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Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock

3.0 star property

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Photo gallery for Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock

Front of property
Indoor pool, open 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, lifeguards on site
Luxury Cabin, 3 Bedrooms | Living area | 42-inch TV with cable channels
Iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets
Golf

Reviews

7.4 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

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

Room options

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

  • 400 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King 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

  • 400 sq ft
  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Queen Beds and 1 Double 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 Villa, 2 Bedrooms

Iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Villa, 2 Bedrooms

  • 1800 sq ft
  • Sleeps 9
  • 1 King Bed, 1 Twin 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

  • 2799 sq ft
  • Sleeps 18
  • 1 King Bed, 1 Large Twin Sofa Bed, 2 Queen Beds, 2 Queen Bunk Beds, 2 Twin Bunk Beds and 1 Queen Sofa Bed

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About this property

Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock

3-star Utica hotel walkable to Starved Rock State Park
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 center, and a lazy river.
Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock offers 92 accommodations with coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. Televisions come with cable channels.

Bathrooms include shower/tub combinations. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access.

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

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

In addition to a complimentary water park, Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock features a lazy river and a waterslide. The hotel offers a restaurant and a coffee shop/cafe. Guests can unwind with a drink at one of the hotel's 2 bars/lounges. Public areas are equipped with complimentary wireless Internet access.

This family-friendly hotel also offers an indoor pool, a children's pool, and a hot tub. Complimentary self parking is available on site.

Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock is a smoke-free property.

Buffet breakfasts are available for a surcharge between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM on weekends.
Jack's Place - This family restaurant specializes in American cuisine and serves breakfast and dinner.
Treetops Cafe - This café serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Open daily.
J.H. Higby's - Onsite bar. Open select days.
Bear Island - This bar overlooks the garden. Open select days.

Languages

English, Spanish

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transportation

  • 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.
  • Elevator
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible lounge
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Wheelchair-accessible public washroom
  • 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)
  • Connecting rooms available
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

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 available
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
  • Dining venue(s)
  • Indoor pool
  • Hot tub

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Deposit: USD 500 per accommodation, per stay
  • Service fee: 3 percent

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • Fee for buffet breakfast: approximately USD 15 for adults and 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)

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

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, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room

We should mention

Pool access available from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation
Some facilities may have restricted access; guests can contact the property for details using the contact information 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

Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock Reviews

Reviews

7.4

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 271 out of 820 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 232 out of 820 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 151 out of 820 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 82 out of 820 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 84 out of 820 reviews

7.6/10

Cleanliness

7.8/10

Staff & service

7.2/10

Amenities

7.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.4/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

4/10 Poor

Melvin

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities
They never charged my original deposit from September, 2024....Their idea of an Indoor water park is absurd, nobody pays attention to their own rule that people under 16 should never be in the hot tub....Front Desk didn’t have a single roll of toilet paper when we ran out.....TV guide didn’t work fromremote, you had to flip throughall channelsto see what was on....I would never stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Ashok

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Everything is good except the utensils in our cabin
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

6/10 Okay

Alexis

Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Therese

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

2/10 Terrible

Casey

Traveled with family and small children
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
I paid for a Birthday weekend getaway for my 7 year old. I paid for Early check in to waterpark and the was ready to have a wonderful birthday weekend. Got in the pool and the water temp was cold. My kids lips were blue in 20 mins and the temp outside the pool was just as cold. We ended up spending more money saturday at another place in Utica because nobody liked the temps Saturday morning either. I cant belive you would even advertise indoor waterpark. I could have gone to a Super 8 with a pool that would have control over the enviroment in the waterpark / pool area much cheaper.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

2/10 Terrible

selamawit

Traveled with family and small children, Traveled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The beds dove and belaket is too small and the housekeeping is not coming too clean and change towels we don't have a towel wash clothes and also the swimming washroom is very bad and the pool water is very very cold.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

6/10 Okay

Kevin

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Ok not great
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

