The 10 Best Resorts in the Midwest, According to Travel + Leisure Readers

The Midwest is known for its friendly, down-to-earth people and warm hospitality, so it’s no surprise most of the resorts on this list were commended for their quality of service. But beyond providing a welcoming atmosphere, the top properties in our World’s Best Awards survey were heralded for their location, food, and rooms — including one resort perched on a pedestrian-only island and another with high tea and English-style rooms.

How Voting Works

Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Over 186,000 T+L readers completed the 2024 survey. A total of more than 700,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).

Hotels were classified as either resort hotel, city hotel, inn, or safari lodge based on their location and amenities, and they were specifically rated on the criteria below:

• Rooms/facilities
• Location
• Service
• Food
• Value

For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses.

What Readers Loved

Our readers’ top pick might have been Deer Path Inn in Illinois, but Michigan had more properties on the list than any other Midwest state. The top pick in the Great Lakes State was Hotel Iroquois, followed closely by the Grand Hotel. Both properties are located on the idyllic Mackinac Island, where cars are not allowed. Instead, visitors explore by bike, foot, or horse-drawn carriage.

One reader cast their vote for Hotel Iroquois, noting “the views from just about anywhere in the hotel are just spectacular. Do, though, ask if the room has a view of the water, the marina, and/or to the east Fort Mackinac up on the eastern bluff.” They added, “The dining room can really deliver” — a sentiment shared by most survey respondents.

The Winner

Deer Path Inn: Lake Forest, Illinois

The moment you arrive at Deer Path Inn, it’s clear that this hotel is different. It’s set in a Tudor manor house dating to 1929 and has an old-world charm that may trick you into believing you’re in England, not a suburb north of Chicago. In fact, as one reader so aptly explained, “the Deer Path Inn makes guest[s] feel like they are visiting the fine home of a British relative.”

In addition to providing a feel that’s unlike any other Midwest property on this list, T+L readers raved about the service, calling it “superb,” “terrific,” and “gracious.” It’s a popular place to spend a birthday or anniversary and is a surprisingly accessible home base for travelers who want to spend their days in the city. The train station is nearby, as is Lake Forest’s historic Market Square and beach.

It’s not surprising Deer Path Inn has long been a T+L reader favorite, landing in the No. 2 spot in 2023.

The Full List

1. Deer Path Inn: Lake Forest, Illinois

Reader Score: 98.11

2. Larsmont Cottages on Lake Superior: Two Harbors, Minnesota

Reader Score: 93.75

3. Madden’s on Gull Lake: Brainerd, Minnesota

Reader Score: 92.47

4. Hotel Iroquois: Mackinac Island, Michigan

Reader Score: 90.40

5. Grand Hotel: Mackinac Island, Michigan

Reader Score: 89.90

6. The Hotel Landing: Wayzata, Minnesota

Reader Score: 89.89

7. Big Cedar Lodge: Ridgedale, Missouri

Reader Score: 89.02

8. The American Club Resort Hotel: Kohler, Wisconsin

Reader Score: 88.48

9. Saint John’s Resort: Plymouth, Michigan

Reader Score: 87.60

10. Mission Point Resort: Mackinac Island, Michigan

Reader Score: 85.76