Illinois Beach Hotel, BW Premier Collection, Zion

You can see from the outside that the building is not new. However, it has been well maintained, so it remains a good example of what typical 60's hotel architecture was. It's clean inside and out. There are natural-gas-supplied fire pits in the back with comfortable chairs around them. The conference facilities all look new and sharp. The restaurant was pleasant -- a rational choice of items that can please kids to adults -- and not fussy. Great views of Lake Michigan and easy access to beaches. We came upon this property accidentally, and were delighted with what we found. The staff was pleasant, knowledgeable (sp?), and efficient. The room was lovely, the beds were well-appointed. Everything worked in the room. Family friendly. Indoor pool, huge fitness center, arcade room, restaurant, biking trails, and a beach.

We arrived about 5:00. I had already done the online check in which I am not sure what that accomplished. We were given our room key and was told where the elevator was. I asked where I should park and if there was a door closer our room. I was told there was only 1 entrance and to park where everyone else parked. After 3 trips of hauling our stuff, I notice that there is a door right by the elevator that we could have used. There were also multiple other doors in and out. Not sure what that was all about. The room definitely needs an update as does the whole hotel. We got in the room, fridge was not working. William came up to fix it. He brought us another one. The drain in the bathroom sink would not stay down, William tried to fix that too but not much he could do. The bathtub would not drain barely at all. It was not the fridge that was broken, it was the whole electrical system. Half the plugs did not work. The stay itself was great. We got bikes to ride along the beach, went to the giant pool, went to the beach. For the price we paid, it was great. I would not have paid anymore and been happy about the issues. William was awesome and seemed to work day and night. He really helped us out!! There are several things this place could do to make it better but we would stay again.

my grandson's liked the hotel from the tiny arcade to the gym room to the glorious indoor pool. the restaurant offers outdoor dining and a kids menu. we spent some time on the beach too but it was very windy the day we visited.we were on the 3rd floor and the wi-fi wasn't very good there. it was fine in the lobby tho. we will be back. it's kind of a little known secret so you can get a room at the last minute especially during the week.

Stayed at the hotel for a wedding. Staff was amazing! Event and event staff were extremely efficient and professional. Problems with internet. Exterior of hotel is dated but interior was updated as were rooms.

Our stay was from Sunday to Tuesday. Overall, our stay was good. The drive to the hotel is about a 5 minute drive from the main road but the hotel is right off the lake and next to a State Park camping ground. There was an outdoor wedding going on when we checked in. We did not have a balcony room as there was not one available, but the view of Lake Michigan was very pretty from our room and we could see the beaches. The check in process was fast and the staff was all friendly. The rooms are nice and the beds are comfortable but dated. The food in the restaurant was very good and priced between $8-$15. The pool is very big and is indoor. We spent our days swimming in the pool. My only complaint would be that the weight room equipment was rusted out and old. Many of the machines did not work properly. The pool and spa is also shared by the locals. Some of the locals that we encountered did not have the best pool manners so it was kinda frustrating and disgusting to watch and share the pool with them. Just an FYI: The water of Lake Michigan by the hotel is cold and rocky. Not sandy like the Michigan side.

Great beach front location, but in a fairly remote location. Older building that is being updated but not done yet. Rooms--decor and beds--are fine, but bathrooms are small and awkward. Fairly easy place for a pet. The far stairway, which leads to the parking lot, should be cleaned and improved. The owners should be embarrassed by it. The irons should be cleaned. Ours was filled with rust or starch, and using the steam ruined my shirt. That's why it's a generous rating of 4/5.

The views (especially with the balconies) are fantastic, looking directly across Lake Michigan. The renovated rooms are what you'd expect from the price point, but you're not here to spend time inside. Staff was great, always readily available and around. Restaurant was very solid as well. Again, don't come in expecting Alinea or Purple Pig and Michelin stars. Breakfast was very tasty, the couple of dinner options we tried were also good. Drinks selection is a bit lacking- nothing on draft and only macrobrewed bottles to be had. The main downside is that the beaches immediately surrounding the resort are EXTREMELY rocky. As in, wear flip flops to the waterline rocky if you don't want to be in pain. There is a very smooth and quiet beach about 15 mins or so north in Winthrop Harbor- it's worth the drive. It definitely exceeded my expectations, but with the beach conditions the way they are in this stretch of Lake County, I'd be more apt to head over to southwest Michigan or the Indiana Dunes for a weekend Chicago-area beach getaway.

I stayed here recently with my husband and year-old daughter for a family getaway, and we were impressed with this hotel. We stayed in a King suite, and it had a balcony and view of Lake Michigan. I requested a crib for my daughter, and upon check in, the staff called housekeeping to deliver the crib. It arrived within minutes, and we were so happy to have this request accommodated. The room was spacious and comfortable. We had a fridge and microwave, a large living area, a dining area, and a large bedroom. The hotel was quiet, even with a conference taking place. The facilities were great, and the only complaint we have is that the wireless internet access didn't always work well. Traveling with a young toddler is challenging, but the hotel facilities made it easy. My husband and I could enjoy the view and hang out on the balcony while our daughter took naps. When she was awake, we could stroll along the beach and hang out. There was even a pair of sandhill cranes that walked around the property. We had fun in the indoor pool, and it was convenient to have breakfast and dinner at the hotel restaurant. The food was good and affordable, and the servers were very accommodating and helpful. In fact, the entire staff at the hotel were exceptional. We were pleased with our experience, and we look forward to coming back in the future.

We stayed at the Illinois Beach Resort over the Memorial Day weekend. The rooms are renovated and pretty spacious and very clean. All the people that work there are very friendly. Gina for breakfast was great and the food was delicious. Mike at the front desk was very helpful and friendly. The beach by the hotel is not busy at all and has great chairs that you can use. The only bad part of this hotel is that you have to park pretty far away.

