Search “hotels near Midway Airport” and you’ll get a wall of properties on Cicero Avenue — close to the terminal, and priced and built accordingly. If your flight leaves at 6 a.m. and all you need is a bed before a taxi ride, one of those will do the job.
But here’s the thing seasoned Chicago travelers figure out: “near Midway” doesn’t have to mean “at Midway.” About nine miles west on I-55 sits Countryside, a quiet suburb on historic Route 66 — and the William Tell Hotel, a restored landmark where the same night’s stay comes with more room, calmer surroundings, and a proper dinner downstairs at Tell’s Tavern.
Here’s how to decide which one is right for your trip.
Should You Stay Beside Midway Airport or Farther West?
| Airport-Adjacent Hotels | William Tell Hotel, Countryside | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance to Midway | 1–3 miles | About 9 miles / 15–20 min via I-55 |
| Best for | Red-eye arrivals, early departures, layovers under 8 hours | Business trips, weekend stays, anyone who wants an actual evening |
| Noise & setting | Flight-path traffic, dense commercial strip | Residential suburb on Route 66, quieter at night |
| Dining | Mostly fast food and hotel vending | Tell’s Tavern on site, plus The Marketplace for grab-and-go |
| Parking | Varies, often paid | Complimentary self-parking, room for larger vehicles |
If you’re touching down after midnight and leaving before sunrise, book the strip — proximity is the only amenity that matters at that hour. If you have an evening to fill or a morning to spare, the fifteen-minute trade nets you a better night’s stay.
Where Is William Tell Hotel Located?
William Tell Hotel sits in Countryside, Illinois, on Joliet Road along the original alignment of Route 66, about nine miles west of Midway International Airport. The location puts I-55 access, La Grange Road, and the Countryside Plaza shopping and dining corridor all within a few minutes’ drive, while keeping the hotel itself away from the airport’s flight paths and traffic.
Transportation Between Countryside and Midway Airport
Driving is the most direct option: the trip covers roughly nine miles and takes about 15–20 minutes via I-55 outside of peak traffic. Rideshare services operate throughout the area, and car rental options are available in the surrounding suburbs if you’d rather have your own car for the stay.
Reaching Midway Airport by public transportation may require multiple Pace and CTA connections. Check the current regional trip planner for your travel date, luggage needs and departure time before relying on transit for a flight.
Parking at William Tell Hotel
Complimentary self-parking is available for all guests, and the lot can accommodate larger vehicles with ease — useful if you’re driving in from farther afield or bringing extra luggage.
If you’re planning to leave your car at the hotel while you fly (a “park and fly” stay), confirm the details directly with the hotel before booking: current rates, maximum length of stay, and whether a shuttle or rideshare credit is offered for the airport leg. We haven’t published shuttle or extended-parking terms here because they aren’t yet confirmed with hotel operations — see the checklist below.
Dining Before or After Your Flight
Tell’s Tavern, the hotel’s on-site restaurant, serves breakfast Monday through Friday from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 7 to 10 a.m. — timed for an early flight without requiring a stop on the way. Dinner runs daily from 4 to 10 p.m., with a Swiss-inspired menu of regional staples and a curated beer and lager selection, accessible from both the lobby and a dedicated parking entrance.
For something faster, The Marketplace in the lobby offers coffee, snacks, and local favorites — a reasonable stand-in for airport food you’d otherwise pay more for and enjoy less.
When William Tell Hotel May Be a Good Fit
This location tends to work best if you fall into one of these groups:
- You’re flying out of Midway but arriving in the Chicago area a day or more early, and want an evening that isn’t spent in an airport hotel bar
- You’re in town for business in the southwest suburbs — Countryside, La Grange, or the broader I-55 corridor — and Midway is a convenience, not the destination
- You’re driving in and want a hotel with real self-parking rather than a paid garage
- You’d rather have a sit-down dinner and a quieter room than shave ten minutes off your airport transfer
If your only priority is minimizing the walk from curb to check-in counter, an airport-strip hotel will serve you better than we will — and that’s a fair trade to make.
What to Confirm Before Booking
A few details are worth confirming directly with the hotel before you book, especially if your trip depends on them:
- Whether an airport shuttle is available, and if so, its schedule and any cost
- Park-and-fly pricing and maximum length of stay, if you plan to leave your car during your trip
- Whether breakfast is included with your specific rate, or billed separately at Tell’s Tavern
- Current Tell’s Tavern hours, since restaurant schedules can shift seasonally
- Late check-in procedures if your flight lands after the front desk’s typical hours
- Whether rideshare pickup is permitted directly at the hotel entrance
- Current self-parking availability if you’re arriving with an oversized vehicle or trailer
- Cancellation and change policies for your specific rate before you lock in dates
None of these are dealbreakers — they’re just the kind of details better confirmed with a phone call than assumed from a website.
Plan Your Stay in Countryside
Fifteen minutes from Midway, William Tell Hotel gives you a quieter room, complimentary self-parking, and a real dinner at Tell's Tavern before your flight. Check availability, browse the amenities, or reach out with questions about your trip.
Check Availability
FAQ
How far is William Tell Hotel from Midway Airport?
About 9 miles — a 15-to-20 minute drive via I-55 outside of peak traffic. Rideshare is readily available for the trip, and car rental options can be found in the surrounding suburbs if you’d rather have your own vehicle.
Is it worth staying farther from Midway Airport?
It depends on your trip. If you’re landing after midnight or leaving before dawn, an airport-strip hotel saves you a few minutes. For any longer stay, William Tell Hotel trades that short drive for a quieter suburban setting, complimentary self-parking, and a full-service restaurant on site.
Is there a restaurant at William Tell Hotel?
Yes. Tell’s Tavern serves breakfast Monday through Friday from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. and weekends from 7 to 10 a.m., with dinner served daily from 4 to 10 p.m. The Marketplace in the lobby also offers coffee, snacks, and grab-and-go options.
Can I get to Midway Airport without a car?
Rideshare is the most direct option. Reaching Midway Airport by public transportation may require multiple Pace and CTA connections — check the current regional trip planner for your travel date, luggage needs and departure time before relying on transit for a flight.
Is parking available at William Tell Hotel?
Yes, complimentary self-parking is available for all guests, and the lot can accommodate larger vehicles. If you’re considering leaving your car during a flight, confirm park-and-fly rates and length-of-stay limits directly with the hotel before booking.
Is William Tell Hotel a good option for business travelers near Midway?
Yes, particularly for meetings in Countryside, La Grange, or elsewhere along the I-55 corridor. The hotel combines proximity to Midway with a calmer setting than airport-strip properties, plus on-site dining for evenings when you’d rather not go looking for a meal.