Best North Shore Hotels for a Luxury Stay

Lake Bluff sits in the middle of some of the finest hospitality Chicago’s suburbs have to offer, and it also happens to be home to one of the largest indoor Ferrari displays in the country. If you’re planning a weekend around Chicago North Shore luxury hotels, pair your stay with a stop at Ferrari Lake Forest, where our 70,000 square foot showroom at 990 North Shore Dr. has welcomed collectors and admirers since 1981.

Whether you’re scouting hotels for a romantic weekend, a family visit, or a stay tied to a service appointment or vehicle purchase, this guide breaks down the top properties near Lake Bluff and Lake Forest, plus how to build an itinerary around them.

Why Lake Bluff Is the Perfect Base for a North Shore Luxury Getaway

Lake Bluff has the kind of small-town charm that’s hard to find so close to a major city. Its lakefront setting, quiet streets, and walkable downtown make it a natural home base for anyone weighing where to stay near Chicago for a weekend without giving up access to culture, dining, and shopping. The town blends Lake Michigan views with an easy drive into Lake Forest, Northbrook, and Lincolnshire, putting several of the region’s best hotels within a short radius.

Community events, historic architecture, and a slower pace give visitors a reason to linger here rather than just pass through. Starting a trip in Lake Bluff puts you close to both the water and the region’s more polished attractions, Ferrari Lake Forest among them.

What to Expect from a Luxury Stay on Chicago’s North Shore

Luxury on the North Shore looks different from downtown Chicago. Instead of high-rise skylines, you get tree-lined properties, historic architecture, and a slower, more personal style of service. These hotels tend to lean on thoughtful details, well-appointed rooms, and on-site dining that rivals standalone restaurants, more than sheer scale.

Guests booking a North Shore hotel should expect strong dining programs, meeting and event space for business travelers, and easy access to outdoor recreation. Many of these hotels double as gathering spots for local residents, which adds an authentic, community-driven feel that’s harder to find in bigger city hotels. Comfort and local character both show up in the same stay here, and that’s part of what makes this corridor different from a typical Chicago luxury trip.

Top Luxury Hotels Near Lake Bluff and Lake Forest

The stretch between Lake Bluff and Lake Forest holds a handful of properties, each suited to a different kind of traveler. Some lean boutique and romantic, others are built for business groups. Here’s a closer look at five worth considering.

The Deer Path Inn

The Deer Path Inn has more accolades behind it than anything else on this list. Travel + Leisure named it the 2025 #1 Resort in the Midwest, a recognition it has earned in prior years as well, and TripAdvisor ranks it among the top 1% of hotels worldwide. The 57-room inn features 15th-century Tudor-style architecture and an English courtyard garden, with dining spread across White Hart Pub, The Brasserie, and The Bar. Menu highlights include short rib sandwiches, chilled Maine lobster rolls, and steak frites, alongside Afternoon Tea service and a Sunday brunch buffet. With more than 4,500 square feet of event space, it works equally well for a romantic getaway or a small gathering. It sits at 255 E. Illinois Road in Lake Forest.

Renaissance Chicago North Shore Hotel

Located at 933 Skokie Boulevard in Northbrook, the Renaissance Chicago North Shore Hotel is built for travelers who need space and flexibility. Its more than 19,000 square feet of event space makes it a go-to for conferences and business stays, while Pancetta Regional Kitchen + Bar serves all-day Italian fare and Ruth’s Chris Steak House brings mahogany accents and fireplace lighting to dinner service. Rooms feature sleek bathrooms and plush beds, with 4:00 pm check-in, noon check-out, and complimentary self-parking. Its proximity to the Chicago Botanic Garden and Ravinia Park adds cultural options nearby.

Hilton Chicago/Northbrook

Set on the Des Plaines River at 2855 Milwaukee Ave in Northbrook, the Hilton Chicago/Northbrook is surrounded by woods with walking and running trails and sits just 15 minutes from O’Hare International Airport. The 249 guestrooms include the Serenity Bed by Hilton, large work desks, ergonomic chairs, high-speed internet, and a mini-bar or refrigerator. An indoor pool, whirlpool, and sauna round out the amenities, while The Riverfront Restaurant offers waterfront views and modern American cuisine alongside Frank’s Place. With 18,000 square feet of flexible conference and banquet space, it’s a solid pick for business travelers who also want downtime.

The Forester Hotel, part of Unscripted by Hyatt

At 200 N Field Drive in Lake Forest, The Forester is the newest option on this list and the closest to our showroom. It’s also the first hotel to open in Lake Forest since 1929, which gives it a bit of a story to tell. The design leans into the city’s naturalist roots, with a lobby built around foliage-themed fixtures and art installations drawn from geometric patterns found in nature. There are 156 rooms including 10 suites, most with separate seating areas and sleeper sofas, and a one-bedroom option with a full kitchen for longer stays.