This place was bad all around. Stayed this past May using the "Spring Ahead" package which was to include dinner and breakfast (buffet only). We ended up paying for dinner because the person I spoke with prior to having dinner (which took well over 2hrs) was not able to confirm what we had paid for on arrival.Food was cold and came out incorrect. I had breaded shrimp that tasted like it came out of the microwave. Had to get our own drinks as the waitress claimed that the bar was backed up due to a wedding. I had no issue going up to the Restaurant bar to obtain drinks (twice waiting for the food). There was no internet at this hotel. The indoor pool has a glass ceiling so that baby is a Sauna and you need to bring your own towels since the staff do not likely to freely share them. I was told that they had no towels available and there was only one other couple at the time using the pool. When I finally was able to get back to the front desk to question what I had paid for one of the staff was challenging me. It took three additional staff members to figure it out and give me dinner and breakfast vouchers (breakfast buffet only). Since we had already ate dinner (which was worse than a Denny's) I asked if we could be reimbursed for dinner. I was told that they couldn't do that and that I could have another breakfast. I explained that we already spent two hours of our time at our "first" dinner why would we want to spend 2 more for the same, poor service...Ahhh I could go on and on with this place but don't want to reflect anymore on the bad decision I made for my family. Its clear based off of the reviews( that I now just read) that this Hotels issues have been identified by multiple reviewers just like me. Unfortunately, the management of this hotel is choosing not to address the issues everyone is making.

Liz B, Front Office Manager at The Illinois Beach Resort and Conference Center, BW Premier Collection, responded to this review
Dear jjh44671, Thank you for your feedback on your recent stay with us. We are sorry to hear about the issues you encountered during your stay. We appreciate you bringing all of this to our attention, we will definitely address these with our respective department heads to ensure this doesn't happen again. We hope you will come back in the future to give us a chance to change your outlook on us & our business.

Despite the weather (cool and rainy for May here) we ladies had a wonderful weekend. The pool was nice as well as the restaurant. Our beds were very comfy. The internet was very slow, but the two weddings and their guests may have had something to do with it.

Stayed here for a wedding. The rooms are beautiful and have an amazing view. The food and service for the wedding was great. The lobby is great to hangout. The internet is a little slow. the pool is very big

The buffet food was cold. Fish and chicken sitting at room temperature for who knows how long? Gross. They brought us "new" food that was most likely microwaved. I didn't eat it. The room was clean, pretty and quiet so if you skip the restaurant it is perfection!

Liz B, Front Office Manager at The Illinois Beach Resort and Conference Center, BW Premier Collection, responded to this review
Dear Dragonbird S, Thank you for your recent feedback of your stay. We are sorry to hear of your experience in our restaurant during your stay. Please contact me at the resort at your earliest convenience at 847-625-7300 ext 630, so I can further address these issues. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Restaurant food is terrible and service as well, you're better off at Dennys, don't bother at all, lack of security as well people can sneak thru the back door to sneak into the pool and there's no security in the back door that remains open

Liz B, Front Office Manager at The Illinois Beach Resort and Conference Center, BW Premier Collection, responded to this review
Dear irisvazquez74, Thank you for your recent feedback of your recent stay. I am sorry to hear your experience with us did not meet your expectations. We strive to make everyone's visit here a pleasant one & we obviously didn't do that for you. We appreciate you bringing to our attention that our backdoor in the pool area is having issues. It is kept locked but unfortunately sometimes people inside open it, without our knowledge. It should be secured at all times. However, with it being an emergency exit we have to keep it accessible on the inside, even when locked outside, to meet the State Fire code standards. We hope you will return in the future and give us a chance to change your opinion of our facility. Sincerely,

This is a nice place to stay with a pretty view. The best part was the great staff. Everyone was very friendly and very helpful!!! The room was clean and had a refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, iron and hair dryer, all of which I appreciated. My only issue was the internet didn't always work for me, but for my stay, it wasn't a big deal. I would go back if I am in the area.

I loved the balcony room with lakeside view! I stayed during cold part of spring so there were no bike rentals and it wasn't ideal for outdoor eating at the restaurant. I'm looking forward to summer here!

The hotel is in the process of remodeling, but you would never know besides front desk was relocated.. The bed was very firm, so sleeping was a issue. There should be a option when making the reservations

We arranged a little writing in Sunday/ out Tuesday writing retreat. It was perfect. Lovely grounds to walk on, especially in the snow (but bring boots!). Really enjoyed the restaurant in the conference center, and especially the bartender (Rene) who also waited on us for several meals. Lovely individual who seems really dedicated to serving; nice to get to know a little about her, too. Terrific pool--very very large for a hotel. Nice rooms. Reasonable value. They're doing some renovations, so property should get even more nice...in the meantime, nothing intrusive. We'll come back.

Our room was lovely with a nice view of Lake Michigan. Staff was very pleasant. We had one meal in the restaurant and the other meals were for our group in another room. The food was very good. Nice buffet selection for a large group. The weather was really warm for January and many of us walked around the property, on the beach and trails. Overall it was a wonderful weekend.

Liz B, Front Office Manager at The Illinois Beach Resort and Conference Center, BW Premier Collection, responded to this review
Dear Sue, Thank you for your recent review. We are happy you enjoyed your time with us & look forward to your return next year, if not sooner.

Have attended new years eve party 2015 2016 and 2017. Loved it all three years. 2018 horrible. RENE Worst bartender ever. Very rude and slow. Dinner 2 hrs late. Paid for 6 hrs open bar got 3. Never again. Expressed issue with manager who preferred socializing with front desk girls instead of supervising main even. Served drinks in styrofoam cups at a semi formal party because not busing of tables and ran out of glasses. No heat in room and barely hot shower. Floor dirty. Suposedly newly remodeled but apparently contrator dies not know what a level is for. All fixtures crooked. And more.

Liz B, Guest Relations Manager at The Illinois Beach Resort and Conference Center, BW Premier Collection, responded to this review
Dear David D, Thank you for your recent review of our resort. We are sorry to hear of all the issues you experienced during your stay & at our New Years Eve bash. We strive to keep all guest happy during events but sometimes we are unable to meet everyone's needs. Please contact me at the resort, to further discuss this, at your earliest convenience. 847-625-7300 ext 630

I've never experienced what I did this last stay. The weather was extremely cold and the rooms were extremely cold. I notified staff about the condition of the rooms and was told heat wasn't turned on

Liz B, Guest Relations Manager at The Illinois Beach Resort and Conference Center, BW Premier Collection, responded to this review
Dear James B, Thank you for your recent review of our Resort. We apologize for the issues you experienced during your stay. We do our best to keep all guests happy but obviously fell short this time around. Please contact me at the Resort, to further discuss this matter, at your earliest convenience . 847-625-7300 ext 630

We bought a New Year's Eve package and were very pleased with the entire staff of the hotel. The hotel is a bit dated, but we found it clean and comfortable. The food was plenty and terrific with the dining room having full-view of beautiful Lake Michigan. We are making plans to return there again next year. We did have a problem with the bill, so keep your confirmation page with the amount quoted. Apparently, there is a disconnect between quoted and actual pricing.

