A charming English-Tudor style hotel from the 1920s nestled in the northern suburbs was just named the number one resort hotel in the Midwest by Travel + Leisure magazine — for the sixth year in a row.

The Deer Path Inn, at 255 E. Illinois Rd. in Lake Forest, topped the list, which was voted on by readers as part of Travel + Leisure’s “World’s Best Awards” survey for 2025. According to the report, nearly 180,000 readers voted on hotels, resorts, cities islands, cruise ships, spas and more across the globe.

Properties were specifically rated on certain criteria, including rooms and facilities, location, service, food and value. From there, respondents could choose from five ratings, ranging from excellent to poor, the report said.

Out of possible score of 100, The Deer Path Inn received a reader score of 96.94, putting it in the top spot above other similar hotels in the area, like the Grand Hotel in Mackinac Island Michigan, or the American Club Resort Hotel in Kohler, Wisconsin.

“There are 57 rooms, three dining venues, a legendary afternoon tea in the Garden Courtyard, and plush lounges where guests can kick back and relax all day,” The Deer Path Inn’s winning entry reads. “Just make sure that during your getaway, you stay awake long enough to enjoy the property’s signature nightly milk and cookies.”

Locals who live in and around Lake Forest also love the Inn.

In 2023, Deer Path manager James Barnett told NBC Chicago that nearly half of the the hotel’s reservations come from Illinois zip codes.

“There’s a thoughtfulness, and more attention,” Barnett said at the time. “That comes back to the idea of an Inn – a warm, welcoming refuge. A smaller place, with personal service. That’s what people crave when they come here. It’s a step away from the everyday.”