By the Way Motel Lake Bluff

By the Way Motel Lake Bluff

123 Skokie Hwy, Lake Bluff, IL 60044, North Chicago, United States

2-star hotel

Guest rating: 4.0 / 5

Overview

By the Way Motel Lake Bluff is a 2-star motel in North Chicago (Lake Bluff), located at 123 Skokie Hwy, Lake Bluff, IL 60044. It holds a public rating of 4/5 based on 53 reviews, with guest feedback frequently centering on service and room condition.

Location

The motel sits along Skokie Hwy, placing it within easy reach of major North Shore attractions. Nearby points of interest include the National Museum of the American Sailor (about 3.9 km away) and the History Center of Lake Forest–Lake Bluff (about 4.6 km away), with Independence Grove Forest Preserve roughly 7.6 km away.

Nearby attractions

For theme-park days, Six Flags Great America is about 11.1 km away, with major rides and areas close by such as American Eagle (about 10.4 km), Goliath (about 10.5 km), X-Flight (about 10.5 km), Raging Bull (about 10.7 km), Demon (about 10.7 km), THE FLASH: Vertical Velocity (about 10.7 km), Whizzer (about 10.9 km), and Hurricane Harbor Chicago (about 11.0 km). Other outing options include the Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County (about 10.5 km), Chicago Botanic Garden (about 16.6 km), and Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park (about 16.7 km).

Amenities & on-site details

On-site amenities are not documented in the available listing data. Guest comments most consistently highlight cleanliness and attentive, family-run customer service, alongside occasional criticism about dated furnishings and room odors.

Best for

This motel is best suited to budget-minded travelers who prioritize a simple base near North Shore attractions, especially Six Flags Great America (around 11 km away). It can also fit travelers who value friendly, hands-on service, as reviews frequently mention positive interactions with the owners and a generally clean stay.

Travel tips

If you’re planning a Six Flags day, note that the park and many headline coasters are clustered roughly 10–11 km from the motel, making it practical for early arrivals or late returns. For quieter outdoor time, Independence Grove Forest Preserve is closer (about 7.6 km), and the Chicago Botanic Garden is a longer drive at roughly 16.6 km. Because amenities are not documented, confirm any must-haves (for example, specific in-room features) directly with the property before arrival.

What guests say

Across reviews, guests most often point to strong, personable customer service from the family running the motel. Cleanliness is a recurring positive, with multiple comments emphasizing tidy rooms and a quiet feel. Negative feedback, when mentioned, focuses on value and room condition—specifically dated décor and furnishings. A smaller subset of reviews also raises concerns about unpleasant room odors.

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