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It takes just 50 minutes to get from Downtown Chicago to the historic Aberdeen Inn in Valparaiso, but if you choose to take the winding back roads, your journey will take you through woods and dunes carved by prehistoric glaciers. But this scenic drive is just the beginning of a remarkable get-a-way. For more and more people from Chicago and around the Midwest, their scenic drive ends in a destination steeped in history. While most people come to the Aberdeen Inn for the four-season attractions and remarkable restaurants, hidden below this resort lies the Underground Railroad.
Services
We have everything you need for a comfortable stay. Most rooms have a private balcony and fireplace except for the Aberdeen and Dunnotar suites. We offer complimentary coffee and tea in common areas. The home's original 1800's master bedroom with hardwood floors and original fireplace. Living room with sofa, Loveseat which pulls out to a bed, desk and chair, .
Reviews (24)
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Carol Woods
May 27, 2022
Absolutely beautiful. Wonderful staff, great food! Even better cocktails.
Leslie Morrow
Mar 31, 2022
Food was good as aways. It was so loud in the dining room, we skipped dessert. Don't know if its the room but the few people and the music all added to the roar. Would go back, but might sit up against the wall.
Nicole Willbur
Oct 21, 2021
What a great, out of the way restaurant. Beautiful setting. The food was very good. I absolutely loved our scallops appetizer. My favorite part was the attentive service from all the staff.
Karolyn R.
Aug 14, 2021
Every time we visit The Aberdeen Inn we have a wonderful time. The food is excellent! We love the entertainment on the weekends too. The owners really care about quality and experience. I highly recommend having dinner here.
Unicorn Sparkledust
Feb 12, 2021
Pros: Mandy was a fantastic waitress. The food was delicious and the updates to the Inn were beautiful. The cookies left in the room, private balcony and relaxing jacuzzi bathtub for 2. Cons: You could hear EVERYTHING from the restaurant downstairs (especially loud, obnoxious people from the bar) and guest shutting doors and kids running up and down the hall/stairs. The beds were super firm and the fireplace didn't work.
Victoria Deleon
Jan 20, 2021
What a find! Beautiful restaurant with a charming feel! The food is exceptional. Blackened ribeye was most flavorful. The service was outstanding. Next time, we may stay at this charming Inn eventhough we live a few minutes away! Highly recommended!
Caleb Addie
Nov 12, 2020
Simply put and for what you have to pay, much better options exist. I remember staying here 8 years ago and it was absolutely lovely. Hot breakfast was served as part of the cost, the fireplace worked, black-out curtains ensured the sun didn't break through at the crack of dawn; everything just felt clean, warm, and cozy. I believe the new management is trying to capitalize on the Inn's historic legacy and reputation while skimping on what makes B&B's unique and charming.

One would expect so much more for $200+ a night. This was the third & sadly last time we'll be staying here unless some significant changes are made. And we want to stay here because we have some incredible memories! Please consider cleaning out fridges (absolutely gross), serving hot breakfast again, providing actual coffee cups or mugs, testing fireplaces and other amenities to ensure good working order, and cleaning thoroughly after each guest.
Dominic S.
Jun 15, 2020
Great bed and breakfast. Dinner was amazing but show up early if you like scallops, they ran out by 7:30pm. Steak was cooked perfectly, absolutely recommend the stuffed sweet peppers as an appetizer. My wife had the gnocchi and it was excellent as well. Rooms are clean and tidy, bathrooms are huge, fireplaces heat up the room well. Continental breakfast was good with bagels, donuts, English muffins. Cereal, poptarts and yogurt was also available.