Liz B, Guest Relations Manager at The Illinois Beach Resort and Conference Center, BW Premier Collection, responded to this review
Dear E3536DXdavidb, Thank you for your recent review of our resort. We are glad you enjoyed your stay here and apologize for the issues with your bill. It is not a common occurrence and look forward to proving that the next time you visit. We look forward to your return!!

This hotel has plenty of space for the whole family to gather. Many amenities and a beautiful location right on Lake Michigan with hiking trails and a beach. Beautiful pool and hot tub. Loved the game room.

Liz B, Guest Relations Manager at The Illinois Beach Resort and Conference Center, BW Premier Collection, responded to this review
Dear Georgiak2018 Thank you for your recent review of our property. We are glad you enjoyed your stay at the Resort and hope you come back to stay with us again soon.

I can't say enough great things about this resort! We had a very small wedding venue and were able to reserve the restaurant for the meal, and it was just awesome! From the wait staff to the appetizers and main meal, everything was just great! We will definitely be back. It is very beautiful and very private setting!

My husband and I wanted to get married at the beach so destination wedding was an only option until he found the Illinois Beach Resort and Conference Center. I did fall in love with the place for my dream wedding since the first minute I saw the location. Our wedding took place on August 12th, 2017 and it was the best day in our lives. Even though it is more than 3 months after the wedding, our guests are still complementing the event. Resort is located in the secluded but easy to find area where you can enjoy the nature all year long. Wonderful place to relax and enjoy countless outdoor activities. Prodigious place for jogging or strolling either at the park or at the shore, fishing, biking and many, many more. We are exceptionally satisfied with the service we received. Food was fresh and tasty. All meals are exceptional, starting from the breakfast through appetizers, lunch, dinner including midnight snacks were made exact to the order. Our wedding weekend was enjoyable and we made lots of wonderful memories. We had block of 20 + rooms reserved for our celebrations and all the rooms were clean an updated. All guest were complementing the location and conveniences as well. Our room had balcony where we could enjoy breathtaking sun rise in the morning. I recommend Illinois Beach Resort and Conference center for weddings, relaxing stays and many other events.

We have stayed here before the renovation and we have to say, the new look to the rooms is beautiful! Pre-renovation the rooms were a tired country-pine look that yawned with exhaustion. Now, the room blends trendy mid-century modern colors and wood tones with comfortable beds and nods to nature, especially waves, throughout. The old doors remain, which some might note look a little out of place in terms of color, but they are solid wood doors and I would have hated to see them wasting away in a landfill or painted. The only downside is the room door allows sound to move easily through either through the space from the floor to the door or vents in the door. We were on a floor with wedding participants who were enjoying their evening and forgot they were in a hotel a few times, but generally, it was quiet. The bathroom is nice with plenty of room and a lot of hot water. The front desk was friendly and efficient, although for some strange reason they thought we had two rooms booked. She immediately canceled the second room without hesitation. We had phoned in to reserve a room because their online reservation system refused to accept our reservation, so that may have been the reason. The computer probably grabbed our aborted online reservation attempt. We ate at the restaurant for dinner and breakfast. Dinner was fine, but breakfast was understaffed and no one seemed to know what was going on. The servers were nice though. We will definitely stay here again.

Highly recommend! Quiet location, beautiful surroundings, easy to find and great location for enjoying Chicago. The hotel has a lot of amenities and plenty of local options for meals and shopping. The hotel restaurant was also good.

This Hotel is very secluded place. A great place to get away an relax. It's an older resort that's been renovated. The pool and hot tub is awesome! The staff and view of Lake Michigan are off the charts.

I travel the world for work and pleasure, but this hotel was an unexpected gem. My wife and I decided to sneak away from Chicago for our 10yr anniversary. On arrival, Michael at the front reception was extremely polite and professional and upgraded us to make our stay a little more pleasurable. On check out he was again extremely professional and we left with a grin on our faces. Renne the bar tender also added to our wonderful night by her attention to detail and conversation. I would say all the staff were very good and gave off a welcoming country feel. We will definitely come back!

I stayed here for a class reunion. The rooms have been remodeled since I stayed there & WiFi worked better. Upon entering the room I attempted to turn TV on & didn't work so went to the phone to call front desk & it didn't work. I had to use my cell phone to call front desk. Maintenance came up quickly - he messed with phone & got it working but the TV he had to get a different one. One night we had pizza, salad & cookies in a banquet room for reunion. Pizza was nothing special. The pitchers of drinks weren't marked except one so had no idea what was in the others. Turned out none had water or ice tea so drinks wasted. Ate the brunch buffet in their restaurant- sat down & wasn't acknowledged so got up & went to buffet. Didn't see waitress until bill was brought & heard her tell someone else that they had gone to wrong buffet (I had also). They need more help.

We stayed here for a getaway night with our young grandkids. Overall the resort is pretty decent, though the word Resort might be a little strong. It's clean, the staff was very nice but the place is just a little outdated. We enjoyed both meals at the restaurant here at the hotel. Saturday night they have two for $25 prime rib . It was very good! They have a very large indoor pool which is built away from the rooms so you won't hear all the people in the pool, which is nice. I give the hotel three and a half Stars. I likely would not make this a destination but if you are in town and need a good place to stay, I recommend it. Oh, the hotel is about a mile off road in the Illinois State Beach park... so the hotel sits right on Lake Michigan!

