This Days Inn property is a rather spread out Location just off I-94 between South Bend and Gary. It sits outside of Portage proper, but is located perfectly for visiting the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, which is what we did. The Day before, we flew into South Bend from Orlando/Sanford. This hotel was about 50 minutes from the airport to doorstep. Easy drive. There is a Denny's on the property. We got an order to go and it was good. Nothing fancy. Nice to have one there, though when you're hungry.
There's an IMAX with 16 screens in Portage. Only 10 minutes from hotel. Good theatre.PLenty of restaurants, too. Room was a smoking room, but didn't smell like one. This is because the windows to all the rooms ACTUALLY OPEN, unlike most hotels now. Makes a BIG difference. You can leave the window open when your away during the day and air the room out. AND, IT SNOWED for the frist snow up there!! Nice to be able to open the window to watch.
Finally, what put it over the top was the very nice front-desk guy(sorry I forgot your name..he was filling in for Jessie!!) When I asked if he could print up our borading passes at the hotel to save time at the airport, he did....instead of just blowing me off like most do. He was very patient as I talked him through it at my airline's website. Shaved 30 minutes off at the airport. You rule!! All in all, room was adequate size, bathroom was average. Stayed in RM 324...Oh yeah, the indoor pool is heated. I swam laps in it. Was clean and sanitary...
