The staff are friendly but this place needs an upgrade…read more Please be aware that there are no elevators. This is a rustic experience without a tent. The bathroom and kitchen fixtures are all mismatched brands. The fridge and stove/oven are top tier but the dishwasher in bldg 1 room 205 doesn't work. Be sure to bring your preferred bug spray. The property is massive so you can get in lots of walking or running. When you go out get EVERYTHING you need because the closest options are 20 miles or better away. Mostly everything closes super early so if you're arriving after 4 depending on how long it takes you to settle in you may need to pay- Unfortunately it's closing October 2025. Locals say it will become a Hilton property. If that happens I foresee the water park being closed.

Don't even get me started. First of all, they give you a…read morepaper warning you of their bug infestation. When people go on vacation they want peace, they don't want to crush bugs all fucking day. And I thought maybe it wouldn't affect my family and I, but I was wrong. It's true there are ladybugs and stink bugs all over the place. Especially after you use the bathroom and it gets all humid. Showers are a damn mess. The shower head has the worst pressure I've ever experienced in any hotel. This disgrace of a place tried to cut cost everywhere. Everything is outdated it's outrageous. By the way, there are no gyms (which is a stable for all holiday inns/vacation hotels) and no breakfast. You cheap motherfuckers. Barely any soap in the bathrooms and had to ask multiple times for shampoo (which took 3 hours to arrive). And all the buildings are split apart meaning you have to drive everywhere.. This is not even the worst. No where in the website does it inform you of the waterpark being inaccessible on the weekdays. You're also charged to use the waterpark. The TV is small and glitchy. Can't even use Netflix on it cause it's so goddamn old. They offer room service only after 10 DAYS. And then they wonder why people complain about the filth. Every room needs cleaning often to maintain its cleanliness. I mean the hallways smelled like cheese and people left out their towels after swimming in the hallways for the custodians to pick up. So imagine that smell of used towels and the clutter. All of this because the hotel refuses to clean people's rooms. In the middle of nowhere so we can't get nothing but pizza. All the few five star reviews are phony cause nothing is good about this place. The internet connection is so bad that my phone went off SOS. In the middle of nowhere so hard to get to any good food because they don't serve breakfast at all. Don't come unless you like: -Stink bugs, lady bugs, and box elders -Overpriced waterpark -crappy showers -no gym -slow customer service (because of lack of workers) -smelly hallways -no food around/trashy food -Terrible TV -Horrible internet

My family and I stayed here over Easter weekend and had a wonderful time. We stayed in a villa,…read moreC-3. Small issue with the villa. The villa sleeps 10 people MAX, but it was only 3 wine glasses, 8 regular drinking glasses and no champagne glasses. If 10 people were here, everyone couldn't drink water or wine, again small problem, not a deal breaker. Also all the ceiling fans squeak when turned on. The beds were soft and comfortable even the pull out sofa beds throughout the villa. The hotel staff were very friendly and welcoming. The master suite balcony door was stuck, we called the front desk and within 15 minutes maintenance came and fixed the door. Walmart is 16 minutes away and Target is about 4 minutes from Walmart. The waterpark was great. My 6 year old and 2 year old daughters throughly enjoyed themselves. The lazy river was great, the wave pool was awesome. The kids enjoyed the water slides. Overall, it was a great family getaway. Not too far from Chicago, but close enough for us to definitely return.

**THERE'S A REASON THEIR FACEBOOK REVIEWS ARE DISABLED!**…read more Thank goodness I booked through Expedia and not directly with the resort. We were in town for my son's soccer tournament and decided to stay an extra night to break up the drive home. Grand Bear Resort looked like a perfect, affordable "mini water park" getaway for our two young boys. Before booking and knowing that it was this areas off season, I checked the resort's website and even called their reservation desk to confirm the water park was open during the entirety of our stay. I was assured it was. After FOUR hours of driving, we arrived around 7pm only to be told the water park was closed. Not only that, but the mini-golf and arcade were also shut down. Staff admitted their website wasn't updated because they "can't get a hold of the guy," and said their reservation team (based out of Chicago) didn't know about the closures. How are the people responsible for booking rooms com pletely unaware that all the amenities are closed? We weren't alone...multiple families in the lobby had the exact same story. The scene was full of frustrated parents and disappointed, crying kids. What really made this unacceptable was the resort's response. They refused to refund the stay and even pushed back when Expedia stepped in, despite clearly advertising amenities that weren't available. Thankfully, Expedia stood behind their customer and issued us a full refund, even offering to help us find another place to stay since while we were still six hours from home. I've never seen such an obvious bait-and-switch marketing scheme. We ended up staying at a Fairfield Inn & Suites with a tiny pool--but excellent customer service. Shame on you, Grand Bear Resort. This is not how you fill rooms.

We love staying here. Love the hiking and the lodge and the restaurant and entire atmosphere.read more

Beautiful setting. The lodge is amazing and so very typical of the type built by the CCC in the…read more1930's. Enjoyed some delicious food in a cozy dining room. Bar room available as well. Then take a walk to burn off that comfort-food type meal!

Stay here over the Lodge! A wedding was at Starved Rock and we opted to not stay on site and stay…read morehere and so glad that we did! It was spacious and updated and close to everything! I saw a room at the lodge and it was very old and not nearly as nice as this! Parking was easy and we walked to breakfast the next morning.

We stayed one day last week. Very clean and so close to everything in Utica. We will definitely…read morecome back!

