Book Your Stay At This Eco-Friendly Lodge Near A State Park In Illinois
By Melissa Mahoney|Published March 09, 2021
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
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.
Hidden in the woods along the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail by Giant City State Park, is the Makanda Inn & Cottages, an eco-lodge providing luxury accommodations in a serene remote setting. The 18-acre property was developed sustainably using natural building materials and construction techniques. The Inn first opened in 2009 as a bed & breakfast, then later expanded and add the cottages in 2012. For those seeking a luxurious stay in nature, Makanda Inn & Cottages is the perfect place.
The lodge and cottages were constructed with straw-bales built into the walls, earthen plaster, repurposed doors, and recycled plastic for the roofs. Reclaimed wood was also used in some of the construction. High-efficiency heating and cooling systems are in place as well.
There are two types of lodging on the property: a bed and breakfast, and three separate cottages. Wherever you choose to stay, you will be surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature.
Located inside the inn are four suites, each with a king-sized bed, sitting area, bathroom, and balcony. You will also notice a window in the wall which exposes a section of the straw bale wall behind the plaster.
The Inn has a large common space to provide guests a space to relax and enjoy a drink from the bar. Inside this space is a beautiful 32-foot stone fireplace that leads to a pine ceiling.
The three cottages on the property are all built with an organic design using as many natural materials as possible. Straw-bale walls and earthen plaster were used during construction and a living roof was added to each.
As the largest of the three cottages, West End is 900 square feet with two bedrooms and a full-sized kitchen with an oven. This cottage provides the most privacy on the property.
In each of the two smaller two-story cottages, called Indigo and Sienna, is one bedroom and a kitchenette without an oven. A spiral staircase made of reclaimed wood leads up to the second floor.
A lavish breakfast made with natural, organic ingredients whenever possible is served in the dining room each morning to guests staying at the inn. This is a meal you do not want to miss!
Breakfast is not included for guests staying in the cottage but can be added for an additional fee.
If you would like to stay at this secluded eco-lodge surrounded by nature, visit the Makanda Inn & Cottages website to book. Updates and additional photos may be found on the Inn’s Facebook page.
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