Howard Johnson by Wyndham Merrillville
7850 Rhode Island St, Merrillville, IN 46410, New Chicago, United States
3-star hotel
Guest rating: 2.2 / 5
Overview
Howard Johnson by Wyndham Merrillville is a 3-star hotel in the New Chicago/Merrillville area, located at 7850 Rhode Island St, Merrillville, IN 46410. Public feedback is low overall (2.2/5 from 132 reviews), suggesting experiences can be inconsistent and worth evaluating against your priorities.
Rooms & in-room basics (as reported by guests)
Guest feedback mentions fast Wi‑Fi and, in some stays, rooms described as nice with attentive staff. Other reviews report significant room-condition problems, including a shower that did not work, strong odors, pests, and issues with appliances (such as a refrigerator cabinet fit and cleanliness concerns with a microwave).
Location & nearby things to do
The hotel sits within reach of family and entertainment attractions, including Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park (about 2.6 km away) and Winter WonderLights (about 6.6 km away). Outdoor options nearby include Bulldog Park (~7.7 km), Deep River Waterpark (~8.1 km) and Deep River County Park (~8.5 km), with Access to West Beach at Indiana Dunes National Park roughly 17.7 km away. Larger destinations include Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana at about 12.1 km and several educational/nature sites such as Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest (~14.7 km) and the Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education (~15.1 km).
Nearby transit reference
A nearby transit landmark listed is Denny's Restaurant (bus station) about 0.8 km from the hotel, which may be useful as a navigation point for local rides or meeting pickups.
Best for
This property may suit travelers who primarily need a budget-leaning stop in Merrillville with proximity to area attractions like Urban Air (~2.6 km) and Deep River Waterpark (~8.1 km). Given the low public rating and recurring room-condition complaints in guest feedback, it’s best for flexible travelers who can inspect the room promptly on arrival and have backup options if expectations aren’t met.
Travel tips
If you’re visiting Indiana Dunes, plan for a short drive to Access to West Beach (about 17.7 km) and consider going earlier in the day for easier parking and more time on the lakefront. For family entertainment close by, Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park is one of the nearest major attractions (~2.6 km). Denny's Restaurant (bus station) roughly 0.8 km away can function as a practical waypoint for ride-share pickups or local navigation.
What guests say
Review excerpts point to highly mixed experiences. On the positive side, some guests describe nice rooms, fast Wi‑Fi, and attentive service from staff. Recurrent negative themes center on room condition and maintenance—reports include non-working showers and problems with in-room appliances such as a refrigerator installation/fit issue. Cleanliness and comfort concerns are also prominent, with complaints about odors, pests, and overall room hygiene.
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