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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
Reception
Mini-golf
Indoor pool, open 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, lifeguards on site

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
  • Grand Bear Falls Indoor Water Park
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Starved Rock State Park
    ‪4 min walk‬
  • Matthiessen State Park
    ‪12 min walk‬

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

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. 262 out of 793 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 224 out of 793 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 146 out of 793 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 80 out of 793 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 81 out of 793 reviews

7.6/10

Cleanliness

7.8/10

Staff & service

7.2/10

Amenities

7.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

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

10/10 Excellent

jean

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alejandro

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Best getaway from Chicagoland
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

8/10 Good

Antonio

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

6/10 Okay

Sirivanh

Traveled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

2/10 Terrible

Marisa

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

6/10 Okay

David

Traveled with family
Disliked: Staff & service
The villa was very spacious. However, wifi was very spotty, jacuzzi didn't work, and kitchen had very few pots and pans. The waterpark locker room is small and pretty useless if you need to change.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

James

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
We took our 3 grandchildren ages 6, 8 and 10 to Chicago as a Christmas gift. We chose this resort because of the water park. They had a blast! We then drove to Shedd Aquarium for a day, which was a very doable drive, 1 1/2 hours and still had time for them to come back and swim. The life guards were very observant of the kids swimming and did a great job. The amusement center was an added bonus as well as an on sight restaurant, snack shop and bar. We would definitely recommend this facility. J & K Harkness Laingsburg, MI
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

6/10 Okay

Amber

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
We stayed in hotel. Pros: close proximity to everything. The food was better than expected at cafe and restaurant. No complaints there. The beds were comfortable and spacious. Kids had a good time. Now the cons: the place was freezing! The waterpark water was cold. The kids of course got used to it but for my husband and I, we felt like we were being tortured everytime we were there. All the adults stood around freezing knee deep in the water. A much needed light in our room didn’t work. Had a hard time getting any internet on devices. Very weak, nearly nonexistent WiFi. Overall, we had fun and for the price I’d recommend for a few day stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

2/10 Terrible

Anna

Traveled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Located near Starved Rock State Park, Grand Bear Resort seemed like the perfect family-friendly getaway, but our experience was a disaster. While the location is great, the resort falls short in nearly every way. Cleanliness: The rooms were filthy—stained bedding, old mattresses, and a sunken, unusable couch. The bathrooms smelled bad, with mildew on the shower tiles. Floors were sticky, and dust was everywhere. Waterpark: The indoor waterpark was in terrible shape, with mold on the walls, peeling paint, and cloudy water. The lazy river looked dirty, and the entire facility felt unsafe and neglected. Noise Levels: Loud music and banging continued past 1:00 AM nightly, despite the advertised 11:00 PM quiet hours. Our complaints were ignored, and a room change request was denied. Room Maintenance: Furniture was old, mattresses lumpy, and the heating system unreliable. The overall condition of the room made it uncomfortable to stay in. Internet and Amenities: The Wi-Fi barely worked, and Other amenities were outdated and poorly maintained. Overcrowding and Service: Overcrowding made the waterpark chaotic. Staff were unresponsive to complaints and poorly trained, offering no solutions. Grand Bear Resort has potential, but the lack of cleanliness, maintenance, and accountability makes it impossible to recommend. Until major improvements are made, avoid staying here. Rating: 1/5
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cesar

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alejandro

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff it’s very helpful great get away writhing two hours away from Chicagoland
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

2/10 Terrible

Jasmine

Traveled with family and small children
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I arrived and booked for priority 1pm check in and didn’t get a room to about 4 with rude front desk service after charging a priority fee yes it was refunded but inconvenient to wait around three hours to have no answer when room will be ready ask to talk to a Manager and told they will call me same day and still no call 5 days after told twice they will call the villas walls where filthy and so many bugs from water and lady bugs in villa not just I was waiting for my room several others where waiting and they got offered game cards and free breakfast as I was speaking to two others as I was just told someone will call me with no offer of anything while waiting the pool was freezing cold end up sick from it and so many water bugs in water kids where scared of didn’t get to enjoy at all ask to double check water temp and told it was already they couldn’t do anything over all not a great experience I have been here two other times with no problems but different people working this year
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cindy

Traveled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Fun for the kids.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jermaine

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

4/10 Poor

Lucas

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

6/10 Okay

James

Traveled with family
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Janay

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

2/10 Terrible

Marie

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024