See more Galena, Illinois

Bed&Breakfast Diamond Collection

Inn At Irish Hollow and Country English Cottages

Photos Map Visit B&B Site

  • Irish Hollow is a favorite of Winter enthusiasts. There are miles of cross-country ski paths right on the Inn's 500-acre estate and continue onto the contiguous 1500-acre preserve. Enjoy Winter hiking, snowshoeing and downhill skiing (at Chestnut Mountain 3 miles from the Inn) are perfect midwinter day. A gorgeous stew, delicious wine and a crackling fire await your return to your Cottage at nightfall.

    Read more... Read more...
  • No Video

    Inn At Irish Hollow and Country English Cottages Video:

  • Calendar
Description Rooms & Rates Packages Meals Location Reviews 43

  • Bed&Breakfast Diamond Collection

    An exclusive of professionally inspected and guest-reviewed luxury inns with extensive modern amenities.

    Inspector Insights

    Perfect special-occasion getaway; remarkable attention to each detail; warm hospitality; exceptional food at breakfast and dinner; luxurious private lodgings.

    Inn Details

    The INN at IRISH HOLLOW and COUNTRY ENGLISH COTTAGES is rated the best Country Inn in the Midwest. Set on 500 acres of magnificent rolling hillsides and valleys, the Inn offers the perfect setting to reconnect and be pampered in the heart of Galena's picture-perfect countryside. Guests enjoy personalized comfort, superb hospitality and lush amenities designed to thrill the most sophisticated traveler. The Irish Hollow award winning kitchen creates gorgeous meals hand-crafted from the world's finest natural and organic ingredients, along with selections from the Inn's own organic farm gardens. The lavish Full Country Gourmet Breakfast is served daily. The tremendous seven-course Candlelight Dinners are included in the seasonal packages. The onsight Massage Staff provides Hot Stone Therapy Massage which integrates the best techniques from around the world, ranging from a 75 minutes to a 2 1/2 hour experience. The 500 acre estate is cut with miles of hiking trails, streams, rock outcroppings, wooded ridges and connects to a 1500 acre nature preserve. Featured as a favorite by The New York Times, The Chicago Sun-Times, Midwest Living, Glamour and Country Living magazines.

    Innkeeper Information

    Innkeepers Description:

    Bill, Tony and Matthew... the ideal combination as co-innkeepers at Irish Hollow. Tony brings his expertise from managing at the Chicago Hilton. Bill, formerly with the Ritz Carlton of Chicago, designs the ultimate exquisite country-gourmet meals. Matthew, a resident of the Irish Hollow Valley all of his life (except for his four-year stint at college), is the perfect host!

    The innkeepers speak:

    • English

    • Spanish


    Features

    Type:

    • Country Inn

    Property Noted For:

    • World Class Dining

    • Business travel

    • Gourmet food

    • Honeymoons

    • Nature

    • Romantic escape

    Amenities

    Guest Room:

    • Air conditioning

    • Alarm clock

    • Amenities Basket

    • Bath robes

    • Coffee/Tea facilities

    • DVD Player

    • In-room internet

    • Desk

    • Fireplace

    • Fridge

    • Hairdryer

    • Hot tub/whirlpool tub

    • Internet Service

    • Ironing Board

    • Library

    • Microwave

    • Private entrance

    • Radio

    • Turndown Service

    • Wet bar

    • Wi-Fi

    On Site:

    • Board games

    • CD player

    • Computer

    • Copier

    • Fax Machine

    • Piano

    • Telephone

    • Wedding Facilities

    Other Amenities:

    • Bicycles/helmets

    • Picnic Baskets

    • Valet Service

    Visit B&B Site

  • No results at this time

    Visit B&B Site

  • Hot Deal: Winter Fireside Midweek Package

    • 2/8/2012 - 2/15/2012
    • Regular rate:$745
    • Savings:20%
    • Discount rate:$595

    Escape to the Midwest's Winter Wonderland for two nights in a spectacular Country English Cottage with wood-burning fireplace in the bedroom and the sitting room. Have the remarkable 3-course Country Gourmet Breakfast delivered right to your cottage door before you head out to hike the Inn's miles of snow laden trails, or ski at Chestnut Mountain. Return to enjoy complimentary champagne and gorgeous hand made chocolates in your huge double whirlpool in your all-marble bath. Complete your day with the Inn's 7-course Candlelight Dinner. All-inclusive. You both need this!!