This is a Best Western disguised as a "resort". I have stayed at roadside hotels better than this place. I will give a few positives. If you want a night in the pool, fitness and sauna and don't care about rooms and food, this is okay. The pool is pretty good sized and there is a small hot tub and a great sauna and fitness center. The lobby is very large with lots of places to sit and quite comfortable. Come to think of it, I wish I could have slept in the lobby. The bad: It's very old, not modern at all, the rooms are dumps with no room to move about. The bathroom door collides with the main door and closet door so they all have marks and are falling part, the door handles and vents are all falling apart. The elevator is slower than the old crank elevators.The internet is basically on dial-up and doesn't work at all. the power went out 3 times when we were there. There was no ironing board and the toilet clogged twice. The comforter(?) was falling part. The food is "tolerable". The hallways are dank and long and reminds you of The Shining. The bellhop is yourself. The staff was...present. It does have a good view of the lake, so if I need to give a star for the fact that it is "nice real estate" then I will. Speaking of which, it is nestled between a defunct nuclear power plant and a coal burning power plant, both within about .5 miles. In the future, if I were to do anything but sit in a sauna or walk a treadmill, I would choose a Hampton Inn or something instead. ...Oh there is Ms Pacman on premise, but the high score is like 130,000, almost impossible to beat.

Liz B, Front Office Manager at The Illinois Beach Resort and Conference Center, BW Premier Collection, responded to this review
Dear BaseChO, Thank you very much for your recent review of our Resort. We greatly appreciate your feedback. I am very saddened to hear your time here was not a positive experience. We strive to make everyone's stay a memorable one, in a positive manner, I apologize that we were unable to do that for you. Please contact me at your earliest convenience so we can further discuss this matter. You can reach me at 847-625-7300 ext 630.

Location, facilities, staff and great amenities provided a wonderful space for our wellness convention. I was able to balance learning, sharing and socializing with swimming, saunas, lake front and woodland adventures. The staff and local community created an atmosphere that had a homey nature, as though I was among friends and family.

Liz B, Front Office Manager at The Illinois Beach Resort and Conference Center, BW Premier Collection, responded to this review
Dear Chris V, Thank you for your recent review of our Resort. We are happy you chose to stay with us & everything met your expectations. We hope you will come back & see us again in the near future!!

Clean, comfortable rooms. Great food. Kind, courteous staff. I will be staying here again!!! We used fitness center, pool, and restaurant for a group of 20. Breakfast buffet was very good, and those who ordered from menu also had great food.

I would recommend this resort to everyone. It was a great place to host a wedding! The weather didn't hold out for an outdoor wedding so it was set up indoors. There was so much room between the lower level and the upstairs level!

Liz B, Front Office Manager at The Illinois Beach Resort and Conference Center, BW Premier Collection, responded to this review
Dear 733ksk, Thank you for your recent review of our Resort. We greatly appreciate the recommendation & hope you will come back to stay with us again in the near future!!

I am impressed with the service, food, comfort and value of the Illinois Beach Resort Hotel and Conference Center. I recommend this location for an event, conference, family reunion or getaway. Milwaukee and Chicago airports are short distances away.

Liz B, Front Office Manager at The Illinois Beach Resort and Conference Center, BW Premier Collection, responded to this review
Dear Donna P, Thank you for your recent review of our Resort. We are happy you chose to stay with us & everything met your expectations. We hope you will come back & see us again in the near future!!

Had a great girl's retreat at the Illinois Beach Resort and Conference Center! The hotel and restaurant are wonderful, the price was great, staff was friendly and the rooms were quiet and clean! The beach was beautiful!

very nice location, helpfull staff, big pool, nice wirlpool, good sauna, good [for hotel] gim, nice view from the room/dining room/bar/lobby/balcony/patio; nice surroundings: trails, beach; most deffenetly will come again.

Came to Illinois Beach Resort for a wedding. It was the perfect venue for that. Setting, staff and food were all outstanding. Guest room was very clean and comfortable. Presence of refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker were great.

The resort overall was beautiful and had everything we needed for a pleasant visit. The swimming pool looked clean and felt wonderful,and the gift shop had essentials that we forgot to bring (flip flops). There were beautiful spots to sit on patios, on the beach, and great wooded trails to walk. The beds were comfortable, cable TV was good, internet was a little slow, the bathroom floor was dirty, and I am not a fan of Keurig coffee pots (which the room had). But, for the price, the room was acceptable and the outside environment was absolutely beautiful.

Breath taking views, nice smaller property between rooms and venue.My son's Friday night wedding was beautiful, but we really did most of the decorating. The staff setting up chairs and rooms were very helpful. This was the weekend of the horrible rain up there and you could not tell there had been any water anywhere at this resort. The bonfire the night before was amazing - we opted to have the rehearsal offsite the week before so we could all enjoy the night before without too much hassle. The majority of the food was good and the bartender was outstanding! So here is where it went bad.....check-in - we called several times to be sure our requests were noted; however, when we arrived they looked at us like they didn't even recognize our name on their registry. EVERYONE who came to the wedding was driving at least an hour to arrive. We called when we got close (as instructed by staff) and told our rooms were ready - when we arrived - again, the look of confusion. The majority of the overnight guests were delayed in getting into their rooms when arriving. On the first night of our two night stay - a strange man entered our room (while I was coming out of the shower) using a key he had. Apparently he stayed in our room the night before and no one thought to deactivate his key. Yes, we were comped for the night, but that does change the fact that could have been a very bad situation. Especially had my husband been the one to encounter him. We had two rooms - our second room was never cared for by housekeeping until my husband called housekeeping (needing to leave the reception) - the "nice" lady at the desk told me it was because there was a "do not disturb" sign on the door; ironically not sure there could have been one in the bathroom (which I put there) and one on the door -so not so honest staff. Finally, the food at the wedding. I understand from our guests, the salmon was very tasty. However, my son, me, the made of honor and two wedding attendants all required gluten free dinners. (plus several guests) When we attended the tasting, they showcased a delicious GF options - well that didn't actually happen. Rather than the GF chicken option we chose, we were served a dry piece of chicken breast. The staff also neglected to serve the GF WEDDING cake or the GF late night pizzas. The staff also disregarded an entire table labeled as Nut Free - when salads arrived with nuts, it was pointed out that the table was Nut Free, staff decided to not serve that table any salad. Here is our tip....get names when you call to make arrangements to hold the staff accountable and make sure the wedding coordinator has a clear understanding of your food expectations. All in all the wedding was great, but really the staff could have made it excellent.

newly remodeled rooms, great pool and hot tub...pool toys (noodles, beach balls) at pool would be nice. Like that lounge chairs are on the beach, have fires on weekend nights.,the food in the restaurant was very good

We love this place! The views are amazing, it's very pretty, slower paced, quiet hotel. It's always booked for weddings on the weekends, but it's not usually not crowded. They have pet friendly rooms, places for hikes and a long beach to walk down. Zion is very close with shopping and restaurants.

