This English Manor-Inspired Historic Hotel In Illinois Is A Hidden Gem Perfect For A Getaway
By Linze Rice|Published September 20, 2023
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Linze Rice
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Ope! From the rural cornfields of DeKalb County, Linze is an Illinois native and true Midwestern gal who can make a mean bonfire and whip up a perfect marshmallow salad. Since 2014, her bylines and photography have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, and Block Club Chicago/DNAinfo Chicago, Only in Your State, and more. She has interviewed Dolly Parton, written about beloved diners along historic Route 66, visited the last Rainforest Cafe in the Illinois, and reviewed luxurious English manor-inspired hotels. Whether it's writing about a local gem or world-renowned establishment, Linze brings a heartwarming and historical perspective to each story, using facts, wit, and personal experience to impress upon readers the importance of culture, food, travel, and all things local. Her favorite destinations in Illinois include Starved Rock State Park, Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, the charming small town of Sycamore, and historic Rosehill Cemetery. When she's not writing or photographing, Linze enjoys gardening, spending time with her husband and pets, cooking, baking, and grilling, and relaxing with trashy TV.
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My husband and I recently celebrated our 10-year wedding anniversary, and though travel can be a challenge with our pets, we decided to try and make a weekend away work. Though there are so many incredible accommodation options in Illinois, especially living just outside Chicago, we wanted to get out of the hustle-and-bustle of the city and collar suburbs. So where do Chicago-area folks go to escape the crowds for a leisurely adventure? It seemed a romantic getaway in Lake Forest, Illinois was calling our name from one of the state’s — and country’s — top resorts.
We called a sitter, packed our bags, and headed north.
For our weekend escape, we visited the historic Deer Path Inn, located at 255 E. Illinois Road, in the lush North Shore suburb of Lake Forest. The inn was designed by noted architect William C. Jones to showcase a half-timbered and stucco manor house inspired by 15th-century homes in one of the oldest villages in England, Chiddingstone in Kent.
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The inn is less than an hour north of Chicago, and just under an hour from our home in suburban Berwyn.
Because the quaint hotel offers only 57 rooms, it can offer highly personalized experiences and excels in attention to detail. Amenities, like cookies, candies, and water — staples in English hospitality culture — are offered generously throughout the lobby, and there are complimentary bikes and beach passes available for visitors so they can take advantage of nearby Lake Michigan, which is only a mile away.
Linze Rice
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The common areas are warm and inviting, with fireplaces, paintings outlined with thick gold frames, candlelit chandeliers, luxurious leathers, and tones of honey, caramel, chocolate, and butterscotch throughout the decor.
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An addition to the lobby in 2015 was this stunning lounge, where morning coffee and muffins are served, and where locals regularly congregate while waiting for a table at The Bar downstairs.
Our room was a Manor House King Suite with a wet bar, which had cream and tan furniture complimenting bright white walls and linens against a black stone countertop and dark brown wood.
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The room also featured a flatscreen TV, fireplace, and writing desk.
A detail that I loved was the herringbone wood floor, which zig-zagged between the living room area and bedroom.
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Our wet bar was also stocked with complimentary miniature liquor bottles such as Grey Goose Vodka, Maker's Mark, and Bailey's Irish Cream, as well as mixers, snacks, wine, and water.
We were greeted with a handwritten note, as well as a chilling bottle of champagne and a beautiful display of fresh fruit sushi with chocolate sauce and chocolate shavings, in celebration of our anniversary. This was an unexpected treat, and spoke to the customizable experience potential the hotel could offer.
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Our bedroom featured a spacious King bed, as well as another fireplace and TV. With a walk-in closet, full-size dresser, and two nightstands, there was more than enough storage space for all our belongings.
Linze Rice
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The bathroom offered a spa-like treatment with its marble tile walk-in shower.
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I quickly learned that no trip to the Deer Path Inn is complete without an afternoon tea session in the spectacular garden room, which showcases a full wall of windows that look out into the private courtyard. Its black-and-white decor is accented by fresh tabletop bouquets, mosaic floor tiles, and an abundance of healthy green plants.
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This was absolutely my favorite room in the hotel.
Our tea experience included a large, but not overwhelming, menu of tea offerings — I opted for the very pink Raspberry Floss and my husband ordered the house 1929 Blend — two fresh scones, and a three-tier tray filled with finger sandwiches, mini-quiches, and an assortment of small pastries. I loved the roast beef sandwich, the fruit tarts, and the Queen Anne cakes.
