Author Archives: Josh Palecki

Things to Do

Stay at the Illinois Beach Hotel While Having Your Cancer Treatment

Posted on by Josh Palecki
09
Mar

Are you one of the 2 million Americans who have been diagnosed with cancer in the past year?

Attending the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, here in Zion IL, will ensure that you get the best possible treatment for your illness. People come from every corner of the country to undergo treatment, whether it’s radiation, chemo, or surgery.

If you’re one of the many that come from out of town, you don’t want your accommodations to be stressful – cancer treatment is stressful enough. The Illinois Beach Hotel is situated right next door and has everything you’ll need to have a comfortable stay during this uncomfortable time.

Keep reading and let us tell you more about the best hotel in Zion.

A Close Stay

The most important thing when you’re in treatment is to find a hotel close to the center. If you end up staying in Chicago, you could end up in traffic for hours during rush hour, which is the last thing you want after a surgery or long day of cancer treatment.

Our hotel is situated steps away from CTCA. As soon as you’re through with your treatment, you can be back in your room in a matter of minutes to relax, eat, or enjoy the local scenery.

Get a Room With a View

Our rooms all come with views of either Illinois Beach State Park or Lake Michigan. Having a peaceful, gorgeous view out of your hotel window makes it easy to relax and take your mind off of your treatment. 

With the beach and park situated close by, you can head out and go for a short hike or relax on the beach. Any loved ones that accompany you for treatment will also have plenty to see and do outdoors during times of day when you’re busy at the hospital.

Fine Dining at Nolan’s

Eating isn’t always the first thing on your mind during cancer treatment, but it’s important to have good food around when you want it. Our on-site restaurant, Nolan’s, is open from 11 am to 8 pm and has a great menu of comfort foods and local favorites that you can view here.

Activities Abound

Zion itself is a great town full of fun and exciting things to do to pass the time when you’re not at the hospital. If you’re here during the cold winter months, or you just don’t feel like spending time on the trails or beach, there are plenty of activities nearby.

Watch a movie at the Genesee Theatre, go shopping at Gurney Mills, educate yourself at the historic Shiloh House, or check out our local naval base. There are also two fantastic golf clubs nearby for yourself or loved ones who need a daytime activity.

Have a Relaxing Stay at Illinois Beach Hotel

As you fight this battle, it’s important to have a comfortable place to stay that feels like home. We look forward to accommodating you at the Illinois Beach Hotel for the duration of your treatment.

We have a plethora of modern and affordable single or double-bed rooms available to book here. If you’ve got any questions about our facilities or rooms, don’t hesitate to contact us for more info.

Things to Do

Why Take a Weekend Getaway to the Illinois Beach Hotel

Posted on by Josh Palecki
09
Mar

We all need a weekend getaway once in a while. In fact, most Americans say that they are desperately in need of a getaway!

If you are in the Chicago area, you can easily hop on a train or into your car to go to the Illinois Beach Hotel. A trip to Zion is the perfect weekend plan if you’re in the area!

With so many great things to see and do, plus a stay at our beautiful hotel, you’ll end the weekend feeling refreshed and ready to go.

Read on for some tips for your Zion vacation. 

Proximity to Chicago 

The Illinois Beach Hotel is just a quick train ride away from Chicago. This makes the trip to Zion extremely easy to do! 

You’ll be out of the city and feel as if you are in a completely different area, yet you’re not spending hours getting there. This is the perfect place to go for a quick weekend if you don’t have a lot of time.

Spend Time at Illinois Beach State Park 

If you want to get away from the bustling city of Chicago, the Illinois Beach Hotel is right next to Illinois Beach State Park. This is a great place to get out and enjoy nature, refreshing water, and some sunshine. You can go swimming and even go fishing!

In addition to the beach at the state park, there are savannas, wetlands, dunes, and prairie land as well. With bike trails, over 6.5 miles of beach shoreline, and over 4,000 total acres, there is so much to see and do here.

Perfect for Fall Pumpkin Patches

Kroll’s Fall Harvest Farm is one of the best pumpkin patches in Illinois. 

During the fall months, this is a place that you do not want to miss going to. You can go to the corn maze, watch an outdoor movie, and so much more at this farm. It’s one of our favorite places to go around here!

The fall season begins in mid-September. 

Have Fun at the Amusement Park

If you are going to Illinois Beach Hotel, you will be close to Six Flags. This is a great entertainment park to go have some fun for the weekend!

After you enjoy a day of fun at the park, you can come back and enjoy our great restaurant, Nolan’s. We’re open until 8:00 pm so that you have plenty of time to get back to enjoy a delicious meal. 

Book the Illinois Beach Hotel 

Ready for your next vacation? We want to make it one of the best you’ve had in a long time!

If you are ready to take a trip to Zion, make your next stop at the Illinois Beach Hotel. Its proximity to Chicago and Lake Michigan makes it one of a kind.

Ready to book? You can browse through our room selections and book your trip today! Click here to get started.