I love the hotel, bar and food . It was a great wedding . The view from the room was great! The check in/ out was fast and painless. Everyone was very helpful at the hotel. I would love to stay there again!

My husband and I stayed two nights and really enjoyed it. Staff was very friendly and helpful. View of lake michigan from our room was relaxing. Restaurant has very good food and nice view of the lake. The only thing that could be enlarged is the hot tub it only fits three to four people.We will be back.

We got married in September, and the venue was absolutely gorgeous. We were able to have hair and make-up come to the room, so we could enjoy the beach view from the balcony. Kim Hall was an excellent wedding coordinator, always very easy to communicate with, and very attentive to details. We used the preferred vendor list, which was excellent. All the vendors already knew each other, which made it easy for them to coordinate and work with each other. They were all very familiar with the venue, and had worked with Kim Hall before, so everyone knew the drill better than we did! During the cocktail hour, I spent a lot of time away bustling my dress. However, the staff made sure I was served an assortment of appetizers, and I always had a drink if I wanted one. Dinner was excellent (we had steak+asiago chicken) and the presentation was very pretty (the asparagus were wrapped in a hollowed out squash ring). The staff checked on us often to see if we needed anything, and everyone was very attentive. Special dietary needs were well taken care of, and the portions were very well sized. During the reception, we opted for a bonfire option and witnessed a fantastic moon-rise (complete with s'mores) on the beach. Bar service was excellent. The staff continued to be extremely attentive during the reception, and approached me throughout the night to see if I needed anything, or if they could get me another drink, even while I was outside at the bonfire. We had a lot of out of town guests, so having the rehearsal dinner, the ceremony, reception, and hotel all in one beautiful location made our wedding feel like a destination wedding on the beach – it just happened to be in the middle of the MidWest!. Our guests especially enjoyed the pool/fitness center, as well as walks along the beach during the day. A lot of our guests made a point to tell us what an amazing time they had at the wedding. Thank you again Illinois Beach Resort for helping our wedding turn out just as we wanted it to!

My daughter was married by the beach with a reception held in the Grand Vista Ballroom. The rehearsal dinner was held also at the resort with a bonfire following dinner. Everything was beautiful! My daughter had her Dream Wedding!!

Room was clean and service was excellent. Restaurant provided good quality meals at reasonable prices. The indoor swimming pool and recreation area was above average. We were in a short walking distance to the lake front and a small beach. Benches were available to just sit and enjoy the view of the lake. It is a great get away location for individuals, couples or the whole family.

The views and setting are amazing. The employees are kind, courteous and helpful. The resort is older but that's also part of its charm. We were there for a wedding and it was delightful. Food was very good. Pillows in room weren't so great but still give an excellent for overall rating.

I fell upon the Illinois State Beach Park by accident 3 years back. It is a nature Park with a natural beach, forest, dune land, and wild life. In the middle of it all is a nice oasis--The Lodge. Modern and comfortable. Not far from the city. A little bit pricey, but in the end worth every penny.

Went here to attend a wedding. Fabulous venue for a wedding. Food was very good. Most service was very good to excellent. Hotel lobby is nice. Rooms are average. Would probably stay again to do more exploring of the state park. Not enough elevator access to upper floors

We took Grandpa here for lunch for his 80th birthday and had a very nice time. Our table was overlooking the lake. The food was very good and the view spectacular. There were 2 wedding parties going on so we got to enjoy the music from one and got to overlook the ceremony of the other that was right on the beach. A little added entertainment. Afterwards we took a walk in the woods and on the beach to complete our very wonderful day!!

Great beach getaway not far from Chicago. Rooms clean and comfortable. Family-friendly swimming beach. Dining room/bar good, but wait staff can be slow-need to be managed better, maybe, but friendly! Need to fix the dripping water on our balcony for room 113.

I would have loved an upper floor room as I requested a nice lake view room but it was fine. Room n decor looked new , clean and nice but the best thing was its proximity to the lake , there are chairs close to the lake where u can really enjoy the sound of crashing waves.

This is an average hotel trying to present itself as a luxury hotel. It lacks basic safety features like grab bars in or near the shower and handrails by the steps at the entrance. However it is very clean and the staff was helpful and responsive.

We had a group of 8 stay at the resort for business. The rooms were clean, bright and comfortable. We really enjoyed the beach setting and all the amenities. Most impressive were the staff. We all had great service from housekeeping, the restaurant staff, front desk, and the sales department. Everyone made our stay most enjoyable. We would definitely come back on business or for a family getaway.

Everything was great. Staff, cleaning, beds, ext. They should upgrade their wifi internet service, it fell apart few times during our stay. Exept of that this was one of our exelent vications. Will come again

I so enjoyed my visit to IL Beach Resort! Very friendly staff. Every thing was perfect! Wish I could have stayed longer! Great view of the lake, service and food were terrific! I would definitely come back again. Pool was amazing!

This hotel/resort is absolutely beautiful when it comes to the surrounding grounds. You walk outside and you are at the lake. Relax by the fire pit or in a lounge chair....you choice! Hotel is in good shape.... A little wear and tear but nothing to distract from the magnificent view. Pool area is nice and big (except for the very small hot tub)....it was a great experience.

I would stay here again the staff was amazing and the hotel looked like they renovated and fixed it up very nice. I was very pleased with my stay. We had one problem but the staff was quick to fix it for us. thank you so much for going the extra mile for my boyfriend and myself.

