Our vacation rental home is located just 80 miles southwest of downtown Chicago, making it an ideal Illinois staycation destination and a convenient weekend getaway near Chicago. The Starved Rock Pool House is perfect for large groups, family reunions, multi-family vacations, family getaways, girls weekends, birthday celebrations, baby showers, and anyone looking for a unique indoor pool vacation rental in Illinois. With space to sleep up to 16 guests, it's designed for making memories together while enjoying one of the area's most sought-after private indoor pool experiences.
The Starved Rock Pool House is also an excellent choice for leadership retreats, executive retreats, company offsites, strategic planning sessions, team building events, and small business retreats. Our heated indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, and multiple gathering spaces create a comfortable environment for teams to connect, recharge, collaborate, and build stronger relationships outside the office. If you're searching for a corporate retreat near Chicago or a private retreat house in Illinois, you'll find the perfect balance of productivity, relaxation, and fun.
When shared among multiple families, friends, coworkers, or retreat attendees, guests are often surprised by how affordable the stay becomes compared to booking multiple hotel rooms. Between the private indoor pool, spacious accommodations, fully stocked kitchen, and resort-style amenities, The Starved Rock Pool House offers exceptional value for family reunions, group getaways, executive retreats, and large group vacations in Illinois.
POOL ROOM: The pool room features a spacious 20’ x 40’ private indoor pool with depths ranging from 4 to 8 feet, creating the perfect setting for both relaxation and fun. This thoughtfully designed space also includes a full bar area with an additional refrigerator and freezer for drinks and food, a comfortable couch, and a large-screen TV mounted above the fireplace and a gas grill off the patio. For entertainment and wellness, guests can enjoy a Bose Bluetooth speaker, hot tub, sauna, and a bar-style dartboard compatible with $0.25 coins and $1, $5, and $20 bills.
We provide an abundance of towels, pool noodles, floats, life jackets in various children’s sizes and arm floaties to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all. There is also a Step 2 two-seat covered wagon stored away in the pool room hallway for guests to use for walking around town with the kiddos.
One of the things guests appreciate most about their stay is how easy it is to feel at home in the kitchen. Whether you're preparing full meals, grilling, making your morning coffee, or putting together a quick snack, you’ll find everything you need already here—no need to pack the extras. The kitchen is thoughtfully stocked with a full spice cabinet along with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and cooking oil, making it easy to cook without making a trip to the store.
You’ll also have access to a variety of small appliances designed to make cooking simple and flexible, including an Instapot, multiple crockpots, an air fryer, toaster, blender and hand mixer. Whether you're slow-cooking for the group or preparing something quick between activities, the setup is designed to support it all. In addition, the kitchen is fully equipped with pots, pans, cooking utensils, bakeware, and all the dishware and glassware needed to comfortably serve larger groups.
KITCHEN: Overall, the kitchen is intentionally designed for both convenience and comfort—especially for families and groups—so you can spend less time worrying about what to bring and more time enjoying your stay. Many guests mention how much they value being able to arrive, unpack, and immediately settle in without needing to run out for basic kitchen supplies.
COFFEE BAR: Just off the kitchen, the foyer leading into the pool room is thoughtfully designed as the perfect spot to enjoy a cup of coffee. This inviting space features two comfortable chairs with footstools, along with a fully stocked beverage station including a Keurig with a variety of K-Cups, an assortment of Coffee Mate creamers, Bigelow Botanicals cold water–infused teas, traditional hot teas, and a selection of flavored syrups. A traditional coffee maker and a French press are located in the kitchen cabinets.
The coffee bar is an ideal place to start your morning or unwind indoors while taking in all the fun happening in the pool room.
DINING ROOM: Gather around an antique dining table that easily expands to seat up to 16 (leaf inserts are stored within the table). Built-in china cabinets are stocked with glassware for guest use, and a high chair and booster seat are available for little ones.
OFFICE: The office is located on the main floor... perfectly suitable for "staycations" that may require a bit of work here and there! Office has a large desk and HP printer. There is also a Peloton bike for a quick workout, and a second pack-n-play is set off to the side (in addition to one in largest bedroom on second floor) for guests to use in family room or pool room.
