This brand new Marriott in Bloomington-Normal opened October 30. It is very convenient to the Amtrak station, which is how I got there from Chicago. Just a short one block walk, but the train noise was never a problem, at least in the late evening when it was time to go to sleep. I didn’t get to sleep in, so train noises and horns could be an issue in the mornings if you are a light sleeper. It is located in Uptown Normal, which, accordingly to two different locals I talked to, used to be downtown Normal, IL. Who knew. A nice area, with lots of places to eat, a little shopping and very close to ISU. Anyway, the hotel was very well appointed and the staff was very helpful and accommodating. While I did not dine at the hotel, it supposedly had decent food; I snacked at their coffee café – called Caffeina, clever – and that was very good. My room was nice with all the standard amenities for your standard Marriott these days. King bed with nice sheets (not the Westin Heavenly Bed linens... more