Dinogo Readers’ Top 10 Midwest Resorts for 2024

Renowned for its warm hospitality and friendly locals, the Midwest's resorts on this list excel in service quality. Beyond their welcoming ambiance, the leading properties in our World's Best Awards survey received accolades for their stunning locations, exceptional dining, and comfortable accommodations — featuring one resort on a pedestrian-only island and another offering high tea in English-style rooms.

Voting Process Overview

Annually, T+L invites readers to participate in the World's Best Awards survey, sharing their experiences about travel around the world — including their insights on the finest hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise lines, spas, airlines, and more. In 2024, over 186,000 T+L readers contributed to the survey, casting more than 700,000 votes across 8,700+ properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).

Hotels were categorized as resort hotels, city hotels, inns, or safari lodges based on their location and amenities, and were evaluated according to the following criteria:

Accommodations and amenities
Setting
Staff performance
Culinary offerings
Overall value

Respondents rated each aspect as excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores reflect the average of these ratings.

Highlights from Readers

While Deer Path Inn in Illinois emerged as the favorite among our readers, Michigan boasted more listings than any other state in the Midwest. The top-rated property in Michigan was Hotel Iroquois, closely followed by the Grand Hotel. Both establishments are situated on the picturesque Mackinac Island, where motor vehicles are prohibited. Visitors navigate the island on foot, by bike, or via horse-drawn carriage.

One reader praised Hotel Iroquois, stating, “The views from nearly every spot in the hotel are breathtaking. Be sure to inquire whether your room has a view of the water, the marina, and/or the eastern bluff where Fort Mackinac is located.” They concluded with, “The dining room truly impresses” — a sentiment echoed by many survey participants.

The Champion

Deer Path Inn: Lake Forest, Illinois

Cozy seating by the fireplace at Deer Path Inn

Image courtesy of Deer Path Inn

Upon arrival at Deer Path Inn, you instantly sense its uniqueness. Housed in a Tudor-style manor built in 1929, the hotel exudes a timeless charm that may lead you to believe you’ve stepped into England rather than a northern Chicago suburb. As one guest perfectly captured, “the Deer Path Inn creates the feeling of visiting a refined home belonging to a British relative.”

Beyond its unique ambiance, T+L readers praised the service at Deer Path Inn, describing it as “exceptional,” “fantastic,” and “kind.” This venue is a favored choice for celebrating birthdays and anniversaries, and it serves as a surprisingly convenient base for city explorers. The train station is just a short distance away, along with Lake Forest’s historic Market Square and beach.

It's no wonder that Deer Path Inn has consistently been a T+L reader favorite, securing the No. 2 position in 2023.