Escape to serenity and immerse yourself in the splendour of a lakeside retreat right in the heart of the Midwest. Illinois is a captivating state adorned with rivers and lakes that promise an idyllic vacation. Whether you seek a short weekend getaway or a week-long summer sojourn, the allure of these tranquil waters will wash away your worries under the warm sun.
Stroll along the iconic Chicago Navy Pier, where the city’s vibrant culture comes alive. The Centennial Wheel offers a bird’s-eye view of the city’s magnificent skyline. Set off on invigorating hikes through the untamed wilderness of Starved Rock State Park. If you’d like to holiday by a lake while in the state, scroll down for the top lakefront hotels in Illinois, USA, for ideal stays.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and access to lake. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 14, 2024.
1. W Chicago - Lakeshore; Chicago (from USD 149)
W Chicago - Lakeshore is located just across the highway from Ohio Street Beach. The pet-friendly hotel is also equipped with raised signage, wheelchair access, and in-room accessibility features. Guests can make full use of the indoor pool and the 24-hour gym.
A 12-minute walk takes you to the Centennial Wheel, which offers panoramic views of Lake Michigan and the Navy Pier. The Navy Pier marina has plenty of restaurants and cafes to explore.
W Chicago - Lakeshore
Address: 644 N Lake Shore Dr
192.83 km (119.9 mi) from Three Sisters Park
Top guest reviews
Host:
very sweet staff and doormenRead more reviewsLocation:
if you want to come here to relax not the place
2. Sable at Navy Pier Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton; Chicago (from USD 186)
Sable at Navy Pier Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton as the name suggests is located right on the Navy Pier. Wake up to stunning views of Lake Michigan from the rooms here with floor-to-ceiling windows. The hotel also arranges guided boat tours.
Being right on the Navy Pier Marina, the property helps guests avoid crowds and reach Centennial Wheel early. Catch live performances at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, which is within a 10-minute drive from the hotel. If you are up for a day of family fun, then the nearby Amazing Chicago’s Funhouse Maze is just the place for you.
Sable at Navy Pier Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton
Address: 900 E Grand
193.48 km (120.3 mi) from Three Sisters Park
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
rooms are simple but the view is amazingthe view is too relaxing not to be able to feel the breeze from your roomCleanliness:
it is clean and quietthe room was clean wellspaces and the windows are so clean it enhanced the viewsview was amazing very clean roomsRead more reviewsHost:
we loved that there were smart tvs in the room staff was very nice
Other lakefront accommodations in Illinois, USA
3. Expansive home with grill; East Peoria (from USD 182)
This two-bedroom home is located on the banks of Upper Peoria Lake. The property leads down to the water where guests can take a dip when the weather is nice. The house has sweeping floor-to-ceiling windows so that you can enjoy gorgeous views of the lake. You can relax in the outdoor seating area, where there is a barbecue grill. The house has a sizeable selection of books, board games, and a TV for those who want to stay indoors.
Nature lovers can drive down to the nearby Forest Park Nature Center to explore the wilderness.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
beds very comfortable and views awesomei always appreciate when the bedside table has a usb charging dockthe beds were incredibly comfortableCleanliness:
house was very beautiful and clean all essentials where providedgreat hosts beautiful river clean home comfy and well appointedthe house was clean and very comfortable thank you tressait was very clean organized beautiful view excellentHost:
the host is very responsivethey were a delight to watch through the host provided binocularstressa was easy to communicate with and quite accommodatingRead more reviewsLocation:
great house in a perfect locationgreat house quant location beautiful viewsour stay was just perfect the location is beautiful and the home very well appointed we will be backnice location with a wonderful viewit was truly a peaceful place to be in
4. Home with covered porch; East Peoria (from USD 181)
This charming three-bedroom house situated on the shores of Upper Peoria Lake is surrounded by a lush lawn and a well-maintained beach area. The rental has a covered porch with a fire pit and seating amenities. There’s also a campfire on the open grounds so that you can stay warm on chilly evenings.
The nearby Peoria Zoo and Forest Park Nature Centre are great spots to explore.
Top guest reviews
Cleanliness:
great place clean quiet beautiful and peacefulthe house is clean well decorated and the beds were very comfortableRead more reviewsHost:
neighbors are very friendly and its a very quiet place
5. McCarthy Lake House; Havana
McCarthy Lake House is a newly renovated three-level cabin on Matanzas Lake. The main level offers stunning views of the lake as you cosy up on the comfortable furnishings. The outdoor deck with a seating area is a great spot for indulging in conversations. Birdwatchers will be thrilled to spot the eagles in the area, and of course, the lake is a great fishing spot.
The waterfront area has a private beach equipped with a floating bounce platform, a boat ramp and kayaks. There is even a small kayak for children and three adult kayaks. Fire up the gas grill for a lakeside barbecue meal that you can enjoy while lounging around the fire pit with your loved ones.
Havana, Illinois, United States
88.79 km (55.2 mi) from Three Sisters ParkSuperhost
Accommodates: 8
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
beautiful views and sunset views from the living room or deckgreat place location was great excellent lake view from living room and patiowe really enjoyed eating dinner at babe’s toni’s was great for breakfast and peaches for yummy ice creamwonderful house with a great location right on the water beautiful views from the living roomthe beds were comfortableCleanliness:
very clean cozy and comfortable homethe house was very clean and well laid outthe place was very clean u will find everything you need inside the housecabin was clean and had all of the necessitiesvery clean quaint amazing little homeHost:
great place and great hostcassi was a great host and if any questions or problems arose they were solved easily and quicklycouple of small issues which she was very responsive to and corrected quicklythe house and owners are amazing everything you would need is right where you think it would beRead more reviewsLocation:
cute little town nearby with a few consignment shops and boutiquesthis is a great house with a great locationwill definitely come back in the summer and will definitely recommend this place to family and friendssuch a great location and incredible amount of things providedthis truly is a place where you can get away and relax
6. Prairie Stables; Hanna City (from USD 92)
Prairie Stables is a cabin-style accommodation on Caboose Lake in Wildlife Prairie Park. There’s excellent fishing right outside your room, and you can grill your fresh catch in the covered picnic shelter and porch. The campgrounds have a fire pit and you can purchase firewood on site.