Coffee is via k-cup and powdered creamer only. If you book using Airbnb, call ahead to verify reservation. They did not receive notification and thankfully our booked room wasn't given away but easily could have been.
Dave Hudak
May 21, 2020
No longer a bed and breakfast! If you want a relaxing time do not go! We have stayed here numerous times and the focus has recently switched from bed and breakfast to restaurant / bar. Your room is now above a loud bar which echos throughout the house. When we tried to find out when the bar closed so the noise would stop no one would answers the phone at the front desk or the number they gave us to call after 10:00PM We actually left at 11:30 PM because it was so loud and not relaxing at all.
Ray G.
May 14, 2020
I love this place. very comfortable and beautiful inside. very nice location and easy access to many restaurants and bars. i will definitely be staying again
Bill W.
Oct 13, 2019
My wife and I were skeptical after reading mixed reviews, but there weren't many dog-friendly choices nearby. The grounds were nicely kept and everything was neat and tidy. Our room was clean and looked to have newer carpet. Happily, the bedding was excellent and the beds themselves were quite comfortable. This is where the positive part ends.

The bathroom fixtures were dated and had lots of scale and thick mineral deposits on them. Our room had a gas fireplace that required a visit from management to re-light the pilot: it didn't really matter though because it would not turn on. We left the pilot light on, and woke up in the middle of the night smelling gas. Shutting off the pilot helped but we still smelled traces of gas the next morning.

Our room was on the lower level and was a cellular dead zone. The inn's WiFi was horrible, requiring us to move the router into the hall near the three lower rooms. We had to be within 5 ft of the device to get signed in. Lastly, this facility limits the temperature to which the air conditioning can be set. My wife and I are cold sleepers and the thermostat could not be lowered below 70 degrees. This is an ever-increasing trend in the industry and it is reprehensible in a $200 per night establishment.
Glenn M.
Sep 11, 2019
What a beautiful and comfortable inn. We loved our stay at the Aberdeen Inn. We were in town for a wedding and wanted a place to stay that was a notch above the typical chain hotels. Well we found it! The inn is located in a peaceful community surrounded by lots of greenery. Our room was spotless clean, and the beds were like sleeping on clouds. The room was exceptionally spacious with a lovely balcony.

We especially loved the extra large jacuzzi tub, which included posh bath salts and romantic candles. The historic building has all the charm of a bed and breakfast with the privacy of a hotel. I highly recommend the Aberdeen Inn! Five stars*****!
Marsha D.
Jul 24, 2019
This was a mistake. No pool, sauna, fitness center, dessert or breakfast. The jacuzzi in our room didn't work. Talked to the hotel manager and was promised a phone call the day we left, no call. Don't waste your money here or at their "restaurant".
Sharon P.
Jul 13, 2019
Fair Warning | We didn't actually stay here nor physically visit this location. However, after sending an inquiry email a week ago with no response, and between me and my friend calling several times with no answer, clearly they're not concerned about booking future stays. We booked elsewhere.
Rachel M.
Jul 19, 2017
Awful. I went to the Inn last week to check it out for an anniversary party, and two old ugly 70' sofas were sitting in front of the Inn, in one of their parking spaces. I thought it was odd, but still went in. I just went back with my husband *A WEEK LATER*, and the sofas are still sitting there. Needless to say, we didn't bother going in.

Imagine if you had booked a party or wedding there months ago, and your guests show up to see that? I'd be so embarrassed. Shows very poor taste and judgement. can we rely on them to make good decisions and throw a nice party? I don't think so.
Stephanie R.
May 21, 2017
We stayed at the Inn during our daughter's graduation weekend. If you are considering staying here, skip it. The suite that we stayed in was quite dirty and has not been updated in years. The room smelled of mildew and bleach. The toilet was in a closet that was so small and dark it was scary. The sinks were backed up so they drained very poorly.

The fireplace took about 7 attempts to start, and was very loud. There is awkward access to the suite we stayed in via a creepy dark staircase in the dining room. The door to the suite did not latch unless you flipped the deadbolt. I realize this is an old property, and while some people might fight the loud floral Victorian style decor charming, I found it to be worn and outdated.

The bedding was many many years past its prime. We literally slept wrapped in our extra clothes and placed towels over the pillowcases. Not exaggerating here folks. Had we not already paid for the room, and if we had another option, we would have left. Breakfast was served plated-no options to choose from-just a square of egg casserole smothered in hollandaise sauce, accompanied by a tiny ramekin of fruit.

