Comfort Inn & Suites Wilmington

Standard guest rooms include a single king bed or two queen beds, generally 280 to 320 square feet, with a small work desk, a coffee maker, a mini-fridge and microwave, an iron and ironing board, and a hair dryer in the bathroom. The mid-2020s refresh added USB charging ports on the nightstand and a smart TV with cable plus streaming app integration. Wi-Fi is included and connection speeds are typically sufficient for video calls and streaming.

Suite options offer a separate sitting area with a sofa bed, slightly larger square footage (around 380 to 420 square feet), and an upgraded bathroom in some units. Accessible rooms include roll-in showers and lowered fixtures, and pet-friendly rooms (up to two dogs per room) carry a $25 to $35 fee per stay. Crib and rollaway requests should be made at booking time to ensure availability.

The hotel's heated indoor pool is a particular draw for families and for road-weary travelers wanting to stretch out after a day of driving. The pool deck is small but the water is warm and the chemistry is well-maintained. The adjacent hot tub holds about six adults comfortably and is open the same hours. Towels are provided poolside, and a small selection of pool toys is available for children at the front desk.

The complimentary hot breakfast runs from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on weekdays and slightly later on weekends. A typical spread includes scrambled eggs, sausage links or bacon, a waffle station with two irons and self-serve batter, biscuits and gravy, fresh fruit, yogurt, cereal, breads and pastries, coffee, juice and milk. The selection is consistent with the Choice Hotels mid-range breakfast standard and is sufficient for most travelers to skip stopping for breakfast on the road.

For lunch and dinner, the hotel does not operate an in-house restaurant. The closest options include Nelly's on Route 66 (five minutes by car), the Wilmington Dairy Queen (right next door), and the Old Route 66 themed restaurants in nearby Braidwood and Wilmington downtown. The front desk can recommend restaurants and provide directions. There is no room service, but several local restaurants deliver and the standard chains in Joliet are about 15 minutes north.

Coffee is available 24/7 in the lobby, with a Keurig-style machine producing standard coffee, decaf, hot tea and hot chocolate. Water bottles and snack items are available for purchase at the front desk, and a small business pantry sells microwave meals, candy and soft drinks for late-night travelers. Vending machines on each floor include both food and beverage options.

The Comfort Inn sits at the south end of Wilmington along Water Street, putting it about a five-minute drive from the Gemini Giant at South Island Park, ten minutes from historic downtown shopping, and a quick on-ramp to I-55 north and south. The hotel is well-suited as a base for exploring Wilmington, Joliet (15 minutes north), Pontiac (30 minutes south), and the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie (5 minutes north).

Booking rates run $110 to $180 per night depending on season, day of week, and demand. Choice Hotels Privileges members can typically save 10 to 15 percent on direct bookings, and the chain runs occasional promotions that include free breakfast (already complimentary) plus bonus points. AAA, AARP and government rates are available with valid ID at check-in.

During the 2026 Route 66 centennial year, demand and prices in Wilmington and nearby Joliet are expected to spike significantly. Travelers planning to be in town during peak summer weekends should book at least three to six months in advance, particularly for the Catfish Days festival in August and major centennial events. Cancellation policies are typically 24 to 48 hours before check-in.