All across Illinois, a place where I lived for many years, there is no shortage of date night spots and romantic settings to experience with your special person. But in addition to the lovely restaurants, quaint towns, relaxing parks, and lakeside views, there are also many hotels that are perfect for overnight stays to treat yourself to something special.
Here are some ideas for romantic getaways in Illinois to inspire your next couple’s trip.
Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa, Galena
Couples’ trips are also magical in Galena, where you can stay at the Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa, with 80 guest rooms at an inn and over 150 homes and villas across 6,800 acres of resort property. There is a spa at the resort that offers body treatments, a dry salt experience, facials, a salon, and a barbershop. This top-rated Midwest resort is in a scenic setting along Lake Galena and has multiple restaurants serving dishes made with local ingredients. Couples who enjoy golfing love to stay here and play at the signature golf course.
Key Amenities:
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Inn rooms, homes, and villas for rent
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Golf, spa, and restaurants on-site
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Romance packages with breakfast, dinner, and champagne
The Peninsula Chicago
For a five-star luxury experience in the city, you can plan a couple’s trip to The Peninsula. One of the most romantic hotels in Chicago, it’s rooted in Asian traditions and hospitality and is one of the top hotels in the world. It is centrally located in downtown Chicago and near Michigan Avenue. There is an excellent Chinese restaurant at the hotel, a terrace with skyline views and cocktails, and in-room dining available. There is a spa and wellness facility on the 19th and 20th floors of the hotel and package offers that help you celebrate special occasions.
Key Amenities:
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Exquisite dining and terrace with views
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Two-floor spa and wellness facility
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Packages to celebrate special occasions
The Herrington Inn & Spa, Geneva
The Herrington is a quaint boutique hotel in Geneva that is perfect for a romantic getaway. The popular spa hotel in Illinois overlooks the Fox River and features European-style architecture and riverfront views. You can dine at the on-site restaurant for farm-to-table cuisine and enjoy European continental breakfasts in the lobby. There are elegant rooms and suites at the hotel with gas fireplaces and whirlpool tubs. Couples can also book appointments at the spa for massages, facials, and waxing services.
Key Amenities:
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Fireplaces and whirlpools in every room
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Continental breakfasts and farm-to-table dinners
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On-site spa for massages and facials
Thompson Chicago
The Thompson Chicago is a Hyatt-brand hotel in the Gold Coast area. It is a luxury hotel in Chicago near the trendy Oak Street boutiques and that has spacious rooms and suites overlooking the city. Couples enjoy staying at this hotel for a romantic getaway because of the Nico Osteria restaurant that specializes in Italian seafood and homemade pasta. Salone Nico is a wine bar and cocktail lounge that is perfect for sipping something delicious with the one you love. To live like a local during your stay, book a two-story penthouse suite with an outdoor terrace and billiards table.
Key Amenities:
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Italian restaurant and wine/cocktail lounge
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Sophisticated, residence-like setting
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Pet-friendly rooms available
Goldmoor Inn, Galena
The historic Goldmoor Inn is a Galena B&B along the banks of the Mississippi River. It is just minutes from downtown Galena and offers suites with whirlpools and fireplaces for couples. You and your partner can enjoy private, in-room dining over a gourmet breakfast and a fine dining restaurant with views of the river and rolling hills. For your romantic trip, you can book a welcome package that includes spa services, roses, and wine or champagne. There are couples massages offered at the on-site inn to treat yourselves to some relaxation.
Key Amenities:
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Gourmet breakfasts served in your room
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60-90-minute couples’ massages
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Romance packages with roses, wine, and champagne
Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center, Oglesby
Located 90 miles from Chicago, the historic Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center makes a great romantic getaway with charming cabins and spacious hotel rooms. You’ll be near the hiking trails and waterfalls of Starved Rock State Park and enjoy authentic, rustic, Midwestern luxury with comfortable amenities. There is a restaurant, lounge, and café at the lodge. Go for a swim at the indoor pool complex, which also has two saunas and a hot tub. Couples can celebrate a special occasion at the hotel with a romance package that includes meal vouchers and a bottle of bubbly with souvenir glasses.
Key Amenities:
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Rustic rooms and cabins near the state park
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Pool area with hot tub and saunas
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Romance package with meals and champagne
Four Seasons Hotel Chicago
For a classic, romantic experience in the Windy City, plan your trip to the Four Seasons. This iconic luxury hotel offers upgraded suites and high-end residences with kitchenettes and outdoor terraces. Couples can enjoy creative small plates, tasty cocktails, and live music during their stay. The hotel offers special experiences just for couples, such as private yacht charters and chef-curated dinners. Other perks that couples will appreciate include complimentary bikes to use along the lakefront path, couples’ massages at the spa, and poolside dining at the waterfall-edge pool.