Weddings

How to Choose the Best Wedding Venue in Illinois

Posted on by Josh Palecki
09
Mar

Your wedding day is one of the best days of your life. And you want everything to be perfect.

To do that, you have to start with the best wedding venue. But where do you even begin?

If you’re ready to find a wedding venue, you need to follow the steps below to make your wedding day the best one you’ll ever have!

Choose a Venue That Aligns With Your Vision 

The most important thing that you can do when choosing a wedding venue is to find one that fits the aesthetic that you have in mind. If you want a rustic wedding, you probably do not want to choose to get married in a church. It may be better to get married in a backyard or a warehouse. 

If you want to find a wedding venue that is more classy, you may want to consider a hotel like the Illinois Beach Hotel.

Know Your Guest List

Before choosing a venue, you also need to look at your guest list. You need to make sure that the venue is going to fit the number of people that you want to invite. 

If you choose a venue that is too small for your guest list, this will leave you in a predicament. Always going a little bigger than what you think will be your final number is smart to do.

Think About the Guests

I’m thinking about a wedding venue; you want to think about your guests. 

Where will they stay? Is it easy to get to? How long will they need to be there? 

Answering these questions will help you choose the best wedding venue for your guests. Choosing to go with a wedding venue that is close to an airport and has accommodations can be very helpful to your guests.

This may even mean that more guests will come because it is easier to access for them as well as easier logistics to figure out.

Know What’s Included

Once you choose a wedding venue, you want to know what is included. Does the venue come with food options? Is there a restaurant around that could cater, or are there services that will come to the venue? 

You should also learn what you can rent from the venue itself. For instance, do they rent out chairs, linens, a dance floor, etc., or do you have to go elsewhere to rent those items?

Choose the Best Wedding Venue

When it comes to choosing the best wedding venue, there are a lot of moving parts that go into it. From the guest list to the size of the wedding and everything in between, there’s a lot to think about.

We want to make it easy on you! At the Illinois Beach Hotel, we offer wedding packages to make your wedding the best day of your life!

You can check out the packages here.

About Illinois Beach Hotel, Things to Do

The Top Things to Do on Lake Michigan for a Perfect Weekend Getaway

Posted on by Josh Palecki
09
Mar

With over 1,600 miles of shoreline, Lake Michigan provides the adventurous traveler with a ton of sights to see and things to do. Crossing the lake takes two and a half hours by ferry so you can explore all the areas surrounding the  Great Lake. 

If you’re struggling for things to do on Lake Michigan, then this is the guide for you. Illinois Beach Hotel is based right on the lake and serves as the perfect home base for your activities on the lake. 

Take a Dip 

One of the most obvious attractions and the best place to start your vacation on Lake Michigan is the lake itself. In the summer months, when the Lake Michigan weather is fine, take the opportunity for a swim in the crystal-clear water or relax at a secluded spot on Mackinac Island.

Once winter begins and the weather turns, the lake takes on a completely different and magical character. Huge portions of the lake freeze and swimming is no longer advisable.

Grab Some Fine Craft Beer

American craft beer has seen a worldwide boom in recent years and Illinois is at its very core.

You can quite often visit local breweries to see how their delicious beer is made and bring home some mementos. These are the breweries that are at the forefront of the beer revolution that has been slowly growing in America for some time. Don’t miss out on trying some.

Visit the Harley Davidson Museum 

If you’re a lover of the iconic American motorbike company then a trip to this museum in Milwaukee will be well worth a visit for you.

The museum showcases (nearly) every Harley Davison model made in the company’s history. As you wander around the museum, see if you can spot amazing one-off customized models like the King Kong tandem Harley.

Take a Trip to Chicago 

The most famous city that lies on Lake Michigan’s coast is Chicago. Known the world over for its fascinating history, vibrant cultural scene, and breathtaking skyline. 

Spend a day or two exploring the Windy City and everything it has to offer. Walk The Loop and see central Chicago in all its glitzy hustle and bustle. Explore the history of the city and learn all about Al Capone, and walk the streets that gave us President Obama. 

Seek Out The Blues

The Blues are huge in Chicago and Illinois. There is a reason, after all, that there is a subgenre known as ‘Chicago Blues’. The Blues was brought north by African American musicians as they moved north from the Mississippi Delta.

Muddy Waters and ‘Howlin Wolf’ both made their homes in Chicago and went on to inspire a generation of musicians.

Want More Things to Do on Lake Michigan?

This list of things to do on Lake Michigan is by no means exhaustive, just some of our recommended highlights. The best way to come and explore this wonderful Great Lake is to come and see the place for yourself. 

Luckily, we’ve got you covered for somewhere to stay. Illinois Beach Hotel is the very best place to stay on your vacation on Lake Michigan. Book today to come and see the sights.

About Illinois Beach Hotel

5 Key Qualities and Amenities of the Best Hotels on Lake Michigan

Posted on by Josh Palecki
09
Mar

There are nearly 100,000 hotels in the United States. With such a dizzying number, it can be hard to know what to look for when trying to pick out quality hotels. 