    The Stonewood Cottage

    Suite maximum capacity: 2

    • Beds

      1 King

    • Bathroom

      Private Bath

      Bathtub

      Shower

    • Nightly Rate

      (high/low season) $240/$425

    The Olde Orchard Cottage

    Suite maximum capacity: 2

    • Beds

      1 King

    • Bathroom

      Private Bath

      Bathtub

      Shower

    • Nightly Rate

      (high/low season) $240/$425

    The French Maid's Cottage

    Suite maximum capacity: 2

    • Beds

      1 King

    • Bathroom

      Private Bath

      Bathtub

      Shower

    • Nightly Rate

      (high/low season) $245/$445

    The Gardner's Cottage

    Suite maximum capacity: 2

    • Beds

      1 King

    • Bathroom

      Private Bath

      Bathtub

      Shower

    • Nightly Rate

      (high/low season) $425/$595

    The Station House Cottage

    Suite maximum capacity: 2

    • Beds

      1 King

    • Bathroom

      Private Bath

      Bathtub

      Shower

    • Nightly Rate

      (high/low season) $425/$595

    Visit B&B Site

    Policy

    Reservation Policy

    • Check in: 4:00pm/flexible    Check out: 12:00pm/flexibl

    • Minimum stay: 2 night wknd packages

    • Deposit amount required: Credit card guarantee or Check for 50 percents of entire bill required with all reservations.

    • Cancellations: Due to the Inn's intimate size and exclusive location, 30-day cancellation required for full refund, (less $50.00 administrative fee). If cancellation occurs within 30 days of arrival, (regardless of when reservation was made), the customer is responsible for the reservation in full. We will happily credit any amount the the reservation staff is able to sublet. Regretfully, No exceptions.

    • Open all year round: Y

    General Policies

    • Smoking allowed: Limited

    • Guest pets allowed: No

    • Drinking allowed: Yes

    • Drinking description: Complimentary wines served with meals

    • Drinks available: L

    • Children allowed: Suites and Cottages are designed for one couple

    • Suitable for children: No

    • Childcare provided: No

  • Breakfast

    • Type: Full

    • Time Served: 9:00-10:00 or by request

    • Serving location: Breakfast/dining room, Breakfast Room, Guest room

    Complimentary Perks

    • Non-alcoholic Beverages

    Signature Dish

    Seasonal Candlelight Dinners
    The Irish Hollow kitchen is renown for world-class fare served in the simple surroundings of the Old General Store Dining Room. Menus are hand-crafted from natural and organic ingredients from around the garden, the area and the world. Extraordinary meals such as the Summer Countryside Picnic, the Autumn Harvest Dinner, and the Old World Christmas Dinner, thrill connoisseurs year-round. Amazing pastries, uniquely delicious breakfasts, outrageous dinners, handmade chocolate, and out-of-this-world pillow cookies keep guests begging for the Inn's well-kept secret recipes. Our kitchen skillfully and delightedly accommodates special dietary needs and preferences and specializes in GLUTEN-FREE alternatives.

    Special meal options

    • Low fat

    • Restrictive

    • Vegetarian

    • gluten free

    • special diets

    Additional food services

    • 7 COURSE DINNER

    • ALL SPECIAL DIETS ACCOMMODATED

    • DELIVERED TO COTTAGE BREAKFAST

    • GLUTEN FREE OPTIONS

    Visit B&B Site

  • Location Type

    • Countryside

    City

    • Chicago

    • Distance to city: 180 miles

    • Directions to property:
      From Chgo: I-90 to Rockford, Hwy 20 West past Elizabeth, IL 3 miles to Rodden Road, left 2 miles to Irish Hollow Rd., right 1 mile to property. From Dubuque: Hwy 20 East, over the Mississippi River, past downtown Galena, over the Galena River to Blackjack Road, right 3.3 miles to Irish Hollow Rd., left 3/4 mile to "Y" in road, LEFT!!! to remain on Irish Hollow Rd. 5.5. miles to property. From Platteville, WI: Hwy 84 South to Galena, Hwy 20 East past downtown Galena, over the Galena River to Blackjack Rd., right 3.3 miles to Irish Hollow Rd., left 3/4 mile to "Y" in road, LEFT!!! to remain on Irish Hollow Rd. 5.5 miles to property.

    Airport

    • Dubuque, IA (DBQ) 19 miles

    • Directions to property:
      From Airport: Left out of airport onto Rt 151 to downtown Dubuque. Exit Hwy 20 East to Galena. Cross Mississippi River, past downtown Galena, over Galena River to Blackjack Rd., right 3.3 miles to Irish Hollow Rd., left 3/4 mile to "Y" in road, LEFT!!! to remain on Irish Hollow Rd. 5.5 miles to property.