Beautiful and peaceful retreat. The cabin we rented was dog friendly ($25 additional fee per dog),…read morewhich is perfect because the point of our getaway was to spend time with our corgi and to take her hiking. Check-in was at 4. It was self check-in and super easy. The cabin was clean, and everything was in order. The office was closed by the time we got unloaded so we didn't go. It is open for guests to borrow movies or puzzles or purchase firewood. We met one of the owners the following day. Very friendly and lovely lady! I forgot my hair dryer and she lent me one. There were trees surrounding the cabin area, a swing on the front porch, a grill and picnic table in the backyard, and there is a 2-person jetted tub along with a shower stall inside. It had such a comfortable feel to it. Full kitchen and a table for 4, a small TV and a blu-ray player, and a comfortable full sized bed. The couch was a futon, so if you need another bed, it's ready to go! There was enough space to set up our large crate for our dog. We stayed at the Zonta cabin. Overall, I had such an enjoyable time. Nothing beats waking up early in the morning to some fresh, cool air, the trees swaying gently and a nice stroll with the doggo away from traffic and car horns honking and people hurrying to get to places. I got a lot of peaceful reading time done, about 4 hours' worth of hiking in 2 days, and worked on some puzzles we borrowed from the office. I absolutely recommend this cabin resort for a relaxing getaway!

My friend and I spent two nights recently in one of the smaller cabins, looking for a peaceful,…read morecountry-oriented break from the big city. I'm very happy to report that Kishauwau's cabin fit the bill nicely. Kishauwau is what I've been describing as a cabin development. There are about 15-16 cabins in an area that backs up to the Vermillion River. In fact, the ravines behind some of the cabins are very steep. Anyone with small children will have to keep a close eye on the kids every minute they're out back. The scenery is spectacular, but oh boy, you don't want anyone sliding down that ravine. Our cabin had all the basics we needed -- a double bed, a fold-out futon couch, a big bathtub with a separate shower, and a kitchen stocked with plates, silverware, pots and pans, dishwashing liquid, and more. Every cabin has a outdoor fire ring, a grill, a porch swing, chairs, and a picnic table. The larger cabins had several chairs and tables. We had a TV with a DVD player -- you can borrow DVDs from the plentiful supply in the office building. NO INTERNET! If you can't live without access to instragram, you will be out of luck. So, be sure to plan ahead for ways to entertain yourself. I should also mention that the cabin was spotlessly clean when we arrived. The grounds are neat and well-maintained. The office has simple supplies for sale such as toothpaste, shampoo, etc., along with some snacks and drinks. There is also a small gift shop. I've already recommended Kishauwau to two friends here in Chicago. I'm very happy to recommend it to you, too.

We had a good stay at this HIE. Staff were all very pleasant. Lobby, hallways, elevator and room…read morewere all very clean. Lots of seating areas and a business center in the lobby. Three luggage carts in the vestibule. Free parking around building with handicap and Diamond elite spots by the door. We reserved our spots thru their app where we are able to add room preference details and we got just what we like. Bed was comfortably firm with four pillows and soft sheets. Bathroom products are multi-use mounted on wall near sink and in shower. As with our last HIE, I'm not convinced the bottle label reflects the contents there in. JMHO. Two sets of towels for a room that sleeps four. Tissues, plenty of toilet tissue. Plenty of hot water. Water pressure is fine, not powerful, not wimpy. Showerhead has spray pattern options. Tub-shower combo. A fridge, microwave, coffee service and ice bucket with cups is just inside the room. Coat hooks are over the built in luggage rack. There is space under the luggage rack to store any bags not in use or shoes. Heat (in October) worked well and was quiet. Room includes a closet with doors, three draw dresser and work space. One bedside table between two queen beds have 2 plugs. Besides desk chair one sytlish seat and a side table are near the window. Big flat screen TV. Breakfast starts at 5am and the spread was very good. Oatmeal, scrambled eggs, omlette, sausages, potatoes, cinnamon rolls, toaster items, cold cereal, yogurts, small bottles of milk, coffee, tea, cocoa, juice and a pancake maker. The hostess was very cheerful and chatty and kept the area very clean.

What a beautiful and clean updated modern room! It was pristine and the room was spacious. The…read morefront desk employees were polite

My husband and I went there last night. It was great! Clean and the staff was very friendly. Went…read moreto Shakers across the street and ate dinnner, watched the beach volleyball tournament. It was fun. Hotel offered a great selection for breakfast. Nutella, jellies, oatmeal, waffles, eggs, sausage, yogrut, fruit, 2 different kinds of cream cheese bagels, cereal, toast, etc... I would recommend it:) The only downfall was the smell of pot coming from a room across from us.

GGRRRRRR THIS PLACE HAS GONE FROM BAD TO HORRIBLE IN ABOUT A…read moreYEAR!! we stayed here in April of 2025. The hot tub Jets were not working then, and they still aren't! The smell of musty and mold is nauseating! Breakfast was ok. Cookie cutter omlettes like they had from Market Day. Sausage patties were greasy. Coffee was horrible! BE CAREFUL IF YOU USE YOUR SHOWER!! DANGEROUSLY SLIPPERY!! Water pressure was low and not very hot...Luke warm. There a few w reports of BED BUGS just a few weeks ago! We didn't see any... Will never stay here again!! An absolute rip off in price! Anything more than $79 is theft!