Illinois Beach Resort and Conference Center, Zion

We went here a couple of years ago during the fall so we decided to go again this year doing the summer. It has cheap hotel room and they doubled the price because it's on the beach ( we we went the first time it was a lot cheaper). The week before we came they had a big storm that damaged their pool area (which was the reason for going) so it was closed and they never sent us an email ot anything to let us know. They also cancelled all the other activities so we had nothing to do. The day was cool so we couldn't swim at the beach. We tried to do a barn fire and do some S'mores but they made us put it out and said we had to pay $250 for a barn fire. Really? We will not be going back.

My family had the opportunity to stay at Illinois Beach Resort & Conference Center this past January. I used this opportunity to look the resort over for a company meeting while my family took advantage of the resort. We found all the accomidation were outstanding. From the food to service. Kids had a great time in the pool and came room. Wife and itook advantace of the workout room. The resturant had a great Prime Rib! A place to visit for sure. I look forward to stay again in the summer time to kae advantage of the great beach.

The location is the only reason to come here and even that isnt enough to make me come back. The front desk staff was rude, confused and unhelpful. The restaurant was a joke. Slow or nonexistant service, had to track down a bus boy to clear off a table for me and there were only 3 occupied tables in the whole place. Then had to go track down a waitress to take my order. Everyone around me was complaining about the horrible service... I was excited about finally coming here, now I will never come back. Its a shame as the location is beautiful.

I stayed at the Illinois Beach Resort because it was close to home. The hotel is steps away from Lake Michigan and is located inside a big State Park. The hotel is clean and the grounds are well kept. Staff is very friendly and food is very good. The restaurant has beautiful views of Lake Michigan. It also has a full size Health Club with Olympic size pool. It was an awesome relaxing stay

We stayed at the Illinois Beach Resort for a weekend just to relax. We found it on line by accident. The staff is great and friendly. The have a huge Health Club with sauna and swimming pool. The water is very warm. The food in the restaurant is good and cheap. The place could use some updating but is clean and well kept

We went to dinner and the wait staff was there about 2 minutes after we were seated and got the menu's. We were not ready to order we did not see anyone host or wait staff for 30 minutes. But we were not in a hurry. Then we ordered got our drinks and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, an HOUR and a 1/2 LATER we finally got our food. The food was not great. Now you might be thinking they must have been busy. Nope we were the ONLY ones there!!!!! Now on to the pool area. As has already been said it REEKS of chlorine. I had trouble breathing, so I did not stay for more than a minute. The rooms were not well kept. More like a cheap motel than a resort. The halls and room smelled more like a dorm. We were 'up-graded' to another room, other than the view the new room was not any better. The next time we are in the area we will stay at the camp ground instead. We probably will get a better nights sleep as the ground has to be more comfortable and more clean than their beds.

We have been there several times and it was great each time . The service from the staff was good. ,The room was nice. We would recommend this place to anyone. And the support you give CTCA is priceless!!

it is nicely situated on the shores of lake michigan, however, they are charging resort type pricing for a property that is not necessarily a resort. To be classified a resort you would usually need an ammenity like a golf course. The property is very old and in desperate need of rennovation. The front desk personnel were not really helpful and would take their sweet time as they were on the phone with what seemed like a personal call. The food was adequate, really nothing to rave about. All in all without the pleasant surroundings of the lake not really worth the trip, so in conclusion I could easily stay at a nicer property and make a trip to the beach at the State Park.

The only thing that qualifies this place as a "resort" is its' location on Lake Michigan. The lake's beach is beautiful and the resort is surrounded by a well kept state park. ****THE RESORT**** The resort is in desperate need of renovation. It's rooms and hallways are reminiscent of a college dormatory. We spent 3 nights there for a family reunion at $99/night. The toilet in the first room they gave us leaked all over the floor every time it was flushed. The beds were cheap and hard, not firm. The 4 level, 92 room resort, has only 1 elevator. (No where in the elevator was its' capacity or inspection posted.) Some of the buttons (Door close, etc.) are broken or jammed and do not work. We found ourselves saving time by using the stairwell. The indoor pool's size and depth are nice, but it is stuffy and reeks of chlorine. The fitness center offers pool guests a towel only slightly larger, but not as thick as a kitchen hand towel. The hot tub was "over-chemicaled," creating about 4" of foam bubbles on its' surface. The front desk staff were courteous and the lobby, although a little noisy, was pleasantly furnished. **** THE FOOD **** The food and food service was atrocious in every way. Extremely overpriced! Our group of 95 people paid to eat family and buffet style during our stay. We were not given enough food to feed everyone. At several meals, once an item ran out on the buffet table, it was not replaced. We ran out of food several times. Once the small (2 gallon) self-serve coffee urn was empty, it was never refilled. Poor. Poor. Poor. If you are planning a reunion or gathering here, eat elsewhere. There is a McDonald's at the entrance to the resort. I imagine they do very well. There are BBQ pits & pinic areas at the neighboring park and also an assortment of restaurants in town. All that said, if it were not for the location, this would be, at best, a 1-Star accomodation. Good Luck!

This property is a gem! Spectacular sunrises over Lake Michigan, hiking trails, private beach, bonfire pits. The price is more than reasonable and the staff were amazing!!! This will become an annual vacation for my family.