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Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock

3.0 star property

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Front of property
Luxury Cabin, 3 Bedrooms | Living area | 42-inch TV with cable channels
Indoor pool, open 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, lifeguards on site
Breakfast and dinner served, American cuisine
Golf

Reviews

7.4 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
  • Breakfast available
  • Bar
  • Pool
  • Gym
  • 24/7 front desk

Explore the area

View in a map
2643 IL-178, Utica, IL, 61373
  • Place, Starved Rock State Park
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Matthiessen State Park
    ‪12 min walk‬
  • Place, Grand Bear Falls Indoor Water Park
    ‪1 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Family Suite with Balcony, 2 Queen Beds with Sofa Bed

Iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Family Suite with Balcony, 2 Queen Beds with Sofa Bed

7.8 out of 10
Good
(47 reviews)
  • 37 sq m
  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Queen Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Villa, 2 Bedrooms

Iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Villa, 2 Bedrooms

7.8 out of 10
Good
(24 reviews)
  • 167 sq m
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 9
  • 1 King Bed, 1 Single Sofa Bed, 2 Queen Beds and 1 Queen Sofa Bed

View all photos for Luxury Cabin, 3 Bedrooms

Luxury Cabin, 3 Bedrooms | Iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Luxury Cabin, 3 Bedrooms

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • 260 sq m
  • 3 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 18
  • 1 King Bed, 1 Large Single Sofa Bed, 2 Queen Beds, 2 Queen Bunk Beds, 2 Single Bunk Beds and 1 Queen Sofa Bed

View all photos for Family Suite with Balcony, 2 Queen Beds with Sofa Bed

Iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Family Suite with Balcony, 2 Queen Beds with Sofa Bed

  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Queen Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Hot Tub

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Hot Tub | Iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Hot Tub

  • 37 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Deluxe Suite

  • 46 sq m
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Hill view
  • Sleeps 7
  • 1 King Bed and 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Family Room, Multiple Beds

Family Room, Multiple Beds | Iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Family Room, Multiple Beds

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 Queen Bed, 1 Single Bunk Bed and 1 Single Sofa Bed

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About this property

Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock

Family-friendly hotel with free water park access and bars/lounges
This smoke-free hotel features free water park access, an indoor pool and a restaurant. Free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Other amenities include 2 bars/lounges, a 24-hour fitness centre and a lazy river.
Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock offers 92 accommodations with coffee/tea makers and a hairdryer. This accommodation offers separate sitting areas. Televisions come with cable channels.

Bathrooms include a combined bath/shower unit. Guests can surf the web using complimentary wireless Internet access.

An indoor pool, a children's pool and Access to hot tub are on site. Other recreational amenities include a complimentary water park, a lazy river and a 24-hour fitness centre.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on-site or nearby; fees may apply.

Our customers tell us that they can't get enough of the helpful staff at Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock. During your stay, you're just a quick walk from Starved Rock State Park. Enjoy features like free WiFi in public areas and free self-parking, plus 2 bars.
  • Free WiFi
  • Free self-parking
  • Enjoy a bite to eat at Jack's Place, a family restaurant that serves American cuisine
  • Buffet breakfast served weekends for a fee
  • Splash around at the free water park with a lazy river or swim in the indoor pool
  • Amenities include free newspapers in reception, meeting rooms and a gift shop
  • On-site recreation includes a 24-hour gym, mini golf and a playground
  • Just a 4-minute walk from Starved Rock State Park and 12 minutes on foot from Matthiessen State Park
Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock offers its guests a complimentary water park, a lazy river, and a waterslide. There's a restaurant on site, as well as a coffee shop/cafe. You can unwind with a drink at one of the 2 bars/lounges. WiFi is free in public spaces.

An indoor pool, a children's pool, and a hot tub are also featured at the family-friendly Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock. Self parking is free.

This 3-star Utica hotel is smoke free.

For a fee, guests can enjoy a buffet breakfast on weekends from 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM.
Jack's Place – This family restaurant specialises in American cuisine and serves breakfast and dinner.
Treetops Cafe – This café serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Open daily.
J.H. Higby's – On-site bar. Open selected days.
Bear Island – This bar overlooks the garden. Open selected days.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Free self parking on site

Food and drink

  • Weekend buffet breakfast available 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM for a fee: USD 15 for adults and USD 12 for children
  • 2 bars/lounges
  • A coffee shop/cafe
  • A restaurant

Restaurants on site

  • Bear Island
  • J.H. Higby's
  • Jack's Place
  • Treetops Cafe

Things to do

  • 18-hole adjacent golf course
  • 24-hour gym
  • Arcade/game room
  • Children's pool
  • Concerts/live shows
  • Free water park
  • Games
  • Hot tub
  • Indoor pool
  • Lazy river
  • Mini golf
  • Playground
  • Volleyball
  • Waterslide
  • Wine tasting room
  • Wine tours

