The Forester, a Hyatt Place Hotel The Lupine Room.
The first hotel to open in Lake Forest in 92 years, the North Shore destination is now open.
LAKE FOREST, Ill. – A contemporary new hotel located at 200 N. Field Dr. in Conway Business Park, The Forester, a Hyatt Place Hotel developed by Janko Group and operated by Janko Hospitality is a one-of-a-kind boutique inspired offering from the Hyatt Place brand. Marking the first hotel to open in the North Shore suburb since 1929, the property’s concept is inspired by the city of Lake Forest’s motto, “Naturae et Scientiae Amor,” which translates to “Love of Science and Nature.” The Forester, a Hyatt Place Hotel is at a similarly unique crossroads, offering all the benefits of a Hyatt Place hotel, while at the same time blazing new trails with unique offerings including Oaken Bistro + Bar, an upscale dining experience along with over 4,500 square feet of flexible event space.
Because Hyatt’s efforts are grounded in listening and fueled by care, Hyatt Place hotels combine style, innovation and 24/7 conveniences to create an easy to navigate experience for today’s multi-tasking traveler. At The Forester, a Hyatt Place Hotel, science and nature are woven throughout from artwork inspired by natural fractals and meeting rooms named after native plants and flowers, to the front desk itself being constructed of a solid, single white oak tree trunk. The property features 156 spacious guest rooms, including 10 suites, each with 55-inch flat-screen Smart HDTVs, complimentary WiFi, mini-fridges, individually controlled heating and air conditioning, blackout curtains, hair dryers, in-room safes and more. The hotel is pet-friendly, and offers complimentary parking to guests in a lot on premises.
“As the picturesque city of Lake Forest continues to grow and thrive economically, we are honored to open the newest hotel in the city in nearly 100 years,” said Marlena Karwowski, General Manager, The Forester, a Hyatt Place Hotel. “With our smartly designed social spaces and guestrooms with separate work and sleep areas, our multitasking guests can easily accomplish what they need to do while on the road. Lake Forest has long been at a unique crossroads of preservation and progress by way of open lands backing up to modern office parks and the cobblestone streets of historic Market Square offering coffee shops and retail stores, and this hotel was conceptualized at a similar juncture.”
Ideally equipped to host events both large and small, The Forester, a Hyatt Place Hotel boasts three event rooms and a pre-function space all featuring the latest technology. The Lupine Room offers exterior access to an outdoor patio and 1,676-square-feet of space, accommodating up to 186 guests, while The Aster Room, the hotel’s largest event space, is able to host up to 200 guests in its 2,232-square-foot space. Best suited for groups of up to 45 guests, The Blue Stem Room offers an intimate 378-square-foot space.
The hotel also boasts a chef-driven, full-service restaurant, Oaken Bistro + Bar, now open for dinner, brunch and cocktails. The modern new bar and lounge area is filled with earth-toned features and foliage-inspired light fixtures at every turn. Led by Executive Chef Kristen Burman, formerly of Limelight Catering and Anthology San Diego, Oaken Bistro + Bar offers a robust menu rooted in flavors both strong and bold, like the many centuries-old White Oak Heritage Trees in Lake Forest. To complement, the restaurant also features an eclectic variety of wine and spirits including signature cocktails, infused with local flowers and herbs. Oaken Bistro + Bar offers diners an inspired menu that, like tree rings, will grow and change seasonally.
The Forester, a Hyatt Place Hotel also offers:
- Complimentary breakfast for guests featuring a variety of pre-packaged or individually wrapped hot and cold breakfast items as well as a paid, dine-in breakfast option in Oaken.
- The Market serving freshly prepared meals anytime, day or night
- Necessities program for forgotten items that guests can buy, borrow or enjoy for free
- Free Wi-Fi throughout hotel and guestrooms
- Fitness Center featuring cardio equipment with LCD touchscreens
The Forester, a Hyatt Place Hotel is under the leadership of General Manager Marlena Karwowski and Director of Sales Bill Tingle. In her role, Karwowski is directly responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the hotel, including overseeing the hotel’s 30 associates and ensuring guests encounter the thoughtful service for which the Hyatt Place brand is known.Tingle is responsible for providing sales service and support to travelers and meeting planners frequenting the Chicagoland area.
Guided by its purpose of care, Hyatt’s multi-layered Global Care & Cleanliness Commitment further enhances its operational guidance and resources around colleague and guest safety and peace of mind.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
