Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center, Utica - Reviews, Rooms Options & Prices 2025

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About the Resort

2668 East 873 Road, Utica, Illinois, United States, 61348

Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center is a historic retreat located in the heart of Starved Rock State Park, offering guests a unique blend of rustic charm and modern amenities. Originally opened to the public in 1939, this lodge features stunning architecture built from unhewn logs and Joliet limestone, providing natural warmth and character. Recognized for its exceptional brunch and accommodations, the resort is nestled among picturesque canyons and lush pine forests, making it an appealing destination for both relaxation and outdoor adventure.

Location

Starved Rock Lodge is conveniently located less than two hours from Chicago, making it easily accessible for a getaway. The lodge is surrounded by scenic landscapes and natural attractions, with Starved Rock State Park offering numerous trailheads for hiking and breathtaking views. Guests can enjoy the park's renowned waterfalls and canyons, making it an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts.

Rooms

The resort offers a diverse range of accommodations, including historic lodge rooms, charming log cabins, and spacious hotel rooms, all nestled in serene wilderness. Many rooms feature rustic décor with modern amenities such as mini fridges and microwaves, ensuring comfort during guests' stay. The Pioneer Cabins allow pets, adding a pet-friendly option for visitors.

Eat & Drink

Starved Rock Lodge features multiple onsite dining venues, including a restaurant known for its home-style cuisine and a variety of signature dishes such as Fried Walleye and Strawberry Pecan Salad. Guests can enjoy an award-winning brunch on Sundays and a selection of locally brewed craft beers and wines. The Café provides quick bites and sweet treats, ensuring that there are options for all appetites.

Leisure & Business

The resort provides a myriad of recreational activities, including guided hikes through the picturesque Starved Rock State Park and indoor pool facilities for relaxation. Seasonal outdoor dining and live music events on the Veranda during summer enhance the overall guest experience while exploring the beautiful natural setting.

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Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

King Room Hotel Wing

Max:

3 persons

23 m²

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Shower

Coffee machine

room details

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King Room Lodge Wing

Max:

3 persons

23 m²

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Shower

Coffee machine

room details

Check Prices

One-Bedroom Cabin

Max:

4 persons

Bed options:

2 King Size Beds

Shower

Coffee machine

room details

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Getting around

Explore available ways to reach your dream destination

City Centre

Utica 3.4 km

Airports

Central Illinois Regional (BMI) 110.1 km

Chicago Rockford International (RFD) 121.7 km

Facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Free Wi-Fi

Free parking

Luggage storage

24-hour services

24-hour reception

General

Non-smoking property
Free Wi-Fi
Free parking
24-hour reception
Gift/Newsstand
Coffee shop

Sports & Fitness

Fitness studio

Services

Wedding services

Dining

Restaurant
Snack bar
Bar/ Lounge area

Business

Business centre

Children

Children's pool

Spa & Leisure

Indoor swimming pool

Room features

Dressing area
Ironing facilities

Media

AM/FM alarm clock

Location

2668 East 873 Road, Utica, Illinois, United States, 61348

Map view

2668 East 873 Road, Utica, Illinois, United States, 61348

City landmarks

Park

Starved Rock State Park

1.1 km

Aurora Canyon

720 m

Starved Rock

810 m

Oglesby

Pontiac Canyon

890 m

Public Building

Starved Rock Lock and Dam

1.3 km

Oglesby

Lover's Leap Overlook

1.2 km

Wildcat Canyon

1.7 km

Oglesby

Eagle Cliff Overlook

1.3 km

Saint Louis Canyon

1.8 km

Oglesby

Beehive Overlook

1.5 km

Park

Matthiessen State Park

3.4 km

2643 N State Route 178 Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Resort

Grand Bear Water Park

2.5 km

IL-71

LaSalle Canyon

2.0 km

Dee Bennett Road

Grand Village of the Illinois

2.0 km

201 Donaldson St North Utica

SRE Playland

2.4 km

Owl Canyon

2.5 km

IL-71

Tonty Canyon

2.7 km

229 Clark St

The Rock and Soul

2.8 km

101 E Canal St

La Salle County Historical Museum

2.9 km

IL-71

Hennepin Canyon

3.4 km

Matthiessen State Park Fort

3.4 km

Kaskaskia Canyon

4.4 km

Ottawa Canyon

4.3 km

Nature reserve

Pecumsaugan Creek

4.8 km

Illinois Canyon

4.8 km

Nearby

French Canyon

430 m

Restaurants

The Back Door Lounge

190 m

2688 E 875th Rd

Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center

290 m

2668 East 875th Road

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience

70%

liked the resort and would come back again

7.0/10

Very good

Rooms

7.2

Location

9.6

Service

7.6

Dining

8.0

Keith

United States, March 2025

6.8/10

I had a pleasant stay at Starved Rock Lodge, with comfortable accommodations and stunning natural beauty surrounding me. The hiking trails were very nice, although I found the limited activities outside of hiking a little disappointing. The food was great, especially the Sunday brunch. but I encountered some unfriendliness at the front desk during check-in, which left a sour note.