    Area Attractions

    • Antique Shopping

    • Aquarium

    • Art Galleries

    • Beach

    • Casino

    • Concert venue

    • Gourmet/Fine Dining

    • Historical interests

    • Live Music

    • Movie Theater

    • Museum

    • National/State parks

    • Nature area

    • Hot Air Balloon Rides

    • Horseback Riding

    • Canoeing/kayaking

    • On-site Massage Spa

    • Christmas Events

    • Eagle/Bird watching

    • Performing Theater

    • Picnic area

    • Religious Services

    • River

    • Rodeo

    • Ski area

    • Vineyard

    • Winery

    • Bicycle rental

    • Bicycle riding trails

    • Bicycles

    • Bird watching

    • Boating

    • Canoeing

    • Cross-country ski trails

    • Downhill Skiing

    • Fishing

    • Golfing

    • Horseback riding

    • Kayaking

    • Mountain Bike trails

    • 500 acres with miles of Hiking Trails

    • Horse-drawn Buggy Rides

    • Candlelight Dinners

    • Couples Massage

    • Picnics

    • Downhill skiing

    • Shopping

    • Sight-seeing

    • Ski rentals

    • Snow shoe rental

    • Snow shoe trails

    Visit B&B Site
    • Overall 
    • Guest room 
    • Services 
    • Value 
    • Cleanliness 
    • Dining 

    Write a review

    Perfect escape

    About the reviewer

    • Between 26-35 years old

    • First time staying at a B&B

    • Typically stays in moderate lodging

    • Was travelling for a weekend getaway

    • Overall 
    • Guest room 
    • Services 
    • Value 
    • Cleanliness 
    • Dining 

    It was a wonderful trip, and we will be back. The cottage was comfortable and the food was the best I've ever had. We did not want to leave.

    The only bed and breakfast you will ever need

    About the reviewer

    • Between 45-55 years old

    • Stays at B&Bs once a year

    • Typically stays in luxury lodging

    • Was travelling for a weekend getaway

    • Overall 
    • Guest room 
    • Services 
    • Value 
    • Cleanliness 
    • Dining 

    We have stayed at the Inn at Irish Hollow 7 times and have stayed in all of the cottages. It is the only bed and breakfast that we go to. I am pretty sure that any others would be a step down. Everything is perfect and the food is amazing. All of the cottages are very nice and my wife and I enjoy getting away from the kids in our own private cottage. The rural setting is tranquil and we have hiked on the grounds every time we have been there. It is a wonderful overall experience.

    A luxurious getaway in a pastoral setting

    About the reviewer

    • Between 45-55 years old

    • Frequently stays at B&Bs

    • Typically stays in premium lodging

    • Was travelling for a weekend getaway

    • Overall 
    • Guest room 
    • Services 
    • Value 
    • Cleanliness 
    • Dining 

    We chose the Olde Orchard cottage and it truly did exceed our expectations. The furnishings were unique and the overall decor just exquisite. The attention to detail was evident immediately upon entering the cottage -- from the lighting, to the music, to the champagne and chocolates. Our two country breakfasts and 7-course candlelit dinner were a gourmet delight. Matthew made our stay very comfortable with the warm and inviting amenities and outstanding service. We can't wait to return and experience another visit in the winter.

    So Very Comfortable in Every Way

    About the reviewer

    • Between 36-45 years old

    • First time staying at a B&B

    • Typically stays in moderate lodging

    • Was travelling on vacation

    • Overall 
    • Guest room 
    • Services 
    • Value 
    • Cleanliness 
    • Dining 

    We stayed one night midweek and could not have been more pleased. As I told one of the owners when we left, it felt like everything was prioritized for comfort and then the other elements--"elegant," "delicious," and "rustic" spring to mind, got layered on. Entirely professional while completely warm and human--that's a tricky balance and it's one these folks pull off. I doubt that it really is easy, but they make it look easy.

    Beautiful setting and impeccable attention to detail

    About the reviewer

    • Between 36-45 years old

    • Almost never stays at B&Bs

    • Typically stays in premium lodging

    • Was travelling for a weekend getaway

    • Overall 
    • Guest room 
    • Services 
    • Value 
    • Cleanliness 
    • Dining 

    I can't believe this inn is just 3 hours from Chicago. In some ways, it feels like you stepped into another time - a time where details and unhurried quality and charm mattered. You have great access to Galena and hiking and biking, but yet the inn feels very remote and quiet and peaceful. I can't recommend it enough.

    Visit B&B Site

 Nearby Cities

 Nearby States

Hot Deal: Winter Fireside Midweek Package

View the Hot Deal

Tell the innkeeper that sent you.