Illinois' Best Historic Bed & Breakfast Housed Prisoners For More Than A Century
By Elizabeth Crozier|Published February 09, 2019
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Elizabeth Crozier
Author
An Illinois transplant who grew up and went to school in Indiana for 22 years, Elizabeth holds a BFA in creative writing and has enjoyed traveling across the country and parts of Europe. She has visited half of the states, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and regularly travels home to the Hoosier State to see friends and family. With more than five years of writing experience, Elizabeth’s articles have been featured on several websites, and her poetry and short stories have been published in multiple literary journals.
As local travel experts, we know what travelers are looking for when it comes to finding the perfect accommodations for their next trip. To compile our lists, we scour the internet to find properties with excellent ratings and reviews, desirable amenities, nearby attractions, and that something special that makes a destination worthy of traveling for.
The best resort town in Illinois is home to the nation’s best hotel. This jailhouse bed & breakfast in Galena belongs on your bucket list if you love charming inns and luxury. This place is the perfect blend of history, vintage decor, and modern comforts. From the fresh, locally sourced breakfasts to the multiple-room suites, this getaway is a true escape. Check it out:
Jail Hill Inn is an award-winning bed & breakfast that few people even know exists. Located in our state's premier resort town, this historic hotel is known for its luxurious amenities, unique rooms, and morning meals.
Established at the end of 2015, this jailhouse bed & breakfast is set in an old prison that is more than 135 years old. Tucked into the hillside, it served as the county jail for about 100 years.
Some of the best features of this jailhouse bed & breakfast are the common areas. On the third floor, there is a back deck that looks out over the backyard. You'll also enjoy patio seating and other lawn seats.
Four stories high, this incredible hotel has three floors for private suites while the first floor is for community space. This is where you'll find the dining room where a hot and fresh, three-course breakfast is served each morning of your stay. Items change daily but always include locally sourced ingredients.
There are six luxury suites to choose from at this Jail Hill Inn. Rates run between about $300 and $400 per night, depending on the day of the week and time of year. It's worth the price, though, as this place comes with a wealth of comforts and things to enjoy.
Each suite has multiple rooms and comes with its own history. They are all unique and include a king bed, a sitting room with a fireplace, a steam shower or massage bath, a wet bar, a fridge, a microwave, and a coffee maker. The rooms even come with chocolates and champagne upon arrival.
There is a two-night minimum stay in order to book a room here. You'll likely want to stay longer anyway. Additional fabulous features you'll want to know about are the nine-foot-tall windows with spectacular views, upscale vintage furnishings, a complimentary wine and cheese reception each afternoon, and even holiday celebrations.
Though the inn is secluded, it is close enough to downtown Galena that you can walk there. One of the main attractions to the city, Main Street is a charming, vintage wonderland of restaurants and shops that are begging to be explored.
Jail Hill Inn has been recognized by TripAdvisor as the best bed & breakfast in the nation and the second best in the world. It is a wonderful spot for romantic stays, weddings, girls' getaways, family gatherings, and much more.
Jail Hill Inn is located at 319 Meeker St., Galena, IL 61036, and you can make reservations and learn more on its website or Facebook page. If you’ve ever been to this jailhouse bed & breakfast, we’d love to hear from you. Please share your experiences and photos with us below in the comments.