Oaken Bistro + Bar handles dining with a contemporary American menu, elevated burgers and salads alongside braised short rib, plus a craft cocktail list in the evening. More than 4,500 square feet of event space and free self-parking round it out. It’s a lighter, more contemporary alternative to the Deer Path Inn without leaving Lake Forest.

Lincolnshire Marriott Resort

If you’d rather your hotel be the destination, Lincolnshire Marriott Resort is the one. Set on 175 acres at Ten Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, it functions less like a hotel and more like a small resort. Championship golf at Crane’s Landing sits on the property, along with indoor and outdoor pools, tennis, a spa, and access to the Des Plaines River Trail for anyone who wants to walk or ride. Dining runs across four restaurants and bars plus a full-service Starbucks.

The real differentiator is the Marriott Theatre, one of the largest theaters in the Chicago area, staging productions in the round just steps from the guest rooms. With 64,000 square feet of meeting and event space across ballrooms and three outdoor pavilions, it handles large groups as easily as it handles a quiet weekend. It’s the furthest inland option here, roughly 20 minutes from Lake Bluff, but it earns the drive if you want everything in one place.

Matching the Right Hotel to Your North Shore Visit

Your reason for visiting should drive where you book. Collectors coming in for a sale, a service appointment, or an inventory viewing at Ferrari Lake Forest may prefer staying closest to the showroom, which puts The Deer Path Inn and The Forester Hotel both within a few minutes’ drive.

Weekend Getaways and Romantic Escapes

For couples or small groups, boutique charm tends to win out, and The Deer Path Inn’s historic character caters well to travelers chasing ambiance over scale. Afternoon Tea fits the mood of a slower, more personal weekend. If you’d rather have something newer and quieter, The Forester offers a more contemporary take a few minutes away, with Oaken Bistro + Bar handling dinner without requiring you to leave the property.

Hosting Guests or Planning an Event Stay

If you’re coordinating a larger group or a business event, space and flexibility matter more than intimacy. The Renaissance Chicago North Shore Hotel and Hilton Chicago/Northbrook both offer substantial meeting and banquet space, making them practical choices for hosting guests or running a multi-day event. For anything larger, or for a group that wants golf, a spa, and theater on site, the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort has the most room to work with by a wide margin.

Making a Weekend of It

Some visits are less about the appointment and more about the trip around it. The Lincolnshire Marriott Resort works well here, since a round at Crane’s Landing and a show at the Marriott Theatre can fill the hours on either side of a showroom visit

Browse our certified pre-owned inventory ahead of your trip, or schedule a service appointment if your Ferrari needs factory-authorized care while you’re in town.

Building the Ultimate Lake Bluff and Lake Forest Itinerary

A well-rounded North Shore trip mixes outdoor time with dining and shopping, and Lake Bluff and Lake Forest offer plenty of both within a short drive of each other.

Lakefront Strolls and Scenic Outdoor Spots

Lake Bluff’s shoreline includes coves and breakwaters, two guarded beaches, and fireplace shelters. You’ll also find picnic tables, a playground, and even a fenced dog beach. Lake Bluff Park adds a scenic overlook and a bandshell for those who want a quieter spot to take in the view. A few minutes south, Lake Forest’s beach features pavilions, a boat dock, a fishing pier, and kayak or paddleboard rentals for anyone looking to get out on Lake Michigan itself.

Fine Dining and Boutique Shopping Nearby

Market Square in Lake Forest opened in 1916 as one of the first planned shopping centers in the country, and today it houses boutiques like Bluemercury, J. Crew, J. McLaughlin, Talbots, Williams-Sonoma, and The Lake Forest Shop.

For dessert, Sweet’s on E. Deerpath Rd. serves ice cream, chocolates, and truffles worth the stop. Paired with dining at any of the hotels above, these spots round out a day that balances outdoor time with the North Shore’s retail and culinary side.

Make Ferrari Lake Forest Part of Your North Shore Luxury Experience

The Showroom Experience

No North Shore itinerary is complete without a stop at Ferrari Lake Forest. Our location in Lake Bluff includes an automotive gallery, a boutique, a design studio, and a service center, all built around one of the largest indoor Ferrari displays in the nation. Walking through our 70,000 square foot showroom, you’ll find recent models alongside rare classics and one-of-a-kind designs.

We’ve been a Factory Authorized Dealer since 1981, and our collection reflects decades of dedication to the Ferrari brand. Our work has been recognized with the Cavallino Award, and we offer private tours led by our Ferrari-certified team, along with the Tailor Made customization process for those looking to personalize a new build.

Plan Your Visit

For collectors traveling from out of town, we provide nationwide transportation and heated storage, so purchasing or storing a vehicle doesn’t have to compete with your travel plans. Whether you’re staying at The Deer Path Inn for a weekend or booking a hotel closer to Northbrook for business, add a visit to our showroom to your plans. Contact us to arrange a tour or ask about scheduling your visit around your North Shore stay.

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