FAMILY ROOM: Large smart TV, cozy fireplace, and an oversized couch (seats 8+ with three recliners), plus a variety of board and card games for easy group fun.
BEDROOM 1: "Master suite" has a full-size bed with a small en-suite bathroom with shower, a walkout balcony, smart TV and charging station for phones.
BEDROOM 2: This huge, finished attic bedroom has a king memory foam bed, full memory foam bed and two twin beds, a small desk, smart TV and charging station for phones.
BEDROOM 3: Has a queen size futon with a memory foam topper, memory foam sleeper chair that folds out to a twin bed, smart TV and charging station for phones.
BEDROOM 4: Largest bedroom on 2nd floor has king memory foam bed, 55" smart TV, pack n play, infant bouncy seat and charging station for phones.
BEDROOM 5: In-law-suite in basement with kitchen, full memory foam bed, full queen memory foam bed, large memory foam couch that pulls out into two twin or a king bed, smart TV, phone charging station and private bathroom. This room is next to utility room where pool equipment runs.
BATHROOMS: Full bathrooms are located on the main floor off the kitchen/coffee bar, on the second floor is a shared bath and the master bedroom bath and basement has full bathroom with double shower and large changing room.
BACKYARD: Step outside to your own fully fenced backyard—designed for both relaxation and gathering. Just off the pool room, the patio offers comfortable seating including a couch, chairs, and additional outdoor seating, making it the perfect place to unwind or spend time together.
As the evening sets in, enjoy the solo stove fire pit—ideal for cozy bonfires and s’mores under the stars. For outdoor dining, a gas BBQ grill is available and ready to use, with propane provided.
You’ll also find a large deck box on the patio stocked with couch cushions and a selection of outdoor games to make the most of your time outside.
PARKING: Large driveway can fit 6 vehicles (2 spots are covered) + street parking on Pearl St.
PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY: We understand our home provides a unique backdrop for photography and video projects, and we’re happy to consider professional photo shoots on a case-by-case basis. If you plan to use the property for any type of professional photography, videography, content creation, marketing, or commercial purposes, please let us know before booking. Depending on the nature of the shoot, additional fees, insurance requirements, occupancy limits, or agreements may apply. We simply ask that all details be discussed and approved in advance so we can ensure the property is a good fit for your project.
CHECKOUT INSTRUCTIONS: Turn off all lights and TVs, please place all used towels in the washing machine and start the load. Leave all beds that were slept in unmade. Take out the trash and start the dishwasher... We will take care of everything else!
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:
- WIFI is available throughout the property.
- Washer and dryer are available for guest use in the basement. Detergent pods and softener are provided.
- Patio has a Solo Stove for bonfires but you will need to bring your own wood to burn.
- Exterior security cameras are not to be tampered with in any way. Should this happen, you will be asked to vacate the property immediately without a refund.
- Infants and children not potty trained in the pool must wear swim diapers.
- Do not overfill hot tub with too many people. Keep hot tub water in the hot tub!
- Early check-in requests are subject to a $200 fee for a guaranteed Noon check-in. If we have back-to-back reservations, we will not be able to accommodate your request. Late checkouts are generally not available.
- Private chef and babysitting recommendations are available upon request.
- For longer stays, owner will work with guests to coordinate a time to access property for pool maintenance.
- Children under 16 not allowed in sauna.
- No running in pool room.... wet brick is very slippery when wet.
- DO NOT bring ANY glass into the pool room--alcohol bottles or cups. Cans and plastic only to avoid risk of broken glass in the pool. There will be a $500 extra cleaning fee charged for any broken glass found in the pool room--I cannot run the risk of glass in the pool. High quality plastic glasses are provided in the kitchen and often times there are disposable glasses in the pool room.
- If you've been swimming/canoeing/boating/fishing in the Fox or Illinois Rivers you MUST shower first before entering the pool or hot tub so as not to introduce algae or other contaminants that impact my pool chemicals.