If you’re looking to take a vacation in the Great Lakes, then you should consider us here at Illinois Beach Hotel as one of the best hotels on Lake Michigan.

Here are five signs of a quality hotel that you should look out for, and that we can provide.

1. A Stress-Free Booking Process

When you book a hotel, it should be an easy process. No jargon, no confusing rates, just clear information, and a straightforward process. 

Quality hotels will allow you to make a reservation directly on their website or over the phone. You shouldn’t have to rely on a third-party agent to get you booked in. 

2. Excellent First Impressions

At the end of a long journey to your hotel, you need to be blown away by your surroundings and greeted in a warm and efficient manner. We strive to offer this to all of our guests. 

When you arrive at Illinois Beach Hotel, you’ll be welcomed and checked in swiftly so that you can get on with enjoying your vacation on Lake Michigan. 

3. Fantastic Food and Drink 

A sure sign of hotel quality is the food and drink available. One of our top tips for choosing a hotel is to take a look at the dining options available. 

Illinois Beach Hotel is the home of Nolan’s restaurant. We serve locally sourced comfort food in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. We have plenty of outdoor seating options so you can take in the stunning views over Lake Michigan while you eat. 

4. Friendly and Experienced Staff

You come to a hotel to be well-looked after so that you can feel like you are in a home away from home. The cornerstone of this treatment comes with having knowledgeable, friendly, and experienced staff members that are always on hand to help with any query or issue you could have. 

5. Clean and Well-Stocked Rooms

Your room should be your castle for the duration of your stay. You wouldn’t live in a dirty house, so you should expect nothing but the best from your hotel as well. We firmly believe in this. 

Your room should also come with all the best hotel amenities. Our rooms come with comfy beds, soft linens, a coffee maker, LCD TVs, free wi-fi, irons, and an ironing board. Your every need is catered for with us. 

One of the Best Hotels on Lake Michigan is Waiting for You

As you can see, a lot goes into running a quality hotel. When you’re away from home, you should feel valued, comfortable, and relaxed at all times. 

We pride ourselves on providing the best service and care available for all of our guests. Our friendly staff are more than ready to welcome you to one of the very best hotels on Lake Michigan. 

Book now for the vacation of a lifetime.

About Illinois Beach Hotel

Key Tips for Choosing Hotels on Lake Michigan

Posted on by Josh Palecki
09
Mar

Illinois can see close to 100 million tourists in a single year. That’s a lot of people coming to our state to see the sights. A lot of these tourists will have no idea where to stay or how to make a hotel choice for their Lake Michigan trip. 

If you’re one of those people, then there is no need to worry. Choosing from the array of hotels on Lake Michigan is easy. Just follow the steps in this guide and you’ll arrive at the hotel of your choosing with no problems at all. 

It’s also highly likely that you’ll end up opting for us here at Illinois Beach Hotel, and we can’t wait to welcome you to the area. 

Location

Location is probably the most important factor when it comes to your hotel choice. When you’re looking for things to do on Lake Michigan, you want a suitably situated home base to take off from.

It’s good if your hotel is cheap and has great amenities, but none of that will be worth it if the location isn’t up to snuff. Here at Illinois Beach Hotel, we’re extremely proud of our amazing location. 

You can take dinner outside at our restaurant and enjoy a meal with a breathtaking view of Lake Michigan. 

Check the Amenities 

The next thing to look out for when choosing hotels on Lake Michigan is the amenities. You want to make sure that you’re staying somewhere that has your needs covered. 

Our rooms provide excellent amenities, with comfortable beds, irons, ironing boards, LCD TVs, a coffee machine, and free wi-fi. Our suites come with extra amenities, including microwaves, refrigerators, and jacuzzis. 

Do Your Research 

Reviews exist for a reason, they’re there to give you a sense of the hotel and find out whether or not it is a good fit for you. Take them into account but don’t solely rely on them when assessing your options. 

Check out the website for the hotel you’re thinking of staying at, get a feel for the place, and make a fully informed decision on whether or not it’s the right hotel for you. 

Assess the Clientele 

Every hotel caters to a certain type of customer. Use reviews, images, and the hotel’s website to get a feel for the type of people that stay at that hotel. If they seem to be like you and your family, then there’s a good chance you’ll love that hotel. 

Take us here at Illinois Beach Hotel, for example. We cater to a wide range of people all year round, but we’re one of the best Lake Michigan hotels for families. 

One of the Best Hotels on Lake Michigan Is Waiting for You 

Finding hotels on Lake Michigan doesn’t have to be a tiresome exercise. As shown in the list above, you can follow a few easy steps to arrive at the perfect hotel for you. 

We believe that Illinois Beach Hotel will be the perfect hotel for your Lake Michigan trip. We pride ourselves on providing a comfortable, affordable, and memorable stay among one of America’s finest locations. 

Check out our rooms today to see how magical your next vacation could be.