Goldmoor Inn & Resort

HOTEL OVERVIEW

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much when I first pulled up Sand Hill Road – it’s pretty much in the middle of nowhere, about 15 minutes outside Galena proper. But then you see the Goldmoor Inn perched up on this bluff overlooking the Mississippi River, and you immediately get why people make the drive out here. The whole place has this understated elegance thing going on, like someone’s really wealthy aunt decided to open her country estate to guests.

The location is actually perfect if you know the area. You’re far enough from Galena’s main drag (and the weekend tourist crowds) to feel like you’ve escaped, but close enough that you can still walk around the historic downtown when you want to. What really sold me though was stepping out onto our room’s private deck – I mean, you’re literally looking out over the river valley, and on a clear morning you can see for miles. The rooms themselves are spacious without being stuffy, and they’ve got this cozy cabin feel with stone fireplaces and deep soaking tubs. Fair warning though, the Wi-Fi can be spotty in some of the riverside rooms, which honestly might be a feature, not a bug, depending on what you’re after.

The restaurant is where this place really shines – their Sunday brunch is sort of legendary around here, and I can see why. They do this thing with locally sourced ingredients (I know, I know, everyone says that, but you can actually taste the difference), and the wine list is surprisingly deep for being in rural Illinois. The staff knows their stuff too, which isn’t always a given at resort restaurants. You’ll want to make reservations though, especially during fall when the leaf peepers descend on the area. Speaking of timing, if you can swing it, try to visit during the week – weekends can get pretty busy with Chicago folks making the three-hour drive for a quick getaway. The spa services are solid, nothing revolutionary but definitely relaxing after a day of antiquing or hiking the nearby trails. Park wherever you want, by the way – there’s plenty of space and no valet nonsense. Check-in was smooth, and they actually seem to care about making sure you’re comfortable rather than just processing you through. At that 9.4 rating, you’d expect some serious luxury hotel vibes, but what you get instead is this genuine hospitality that feels more personal than pretentious. It’s the kind of place where you might extend your stay just because leaving feels like too much work.