For daughter's 11th b-day, we planned on staying here due to close proximity from a day trip to Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, IL, ~20 minute drive. Stayed here for 2 nights with her 5 other cousins who also were also at 6 Flags GA, then we had her big birthday dinner that evening ~ 5:30pm- 7:30pm at their restaurant along with family relatives who were able to drive in from different Chicago suburbs/ locales. DINING: The restaurant staff were very accommodating as we required ~ 26 seats for guests arriving, so their balcony dining area was perfect for our big family group which included 7 children ages 4- 12. I was a bit apprehensive in setting up this dining experience as it was difficult to reach anyone on the phone (after multiple calls which just would ring back & forth to different areas) since I live in the western US. But I was persistent and my sister was in Chicago who tried to help me also by calling the restaurant at times for me. I tried to pre-order the food by phone a week before we were to arrive, since we were staying there x 2 nights, but I was informed by restaurant side that to order ~ 1-2 hours before heading to the restaurant which made me nervous since I was at 6 Flags GA all day with our daughter & cousins. All turned out well, as I followed her instructions & stepped away from the chaos of the day to do this one thing (order the food by phone)! Birthday dinner on the balcony went smoothly, great weather for dining outside, food was quick to arrive and basic choices available on menu online; and the location was relaxing after all. The main service staff (Renee? wish I could remember your name) assigned to our table was always checking if we needed anything (drinks, refills, etc) and readily available. Kudos to you and your mom (at the Bar). Morning breakfasts are good & hearty, especially for children. Restaurant staff again were easy to work with as I pre-order the breakfasts for the 6 kids, then they would come down to dining area, were seated & breakfast arrived within 5 minutes. Now that's how everyone's morning should start out! ACTIVITIES: With the Hotel located next to Lake Michigan, it was fun for the kids to go between swimming in the Lake, lunching, and swimming again at the indoor pool, and so on. Morning hike (~ 2miles) is best due to the humidity which we all did as a group with kids. Hiking trails are easily in the hotel vicinity. It's a mostly relaxing environment watching sunrise & sunsets by the beach, swimming in Lake Michigan, walks on the trails, or watching the geese or birds. ROOMs: Our hotel windows on 2nd floor (we had reserved 2 rooms) do need cleaning or replacing as it makes it difficult seeing out the windows (we had partial view of lake what we can see from the weathered window panes). The rooms appear to have been updated, clean and basic. Didn't spend too much time indoors but in addition there is workout room and a rec room in the lower level if it gets too hot outside. Our relatives who also decided to get a room for 2 nights on same floor as us did complain of loud TV noise late coming from the adjacent room to them, so not as good of a stay for them. Overall, we would like to stay here again 2-3 nights to enjoy being outside of busy Chicago when visiting this Midwest area. It's relaxing, and if you enjoy outdoor activities, a great option of being next to Lake Michigan. And note, they have a beautiful natural venue for weddings (or other big group thing) !

My family started coming here 10 years ago when my mother started getting treated at the Cancer Treatment Center. We came many times a year for a while and it has slowed to once a year now and have visited many times when we weren't here for my mother's cancer treatment. We love the lobby and the beach and aren't willing to give up on the resort, but has disappointed us over and over. It has remodeled rooms and looks fantastic now, but staff have kicked us out of the pool at 9:45 and 9:50 the last 2 nights when it closes at 10. Staff in the gym/pool have consistently been rude over the years. I have never, EVER, experienced worse internet or cable in any hotel in all of my existence. No Internet is the same as the Internet they have and there are literally 12 crappy channels on the TV. It might be time to throw in the towel. On the bright side, the pool area is beautiful after the remodel. My daughter was at the bottom of the steps at the pool when the tornado took down the roof and they did a fantastic, though extremely lengthy, remodel.

I googled where to stay in Illinois with beaches and hiking and this popped up! We had never heard of it before and couldn't believe that it wasn't super packed!! We really enjoyed this hotel's location. We never had to leave once we were there. Lots to do outdoors if you are an adventurist. Hiking trails, biking trails and a beautiful beach. We will be back again!

We enjoyed staying at your resort for my cousins wedding. The place was great, the food was excellent and the staff was very helpful! The rooms were clean and nicely decorated! We had a wonderful time!

Motel room overlooking Lake Michigan, very reasonable room rate. Restaurant is actually quite good for a motel. Almost afraid to write the review in fear that it will become too popular. Walk along the beach or do the nature trails. Just plain nice

Beautiful resort that hosted my dream wedding! Great food, A++ staff, gorgeous view over Lake Michigan with stunning decor..and all around accommodating for me and the whole family. Highly recommended

What an amazing place. Went for a family wedding and it's the perfect venue for that! Stayed the whole week because it's a beautiful and relaxing resort. Restaurant and bar are wonderful and the staff is amazing. Every time we go home to visit family in ILLINOIS we will stay here!

This resort/hotel is a hidden secret. It sits right on Lake Michigan. The view from the restaurant/bar is awesome. It is a old resort that they keep up grating. The rooms have all been re-done. They have a fitness center, hot tub, and a huge pool. The staff goes out of there way to make your stay the most enjoyable.

Too expensive. $175 plus tax was $195. for one night? View was beautiful of Lake Michigan but not worth the price. The fire pit was awesome as was the pool. I wish they would offer some type of packages.

This was a great place to stay. It was located on Lake Michigan. We stayed here for a Naval boot camp graduation. Staff was very courteous and helpful. We did not use all the amenities available to use. They have a gym, sauna, game room, good size pool and small hot tub.

My husband and I were looking for a quick , relaxing escape close to home and we found it here. The staff was top notch, the room clean and updated and the view from the balcony beautiful. While the restaurant staff couldn't be more helpful, the food was a bit disappointing. The beach is well maintained and offered plenty of spots to sit and enjoy the view of Lake Michigan. We will definitely be back!

This place has such potential! A great facility and amazing view of Lake Michigan! However, the staff and service was horrible! I actually feel as though they were annoyed we were there. When we tried to address our issues with the staff, they blamed each other and even acted as though we were making up our dissatisfaction. Our family (there were 8 of us in 3 rooms) were looking for several days of relaxation, but instead were frustrated! Stay at your own risk.

The staff were very friendly, the hotel is clean and the rooms are comfortable. This hotel is right on Lake Michigan so it has a beautiful view. There is a veranda where you can sit and have drinks or lunch/dinner outside. There were 2 wedding there the day we were there and it looked like a great place to have a wedding.

If you want a nice little get away, try the Illinois Beach Resort in Zion, in was very clean, had GREAT FOOD and right on Lake Michigan. We loved it. We were at a wedding and it was amazing, the food was great, the staff was wonderful and the ceremony on the beach was breathtaking. The resort made everything perfect, the out door fire pits are a bonus a breezy Lake Michigan evening.

I just had a baby in May and came to the Illinois Beach Resort for a relaxing time. It was perfect. The front desk staff was friendly and the restaurant staff were accommodating. The restaurant is facing the lake and the sunrise view was absolutely breathtaking. I was impressed!

