Looking for a quick escape from the daily grind without venturing far from home? The perfect Chicago staycation happens at the Marriott Lincolnshire Resort, conveniently located just outside Chicago.
This luxurious resort offers everything you need for a relaxing and entertaining getaway, all within easy reach. It’s more affordable than a dinner and show downtown and far less stressful.
Start with free parking and gorgeous grounds that allow you to relax and explore at your leisure. The hotel has everything you need onsite, and the surrounding area also offers plenty of entertainment year-round.
I received a complimentary night’s stay, tickets to the show, and dinner and breakfast at Three Embers in exchange for sharing my experience. My opinions remain my own.
Dinner and a Show with a Twist
Unwind and indulge at Three Embers, the resort’s signature restaurant, featuring a special prix fixe menu inspired by the hit Broadway musical In the Heights, featuring dishes that complement the show’s vibrant energy. This is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the show’s spirit before or after your performance.
For $49 per person, you choose an appetizer and an entree, with a set dessert of a delicious chocolate mousse bar. While I didn’t fully follow the connection of all the dishes to the show, every item was delicious.
We tried both the Stanford Salad in honor of Nina’s college and the Zupa Szczawiowa that is also on their standard menu. Both are unique appetizers but delicious and satiating without being heavy or full. My preference? Go for the salad.
The entrees for In the Heights include a Washington Heights Strip that was fine though not the best steak I’ve had, though I really enjoyed the grilled broccolini that accompanied it. I wish more restaurants served broccolini.
The Carnaval salmon, on the other hand, was absolutely delicious and cooked perfectly. It was a larger portion than I expected to see, and the sundried tomato cream sauce was the perfect accompaniment to it.
Note that this usually comes with a rice pilaf, but they swapped it out for the broccolini at my friend’s request.
You also have the choice of a chicken piccata and mujaddara, a vegetarian Indian dish with lentils and caramelized onion with rice. I appreciate that there are options for dietary restrictions on their prix fixe menu that remain creative.
The chocolate mousse bar is fabulous, as well, though neither of us was able to finish the dessert after the rest of the dinner. It was rich and decadent while somehow not being too heavy.
The menu will change to fit each show, with The Music Man up next. Beehive, 1776, and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas round out the rest of the 2024 season, and Three Embers will have a special prix fixe for each show.
The only item on the standard menu was the soup. Everything else was specifically created for this show. It’s a fun way to pull the theme all the way through the night, and I can’t wait to see the next menus.
The bar menu is equally creative. With a lovely wine list, you are sure to find the perfect varietal to fit your palate. The cocktail menu is filled with craft cocktails, and the citrus flower sour – Ketel one citroen, orgeat, elderflower, fresh squeezed lemon, and egg white – I enjoyed was a perfect complement to the dinner.
Whether you choose to enjoy the fun of the show-specific prix fixe menu or order off the standard Three Embers menu, it’s worth it to stop there before or after your show. The wood-fired menu features everything from duck to scallops to more traditional steak and seafood, and I’ve never had a bad meal there.
Enjoy the Marriott Theater
If you’ve never been to the Marriott Theater, make a trip. They have amazing productions that stack up to anything you’ll see in larger theaters in Chicago.
They are set up as a theater in the round with nearly 850 seats, but because of the setup, there is not a bad seat in the house. It feels far more intimate than it is, which creates an unexpectedly high quality show for the feel.
Marriott’s Lincolnshire Theater has hosted a number of shows that later went on to Broadway, as well as classics that you know and love. In addition to the mainstage productions that typically run Wednesdays to Sundays, the theater also hosts fun children’s productions at 10am Thursdays to Sundays.
I’ve taken my children to shows ranging from Peter Pan to Cinderella and more. These one hour shows are perfect for your kids, but the quality really shines with the mainstage productions that feature actors with a breadth of experience and resumes to match.
Once you visit, you get hooked, which makes this a Chicago staycation you can repeat throughout the year. They offer two different styles of subscriptions, in addition to the single show tickets they also sell.
I love the Netflix-style option of the StagePass where you can pay $20 per month per person ($240 for an individual ticket or $480 for a couple for the annual pass) that allows you unlimited access to both the mainstage and children’s productions so you can see them as often as you wish – pending ticket availability.
The best part is that you also get one weekend night resort room at the Marriott Lincolnshire to really make the Chicago staycation happen. You also receive a buy one, get one lunch entree at Wright’s Brew & Bistro located onsite, as well as two-for-one greens fees at Crane’s Landing, their 18-hole golf course, after 1pm Monday to Friday, among other perks.
The more traditional subscription offers you tickets to each show for the season where you have the same seat for each show. The prices vary by the day and time you choose, but the most expensive option – Saturday shows and the Sunday matinee are $229 for the season, which averages out to just over $45 per show.
