A Luxury Getaway in Galena

For the ultimate luxurious retreat, Galena (164 miles northwest of Chicago) beckons with high-end shops, galleries, spas and wineries.

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For the ultimate luxurious retreat, Galena (164 miles northwest of Chicago) beckons with high-end shops, galleries, spas and wineries. Resorts, inns, and bed-and-breakfasts cater to your every whim while pampering you with indulgent extras like a couples massage and breakfast delivered to your door. Sneak away from the comforts of your lodging to pursue your outdoor passions or learn a new one from an expert fly-fishing outfitter, golf pro or hunting guide.

Luxury Accommodation

When you’re looking to splurge, these boutique inns and resorts provide top-notch services and intimate extras for unforgettable memories.

Unwind with your special someone

Goldmoor Inn

Perfect for a Snowy Stroll

Goldmoor Inn

Once a private estate, Goldmoor Inn is now a bed-and-breakfast that welcomes guests looking for a romantic getaway. The country inn sits on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi with three private cottages also with great views of the river and two log cabins tucked in the woods. Each cottage is uniquely decorated and comes with a whirlpool tub, fireplace and front porch. The same in-room amenities extend to each of the 13 suites, which come with their own theme, including the two-story Turret Suite with a drawbridge entrance.

All rooms come with luxurious bedding and a gourmet breakfast with entree classics such as Eggs Benedict, French toast and Belgian waffles that come straight to your door.

You will need to leave your room eventually. Pick up a pair of binoculars from the front desk and wander the woods or book an individual or couples massage from the on-site spa. The eco-friendly inn has a Tesla charging station and two standard EV charging stations.

Extra services to make your stay more memorable include in-room flowers, sparkling wine or Prosecco, chocolate-covered strawberries and a charcuterie board, plus monthly cooking classes.

Book a Stay at Goldmoor Inn

Cross country skiing at Irish Hollow

Explore Stunning Landscapes

A Room at Irish Hollow

The Inn at Irish Hollow

Organic handmade chocolates. Wood-burning fireplaces and soaking tubs. Farm-fresh food. Complimentary bicycles. These are just some of the amenities guests will find at The Inn at Irish Hollow. This 500-acre working farm also has an ancient apple orchard, apiary, herb and vegetable gardens, and miles of hiking trails and country roads perfect for bicycling. In winter, you can cross-country ski and snowshoe the countryside.

Five European-inspired cottages with private screen porches surround the once general store, which now serves as the main inn with two upstairs suites. Head downstairs to the dining room for the full country gourmet breakfast or lounge by the fireplace in your robe, as the three-course breakfast is delivered to cottages and suites.

The inn strives to use natural and organic products when possible. Guests love the organic bedding (mattresses and comforters), plus bath products that are available for purchase, along with the plush robes and homemade conserves.

Extra services to make your stay more memorable include individual and couples massages (your choice of treatment: hot-stone, relaxation, rejuvenation and more); custom floral arrangements; a wine, cheese and charcuterie tray delivered to your room; or a private on-site wine and cheese campfire.

Book a Stay at The Inn at Irish Hollow

Jail Hill Inn

Galena Spoon Company

A Room at Jail Hill Inn

Jail Hill Inn

An unforgettable stay is assured at Jail Hill Inn. Signature chocolate and chilled champagne greet overnight guests at this former county jail. Book one of six suites, each 800 square feet with a king-size bed, sitting area, gas fireplace and wet bar. Innkeeper Matthew Carroll purchased the vacant property in 2015 and restored the almost 150-year-old brick building using local contractors and purchasing all of the products, including handmade mattresses from local businesses.

Every afternoon, guests receive a complimentary wine and cheese tray delivered to their room. Fresh fruits, cheese and meat, appetizers, and just-baked cookies fill the tray, handcrafted by Galena Spoon Company. This local business—four blocks away off Main Street—specializes in gourmet fare, kitchen and wooden wares and hosts three-hour wooden spoon carving classes twice a week (May to September).

At the inn, wake up to a made-from-scratch, three-course breakfast, which includes veggies grown in the Jail Hill Inn’s country garden, plus locally sourced meat and farm-fresh eggs. If you prefer staying in your spacious room, breakfast can also be delivered. Additional services to make your stay memorable include an in-room massage, fresh flowers and custom cakes.

Book a Stay at Jail Hill Inn

A Kitchen Space at Ulysses Suites

A Room at Ulysses Suites

Ulysses Suites

Looking for historic luxury? Ulysses Suites is where antique charm meets contemporary flair. Built in the historic J.G. Schmohl building, the space has been lovingly renovated with a nod to the Grant Hotel from the turn of the century. It offers beautiful suites like the Presidential Suite, a 2 bedroom, 2 bath marvel with a full kitchen, living room, and dining area. Plus, its location puts you within walking distance of all the best shops and restaurants in Galena.