There was a small serving plate of coffee cakes on the table as well. Not an enjoyable meal. I'm not sure how this place is staying in business, but I suspect there are no repeat customers. Overall, not a great experience and I strongly recommend staying somewhere else. Inn at Aberdeen needs a serious makeover. Or just tear it down and start over. It was that bad.
Stephen Davenport
Apr 12, 2017
Very welcoming, very comfortable, in a great location - and includes a three course breakfast above and beyond the call of duty. Not my taste in decor necessarily but that's minor - and that style (Scottish / pseudo-baronial) has its own charm. Really nice common areas in a charming old building. Easy parking. Get one of the rooms around the back if possible, although the road isn't really that noisy at all.
Dan H.
May 19, 2016
My wife and I have been to the Inn At Aberdeen several times as a quick relaxing getaway. Our first few experiences were great! Our previous experience in 2015 was okay, but not the best it had been in the past. Sadly our 2016 visit was very disappointing, and we are very hesitant to go back in the future. We are unsure if there has been a change in management, but since 2015 it has really gone down hill.

Our recent visit on Wednesday, May 18, 2016, we arrived at 8:00PM. The innkeeper on duty quickly made us feel a little uncomfortable. She told us twice she was getting worried about us, because it was getting late. We mentioned that we had work, and that we were really looking forward to staying with them. She proceeded again in tell us how late it was. 8:00PM seemed like a reasonable time especially getting off of work.

Maybe we were wrong? Our room was called "The Cawdor" and it wasn't as clean as it normally was. The carpet could use a bit more attention, our bedspread had yellow stains on it, the Jacuzzi had black stuff floating in it when filled, the on/off button got stuck, and our room was very hot at night. The wi-fi didn't work, however that can be considered a blessing to some people who look to disconnect.

The bed was hard, and the fan if set on high and was very wobbly and made a lot of noise, again it was very hot in the room. Breakfast was in the kitchen, and not in the dining room because a small meeting was going on. My wife and I were the only guests in the kitchen, and our yogurt parfaits were already waiting for us. Now I cannot tell you how long those parfaits were sitting out, however I will say although the taste was fine it was watery, warm and mushy.

The friendliness of the morning staff was polite but not super welcoming. It was unprofessional when the innkeeper was having a telephone conversation in the kitchen with a staffer who blew off their shift and then proceeded in telling the two kitchen helpers the tale of woe. The staffers continued to gossip about the girl and carried on with their own conversation.

They weren't very attentive because they were involved in their own conversation the entire time, and also were scrubbing pans. The breakfast was okay; scrambled eggs, store bought frozen potatoes and and frozen sausage. Lastly we went back to our room to take our time leaving the inn. Our check out wasn't until 11:00AM and it was only 9:15AM.

I get a knock on the door from "housekeeping" although it was one of the rude girls from the kitchen who prepped our breakfast. She told me that I needed to move my car because a wedding was happening that weekend, and a tent service needed to setup a tent where my car was. No please. No thank you. No apologies. Just a crass tone. I quickly moved my car to another area of the parking lot, however the innkeeper on duty proceeded to ask me to move it again as I was heading back to my room.

Clearly annoyed I told him we were leaving in 5 minutes, and he accepted that answer. In my mind, as a venue that deals with guests they should have been a little more on top of coordinating this. Maybe they should have had the innkeeper from the night before tell us where to park, or maybe they should have had it roped off the designated tent area.

That way they don't need to bother guests in the morning. Anyway nobody was at the front desk and so we left the key there. Over all My wife and I felt like we were an inconvenience from the start. We are not looking to be served and we are not demanding, however we are looking for a place to relax. It was so unwelcoming. In all honestly you can get a better experience at a hotel chain that serves free breakfast.
Steve B.
Jan 10, 2016
Inn at Aberdeen is very cold and unresponsive. We booked a room for our anniversary on 12/27/2015. My daughter was visiting from California and has a history of mental illness and had breakdown on Christmas Day. We had take her for treatment and had to cancel. I called To reschedule at a later date and it took 3 calls to get a return call. When I did get a call they had to check with the owner.

