Grand Bear Resort At Starved Rock, Utica ∞ Discover spa retreats, reviews & deals for 2025

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About Resort

2643 Il-178, Utica, Illinois, United States, 61373

“The hotel is conveniently located right next to scenic hiking trails, making it perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.”view full review

Grand Bear Resort At Starved Rock is a 4-star family-friendly resort featuring an indoor water park and a variety of accommodations. Guests can enjoy amenities like an arcade, outdoor miniature golf, and multiple dining options.

Rooms & Amenities

All rooms at Grand Bear Resort At Starved Rock include air conditioning, cable TV with premium satellite channels, a microwave, and a refrigerator. Select accommodations feature kitchen facilities and living areas with fireplaces, ideal for groups or families.

Dining & Leisure

Jack's Place Restaurant & Bar offers casual American dining, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The on-site Water Park features not only pools and a lazy river but also a snack shop providing quick bites.

Local Activities

Grand Bear Resort At Starved Rock is situated near several state parks, including Starved Rock State Park and Matthiessen State Park, where guests can enjoy hiking and outdoor activities. Water activities on the Illinois River, less than 2 miles away, include rafting and boating.

Services & Amenities

The resort offers facilities for conferences and events, with over 11000 square feet of flexible space available. Additionally, guests can partake in indoor activities such as laser tag and arcade games.

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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

Queen Room Two Queen Beds

6 persons

23 m²

2 King Size Beds

Shower

Heating

room details

Queen Room Two Queen Beds Balcony

6 persons

23 m²

2 King Size Beds

Shower

Heating

room details

Two-Bedroom Villa

9 persons

149 m²

2 King Size Beds

Shower

Fireplace

room details

Three-Bedroom Cabin

2 persons

242 m²

2 King Size Beds

Shower

Fireplace

room details

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Getting around

Explore a range of transportation options for your spa getaway

City Centre

Utica 3.9 km

Airports

Central Illinois Regional (BMI) 108.9 km

Chicago Rockford International (RFD) 119.1 km

Facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Water Park Fun!

“The water park was ideal for our young kids, featuring warm pools and fun slides that kept them entertained for hours.” view full review

Mini Golf Bliss

“The on-site mini golf was a fantastic activity for our family; the kids loved the themed holes and the chance to win prizes.” view full review

Cozy Rooms!

“The rooms were spacious with a cozy living area, making it easy for our family to relax and enjoy our time together.” view full review

Full Kitchen Access

“Having a full kitchen in our villa was a game changer; we enjoyed cooking together as a family rather than eating out.” view full review

General

Non-smoking property
Free Wi-Fi
Parking
24-hour reception
Lift
ATM/Cash machine
Gift/Newsstand
Fireplace

Guest Parking

Dryer
Cookware/ Kitchen utensils

Services

Newspaper service

Dining

Paid breakfast
Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area
Picnic area/ Tables

Business

Meeting room

Children

Game room

Room features

Free Wi-Fi in rooms
Sitting area
Tea and coffee facilities
Dining table

Bathroom

Washing machine
Free toiletries

Self-catering

Dryer
Cookware/ Kitchen utensils

Media

Flat-screen TV
AM/FM alarm clock

Room decor

Carpeted floor

Location

2643 Il-178, Utica, Illinois, United States, 61373

Map view

2643 Il-178, Utica, Illinois, United States, 61373

City landmarks

Park

Starved Rock State Park

1.5 km

Park

Matthiessen State Park

2.5 km

Landmark

Saint Louis Canyon

940 m

Landmark

Aurora Canyon

1.9 km

Public Building

Starved Rock Lock and Dam

2.2 km

Landmark

Lover's Leap Overlook

2.1 km

Landmark

Pontiac Canyon

2.1 km

Landmark

Wildcat Canyon

2.4 km

Landmark

SRE Playland

2.2 km

Landmark

Eagle Cliff Overlook

2.2 km

Landmark

Grand Village of the Illinois

2.3 km

Landmark

Beehive Overlook

2.4 km

Landmark

Matthiessen State Park Fort

2.5 km

Landmark

French Canyon

2.9 km

Landmark

The Rock and Soul

2.6 km

Landmark

La Salle County Historical Museum

2.7 km

Landmark

LaSalle Canyon

3.4 km

Landmark

Tonty Canyon

3.3 km

Nature reserve

Pecumsaugan Creek

3.8 km

Landmark

Owl Canyon

3.8 km

Landmark

Starved Rock

4.5 km

Landmark

Split Rock Lake

4.5 km

Landmark

Hennepin Canyon

4.8 km

Museum

Hegeler Carus Mansion

6.7 km

Nearby

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

Grand Bear Water Park

180 m

Restaurants

Jack's Place Restaurant & Bar

70 m

2643 N IL Rte 178 East Side of Building

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.