Perfect for special occasions and large gatherings, the entire building can be rented out and will accommodate up to 21 people. This is the place to stay if you want the coziness of home with the luxury of a grand hotel.

Book a Stay at Ulysses Suites

Retail Therapy

Downtown Galena, with more than 125 shops and restaurants in historic buildings, boasts an eclectic mix of high-end, fun and funky, and just about anything in between.

Toast your Galena getaway with a glass (or bottle) of bubbly from Champagne on Main. The upscale bar also creates creative cocktails and pours bourbon flights.
Elevate your collection of decanters, glassware and cocktail smokers from Nine Generals Cigar Company. Known for their premium hand-rolled stogies, Nine Generals also specializes in grooming essentials for the discerning gentleman.
For fashionable womenswear and accessories, Elle and Beck’s know what their customers want. The shop also sells coffee drinks and a variety of gelato flavors, such as Cherry Dark Chocolate.
Discover unique aromas at Scent Workshop, which hosts creative workshops for customers to create their own signature scent while learning how to make perfume.
Sniff, swirl and sip local wines at Massbach Ridge Winery and Galena Cellars tasting rooms. On Saturday afternoons, listen to live music while noshing on cheese and charcuterie, steak bites, or cheese fondue at Galena Cellars. The third-generation winery also serves wine flights, plus a full menu with seasonal favorites and chocolate fondue for dessert. In mid-November, the winery hosts Galena Nouveau Wine Weekend, where they celebrate the release of France’s Beaujolais nouveau and make it available to be enjoyed by guests.
If high-quality spirits are more your speed, Blaum Bros. Distillery Co. is the result of two brothers dedicating their lives to creating fine liquor and having a hand in the process from grain to glass.
Outside the Lines Art Gallery showcases local and regional art, including photography, sculptures, jewelry and wood products from more than 150 artists.
Customers can’t help but have a lively time at Poopsie’s, where the store name is just as fun to say as it is to shop. This woman-owned business carries novelties, books, games and puzzles that will make you smile.

Staircase at the Champagne on Main entrance

The exterior of Galena Cellars with snow falling

Elegant Eats

Galena, Illinois, offers a delightful array of higher-end dining options, each providing a unique culinary experience.
Fritz and Frites, with its charming bistro ambiance, stands out for its blend of European and American flavors and well-curated wine and beer selections.
Goldmoor Inn is nestled in a scenic riverside setting, beyond its lodging options, this inn boasts a restaurant that elevates dining to a luxurious experience. Elegant décor and a menu with gourmet dishes crafted from locally sourced ingredients make this spot a favorite for those looking for an upscale romantic evening.
If a more rustic yet refined atmosphere is preferred, the Log Cabin provides a cozy haven for food enthusiasts. Here, diners can enjoy hearty steaks and well-crafted drinks in a relaxed and inviting environment.

Goldmoor Dining Patio (Jumping Rocks Photography)

A waitress with a flaming plate at Log Cabin Steakhouse

Game on!

Test your patience and skills by golfing, fly-fishing or pheasant hunting.

With plenty of public courses to choose from in the Galena area, golfers have their pick of play, including three courses at Lacoma Golf Course in East Dubuque. Test your skills on the 18-hole Blue Course or combine two 9s (the fun and friendly Red Course with the wooded and scenic Gold Course). If you need to brush up on your skills, book a private lesson from an LPGA golf pro on a full-length driving range. Here, the golf season never ends; book time with one of the HD Golf simulators located in the clubhouse, steps away from the bar and grill.

Spend a day on the water with Galena Fly Fishing Outfitters. An experienced guide will help novices (and veteran anglers) hook, play and release fish in nearby rivers, where native smallmouth bass and wild brown and brook trout live.

If hunting is more your sport, River Valley Hunting offers five options, including half and full-day guided pheasant hunts across varied terrain in Scales Mound. Tower shoots are perfect for friends who want to shoot together.

Unwind and Relax

Soothe your mind and body with a trip to the spa, or visit a local dispensary or boutique known for bath and body products.

Pamper yourself with the Day of Bliss package (facial, massage, mani and pedi) at Indulge Day Spa. The spa offers facials, massages and packages for two. Couples also love Galena Day Spa’s massage for two, which comes with chocolate and beverages.

Delight your senses at Galena Apothecary, a charming store known for its high-quality personal care products, jewelry and accessories.

In Illinois, recreational marijuana is legal for adults. Verilife is a fully operational cannabis dispensary while Botanicanna helps customers navigate various CBD and hemp products.