Suburban hotel packages take the chill out of winter
Looking for a break from the winter blues? With tourism down for the season, many local hotels offer great deals on packages to lure in locals. Whether you want a romantic getaway or a memorable weekend with the kids, plan to take advantage of discounts at these and other spots.
Hilton Chicago/Indian Lakes Resort
250 W. Schick Road, Bloomingdale, (630) 529-0200, hilton.com
Make the most of the cold weather with the Winter Family Fun Package at Hilton Chicago/Indian Lakes Resort. Starting at $125, the overnight stay for up to four guests includes two-for-one skiing and $2 off snow tubing at Villa Olivia Ski Resort in Bartlett. Once you've hit the slopes, watch a movie in the pool or head out and use your four movie passes at Hollywood Blvd. Cinema in Woodridge. You'll also get a $25 voucher usable at any of the resort's restaurants, discounted VIP admission coupons to the Legoland Discovery Center in Schaumburg and goody bags for the kids.
The Herrington Inn & Spa
15 S. River Lane, Geneva, (630) 208-7433, herringtoninn.com
Through March 31, you can get some deep relaxation with the spa couples package at The Herrington Inn & Spa. For $349 on weeknights or $379 on weekends, you'll get a $200 spa credit and a river-view guest room complete with a fireplace and radiant heat coming out of the marble bathroom floor. The credit can pay for two one-hour massages or you can get a couple's massage for $10 extra, delivered either in the spa or your guest room.
Director of sales and marketing Jennifer Piazza said many couples also like to enjoy nearby winter recreation like cross-country skiing on the Fox Valley Nature Trail or ice skating at Wheeler Park.
“Once everybody gets away from the rush of the holidays and realizes we've got a few hard months of winter left, it's time to plan an escape,” Piazza said. “This is a great place to come and get away from the doldrums of winter that might be setting in.”
Hotel Arista
2139 CityGate Lane, Naperville, (630) 579-4100, hotelarista.com
The Escape the In-Laws package at Hotel Arista was designed as a couple's holiday getaway, but proved so popular that the hotel decided to extend it through Jan. 31.
“This is a slower period for us, and it gives people in the area a chance to relax after the holidays and come visit us,” general manager Jeff Wardlaw said.
Rates start at $165 a night and include two movie passes to Hollywood Palms in Naperville, a bottle of wine, an aromatherapy pillow mist and breakfast for two. If you don't have time for a romantic retreat until February, the $319 Romance and Relaxation package runs all year long. Perks include a one-hour couple's massage in your guest room, breakfast for two, a bottle of champagne and six chocolate-covered strawberries.
KeyLime Cove
1700 Nations Drive, Gurnee, (224) 656-8685, keylimecove.com
Tired of being bundled up? Bring a bathing suit and head to KeyLime Cove, which is offering weekday state room stays for $149.95 for a family of four. Stays can be customized to add perks like spa treatments, tokens for the newly expanded arcade, breakfast and pizza delivery. All guests get admission to the 65,000-square-foot water park. Checkout is at 11 a.m., but you can stick around and use the water park until it closes. Open exclusively to resort guests, the water park includes a zero-depth pool, a wave pool, body slides, tube slides, a water sports pool, a lazy river and an interactive play structure with pulleys, rope ladders and a tipping pineapple bucket that splashes a tidal wave every few minutes.
“The kids like to run under it and stand there and get drenched,” marketing manager Jennifer Evans said.
Lincolnshire Marriott Resort
10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, (847) 634-0100, marriott.com
The Escape! Theatre Packages at Lincolnshire Marriott Resort run all year long. For $189, you get a guest room and tickets to a musical at Marriott Theatre, where “Guys and Dolls” is running Jan. 26 through March 27. For $329, you'll also get dinner for two in King's Wharf and breakfast for two at the Fairfield Inn.
Pheasant Run Resort
4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 584-6300, pheasantrun.com
Looking for an affordable family vacation? Through Jan. 30, Pheasant Run Resort offers a Winter Escape Getaway starting at $99. Your overnight stay will be packed with activities including a scavenger hunt, ice skating in the resort's indoor rink, storytelling, a “Guitar Hero” competition and a game night. Saturdays from Feb. 4 to March 27 you can get the Mardi Gras Getaway Package starting at $129. Kids can make Mardi Gras masks and the whole family can enjoy a parade and entertainers.