Wildlife Prairie Park itself is a 1,800-ac (728.43-ha) recreational area that’s home to over 60 species of animals. Besides fishing in the various lakes there, you can hike and bike the 25 mi (40.23 km) of well-maintained trails. If you are lucky, you can catch a glimpse of wolves, elk, bison, black bears, and otters. Guests are also encouraged to bring their own kayaks to explore the various lakes.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
cabins were well described and beds comfortableRead more reviewsLocation:
away from the city lights but still close enough to get to everything easilyit’s a good location to relax with family/friends
7. Elegant home with deck; Rome (from USD 163)
This airy cabin on Goose Lake is a treat for vacationers with a newly furnished deck overlooking the waters. The house has a TV and a ping pong table for keeping you entertained. The outdoor deck has a dining area and a fire pit around which you can lounge in the evening.
The house leads down to a private beach area where you can have a fun picnic. The Forest Park Nature Centre is a must-visit attraction in the vicinity.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
we enjoyed sitting in the kitchen drinking coffee and taking in the viewsthis lake front spot is absolutely wonderful it is quiet full of natural light and the beds are excellentCleanliness:
very clean and comfortablejason’s communication was great and the place was perfect and cleanthe place was clean and perfect for families with young kidswe had a wonderful week at jason's house on the river everything was spotless when we arrivedimmaculate home in a choice remote quiet and peaceful setting communication an a+ tooHost:
this property is great and jason is an amazing hostgreat home and host very cozy with a beautiful viewRead more reviewsLocation:
location was fantastic pictures and listing was accurate river is beautifulbeautiful view peaceful location exactly as advertised
8. Lakeside home with hot tub; East Peoria (from USD 289)
This home is located on the shores of Upper Peoria Lake. The house has a private deck that leads to the water. The back porch has a newly built hot tub in a season room setup. The first floor has floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of the lake.
The place is perfect for fishing in the summer as it offers rental options for jet skis, boats, fishing equipment and bait. It is situated right next to a popular restaurant, Charlie’s at Sunset Cove.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
so much space to breathe and seemed like there was a bathroom behind every doorCleanliness:
master bathroom is another level huge and cleanHost:
wonderful host as well would love to come back in the futurewonderful place to stay host is very in tune to what is needed and what works and communicates effectivelyRead more reviewsLocation:
wow what a scenic gem of a locationgreat place to get together with another familythe place was to die for i absolutely enjoyed my stay i would definitely recommend
9. Well-equipped home with canoe; North Pekin (from USD 224)
This modern home is situated on a lake branching off from the Illinois River. The quiet residential neighbourhood offers a welcome reprieve from the busy urban spaces. The property is within walking distance of the AMC Classic Pekin 14 theatre.
The house offers beach access and a paddle boat and canoe so that guests can get out and explore the waters. Lounge in front of the fireplace and play a few board games. The place is also ideal for a workcation with Wi-Fi and a dedicated workstation. The fire pit and gas grill are perfect for barbecue evenings.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the view of the lake from the kitchen window in the morning an amazing sight to seethe gas fireplace in the living room was welcome touchthe outdoor space was beautiful and the beds were comfortablecharming comfortable house with great places in back yard to relaxCleanliness:
quiet beautiful and very cleanbeautiful house very clean great areathis lake house retreat was very clean comfortable and spaciousthe space was super clean very comfortable and perfectly situatedsuper clean easy to get to and the lake access is super coolHost:
great house great host very peacefulthe owners are really great people and super easy to work withlisa and bob were excellent hosts very timely and quick to answer questionshosts very responsive and communicated very well throughout our staybob was very nice accommodating and communicativeRead more reviewsLocation:
walking distance to a movie theater and great italian restaurantgreat location for our weekend getawaylocation is awesome and lisa and bob go out of their way to ensure you are comfortablegreat house great hosts and great locationwonderful location we watched a bald eagle hunting in the lake communication was fast clear and responsive
10. Unique cabin with wraparound deck; East Peoria (from USD 157)
This unique cabin offers a wraparound deck that sits on stilts with great views of Upper Peoria Lake. Enjoy a quiet evening with a cookout on the gas barbecue grill. There are plenty of books and board games so that you stay entertained.
Guests can charter boats or rent kayaks to cruise around the lake while stopping at attractions such as Forest Park Nature Center.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
we loved the super fast wifi and gorgeous viewvery cozy house with amazing view will definitely book againvery comfortable living space and kitchengreat view and very cozy home in a peaceful and quiet areaCleanliness:
everything was clean and arrangedawesome little place very clean and cozyquiet clean and just all around great for a weekend getawaywow what a wonderful place to stay the house was so beautiful and so cleanwe enjoyed our stay the home was clean and exactly like the picturesRead more reviewsLocation:
the location is close to restaurants and shopping but definitely not surrounded by citywe loved being so close to the watergreat location this house is great for a getaway outside the citylovely place right on the riverme and my boyfriend stayed at this location and it was perfect
Enjoy a tranquil lakeside vacation in Illinois
Enjoy a lakeside vacation in Illinois that is a perfect blend of relaxation and adrenaline-pumping adventure sports. Book one of the top lakefront accommodations in Illinois, USA, and get your vacation plans sorted.
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