The See It First subscription that lets you see the show in the first two weeks of the run start at $145, which is under $30 per show. The only caveat there is that you cannot do ticket exchanges the way you can for other subscription types.
Compare that to the cost of tickets for shows that are often more than triple the price of the most expensive Marriot Theater tickets, and this Chicago staycation becomes even more attractive.
How Are the Shows at the Marriott Lincolnshire Theater?
As I shared, I have always enjoyed every production I’ve seen there. My parents have a subscription because they enjoy it so much. This isn’t just empty words.
The Marriott Lincolnshire Theater may be less expensive and have a smaller theater than the ones downtown, but that doesn’t mean their shows are lacking in quality in any way.
The actors who perform at the Marriott Theater have fantastic pedigrees. The actor who played Usnavi in In the Heights came from the First Broadway National Tour of the production, among other credits. The actress who played Nina was Cosette in the Broadway National Tour of Les Miserables.
The actors who perform have a lot of talent, and it shows. The singing, dancing, and entire performance are engaging and perhaps even more moving because you are so close to the stage compared to other larger venues.
While the sets tend to be minimalist because it is a theater in the round, this keeps your attention on the acting. Even without outsize sets, the acting transports you into the story.
What Other Dining Options Does the Marriot Lincolnshire Offer?
In addition to the showcase Three Embers restaurant, the Marriott has three other dining options. I appreciate the fact that it runs the gamut from nibbles to a full-on steakhouse.
Be sure to visit Wright’s Brew and Pub, which is a more casual restaurant that offers a bistro-style environment along with craft beers.
Their food is delicious, with offerings from cheese curds to delicious flatbreads to burgers and more hearty entrees. If you stay overnight, this is a great option for lunch in addition to dinner either before or after your show.
For breakfast after your stay, Three Embers has a delicious buffet with plenty of fresh fruit and an amazing made-to-order omelet station. Whether you prefer oatmeal or pastries, yogurt or potatoes, you will not walk away hungry.
You are able to go back multiple times, and of course they offer coffee and juice. Every experience I’ve ha at a restaurant in the Marriott Lincolnshire has had fantastic service, and breakfast was no different with the staff watching and refilling every time coffee or water got low.
In the lobby, you can find the Brew Lobby Restaurant and Bar. This is a perfect spot to grab a nibble before or after a show and enjoy a drink to extend your enjoyment of your time at the Marriott. They have a fantastic cocktail menu as well as small plates and shareables.
You also have the choice of room service, and there is a full-service Starbucks onsite whether you need a morning pick-me-up or an afternoon coffee or snack.
What Else Is There to Do at the Marriot Lincolnshire?
After a delightful meal and a captivating performance, you still have more to enjoy. The resort boasts a variety of amenities to ensure your stay is nothing short of exceptional.
The resort includes a full-service spa where you can enjoy a rejuvenating treatment or manicure and everything in between. You can even get an in-room massage.
If you just want to relax and chill, the lobby is set up with a variety of comfortable seating options where you can enjoy that Starbucks coffee, wait for your show if you finish dinner early, or just people watch. There are sufficient different groupings that you can always find a place to sit, and we never walked past the lobby without seeing the area at least half full.
There is also a state-of-the-art fitness center, though it is less utilized than you might expect. It has three somewhat small rooms with different types of equipment from cardio machines to weights and more. If you are determined to get in a workout, you’re all set.
The hotel also has both indoor and outdoor pools, although since this is Chicago, the outdoor pool is available seasonally. While there are swim lessons that occur at times in the indoor pool, I have yet to walk past the pool and not see guests enjoying it.
Be sure to check out the beautiful trails that surround the Marriott Lincolnshire. They are worth the time and effort to explore, regardless of the weather. Guests can also request bikes from the front desk to explore the trails if they prefer to bike rather than walk or run.
Crane’s Landing is the Marriott’s championship golf course during the season (additional fees may apply). Designed by George Fazio this 70 par course offers equipment rental if you don’t want to bring your own. And if you’re new(er) to the sport, you can take lessons or practice on the putting green, as well.
Looking for the perfect Chicago suburban date night? I’ve got you covered there, too.
Enjoy This Convenient Escape
The Marriott Lincolnshire Resort offers the perfect blend of relaxation, entertainment, and convenience. Located just a short drive from Chicago’s bustling downtown, it allows you to escape the city’s busyness and prices while remaining close to its many attractions.
Ditch the long travel plans and rediscover the hidden gems in your own backyard. Book your Chicago staycation at the Marriott Lincolnshire Resort and experience an unforgettable escape without breaking the bank.
Leave a comment