Key Amenities:
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Yacht charters and romantic dinner at sunset
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Live music and poolside dining
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Couples’ massages at the spa
Irish Cottage Inn & Suites, Galena
A romantic option in Galena, Illinois is the Irish Cottage Inn & Suites, which is charming and full of character. There are well-appointed guest rooms and suites here, as well as an authentic Irish pub with live music performances on the weekends. There are 75 accommodations at the inn, including suites with jacuzzi tubs, wet bars, and microwaves. You and your partner can also book treatments at the Galena Day Spa, a full-service spa offering couples massages and spa combination services.
Key Amenities:
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Suites with jacuzzi tubs
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Spa with couples’ massages
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Irish bar and grill with live entertainment
Pere Marquette Lodge & Conference Center, Grafton
The Pere Marquette Lodge & Conference Center is located in the St. Louis area and around 8,000 acres of the state park. It is a romantic escape that is open year-round and puts you and your partner out among nature. The amenities of the lodge include a winery, restaurant, pool, hot tub, and sauna. There are packages at the resort that include champagne, hiking snacks, meals, and drink vouchers.
Key Amenities:
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Rustic and historic lodge and cabin rooms
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Winery on site with a tasting room
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Romance package with champagne
Waldorf Astoria, Chicago
Couples can treat themselves to something special as they celebrate their love at the Waldorf Astoria Chicago. There are guest suites with private terraces and cozy fireplaces, while the hotel amenities include a spa, lap pool, and Pilates studio. The on-site spa offers couples massages for 60 or 90 minutes. There are multiple dining venues on-site, while in-room dining is also an option when you just want to stay in and be cozy.
Key Amenities:
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Suites with private terraces and fireplaces
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Spa offering couples massages
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On-site and in-room dining options
Beall Mansion, Alton
For your trip to the St. Louis area, the Beall Mansion is a romantic resort in Illinois to consider. This B&B hotel is opulent and a great escape with fireplace suites, jacuzzis, breakfast, and free Wi-Fi. It is a boutique hotel with a chocolate buffet, in-room spa services, and a location near the Mississippi River. Continental and gourmet breakfasts are served here while taking special dietary needs into account. There are themed and seasonal getaway package deals that you can book for a memorable stay and experience the local winery scene in the surrounding area.
Key Amenities:
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Fireplace suites with breakfast included
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24-hour chocolate buffet
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Package deals for themes and seasons
LondonHouse Chicago
The LondonHouse Chicago is in a prime Chicago location and famous for having Chicago’s only three-level rooftop bar. It is a hotel located in a 1923 building and within walking distance of the Magnificent Mile and Millennium Park. The hotel has a spa, fitness center, on-site restaurant, and room service. Couples love it here because of the location and convenient amenities.
Key Amenities:
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Stylish rooms and suites near top Chicago attractions
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Spa and fitness center on-site
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Restaurant and room service available
The Champagne Lodge, Willowbrook
For boutique luxury just outside Chicago, look no further than The Champagne Lodge. This hotel is less than 20 minutes from downtown Chicago and has spa suites that are perfect for couples. All of the suites have whirlpools or swimming pools inside of them. There are fireplaces in the suites too. To stay at The Champagne Lodge, you’ll need to sign up for a one-year membership, which starts at just $25 and includes continental breakfast and Wi-Fi. There are romance, proposal, and room decoration packages that you can book here to celebrate something special.
Key Amenities:
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Suites with whirlpools and pools
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Continental breakfast included
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Romance and room decoration packages
16W621 S Frontage Rd, Willowbrook, IL 60527, USA— +1 630-455-0555
Makanda Inn, Makanda
Head to southern Illinois for your romantic getaway and stay at the Makanda Inn, an eco-friendly and sustainable retreat for couples. The retreat is on 18 acres of woodlands in the Shawnee National Forest. You can stay in a cottage to embrace the beauty and simplicity of nature. The Makanda Inn only allows guests over age 13, and one cottage allows dogs. Breakfast can be added to your reservation for an additional fee. This inn makes a nice home base for a couple’s trip because it is near the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail that connects 11 wineries for tastings and tours.
Key Amenities:
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Eco-friendly nature retreat for adults
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On-site breakfast available
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Location near a wine trail
855 Old Lower Cobden Rd, Makanda, IL 62958, USA— +1 618-697-7929
Sybaris Northbrook, Northbrook
Sybaris is the name to know if you are looking for a romantic getaway in the Midwest. The Sybaris Northbrook hotel is one of five Sybaris locations and a highly recommended one for couples. The hotel offers suite-style accommodation with private swimming pools and whirlpools actually inside the suites. The rooms have fireplaces and mood lighting, so get ready for an ultra-romantic atmosphere. Depending on the room you choose, you may also have a massage chair, tropical waterfall, and misting steam room. Romantic getaway packages are available here with champagne, spa products, and annual memberships.
Key Amenities:
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Pools and whirlpools inside the suites
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In-room fireplaces and massage chairs
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Romance packages with spa products and champagne
3350 Milwaukee Ave, Northbrook, IL 60062, USA— +1 847-298-5000