Family friendly

  • Arcade/game room
  • Children's games
  • Children's pool
  • Free water park access
  • Indoor pool
  • Lazy river
  • Lifeguards on site
  • Mini golf
  • Playground
  • Waterslide

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • ATM
  • Free newspapers in lobby
  • Gift shop/newsstand

Business services

  • Meeting rooms

Outdoors

  • In a state park
  • Picnic area

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Lift
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible lounge
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Wheelchair-accessible public bathroom
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk

More

  • Fireplace in lobby
  • Lifeguards
  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower/bathtub combination
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 42-inch TV with cable channels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Ice maker

More

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone
  • Separate sitting area

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; check-in end time: midnight
Early check-in subject to availability
Early check-in is available for a fee
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age - 25

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out
Late check-out subject to availability
A late check-out fee will be charged

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property

Renovations and closures

The following facilities are closed on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday:
  • Bar/lounge
  • Restaurant
  • Indoor pool
  • Hot tub

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Cots (infant beds) are not available.

Payment types at the property

Important information

Fees

Guests will be asked to pay the following charges at the property:

  • Deposit: USD 500 per accommodation, per stay

We've listed all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Fee for buffet breakfast: from approximately USD 15 for adults and from USD 12.00 for children
  • Early check-in is available for a fee (subject to availability)
  • Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability)

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property.
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

We should mention

  • Pool access available from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
  • Certain facilities might have restricted access. For details, you can contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation.

Property is also known as

Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Resort Utica
Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Utica
Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Resort Oglesby
Grizzly Jacks Grand Bear Hotel
Grizzly Jack`s Grand Bear Hotel Utica
Grizzly Jacks Grand Bear Resort
Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Oglesby
Grizzly Jack's Bear Oglesby
Bear At Starved Rock Utica
Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Resort
Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock Hotel
Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock Utica
Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock Hotel Utica

Reviews

Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock Reviews

7.4

Good

7.6/10

Cleanliness

7.8/10

Staff & service

7.2/10

Amenities

7.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.2/10

Eco-friendliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 333 out of 988 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 261 out of 988 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 190 out of 988 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 102 out of 988 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 102 out of 988 reviews

Reviews

6/10 Okay

brenda s

Travelled with family, Travelled with family and small children, Travelled with partner
The villa we stayed in was not stocked with the amount of dishes for the # of people. Silverware, cups, etc. Also they need to update their website as it still shows the Jacks amusement area still open and apparently it's been closed for lots of years. Some employees were not very helpful but a few went above and beyond so thank you for those few. I believe #1 guy was Nick he was awesome! And then a waitress at the restaurant was very good. Sorry, I don't remember her name. The restaurant on site also needs to update info. on website for sure, over priced for the quality of food. I don't mind paying for it if it's good but $12.00 for kids grilled cheese. Water park was nice and lifeguards do a great job!! Overall just needs to tweak a few areas. Not terrible. My grandkids had fun. But not 5 stars. 16 years ago it was 5 stars
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

2/10 Terrible

Jose

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Deysi

Travelled with family, Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loved it great for all families
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness
Things are really worn out and need updated. Just a mid experience.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Janie, Clarksville

Travelled with family
Liked: Amenities
My family and I stayed at this property from Monday to Friday. This type of place best serves families with small children. A weekend getaway at the most. I had my two 15yr old grandsons with me and the thrill was gone after a hour. The property overall was clean, I enjoyed the hot tub.in our room. The beds were comfortable. We had plenty of space it was six of us all together. We had a good time but we do not have small children we will not be coming back. The place is beautiful.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Martha

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Great stay
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Jamie

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
We loved the waterpark but were disappointed that some of it wasn't working. Loved that the hot tub was HOT. The breakfast buffet was expensive and not great.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Jennifer

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property is older but clean and in good condition. The main building of the resort houses the water park, cafe’, bar and restaurant and the ‘hotel’ style rooms. The room we had was upstairs and over looked what was a volleyball court. This looked like it needed some work or grass laid around the court- there was a lot of gravel and not very appealing. The food in the restaurant was fair but not what the photos around the resort showed. The bar’s version of tapas was not what I would call tapas. The menu was small and varied from toasted raviolis (6 pieces) to southwestern egg rolls - which we did not get. The bed was comfortable and actually a queen sized bed! The staff at check-in weren’t ’overly friendly’. The younger guy in the morning at the cafe was about the only person with a personality. The resort location is close to the state parks. The small town of Utica was quaint and the ‘downtown’ area had outdoor seating. The resort is close to Ottawa to the east and LaSalle and Peru to the west. I would stay again but probably go off property for food.
Lobby
Hallway lights
Hall near banquet rooms and to restaurant.
Wall in hall by banquet rooms.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Deb