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After a lovely tea lunch, I had to get to the other side of the windows to see the courtyard for myself. Surrounded on all sides by ivy-covered walls, trees, and the European-style hotel exterior, the space feels insular and truly transports you to another place.
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Adding to its tranquility is a statue of a relaxing deer with a small waterfall underneath.
In the evening, we headed to the inn's basement level, where the White Hart Pub and The Bar are located. Two different, but complimentary rooms, both places exude a sense of British sensibility. The White Hart Pub embodies a classic English pub, while The Bar offers a slightly more upscale experience with spot-lit framed paintings of hunting dogs, deep navy walls, and warm lighting.
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Though everything on the menu looked good, we went for a sharable plate of meatballs, an heirloom tomato salad, and signature gin and tonics (one alcoholic, one alcohol-free). The meatballs were exceptional with the complimentary herbal bread, and the salad was bright and tasty. Both drinks were thoroughly garnished, and several diners asked what we had ordered so they could follow suit.
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We also learned that The Bar is not only a place for visitors to eat, but it's also one of the most popular restaurants and gathering spots in town for locals. Almost everyone in the dining room appeared to know each other and would freely get up to speak with friends at another table. It was lively, and refreshing to see how the inn was incorporated into the fabric of the community.
The Bar is also known for its sushi — a surprising but delightful quirk. Though I'm not usually a sushi fan, we decided to order the Negitoro maki, which featured Toro tuna and scallions. To my amazement, I absolutely loved it and ate several pieces.
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The next day, we spent the early afternoon back at The Bar for a private cocktail demonstration and tasting with Chief Spirits Officer and bartender extraordinaire Jorge. Although my husband doesn't drink alcohol, it was no problem for Jorge, who was able to create stunning alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions of drinks that both tasted incredible.
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With a background in arts, engineering, and mixology, Jorge's creative mind and skill are evident behind the bar — his creations and presentations were as delicious as they were gorgeous.
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From an Old Fashioned with gold-covered cherries to the watermelon sushi and cocktail above, his skill was beyond impressive, and there wasn't one drink we didn't like. Jorge is also the talent behind the inn's Christmas dollhouse-style gingerbread house, wherein he makes an amazingly detailed recreation of the hotel, complete with little guests inside.
After that, I was ready for some fresh air! So, we began to embark on our scavenger hunt — part of the Locals Only Package. The adventure consists of exploring the charming Market Square shopping area, which is just a short walk from the hotel.
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There, we used a provided list to find our target stores — clothing boutiques, a book store, a coffee shop, a confectionary, and more — where we would spend time perusing the shop before receiving a small gift from the counter. The package includes $250 worth of goodies from local vendors, plus an afternoon of exploring the gorgeous neighborhood.
My favorite stop was Amidei Mercatino, an alleyway market at 235 Southgate that specializes in fresh produce, flowers, and canned goods like pickles, sauces, and jams. Our scavenger hunt yielded us a jar of golden Lake Forest Honey, while we also decided to buy a jar of apple butter and a jar of peach salsa to make sure we fully took advantage of the local flavors.
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An array of dazzling flavors and locally sourced ingredients are also on full display on the menu at The English Room, the inn's fine dining option. Just steps away from the hotel's front entrance, the main room is an impressive demonstration of an English manor-inspired dining hall that felt both regal and comfortable without being pretentious.
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In the evening, dinner service for The English Room is available on the patio, and with idyllic fall weather, a star-lit sky, and plenty of ambiance, we couldn't resist. Our meal of Caesar salad, steak, and beef tenderloin with mouthwatering potatoes, demi-glaze, and succulent vegetables in the courtyard was a filling and picturesque way to finish the day.
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In the morning, we enjoyed a proper English breakfast in our room with eggs Benedict, bacon rashers, beans, sausages, and hashbrowns. With the light filtering in through the windows, and with a hot cup of coffee always within reach, it truly was the perfect way to wrap up our weekend before heading back into the real world.
Linze Rice
While the Deer Path Inn also regularly hosts weddings, reunions, and business gatherings, our romantic getaway in Lake Forest, Illinois was a highly personalized and special way to celebrate a decade together. It’s obvious why families, couples, and locals continue to incorporate it into their memories and traditions. Even the manager told me her experiences coming to the inn with family as a little girl shaped her desire to want to work there today. Start making your own plans by visiting the Deer Path Inn website, and keep up-to-date on all things at the inn by following their Facebook page. And if you want the scavenger hunt, afternoon tea, and English Room dinner experience we had, make sure to book the Locals Only Package.
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