shore Completes Multimillion Dollar Renovation

I'll be out for the unveiling the first week of May, so check back soon for my photo filled recap. I'm elated to hear about the exciting new look at the Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago North Shore. My parents frequently stay in Skokie when they visit from out of state, and it's exciting to have a contemporary, newly updated option. 

Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago North Shore is pleased to announce the completion of a comprehensive, multi-year renovation project. The property-wide transformation at 5300 West Touhy Avenue in Skokie, IL, includes an overhaul of the hotel’s 15,000 square feet of flexible banquet and meeting space, in addition to a complete revamp of the 250 guestrooms, lobby, indoor pool and public spaces.

The new, sleek and contemporary design, which carries into the 15,000 square feet of versatile and pillarless event and meeting space, caters to a variety of social events with customizable menus and packages for weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, quinceaneras, fundraisers and more. The banquet and conference center can be divided into eight separate meeting spaces and is the largest ballroom on the North Shore, accommodating up to 1,000 guests.

Custom-designed, sparkling crystal chandeliers sit 14 feet high in hand-glazed gold and copper domes, enhanced by a beautiful new color palette. A state-of-the-art sound and lighting system has also been installed and is entirely customizable for any event.

“We may have a new look, but we will continue to provide the same superior service and experience that has made locals and tourists feel at home for years,” said Sheila Lakhani, Chief Operating Officer of Lakhani Hospitality, the family business that owns and operates a portfolio of multiple hotel properties throughout Chicagoland.

Additional upgrades to the 250 modern guest rooms, include 40 brand new studio suites. Providing all of the comforts of home, new room amenities include blackout shades, mobile table and task chair and a welcome nook.

Inviting earth tone colors and textiles contrast new pops of color property-wide, with Chicago-themed artwork on display throughout the hotel. 

Originally built as a Holiday Inn in the 1960s, the property has undergone multiple facelifts over the years. In 2004, the Lakhani family, also residents of Skokie, purchased the building and the neighboring 80,000 square foot Edens Tennis Club, shortly after. In 2007, the Skokie Banquet and Conference Center was built, adding 11,000 square feet of meeting space to the Holiday Inn North Shore. 

Guests visiting Chicago can enjoy the hotel’s convenient location just 12 miles from downtown Chicago.

To make a reservation at the newly renovated Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago North Shore and for more information, please call (847) 679-8900 or visit http://www.hiskokie.com/.

ABOUT HOLIDAY INN & SUITES CHICAGO NORTH SHORE
Located just 12 miles from downtown Chicago, Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago North Shore is family owned and operated by Lakhani Hospitality. The newly-renovated 250 guest rooms, including 40 studio suites, offer modern features, providing all of the comforts of home. Meeting and banquet facilities feature 15,000 square feet of flexible space, accommodating up to 1,000 guests. Leisure travelers can enjoy the 24/7 fitness center, indoor swimming pool and on-site Bar Louie Tavern & Grill. For reservations and event information, please call (847) 679-8900 or visit http://www.hiskokie.com/.  

Best Buy's New Look Makes Last Minute Holiday Shopping Easy #ad #OriginalPhotos @BestBuy @BestBuyWOLF

Guess who got a makeover?! Don't worry they're still yellow and blue on the outside and easy to spot, but inside Best Buy is better than ever! We checked out the North Avenue Chicago store and the transformation is impressive.



Disclaimer:  ChiIL Mama is elated to be a Best Buy WOLF (Women's Leadership Forum) Blogger and we're happy to partner up and bring our readers tech news and reviews. The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

Check out our full photo recap in the slide show here and our favorite shots embedded at the end of this feature.


The North Avenue store is one of two locations in the country to feature Samsung’s Center Stage, a display that showcases Samsung appliances through a unique touch-screen interface. It's a super cool, giant screen that allows you to redesign your space or do a side by side comparison with life sized appliances. Fun fun. And we're lucky enough to be one of just TWO stores in the whole country to have one. So come check it out.



What we liked:

• Space... It's not just the final frontier. Best Buy's new remodel leaves shoppers plenty of space to roam without feeling crowded in by appliances or other people. And they've actually expanded their selection.

• Hands on displays. The days of no touch merch are over. One of the biggest benefits to buying locally vs on line, is using your 5 senses to truly try out and experience what you're thinking about buying. Like great museums, Best Buy encourages interaction with their displays! There are plenty of screens, headphones, samples and demos for you to play with and compare.

• Comfy viewing rooms. You can see large screen TVs and listen to sound systems in their natural habitat... a living room! Just like great zoos do away with bars and showcase lovely settings, Best Buy has done away with locked cages full of stacked TVs and tech toys that you see at big box retailers. Instead they've given shoppers loads of couches, recliners and smaller listening rooms where you can relax and pretend your home is as comfy, spacious and uncluttered as this. Can I just move in and live here? 

Maybe if I buy that sweet OLED TV I can feel like this at my house with snacks and drinks! 

So get off your computer and go already. Come on by and check it out. They have loads of hot toys off kids' wish lists like Super Smash Bros for 3DS and the newest Skylanders Trap Team.

The following Chicagoland stores have had big renovations and all 43 area store have been revitalized:

1. Store #301 Butterfield Road and #316 Downers Grove South – City of Downers Grove

2. Store #307 Joliet – City of Joliet

3. Store #310 Naperville – Cities of Aurora / Naperville

4. Store #323 North Avenue – Downtown Chicago

5. Store #318 Vernon Hills –  City of Vernon Hills

6. Store #308 Orland Park – City of Orland Park

7. Schaumburg #305 – City of Schaumburg

Best Buy is investing millions into the Chicago area renovating or updating the stores this year – highlighted by new Pacific Kitchen and Home departments added. These renovations all wrap up just in time for Holiday shopping and ensure the customer experience for everyone in the Chicago area is even better.

Best Buy Revamps North Avenue Store in Time for Holiday Shopping Season

Store revitalization project impacted all 43 Chicagoland stores

Best Buy has made a number of enhancements to its North Avenue store in time for the holiday shopping season. The company spent $20 million dollars over the summer remodeling all 43 Chicagoland stores. 

Chicago was one of the original markets Best Buy expanded to in the early 90s. Each store has been refreshed with new fixtures and finishes – from new paint and lighting to updated carpeting and bathrooms to make for a better customer shopping experience. 

New Shopping Areas 

New store features now provide customers with more choice in appliances, a best-in-class home theater shopping experience and new shopping areas from top brands. 

The store appliances departments have expanded to include a larger variety of both large and small appliances. 

The home theater sections have been remodeled to highlight new TV technology like 4K and UHD displays. New Samsung and Sony Experiences in the North Avenue store now showcase this technology. 

Community Commitment

Best Buy is strengthening its local community ties as the lead sponsor for the Chicago City of Learning, a partnership between the Chicago Public Schools, DePaul University, the MacArthur Foundation and Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s office. This initiative helps connect youth with out-of-school time and online learning opportunities to help develop technology skills for the future. Students earn digital badges when they participate in programs or complete online activities like learning how to code, mix digital music or create short films. 

More of our Photo Favorites:

Disclaimer:  Once again, ChiIL Mama is elated to be a Best Buy WOLF (Women's Leadership Forum) Blogger and we're happy to partner up and bring our readers tech news and reviews. The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.