Rooms

8.0

My room was cozy and clean, providing a comfortable place to rest after long hikes.

Service

6.0

While many staff members were friendly and accommodating, the front desk service was curt and rude at check-in.

Location

9.0

The lodge's location is convenient for accessing Starved Rock State Park, and the scenic views are amazing.

Dining

9.0

The dining options were satisfying and the meals were generous, particularly the brunch that I really enjoyed.

Facilities

7.0

The lodge's amenities, including the pool and spa, enhanced my experience, though I wished for a broader range of activities.

Jay

United States, January 2025

7.2/10

I really enjoyed my time at Starved Rock Lodge, especially the hiking trails and the beautiful natural surroundings (the views were stunning!). The staff at check-in were friendly, and I loved the rustic charm of the lodge itself. However, checkout was disappointing due to a rude staff member, which put a damper on an otherwise great experience.

Rooms

6.0

My room was comfortable and had a cozy, rustic vibe. However, the strong chlorine smell from the pool area was quite bothersome.

Service

5.0

The check-in staff were warm and welcoming, which set a positive tone. Unfortunately, the person at checkout was exceptionally rude, significantly affecting my overall impression of the service.

Location

9.0

The location is perfect, with direct access to beautiful hiking trails and amazing views. It’s a nature lover’s paradise.

Dining

7.0

I enjoyed the food, particularly at the main dining room, where my dinner was delicious. The lunch at the café was also quite good, but more variety would be appreciated.

Facilities

8.0

The lodge features a large indoor pool that my kids loved. Despite some areas needing improvement in terms of communication, like dinner reservations, the overall facilities were enjoyable.

Russell

United States, December 2024

7.0/10

I had a wonderful weekend stay at Starved Rock Lodge, enjoying the beautiful natural surroundings and hiking opportunities. The rustic charm of the lodge and the comfort of my pioneer cabin made for a cozy retreat. However, I did notice some cleanliness issues in the cabin, particularly in the bathroom, which could use updates. Overall, the experience was good, thanks to the charming environment and friendly staff.

Rooms

8.0

My pioneer cabin was charming with super comfortable beds, though the bathroom needed updates and a better cleaning touch.

Service

10.0

The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful, contributing positively to my experience throughout the stay.

Location

10.0

The lodge is perfectly situated for access to hiking trails and the stunning natural beauty of the surrounding area.

Dining

8.0

I enjoyed good meals at the lodge, especially the large dinner portions, and the outdoor seating provided a lovely view.

Facilities

7.0

The rustic decor and pleasant ambiance of the lodge enhanced my relaxing experience, despite a few amenities lacking in my cabin.

Tim

United States, October 2024

7.4/10

Staying at Starved Rock Lodge was a nice escape, especially with the beautiful hiking trails right nearby. The interior of the lodge has a rustic charm with that massive fireplace that makes for a cozy setting. However, I found the accommodations a bit lacking, particularly concerning amenities like towel racks and a non-functioning TV remote. Overall, it felt comfortable but didn't quite meet my expectations for the price I paid.

Rooms

6.0

My cabin was quaint and had a rustic ambiance, but I was disappointed by the lack of basic amenities like a refrigerator or microwave. The bed was comfortable, but the bathroom had leftover soap from the previous guests, which wasn't ideal.

Service

8.0

The staff was friendly and attentive during my stay, always willing to help when I needed something.

Location

10.0

The lodge is perfectly situated next to beautiful hiking trails and scenic views of the Illinois River, making it a great place to unwind and connect with nature.

Dining

7.0

The food at the lodge was decent with generous portion sizes, though I felt the beverage options could improve, particularly with coffee.

Facilities

7.0

I enjoyed the indoor pool and spa facilities, which added a nice recreational option during my stay. However, the amenities in my room felt limited, which could be improved upon.

Stanley

United States, October 2024

7.4/10

My recent stay at Starved Rock Lodge was filled with cozy charm and a beautiful natural setting. While I found the historic room comfortable, it was quite small with a bathroom that had some quirks. The good food and friendly staff made my stay enjoyable, though I noticed a knack for noise from neighboring rooms. Overall, it was a relaxing experience, and I appreciated the variety of activities the lodge has to offer.

Rooms

8.0

The historic room was cozy with reclaimed wood furniture, but the bathroom was quite small and a bit noisy at times.

Service

9.0

The staff were friendly and attentive, and I appreciated the housekeeper's thoughtful gesture of providing extra coffee.

Location

10.0

The lodge is ideally situated next to stunning hiking trails and natural beauty, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.

Dining

9.0

I enjoyed decent food options, with the Sunday brunch especially being a highlight, plus they accommodated my dietary needs nicely.