The DeSoto House Hotel – Galena, Illinois
opened in 1855 and saluted as the "best hotel west of New York City," remains open today. Of course it has been renovated (1980) but is still a place to stay for historical elegance. The DeSoto House has been a Galena Landmark for over 150 years. It is now the oldest operating hotel in the State of Illinois.
The DeSoto House was named for Hernando DeSoto, the European discoverer of the Mississippi River.
Throughout the years the hotel has welcomed such memorable guests as Abraham Lincoln, William Jennings Bryan, and serving as the presidential campaign headquarters for Ulysses S. Grant just to name a few.
Today, shops and boutiques line the first floor of the hotel facing Main Street; the second and third floors offer 55 guest rooms. Within the hotel complex are three restaurants, a banquet hall, a ballroom, and several meeting/conference rooms. While the hotel and its rooms retain its Victorian atmosphere, modern amenities such as suites, king size beds, color cable tv, and complimentary enclosed parking are tastefully blended into the architecture.
The hotel is located within walking distance of Galena’s many unique shops. You can spend the day learning about the history of the area and finding unusual items in the many shops.
Location: 230 S Main
Phone: 815-777-0090