Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock

Never left a review before but had to for this place. Booked a night stay and the VIP extra at $49 to get in water park early and room at 3pm. Women at front desk couldn’t find reservation and said to me are you sure you booked here. Then found it. Got wrist bands for me and my son and asked her about lockers for our things since no room till 3pm. They don’t have any asked what do I do with our stuff she replied rudely don’t know. I replied nice attitude. I Had to figure it out. Talked to the lady at the pools towel counter and she was nice and tried to help us but no lockers since Covid. The water was freezing and a lot of grownups complained like I did. The hot tub had about 40 of us in there warming up our kids. The evening women at the front desk were very nice and understanding but said they would notify management but all they could do sorry.gave my son a coupon for some ice cream all they had. I thought that was nice to try to cheer him up. Didn’t get my room till 4pm because they were not ready. What did I pay for. They ran out of towels at the pool. No coffee maker in room. Missing top sheet on one bed. Can’t charge anything to your room when using any of the facilities. Son very disappointed. Going to the Wis Dells next time. Better facilities and prices than this place. I’ll take the drive. Called and complained and did get my $49 back. But will NEVER go back or recommend.

What a great place for a quick family getaway! Close to Chicago and Rockford but far enough to make it a real vacation. We managed to find a great deal on a cabin large enough for our entire family and the extra tag alongs! The kitchen was great and allowed us to cook for the various special dietary restrictions with ease. The seating area and dining table made a great place to play games after the kids were done swimming and hiking. The water park was geared towards the younger kids but even our older ones had fun. The slides definitely had the kids going over and over again. Only negative was that other guests decided not to follow posted rules for the hot tub and in some of the areas. We will be staying again I am sure. The proximity to Starved Rock and the trails makes a good base for the family to have quite the adventure!

Update: I recieved a voicemail from the hotel telling me that even after check out we would be allowed to use the pool until it closes that day. That is not what we were told when we checked and had to purchase VIP even to get access to the pool before 4pm. I have no idea what to believe anymore. Staff needs better training. Rooms are small tv is small everything is closed no one looks happy. The pool was fun. Probably will not return Had to pay for the VIP passes otherwise we were not able to swim in the water park. We bought water park passes which are only good from 4pm to 9pm and then for 10am to 11am the next day. We were not allowed to go into the water park unless we paid an additional 70$ for VIP passes this way we could check in a 1pm and go into the water park a few hours earlier. Corporate green at its finest.

Okay, to start, I like to say positive things first and then I will get into the details. Some of the staff were absolutely awesome. A waiter at the restaurant named Justice was phenomenal. Shawna did the best with what she had given all the issues (helped us with some food since quite a bit was destroyed by the infestation). The maintenance man tried the best he could from what it seemed. Now for the details. I paid close to $1,000 for two nights in the villa. We had an ant infestation in dead of winter and had to move two times (3rd place was not as updated but no ants at least but imagine moving 7 adolescent boys numerous times!). The ants ate SO much of my food that I brought for the boys I brought (sons' bday wknd). The internet was shaky at times, the upstairs TV didn't work in the first place that I stayed the 1st night in. The restaurant and bar ran out of SO much. I wanted to order a drink on the menu and she said 'we don't have any of that'. Seems like off season they do not stock well regardless of the crazy price we pay. The hot tub was filled completely with babies in floaties. We couldn't even find a spot to sit even though the sign said for '16 and older', not enforced obviously. We went to eat for late lunch/snack (since much of our food was destroyed). Even though it said they close from 3-4 for transitioning of foods, the teen hostesses said we could not eat there at 2:30 because no longer seating people. The sign should reflect that. The bar in that restaurant was no longer open but the bar by the lobby didn't open until 4. Time with family is valuable to me so I am happy for that but I would not recommend this place at all. There is NO manager to speak with...you have to email them! lol. I never did hear back and its been 5 days so obviously they ignored me. I have other videos of the ant infestation and issues. I will attach a pic at this time. Other than so very kind staff, the management sets them up for failure. I DO NOT recommend this place. Go to Great wolf lodge. I will update if I ever hear back from them.

This place has great potential but I won't come back until they heat their water park and power wash the black mold from all the rock/walls in waterpark. The staff were pleasant but needed more help. Only one person working front desk for checking in, she did a great job dealing with the long line. The shower rooms were not cleaned- Very dirty, all garbages overfilled, not enough towels available(more like over sized hand towels) overheard another girl say there was no hot water to shower her frozen kids. Only place to get ice was from the ice cream bar which was only open til 7pm.