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Yi

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Good: cleanness, close to the park Bad: water is smelly
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Kelly

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort

OK for the price

It was clean but there were things that could have made the stay better. The vinyl flooring was cracked so we kept stubbing our toes and tripping. There weren’t enough kitchen items such as big bowls for popcorn or mixing things such as a salad. The hot water didn’t get hot enough and the faucets sprayed your body when turned on. The water park is definitely for little kids, not much to do for older kids. As a parent of 13 year olds and up I was not happy with how the younger kids were acting and nobody disciplining them. Parents let them just rip through the lazy river ramming into anyone in their way and splashing & yelling the whole time. It’s not a bad place for the price but could use some repairs and parents who parent.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

4/10 Poor

Penny

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Amenities
Near to hiking trails
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Melanie, Woodstock

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great stay close to our favorite hiking destinations. Our young kids loved the pool. The restaurant was convenient but the food wasn’t the best. Excellent service by all staff members we encountered!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

jose

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tamasha

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Perfect for families
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

4/10 Poor

Christopher

Travelled with family
Liked: Room comfort
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Pretty run down hotel
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

2/10 Terrible

diana

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service
I checked in july 16th and the lady in the front desk was rude and not professional at all!! Very disappointed.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lyn

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
I took my grandkids and they had a blast. The hotel was just what we were looking for. Super family friendly. We had a great time. The life gaurds on duty were spot on. It was great too see so many of them with their eyes everywhere. It gave me a great peace of mind knowing they were ready to jump into action at any time. My grands couldn't get enough of the water.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Isely

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The pool area was perfect for my small children
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Joanna

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Right next to the state parks. Great property
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

4/10 Poor

Jessica, Round Lake Beach

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Key cards didnt work after going to front desk 3x upon check in. Battery died in door. Took maintenance over an hour to fix. Manager had no sense of urgency and only texted maintenance to actually come. Dirty curtains - brown and black stains on the window side of them. Paid extra for patio. No patio chairs and the view was rubble/rocks in the back of the building. Waterpark left a lot to be desired. Floor of locker room always wet and slick. 2 days in a row someones wrist band was in same spot near kiddie pool rock so no one cleans. Found a few different hair accessories randomly in the water. Not much to do overall in waterpark and mostly all too shallow to do much. Arcade game ate our money and air hockey table had to be wacked by worker to evem drop the puck. Food at Jack's was awful and overpriced. Very limited menu. Internet worked only half the time and being on the lower level we had bad reception even with ATT and Verizon. Beds were comfy. Shower water pressure was weak and turning the nozzle didnt help the stream. Tv kept turning on multiple times after turning it off for the night. I reached out to hotel via email and facebook. They said that id hear from operations but also id have to re-explain everything. Goodie. Booked on expedia to do a partial deposit and pah remainer at check in. Deposit never came out. Chatted with expedia and they said talk to Grand Bear. I call Grand Bear and they say talk to Expedia. People were loud at night. Just no
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

4/10 Poor

Douglas

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Room was well worn and not clean. Internet service was not available in the room. I had to leave the room and go to the lobby to do any simple work or send receive files. It was not a good experience.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ruby

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
It was amazing! The waterpark was clean and everyone was friendly.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

A waste of a Vacation for my Family

Once a year I take the family somewhere. This year we decided here. I called a few days ahead to see if we could get early check in for our cabin. On the phone I was told just let them know when you get there that you would like early check in. So my Son and I decided to show up around 1 (Check in was at 4) and get everything set up before the girls showed up. I went to the front desk and was told they could not help us and to come back around 3. So we went and found something to do for 2 hours and came back and told me it might not be ready till after 4 now. So I asked for a manager. She comes out and asks me for my phone number and what time the call was made when I asked for early check in. So 20 mins go by nothing and finally about 30 mins a guy comes up to me and says your cabin is ready. I said what happened he acted like nothing took place. And just shuffled me through the check in and out the door. So we get checked in, get in our cabin, girls show up and we go out for birthday dinner to the restaurant they have. We put our drink order in and our appetizers in and the appetizers come out but not i drinks our food comes out and still no drinks. also 2 of our orders they couldn't do because they were out of food! Going to have to cut this short not enough room to type the rest. But Went back the next morning and they gave our kid bad milk. In the end it was stressful and I will not be going back. So much more to add to this but no room to type. Stay away from this place
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025