Hotel at a Glance: The Herrington Inn & Spa

Cows don’t typically have a place greeting customers at an upscale inn, but Unbridling Beatrix is no ordinary cow. A showpiece from Chicago’s 1999 Cows on Parade exhibit, she’s painted from head to hoof in scenes from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, and she enchanted the owners of The Herrington Inn & Spa. The artsy bovine now makes her home in the inn’s lobby, a former 19th-century creamery, making her the perfect embodiment of the property’s past and present.

• Curl up by the fireplace in your guest room, which will also have a luxurious marble bathroom and a balcony overlooking the grounds or the Fox River.
• Sample delicious wines that have been curated by the Herrington’s wine experts; their list even earned an Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator in 2011.
• Sweet treats: Each night, guests are treated to complimentary fresh cookies and milk.
• Get pampered: The onsite spa administers exfoliating facials, relaxing massages, and energizing body treatments.
• Award winner: The hotel has won AAA’s Four Diamond award for the past 20 years.

Geneva, Illinois: Small-Town Shopping and Art on the Outskirts of Chicagoland

Nestled in the heart of the verdant Fox River Valley, idyllic Geneva lies about 36 miles west of Chicago’s Loop, but its laid-back rural vibe seems a world away from the city. Along the river is the Fox River Trail, a hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing path that connects a string of scenic riverfront towns.

Around the corner from the Herrington, historical buildings and tree-lined streets define downtown Geneva; its 200 specialty shops include artisanal jewelers, chic women’s clothing stores, and boutique eateries. Pop into Graham’s for renowned handcrafted chocolates and ice cream. The 68-foot Fabyan Windmill, built by German immigrants in the 1850s and recently restored with timber from the Netherlands, lies along the river to the south of town. On the first Friday of every month, Geneva’s residents take a self-guided art walk through nine area galleries, which open their doors to serve refreshments, host live performances, and show off their portraits of mustachioed news anchors. Down the street, the Geneva History Center delves into the city’s agricultural past.

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