Finally made it to Garden of the Gods, what a magnificent place!

Discover Makanda Inn & Cottages

A sustainable, eco-friendly retreat in Southern Illinois. An accommodation property utilizing green building practices on 18 wooded acres. In fact, we are right across the road from Giant City State Park.

The tranquility you will experience here rivals locations far more remote. Sounds of nature, rarely interrupted, change with the seasons.

From the near silence in winter to the symphony of creatures celebrating the warmth of summer. Birds abound, and the rabbits come out on the lawn at dusk to play and snack on the grass.

Off the beaten path in an area that is virtually undiscovered. If you’ve never experienced Southern Illinois or have been here many times, it will leave a lasting impression. An impression entirely unexpected, longing to return.
It is indeed a hidden gem in the heart of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail and Shawnee National Forest.

So take the road less traveled and stay with us for an experience you will never forget.

THE INN

A Bed and breakfast accommodation with a twist.

Gracefully appointed suites with high-quality linens and king-size pillow top mattresses provide a peaceful night’s sleep. Additionally, a sumptuous breakfast will start your day. Downstairs a spacious common area with fireplace, south facing windows and bar provides a great place to relax and unwind. 

The Inn Bar opened June 15th, 2018 and is available to our registered Inn & Cottage Guests. So if you are staying in one of our cottages you are welcome to come on down and be part of the “Inn Crowd” at The Inn Bar. If you have friends in the area you can invite them to join you for a drink. Morning (breakfast hours) are from 9:30 am to 11 am and afternoon/evening hours from 4 pm to 9 pm. 

The twist: all in a building made out of straw. Yes, bales of straw make up our suites exterior walls. Straw walls have incredible soundproofing and insulation which combine to enhance your sleep and save energy. Additionally, the fireplace in the common area is a Temp Cast 2000 prefabricated fireplace built into a stone structure with a 32-foot chimney. The Temp Cast is fashioned after the Russian Stove and is a high efficiency – low emission unit that heats the Inn in the wintertime. 

This combination of natural building methods and high-efficiency climate control in your suite provides the comfort level you want. Truly a bed and breakfast experience, unlike the rest.

COTTAGES IN THE WOODS

We have three unique, romantic, and relaxing cabins available for rental! All equipped with the same quality king-size beds and linens used in the inn. They incorporate even more sustainable natural building methods.

At the same time providing exquisite interior design and the atmosphere, you would expect in such a beautiful wooded setting.  Each is cozy and charming and offers quiet luxury in the heart of the Shawnee Forest. Our cottages all have kitchen facilities where you can cook your gourmet meals.

Are you looking for an upscale cabin experience? Consider one of our cottages for your next visit to Southern Illinois. Breakfast is not included in our cottages however you can purchase it and join us at the Inn. Availability of breakfast for cottage guests is limited. 

WEST END COTTAGE

Our premier, single level 900-square foot accommodation has two bedrooms and two bathrooms. A truly luxurious cabin experience. The bedrooms only exterior light is through the Grolsch bottles built into the straw bale-earthen plaster wall.

Put it all together, and you have a superb sleeping environment. The living space has a comfortable seating area, dining table, and a full-sized kitchen. It also has a wall of west-facing windows providing a beautiful wooded view and plenty of natural lighting.

Built into the ground with a grass roof you can walk on. West End Cottage offers the most privacy of all the accommodations on the property. It is the perfect getaway for one or two couples.  Don’t overlook this cabin. It is our favorite!

Meet Your Hosts