It took another call to find out I had 30 days to rebook or lose the reservation deposit. We are booked every weekend in January, so we lose our $135.00 deposit. It's not about the money it's they have their rules. I have my rules I will not stay here and will advise all friends not to support this venue. This my Yelp review.
Leah C.
Sep 17, 2015
Great getaway, sweet staff. exactly what my family needed for a labor day getaway. our room was on the opposite side of the house so it made it really strange to march through a formal luncheon sweaty and covered in sand after a day at the beach. the rooms are very comfortable with a great set-up - the adjoining living area was perfect for our toddler's sleeping quarters. the bathroom needs to be updated, however. the "green" that laced the tub and fixtures was a little concerning. i was a bit too afraid to use the jacuzzi. breakfast was fine - a bit rushed and commercialized unlike other b&b's. the yogurt parfait was always nice but my vegi option was just a bunch of buttery scrambled eggs. the first morning, they seemed more prepared with a high chair set up and a mini yogurt parfait for our son. neither day did they offer to get our son anything else (i think some sausage links would not be too much to ask for). luckily since they seemed to have forgotten my vegi needs (even though they confirmed with us 2-3 times prior), i just fed the sausage on my plate to my son. the staff welcomed our rambunctious son with open arms and we were so very grateful for the stocked fridge full of pop offered in the solarium. great location - not too far from the beach, super close to the taltree for the train exhibit and very close to downtown where we enjoyed the splash pad and valpo velvet.
Jon T.
Jul 08, 2015
My wife and I stayed here over the 4th of July weekend. The breakfast was tasty and the service was even better. The staff is very friendly. Our room was quiet and comfortable. The mattress is on the firmer side, which I happen to prefer. We plan on staying here again in the future.
Je R.
Feb 19, 2015
So disappointed! Arrived on 12/24/14 and checked in, leaving immediately afterwards for our Christmas Eve celebration with family, returning to the property after midnight. We were tired! We turned down the bed to find blood stains on the sheets. It was too late to do anything about it, so we slept on top of the covers. Absolutely disgusting! We took photos of the stains and emailed them to the hotel owner.

Two months later, Feb.18th, no response from them. I called to follow up today and spoke to the owner. He clearly didn't take ownership of the problem, saying "Oh yes, I forwarded your email to the front desk mgr. on duty that night". Is that how they handle complaints? I ask for nothing, but a simple apology and a "we'll look into it" would help.

I own businesses and if I receive a complaint about my business, I personally handle it. I don't pass it along. His tone was dismissive. He actually questioned the "freshness" of the blood. It's unfortunate really. The place is beautiful, tastefully decorated with nice little touches and amenities. Mr. J, take a lesson in customer service. It will go far in customer retention.
Karan F.
Dec 03, 2014
I want to love this place-the inn keepers are very friendly and the breakfast is decent. I enjoy staying here in December because they do a wonderful job of decorating. Unfortunately the rooms really need updating. My biggest gripe is that the pillows and mattresses are hard and lumpy/ I have been here two nights and not gotten more than 3 hours sleep.
Beer H.
Feb 19, 2010
This is a great little getaway from Chicago! I use to live in the area, and I had to come back for wedding in Aberdeen. We stayed at the Inn while attending the wedding. We loved it so much we came back and had a nice little weekend in Valpo. It is such a cute place. And hey, free cheese cake! They have a little area with drinks and fridge with cheese cake in it! NICE! Also, being a bed and breakfast your stay comes with breakfast.

The food is always insanely good! The only problem is that it ends at 10. I don't know about you but If I don't have to go to work, I have a hard time getting out of bed before 10! Most of the building is a old house, and they added on to make the Inn. The only bad thing that I can say is that it is beginning to look a little dated. They need to take down some of the wall paper, and get some of the brass fixtures out of the bathrooms. Speaking of the bathrooms, they all have Jacuzzi tubs.

Every room has a fire place that cozys up the room on cold winter nights. Even though it is looking a little dated, the style is timeless and it gushes comfort! If you are looking to get out of Chicago for a few days check them out! It's only about an hour had a half from downtown, and around $150 a night.