We visited with my wife for our recent anniversary. The hotel needs a little face lift but the place is small and quiet. The views of Lake Michigan are amazing. The food quality and flavor was excellent.

First of all, this is not a luxury resort but a wonderful low-key get-away location in the Illinois Lake Michigan area. Yes, the hotel could do with some renovations but the charm is its 70's feel. Decent double queen sized bed rooms, many overlooking the lake. Breathe in the glorious sun rises and sun sets. Restaurant is fine, don't expect gourmet but what do you expect in a beach atmosphere. We found the bar did not go easy on the drinks Really well done. Enjoy the scenery, walk along their private beach area but walk a little further and there is the Illinois State Park beach area. Sandy beach with water access. Great walking trails, nature abounds. So, keep your self absorbed standards at home and ...... chill out.... read, converse, swim, have a drink Not an expensive way at all. Would like them to get better coffee in the restaurant. That's the only complaint.

First of all there was NO signs to let you know you where at a Best Western. The pillows where rocks. I called for a feather pillow or something softer, I was told there was nothing they could offer. So I use the pillows from the chair. The room was not relaxing. The HV/AC was loud. I thought I was at Motel 6. Very sad.

Arrived 15 minutes after check in time only to be notified at check in that my room was not ready. I had booked the room 2 months in advance for a wedding being held at this hotel. We arrived at 3:15ish to allow us some time to get dressed and ready before the 4:30pm ceremony on the beach. Luckily, we had other friends who could let us use their room to get ready but the staff assured they'd give us a phone call when it was ready and they never called. We had to check back in at the front desk after the ceremony to confirm if we had a room. The rest of the hotel is very pretty, staff was nice and the wedding was great. It was just overshadowed by the poorly handled check-in. The staff didn't even apologize or have any explanation, they were completely overwhelmed and didn't even offer any solutions.

We really enjoyed our stay here and found it to be incredibly relaxing. I've never been to the resort before, so I can't comment on how it was prior to the renovations, but I had absolutely no complaints about our room. The exterior of the hotel was a bit dated, but that didn't really impact us in any way. We found all of the staff to be very helpful with our questions, and the restaurant staff was incredibly accommodating. The beach is really rocky, but there is still plenty of sand to lay out on and my kids made sandcastles all day with the beach pails we bought in the hotel gift shop. It would be helpful if the hotel had a place to rinse off your feet -- we didn't see anything like that near the beach area. All in all the location is wonderful -- very secluded and right on the water. We would love to make a return trip!

beautiful view of Lake Michigan from deck and banquet room beautiful venue for wedding- excellent job of setting up facilities for reception, wedding happy hour and dinner, dance. staff very friendly and helpful elevators very slow

I was pleasantly surprised. The updates we're long overdue. All the showers work in the men's locker room. My room was amazing compared to what it used to be. The food was great along with the service. The staff was we're very nice and seem to care. I had five rooms was there for my mother's 90th birthday. Was a pleasant experience and highly recommended to all.

It was our wedding anniversary and we returned here after spending MANY weekend get aways here in the oast. The hotel was always run-down as it was state-run and that was OK because the location right on Lake Michigan was fantastic, but it was advertised as being "newly renovated" and is now run by Best Western. So we were expecting a great experience....NOPE. The renovations were NOT to the exterior, lobby, pool, and basically any of the public areas of the hotel. Just some furniture updating in the rooms. It is overpriced, the wi-fi is HORRIBLE, mostly non-exsistent, the restaurant is terrible, the drinks in the bar expensive and everything closes down at 10PM. The ONLY reason to stay is the view. The beach has eroded over the years and is now mostly rocks, so wear appropriate shoes and forget about lying on the sand, there is none near the water, only gravel....and the worst thing is THE FLIES. They light, they bite, the are overwhelming...so bring bug spray. Otherwise, as long as you are outside of the hotel, on the property, and have bug spray and good footwear, you'll have an OK time.

Had wait until after 5:00 pm to check in,there were no towels in the bathroom, the lamps were all unplugged,the shower drain was very slow, internet was horrible.Enjoyed the time spent on the beach.Not sure if I would stay again.

I have made the Illinois beach resort a place to escape with family whether it be for the day, overnight or just for a nice lunch! This is a place that makes you feel like you're on vacation even if you're there for a small getaway! The views of the lake can be seen from pretty much the whole main level and you really are only steps away from the beach! They've done some astronomical remodels to the overall hotel which enhances the beauty of your stay! And let me just say the food there is phenomenal .. I haven't had a dish I didn't love! This is all right in the backyard of Illinois tucked away off of a main highway and once you get there you're going to feel like you've paid for a flight to experience it all!

You are competing with AirBNB, other hotel chains, and people who stay in hotels today have a wide range of comparisons. You don't compare well at all. Glad I didn't stay there on a busy weekend. Reviews on Yelp skewer this place, and I agree.

Very nice stay. Hotel is expensive but nice. Good location. View of Lake Michigan is wonderful. Good food service, quality and price. Pool is very nice as I assume fitness center is, too. Highly recommend except for cost.

Loved the view overlooking Lake Michigan. Walking along the sandy shoreline. Plenty of walking paths, secluded location. Rooms were average size but newly remodeled. Plenty of space in the Hotel. Pool was great.

Liz B, Public Relations Manager at The Illinois Beach Resort and Conference Center, BW Premier Collection, responded to this review
Dear cherylmC6878PW, We appreciate you taking the time to give us your feedback regarding your stay at our Resort. We hope you will stay with us again in the future.

Harassed me during my whole stay. Noise was very loud while we tried to sleep due to reception being held. Hotel staff didn't offer another room due to noise that was out of my control. I won't stay again.

Liz B, Public Relations Manager at The Illinois Beach Resort and Conference Center, BW Premier Collection, responded to this review
Dear guestU8717RF, We are very upset to hear about your dissatisfaction with our staff during your stay. Please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience to further discuss this.

Helpful and friendly staff. Breakfast menu was wonderful. Even with renovations, construction workers were courteous. Trails for long or short walks. Would love to go back and stay longer. Thank you!!

Excellent hotel, new furnishings and finishes. A wedding was taking place with many over night partys until late in the night, people were loud running round way past midnight. Otherwise it was great, and we plan to return!

