Galena Hotel Tips by deecat Top 5 Page for this destination

DeSoto Hotel in Galena: Ladies Weekend at the Desoto Hotel DeSoto House Hotel Review

For my second stay in the DeSoto Hotel in Galena, I joined in on the Ladies Weekend this September 7-9, 2007. My dear friends, Jill, Mickey, and Marcia joined me for this delightful event.

I made the reservation more than a month in advance, and was able to obtain the last two Kind-sized bed rooms in this large hotel. I questioned why it was so busy in September, and the receptionist informed me that it was the ever-popular "Ladies Weekend.

Our rooms were not close to each other, but they were both on the third floor and faced the courtyard [an inside courtyard]. Although they were very nice rooms, they lacked outside views. When you looked out the window, you were looking down upon the Courtyard Restaurant below.

The rooms in this hotel are all given names. Mickey and I stayed in Room 328 which was James Russelll Lowell's Room [he is an American poet and Writer]. The room was smaller than the one I stayed in when Allan and I celebrated our 40th Wedding Anniversary. It had a king-sized bed, one chair, a chest with a television, a closet, desk with mirror, bedside tables, and a rather large bathroom.

Unique Qualities: DeSoto Hotel is historic, beautiful, and well maintained. It does not have the fancy features of more modern hotels, but it does have charm. I was glad that the bathroom had a hair dryer because I did not bring my own.

The king-sized bed was very firm, quite comfortable, and attractive.

Photographs:

1. My Room [#328, James Russell Lowell Room]
2. The Courtyard View from our Room
3. Our Door That Identifies #328, James Rusell Lowell and No Smoking

Address: 290 South Main Street, Galena, Illinois

Comparison: more expensive than average

Phone: 815-777-0090 or 1-800-343-6562

Price: US$120-180

Theme: Hotel

Main Street Inn: Right in the Center of Historic Downtown Galena

CLICK TO SEE ALL PHOTOGRAPHS

For our 40th Anniversary, we stayed the second night of our celebration at the Main Street Inn in Galena, Illinois. It's located on main street in an 1850's building and takes up the entire second floor.

There are six elegantly decorated rooms, and each room has its own private bath. Room rates range between $85.00 to $130.00 per night.This Inn was recently restored with personal touches and country charm.

Nancy is the woman who runs this Inn, and she is warm and friendly and makes a wonderful continental breakfast each morning.

Each room has cable TV, air conditioning, and luxurious bedding. The entire Inn is non- smoking,which was a real plus!

Check-Inn is 2:00 pm, and check out is 11:00 am.

Unique Qualities: While at the Main Street Inn, we stayed in the a Vista Room. This room was a sunlit corner room with a picturesque view of downtown historic Main Street.

There was a wrought iron Queen-size bed and an intimate sitting area. An adjoining private bath had a pedestal sink and a shower/tub combination.

We were most pleased with our stay here...the location is outstanding, the breakfast was delicious, and Nancy was a wonderful hostess.

Address: 404 S. Main Street, Galena, IL 61036

Comparison: about average

Other Contact: rooms@mainstinn.com

Phone: 815-777-3454

Price: US$40-80

Theme: Bed and Breakfast

Website: http://www.mainstinn.com

Longhollow Point Condominiums: Time Share Trade in Galena Longhollow Point Condominiums Review

A No Smoking Facility

When Jill indicated that she wanted to visit Eastern Iowa on our 4th Annual Spring Fling, I immediately looked in the catalog to see if their was a Time Share in the area that we could use.
Since Galena, Illinois is so close to Iowa, I chose Longhollow Point Condominiums, 8 miles from Galena as a "home base" for our trip. The only condos available for our time period were Studio-sized with "Murphy Beds and partial kitchens; thus, we took two [across the hall from each other. Although they were spacious, it worked out quite well to have our individual rooms, especially for our clothes and shoes!!

The condo consisted of a small kitchen, medium-sized living room with a "Murphy Bed" that came down to make a Queen-sized bed. The bathroom was HUGE. There was a small balcony/deck with small table and two chairs. They have Cable TV, VCR, DVD, and radio with CD.

The resort itself was small but lovely with an indoor pool, hot tub, exercise room, game room, huge room with large TV and library, and outdoor area for a picnic and for grilling.

The beauty lobby was spacious and had a computer/printer for guests that was free.
It was well maintained; the staff was friendly and efficient, and the location was perfect for all of our day trips.

Unique Qualities: Photographs:

1. The Outside of the Longhollow Point Condominiums.

2. The Whirlpool Tub in the bathroom with a two-sided fireplace!

3. Dee Drinking morning coffee on the deck.

4. Dee using the free computer/printer in the lobby. [Checking on VT mail]

5. Indoor pool.

Address: 5129 West Longhollow Road, Galena, IL 61036

Directions: Entrance to Galena Territory and take an immediate right onto West Longhollow Road

Phone: (815)776-9020

Theme: Other

DeSoto House Hotel: Historic Hotel in Galena DeSoto House Hotel Review

The Photographs were taken on this trip in May, 2007 because I did not have photographs of the outside in 2003.

On our 40th Wedding Anniversary in August of 2003, Allan and I stayed one night at the famed DeSoto House Hotel in the heart of Galena, Illinois.

Once you walk in the door, you know that you have stepped back in time, and you'll understand why such famous guests as Abraham Lincoln (He spoke from the balcony of the hotel in 1856), Ulysses S. Grant, Mark Twain, Teddy Roosevelt, and Susan B. Anthony have also stayed here.

When the Illinois Central Railroad came to Illinois, a group of local investors built a grand hotel in Galena to reflect the town's prosperity. The total building costs were reported at $85,000.00. Can you believe that at first, only men were allowed to enter the Hotel through the front door from Main Street! The "Ladies Entrance" was at the side of the Hotel. The tin ceiling, stained glass windows, and the curved staircase are all original. Despite economic famine, fire, and floods, the DeSoto House has survived and is doing well today. It's certainly a reminder of days gone by.

The rooms are over sized with high ceilings, beautiful decor, and antique furniture.
We ate breakfast at The Courtyard Restaurant, which is a lovely four story atrium; we ate dinner at The Generals' Restaurant which is named in honor of Galena's 9 Civil War Generals.

Unique Qualities: Allan and I stayed under a deal called "Memories are Forever which included the room (We stayed in the Ulysses S. Grant Room which was a corner room with windows all around), dinner for two in Generals' Restaurant, two DeSoto House Champagne Glasses, DeSoto House Champagne, a long-stemmed red rose with baby's breath, breakfast, and Galena Chocolates.

Needless to say, it was a remarkable package deal. We loved every minute of it because the room was huge with a lovely up-to-date bathroom; service was fantastic, and the food was delicious. It made our 40th anniversary quite special.

Address: 230 South Main Street, Galena, Illinois 61036

Comparison: about average

Phone: 815-777-0090 or 1-800-343-6562

Price: US$40-80

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.desotohouse.com