Christian

United Kingdom, February 2025

6.4/10

Our stay at the resort was unfortunately marred by several maintenance issues and overall disappointment in the cleanliness and condition of our cabin. While the indoor waterpark was enjoyable when functioning, we encountered significant issues, including bed bugs and flooding, that overshadowed our experience. The location near hiking areas was a plus, but the lack of effective service regarding our complaints left us feeling frustrated.

Rooms

5.0

We faced multiple problems with our cabin, including flooding and bed bugs, which made our stay uncomfortable.

Service

5.0

Service response to our issues was inadequate, and we struggled to get timely support.

Location

8.0

The resort is conveniently located near beautiful hiking trails, which was a highlight of our trip.

Dining

5.0

Dining options at the resort were limited and not very satisfying, leading to missed meal opportunities.

Facilities

6.0

Though the indoor waterpark offered fun activities, it was frequently not operational, which was disappointing.

Proximity to hiking

Maintenance issues

Naomi

United Kingdom, November 2024

6.0/10

I recently stayed at this resort for a family reunion, and while the kids had a great time at the waterpark, the overall experience left much to be desired. The cleanliness of the room was questionable, and the restaurant had some serious shortcomings. The amenities and family activities were enjoyable, making it a decent destination for kids, but I wouldn't say it was worth the price we paid.

Rooms

5.0

Our room was poorly cleaned, with remnants from previous guests, and only appeared to be superficially maintained. The bedding was comfortable but overall, it was not what I expected for the price we paid.

Service

5.0

The staff was trying their best, but there seemed to be a lack of management and follow-through on addressing our concerns, which left us feeling a bit neglected.

Location

6.0

The location is decent, with access to outdoor activities like hiking, but the resort itself felt a bit isolated without more convenient features.

Dining

5.0

The dining options were severely limited during our stay, with the restaurant not being open and what was available being overpriced and not up to par.

Facilities

7.0

The amenities for families, including the indoor waterpark and arcade, were enjoyable for the kids, but cleanliness was an issue that detracted from the experience.

Andrew

United Kingdom, November 2024

6.6/10

Our recent stay at the resort was quite disappointing. While the spacious accommodations initially seemed appealing and the location near outdoor activities was a plus, the issues we encountered significantly overshadowed the positives. The indoor waterpark facilities, which we were excited about, were often closed, and our cabin had cleanliness and maintenance problems. Unfortunately, the customer service did not adequately address our concerns, leaving us feeling undervalued for the price we paid.

Rooms

5.0

The cabins were spacious but suffered from cleanliness issues, including pest problems that made the experience quite unpleasant.

Service

5.0

While some staff were polite, I found that my complaints were not taken seriously, and no satisfactory resolution was offered.

Location

8.0

The proximity to outdoor activities like hiking at Starved Rock was a definite bonus for our family.

Dining

5.0

Dining options were limited, and the food quality did not match what we'd expect for the price.

Facilities

5.0

The indoor waterpark was a highlight for many families, but frequent closures were frustrating, especially for kids looking forward to it.

Benjamin

United Kingdom, October 2024

6.4/10

My stay at the resort was disappointing overall due to unexpected closures and poor maintenance. The rooms had some space, but they could really use a good update, and there were major issues with cleanliness and functionality. While some staff were kind, the dining experience and amenities fell short of expectations, especially for the price paid.

Rooms

5.0

The rooms had potential with their spacious layout, but they were in need of updates and had several maintenance issues like a malfunctioning fridge and broken light fixtures.

Service

6.0

While some staff were helpful, there seemed to be a lack of communication regarding what amenities would be available during our stay, making the experience frustrating.

Location

8.0

The location is convenient for visiting nearby attractions, especially Starved Rock State Park, which is a great outdoor spot to enjoy.

Dining

5.0

Dining options were quite limited during our stay, with some places closed, which led to a less satisfying meal experience, especially considering the premium prices.

Facilities

5.0

The facilities felt neglected, particularly the pool area which was not as clean as expected, further diminishing the fun experience we were hoping for.

Elizabeth

United Kingdom, September 2024

6.0/10

Our family reunion turned into a nightmare with bed bugs. While other guests seemed to enjoy their stays, our experience was marred by the lack of proper action from the staff in dealing with the infestation. The facilities themselves may have potential, but the severe cleanliness issues overshadowed any positive aspects. It's difficult to recommend a place where I felt so uncomfortable and ignored.

Rooms

5.0

The cabin we were assigned was not only uncomfortable but, unfortunately, infested. It was a spacious layout which could have been nice under different circumstances.

Service

5.0

I found the service to be lacking, particularly when we needed urgent attention. The front desk was unhelpful and dismissive regarding our bed bug situation.

Location

6.0

The location near nature trails was a potential highlight, but our focus was entirely on the bed bug issue. It's unfortunate that the location couldn't redeem the experience.

Dining

5.0

We did not find the dining services satisfactory during our stay, as we were too preoccupied with the ongoing issues.

Facilities

5.0

The potential of the resort's facilities was overshadowed by our unfortunate situation. We didn't get to enjoy them fully due to the problems we faced.