Galena Hotel Tips by deecat

Our Room at the DeSoto Hotel in

Galena

by deecat , 2 more photos

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

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$120-180 » Currency Converter
Phone: 815-777-0090 or 1-800-343-6562
Address: 290 South Main Street, Galena, Illinois

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

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Updated by deecat

on Sep 10, 2007

Building and Sign for Main Street

Inn

by deecat , 2 more photos

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.

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Theme: Bed and Breakfast
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$40-80 » Currency Converter
Phone: 815-777-3454
Address: 404 S. Main Street, Galena, IL 61036
Website: www.mainstinn.com
Other Contact: rooms@mainstinn.com

DeSoto House Hotel: Historic Hotel in Galena

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Written by deecat

on Jun 5, 2007

Front View of DeSoto House Hotel

by deecat , 1 more photos

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.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$40-80 » Currency Converter
Phone: 815-777-0090 or 1-800-343-6562
Address: 230 South Main Street, Galena, Illinois 61036
Website: www.desotohouse.com

Longhollow Point Condominiums: Time Share Trade in Galena

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Updated by deecat

on Jun 12, 2007

Longhollow Point Condominiums

by deecat , 4 more photos