My stay at the Illinois Beach Resort - Zion, IL exceeded my expectations. The lake front beach was conveniently located about 1 block away from the hotel. The indoor pool water was crystal clear and our room was clean and the beds were very comfortable. I loved it and will return.

This hotel is remote and not suggested unless have rental or own vehicle. Food service is very slow and quality of food is mediocre. Rooms are average. However, the hangers in mine were "sticky" from dirt. The room temperature changed throughout evening causing a less than desirable sleep.

I originally wrote a pretty scathing review (included below). However, before leaving, I received a call from what I learned was new management wanting to meet and discuss my review. After a face to face meeting, it is clear that the new management is doing everything possible to make this a better place. I agreed to change my rating from POOR to AVERAGE. I look forward to returning and seeing the improvements. ------ ORIGINAL POST I see from other reviews, that this place has improved. From what? The rooms are very average. When I walked into my room, there was a flying insect (mosquito? Fruit fly?) on 2 of my pillows. This morning when I went to the shower, I found several more in the tub. The restaurant should be closed. While the food was decent, the service was unbelievably slow. Last night at dinner, the place was maybe 1/4 full. It took 2 1/2 hours to finally get and complete my meal. This morning at breakfast, I waited almost half an hour to have my order taken (there were maybe 10 people in the restaurant), and another 1/2 hour to receive my food (2 eggs, bacon, coffee). The in-room internet was awful. Last night, it would kick you off about every 5 minutes, and finally shutdown around 9pm. When I called the front desk, I was told it would be up in about 10-15 mins. It was still down at midnight when I went to bed. Throughout the day today, it would work for awhile and then go down again. Numerous trips to front desk resulted in same result.....connection for a few mins, then lock up and finally down. The lakeside beach looks great, but be careful, there were seven baby skunks wandering the beach yesterday. I didn't risk it today. At some time in the past this may have been a great place, but those days are LONG gone.

I see from other reviews, that this place has improved. From what? The rooms are very average. When I walked into my room, there was a flying insect (mosquito? Fruit fly?) on 2 of my pillows. This morning when I went to the shower, I found several more in the tub. The restaurant should be closed. While the food was decent, the service was unbelievably slow. Last night at dinner, the place was maybe 1/4 full. It took 2 1/2 hours to finally get and complete my meal. This morning at breakfast, I waited almost half an hour to have my order taken (there were maybe 10 people in the restaurant), and another 1/2 hour to receive my food (2 eggs, bacon, coffee). The in-room internet was awful. Last night, it would kick you off about every 5 minutes, and finally shutdown around 9pm. When I called the front desk, I was told it would be up in about 10-15 mins. It was still down at midnight when I went to bed. Throughout the day today, it would work for awhile and then go down again. Numerous trips to front desk resulted in same result.....connection for a few mins, then lock up and finally down. The lakeside beach looks great, but be careful, there were seven baby skunks wandering the beach yesterday. I didn't risk it today. At some time in the past this may have been a great place, but those days are LONG gone.

My wife and I came up from Kansas and stayed 2 nights in Rm 101,with balcony,king bed and wonderful view of beautiful Lake Michigan!The restaurant was wonderful! Great food,great service!The place overall has an old school vibe that i love, very late sixties and seventies but nicely updated.Loved all the potted palms at the pool. great(large)pool,hot tub and sauna.Plenty of selection in fitness area.We even took advantage of the free yoga classes.The resort sits in the Illinois Beach State Park. We enjoyed hiking on the beach and on the numerous trails available.The park consists of a south and north unit seperated by the power station north of the resort.Each unit is about 3 miles along the coast.My favorite trail was the the Dune trail just south of the resort.The lake was too cold for us to get in June 4 to 6 but July and August are probably great depending on air temp. Very windy conditions resulted in some great waves coming in to shore on the lake,Fantastic!!

We were there for an outdoor wedding. Lake Michigan in the background was beautiful! It was a really great to have the wedding, reception and hotel in the same place. Lots of fun and wonderful memories!

Average for the price. Our room was King with balcony partially facing the lake- and it was noisy; we could hear all the conversations from the downstairs and the restaurant and the hotel lobby. They need to better sound proof the rooms.

We stayed here for our anniversary & it was absolutely amazing! The rooms were very spacious and the service was excellent in every way! The expansion of the pool was a bonus too! They've done quite a bit of remodeling & the place is gorgeous! Definitely plan to stay here again soon!

My husband and I stayed at this fantastic resort for the weekend. We were given a newly renovated room with a fantastic view of Lake Michigan. The room was clean and beautifully decorated. The service was phenomenal. Staff members were very attentive, helpful, and friendly. This is the perfect resort for anyone who is looking for quick getaway or a week long vacation. We would absolutely recommend this resort to anyone!

My husband and I spent 3 1/2 weeks at this hotel while I underwent radiation therapy at the cancer center in nearby Zion. Our only regret is that we didn't find it sooner, so we could have stayed here for my entire treatment program. This hotel is newly renovated and remodeled with paint, wallpaper and carpeting, as well as new comfy beds and lots of pillows — even the sheets are so new they are crisp and stiff! Every room comes with its own Keurig coffeemaker. The hotel has a workout area and an inside, heated, 80-foot pool with plenty of poolside chairs. We ate breakfast in the hotel nearly every day, and I can say that whoever the cook is knows how to make eggs properly. The food arrived hot and cooked to perfection; the fresh fruit bowls were chilled and piled high. We also ate dinner there about 4 nights a week, and managed to try just about everything on the menu. The stacked onion rings are crisp and light. The French onion soup is laden with cheese. The burgers are tall and thick and cooked-to-order. The seafood alfredo is worth every cent, and almost enough to feed the whole table. The filets are the absolute best we've ever eaten, so tender you could almost cut them with a fork. They have nightly specials that include all-you-can-eat pizza and filets-for-two. Every table also gets a complimentary pack of warm chips and freshly-made dip. They also have a bar stocked with all your favorite beers, wine and cocktails. Truly, it doesn't get any better than this. It was a great experience that was a welcome relief from the pain of surgery and radiation. If you're looking for a family reunion spot or a place for a company convention or wedding, I do know they also have accommodations for those, although we personally didn't use those services.