Historic Deer Path Inn unveils modern look

The Deer Path Inn, an English manor house in Lake Forest, Ill., reopened after a year-long renovation project. Under the supervision of Charlestowne Hotels, the property’s hotel management firm, the property revived its interiors and updated the amenities while preserving its heritage and history.

Situated along Chicago’s North Shore, near Lake Forest’s Market Square District, Deer Path Inn was established in 1929 with décor in iconic Tudor-style architecture. The inn’s 21st-century renaissance updated the infrastructure with modern conveniences in each guestroom, and upgraded amenities and technology throughout the property. Additionally, public spaces were refurbished and restored, including all dining outlets, the Garden Courtyard, The Hearth Room, banquet facilities, meeting rooms, fitness center and elevator access to the upper and lower floors for guests.

The design team enhanced the inn’s original English countryside-inspired interiors with upscale furnishings and accessories. The lobby’s fireplace and stonework remain intact in a newly expanded space with the front desk situated against the back wall to allow for additional seating areas. Next to the lobby remains the Hearth Room now with more windows for natural light, a new service bar, additional seating groups, a fireplace, sustainable lighting and enhanced finishes, millwork, and furnishings. Further improvements to the lobby include the addition of an elevator to provide access to the building’s dining outlets on the lower level.

The English Room, The Inn’s more formal restaurant, as well as the casual restaurants, The Bar and White Hart Pub, were also remodeled. In The Bar, the featured wine wall and sushi station were relocated, increasing seating capacity from 56 to 75. An outdoor patio with a fireplace and lounge seating were also added to the bar, while the restrooms previously adjoining The Bar and The Pub were shifted to improve the pub’s seating capacity from 25 to 50.

At the English Room, a west entry was created to connect the restaurant to the building’s new elevator landing. The restaurant was expanded to allow for 24 more seats, and the entire room received new carpeting, furnishings, refinished millwork and exposed windows to provide natural light. Additionally, a glass conservatory was added to the restaurant’s veranda to create the Garden Room, an indoor/outdoor space.

The Garden Courtyard, the wedding venue, was also renovated. Updates include a new paving pattern, modern landscaping, as well as a bronze statue in the heart of the courtyard. Seating capacity was increased by 88 seats. Other event spaces located at the property include two new boardrooms with technology for AV services, and Windsor Hall, a banquet space restored with new millwork, window treatments and carpeting to resemble the design and aesthetic of the English Room.

Guestrooms were completely redone. In addition to updating all rooms and suites with individual thermostat controls, 48-inch flat screen TVs, Wi-Fi capabilities and bedside convenience outlets, the renewed accommodations have beverage centers, electronic safes and complimentary HSIA with data connections. Each bathroom has marble clad showers.

The Deer Path Inn is a British inn that debuted in 1929. Modeled after a mid-15th century manor house in Chiddingstone, Kent, England, the 57-room Tudor-style building has rooms with fireplaces and marble bathrooms, three dining establishments, wo boardrooms and Windsor Hall, a large banquet space with a private terrace.