2/10 Terrible

Aleksa

Traveled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The front desk seemed to have some confusion regarding the payment, as the reservation was made through a third party (Expedia). My card was charged twice. The resort could benefit from some renovations; many things appeared to be cheaply repaired, and the beds were uncomfortable. The pools looked unclean, with yellow and green discoloration on the floor; the artificial waves were not functioning, and the indoor pool area was generally not warm enough. It was a significant disappointment.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

6/10 Okay

Gabriel

Traveled with family and small children, Traveled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
The property was fine. People were nice. Not really diverse. Room was outdated and could use some freshing. Lots of stains and broken things in the room. This is off season. My kids still had a great time. Will have to return during regular season for a full review.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

6/10 Okay

Jeaneth

Traveled with family and small children
Liked: Staff & service
Good
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

6/10 Okay

Amber

Bathrooms need updated
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brenda

Traveled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautifully maintained property and waterpark. Customer service was excellent. Great value for a waterpark and hotel. Will visit again!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

4/10 Poor

Deb

Traveled with family and small children
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
We stayed in villa. Kitchen floor was in very poor condition with the floor cracked - children kept catching their feet on it. Dryer did not work. TV on main floor did not work ans maintenance told us they were aware of that before we checked jn. All doors had gaps and had drafts. Sliding doors could not be proerly locked
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Carla

Traveled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Kid friendly, wished the water was more warmer
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

2/10 Terrible

Joey

Traveled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Well number one hot tub did not work was told by death staff that have to just keep resetting GFI to get it to work when we needed that's not the way it should be 10:00 Friday night my bathroom smell like marijuana next morning could not get hot tub to work and mess with it for 20 minutes to get it to work told the staff about it went down and told him again my bathroom smell like marijuana second time staff at front desk was very rude then somehow shut my internet off to the room so I couldn't even watch TV then went to pool and some kids s*** in the pool and pissed in the hot tub couldn't enjoy anything for the weekend it was a stressful terrible weekend your staff was not very helpful except for the maintenance guy he was the only one that was helpful they lied to me so the manager was gone when she had been there all day long that was your front desk staff don't appreciate the way we treat it at all by your people very rude very condescending did not like it will probably never go back again which is sad supposed to be a Valentine's Day weekend getaway and it was just ruined by your staff and the deplorable conditions and we left a day early
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Teresa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Patrick

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great place.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

4/10 Poor

Greg

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

6/10 Okay

Kathlyn

Traveled with family
Liked: Amenities
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Too noisy in common areas. Very poor lighting in room. Otherwise ok.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Heather

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Great
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

2/10 Terrible

Crystal

Business traveler, Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
I did not like for the price I paid for a room with missing items such as an ironing board and iron along with a broken patio door lock being secured only with a wooden stick in the door track. I tried to call the front desk and the phone was non working and the sticker with the number on it was disconnected. I did not like the food and would never recommend. I was there due to a conference so having an iron and hot water would have been nice as it was only luke warm that morning.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Patrick

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

6/10 Okay

Kristy

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service

Buyer Beware!

Although the room was adequate, clean enough and spacious enough there is a reason this "resort" is so cheap in the winter- there is NOTHING to do. Of course the outdoor mini golf is not open is the frigid temps, but you think an indoor water park and arcade would be a great family get away for a when its too cold to be outside. Nope. It is a complete ghost town. The hotel reservation even said "free breakfast" which was not available. Absolutely everything is closed during the week. Make sure to call the resort directly if you plan on using any amenities because the staff I talked to said it is very frustrating for them also because guests obviously travel to be there and then are disappointed that things like the pool are not even open due to low staffing and no warning is offered on the website as to what days and times they might be open so the staff are the ones that get yelled at by guests when they don't know day to day what will be open.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

2/10 Terrible

Juan

Traveled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Expedia / Reservation shows Free Breakfast and there was none. In fact the restaurant and the cafe were not even open! There was coffee maker at the room, no water at exercise room, no water bottles at the room, hallways were dirty… not good.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Maiya

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025