Regional Retreats: 2022 Edition

These luxurious resorts provide the ultimate way to get away. Take a peek inside and see what makes each special.

Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa: Summertime Adventures Along Galena Lake

The Driftless Area of northwest Illinois is a land of breathtaking views – rolling hills and bluffs made possible by the absence of glacial drift.

This “Land that Glaciers Forgot” is also the home of Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa in Galena, a place that’s not easily forgotten by those who visit.

Sitting at the heart of nearly 6,800 aces of lush countryside, Eagle Ridge offers 80 luxurious guest rooms with more than 150 additional villas and homes. With so many offerings available to them, guests are sure to find the perfect home away from home during their stay.

After checking in, guests may want to wash away the travel day with a swim in the resort’s indoor heated pool or, for a truly relaxing and rejuvenating experience, head to the spa for a personalized pampering. Offering massage therapy, nail treatments, body exfoliation and facial therapies like Platinum HydraFacial and biodynamic lunar glow, a session in the Eagle Ridge spa sets the tone for individuals and couples alike.

Summers at the resort are filled with adventure. Located on the shore of Galena Lake, Eagle Ridge offers paddleboats, kayaks and canoes for guests who wish to head out on the water. Pontoon boats and fishing poles are also available for rental.

Eagle Ridge is a golfer’s heaven, with four stunning award-winning courses – three 18-hole courses and one nine-hole course, together offering 63 holes of incredible golf for all ages and levels. Each course has been restored to its original architecture, giving golfers spectacular scenery along with challenging and rewarding games.

There are over 20 miles of wilderness and paved trails for hiking or biking and, with access to nearby ziplines and hot air balloon rides, guests can feed their inner adrenaline junkie or capture a gorgeous panorama from the sky.

In winter, hiking trails become cross-country ski or snowshoeing trails and golf courses become skating rinks and sled hills. Nearby Shenandoah Riding Center offers horseback riding year-round, with sleigh rides available in the winter months.

Year-round, the city of Galena is a shoppers’ haven for antiques, art, fashion, decor and dining.
No matter what your idea of relaxation and luxury look like, a stay Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa sets the standard.

Goldmoor Inn Sets the Tone for Galena

Nestled in the hills of Galena’s Driftless Area is a luxurious bed-and-breakfast that needs to be experienced to be believed.

Offering 18 exclusive suites, the Goldmoor Inn’s elegant, castle-like getaway makes an immediate impression with visitors, setting the tone for the indulgent escape that awaits them during their stay.

Each suite is unique, from rustic log cabins to the cozy and graceful Mississippi Suite, to the Turret Suite, with its very own drawbridge. Each features plush amenities and private balconies to take in the breathtaking views of the Mississippi River valley. Add in details like fresh cookies and flowers that greet visitors in every suite, and a stay at Goldmoor seems like a page from a fairy tale.

Despite being only 6 miles from the town of Galena, the Goldmoor, located at 9001 W. Sand Hill Road, is a world all its own. In the winter months, it can feel like the inside of a snow globe and is a prime location to watch wintering eagles dive for their dinner along the Mississippi River. In warmer times, the sweeping landscape offers stunning vistas for a photograph, a social media post, or even just a quiet memory to tuck away for a rainy day. Bird lovers will want to watch the skies for a variety of birds. Binoculars are available at the front desk for anyone wanting a closer look. At sunset, the sky steals the show with breathtaking displays of color and dying light.

While landscape, decor and views offer a feast for the eyes, the fine-dining experience in the Goldmoor’s dining room provides one of a different kind. Executive chef Brandon Veitch concocts a lavish creation with each dish, elevating the food he serves with each meal. An upscale, yet cozy dining experience, Goldmoor Inn’s menu is not just for the stomach, but also for the soul.

More than just a getaway, Goldmoor Inn is also a much-loved location for weddings year-round. The outdoor pavilion, available from May through October, is perfect for ceremonies with up to 100 guests. Surrounded by gardens bursting with flowers, storybook architecture and rapturous landscapes, a wedding at Goldmoor Inn will be remembered by participants and spectators for decades to come. Indoor options for weddings are equally stunning, with venues like the Grand Hall and the Great Room that live up to their names.

Whatever the occasion, a stay at the Goldmoor Inn is a five-star experience unlike any other.