Garden of the Gods, in Southern Illinois, what a magnificent place!
Discover Makanda Inn & Cottages
Looking for an entirely different lodging experience? You found it! With unexpected high-end amenities provided, this sustainably built, eco-friendly retreat right here in Southern Illinois is still, a hidden gem according to our guests! The property utilizes green building practices on it’s 18 wooded acres.
We offer 2 completely different types of lodging on the property. First, a very large, 4 Suite, Bed & Breakfast Inn. Second, our 3 truly unique Cottage Rental units. We hope you’ll visit them all using our new 2018 Virtual Tour! Access it at the top of this home page or the link just below.
We are located right across the road from Giant City State Park. We love having them as our neighbor! 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, that will leave you longing to return.
It is indeed a hidden gem in the heart of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail and the 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 and lots of perks!
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 everyone 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 drink 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 combined 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
Our three unique, romantic, and relaxing cabins available for rent are separate from the B & B Inn! All are equipped with the same high-quality, king-size beds and linens used in the Inn. They incorporate an even higher level of sustainable and natural building methods, including living roofs!
They were built with exquisite interior designs and provide 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 own gourmet meals, therefore, breakfast meals are not included with our cottage rentals. Check out the new virtual tour and pick your special cottage getaway!
Are you looking for an upscale, cabin type weekend getaway or a week-long vacation experience?
Consider one of our 3 unique cottages for your next visit to Southern Illinois.
We know you’ll love your stay!
WEST END COTTAGE
Our premier, single level, 900-square foot accommodation has two bedrooms (each has 1 King bed) and each bedroom has it’s own bath on-suite!. 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 TV seating area, dining table for 4, and a full-sized kitchen. It also has a wall of west-facing windows providing a beautiful wooded view and plenty of natural lighting. Lots of updates have happened in the cottage during 2017 & 2018 and everyone has loved them! Check out the virtual tour. Also, visit the West End Cottage page for longer vacation stay Rates.
Built into the ground with a grass roof you can walk onto. West End Cottage offers the most privacy of all the accommodations on the property. It is the perfect getaway for one or two couples or 1 to 4 people maximum! Don’t overlook this cabin rental. It’s truly our favorite!
Meet Your Hosts
