You certainly won’t be starved of things to do in this part of the prairie state, so make the most of your stay by choosing one of these top-notch hotels – bookable on Culture Trip.
There are so many more reasons to visit the great state of Illinois than just Chicago and Lake Michigan, with Starved Rock State Park high among them. There are seasonal waterfalls, the Illinois River offers water-based pursuits such as fishing and boating and there are 13mi (21km) of trails to explore. Add everything else that’s going on in the area, as well as being just an hour from the Windy City? Sign us up.
You’ll receive a typically warm Illinois welcome at this quaint, family-run B&B, set on 14 acres (5ha) of gardens and farmland inside Matthiessen State Park. Romantic weekend escape? They’re ready for you – all the comfy, homey rooms feature seasonal fireplaces and private baths, six of the rooms have large, two-person jacuzzis and three have private balconies for gazing lovingly off into the distance. There’s an excellent hot breakfast and a games lounge, too.
Fuel up on a complimentary breakfast of cheese omelet, waffles and fruit before heading out for a day of exploring Starved Rock, Matthiessen and Buffalo Rock state parks, all less than half an hour away from this comfy crash pad. After your busy day hiking, boating or just falling asleep outdoors in a fold-out chair, you can warm up in the indoor pool or work on your steps for the day in the gym.
This warm and welcoming B&B is housed in an 1840s Italianate-style mansion, originally built as a wedding gift (a significant improvement on a toaster, we’d say). The five unique guest rooms all have a quaint and cozy country feel, but it’s the little touches that makes it, with luxury toiletries, smart TVs, fluffy robes and even loaner umbrellas (when it rains in Illinois, boy, does it rain). There’s even an optional alpaca farm tour.
The classic American roadside motel just got a contemporary upgrade. Wyndham have got their hands on this retro motor lodge and given it the love it deserves – the bright and airy rooms have all been thoughtfully kitted out with retro furniture, mid-century pops of color and stylish lighting. Amenities include a pool table (of course) and free breakfast, plus there’s easy access to historic Route 66, as well as Anderson Field Golf Course.
This unpretentious hotel, on the banks of the Illinois River, is surrounded by some of the most incredible natural wonders in the state, including Starved Rock State Park, and is just a short drive from dramatic Pontiac Canyon. Whether you’re here for a long time or a good time, it’s got everything you need for a comfortable stay, including spacious, warm suites, a pool, fitness center and complimentary hot breakfast.
A taste of true Americana awaits you at Stoney Creek Hotel, where you’ll be ensconced in rustic, log cabin-style surroundings from the moment you set foot through the lobby door. You’ll feel like a true woodsman (or woman) in your folksy accommodation – all rough-hewn timber and stone-surround fireplaces. Amenities include a pub serving local brews, as well as an indoor/outdoor pool with a patio and a video games room (well, it is the 21st century, after all).
Stick your hands in the air… if the idea of a night in an old bank is your idea of a good time. It may not look like it now, with its trendy, light-flooded rooms, all white-painted brickwork and wooden floors, but in the mid-1800s this was the principal bank in Washington Square. Today, with pillow-top mattresses, flat-screen TVs, DVD players and wifi in every room (and some with two-person whirlpool tubs), you can bank on a good night’s sleep.
Courtesy of Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center / Expedia
This sprawling historic lodge is just under two hours from Chicago, but feels a world away. Built in the 1930s (and unaltered since), it has all the towering ceilings, rough-hewn lumber and roaring fireplaces you could want from an all-American country lodge. Accommodation is similarly folksy, with timber-paneled walls, bay windows and quilt-covered beds. To bring things (slightly) up to date, there are also saunas, hot tubs and a sizable indoor pool to counterbalance all that rugged outdoorsiness.
These recommendations were updated on September 30, 2021 to keep your travel plans fresh.
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