
Great Wolf Lodge Illinois
Best for families and kids who want guaranteed water-park access included with the room.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Great Wolf Lodge Illinois is a family-focused, full-service resort in Gurnee built around an 80,000 sq ft indoor water park; this guide is for families or groups who want on-site attractions and easy access to Six Flags and Gurnee Mills. Marriott Chicago Schaumburg is a full-service Marriott in suburban Schaumburg aimed at business and conference travelers; read on if you need meeting space, a central suburban location near Woodfield Mall, or standard Marriott services.
Updated · about 36 miles apart

Best for families and kids who want guaranteed water-park access included with the room.

Best for business travelers or groups who need meeting rooms, a central Schaumburg location, and Marriott-brand consistency.
When Great Wolf Lodge Illinois wins: choose Great Wolf Lodge if your trip centers on kids, water activities, and on-site family entertainment — the 80,000 sq ft indoor park, six indoor pools, arcade, bowling and family suites put activities steps from your room.
When Marriott Chicago Schaumburg wins: pick the Marriott if you’re traveling for work, running meetings, or want a quieter suburban hotel near Woodfield Mall with many conference rooms, a 24-hour business center, and typical Marriott room types and services.
Bottom line: for family-focused, activity-heavy stays the Great Wolf Lodge is the clear pick; for meetings, business convenience, or a standard suburban Marriott experience, Marriott Chicago Schaumburg is the better fit.
| Category | Great Wolf Lodge Illinois | Marriott Chicago Schaumburg |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Loud, activity-led family resort built around a large indoor water park | Conventional suburban business hotel with meeting spaces and quieter guest rooms |
| Location | Gurnee, across from Six Flags Great America and near Gurnee Mills | Schaumburg business district, near Woodfield Mall and Schaumburg Convention Center |
| Size (rooms) | 414 suites (10 suite types) | Not published |
| Ages | All-ages; especially children and families | All-ages; not adults-only and commonly used by business travelers |
| Pools / Water attractions | 80,000 sq ft indoor water park with 6 indoor pools, lazy river, children’s pool, seasonal outdoor pool | Indoor pool and outdoor pool, plus 1 hot tub |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple on-site family restaurants and quick-serve outlets (Campfire Kitchen, Barnwood, Timbers Tacos, Hungry As A Wolf, Wood’s End Creamery, The Watering Hole, Dunkin’, Freshwoods Market) | One restaurant (BlueFire Grille), a coffee shop/cafe and a bar/lounge; continental breakfast available (surcharge) |
| Spa / treatments | Not published | |
| Meeting & event space | Full-service conference center with about 8,535 sq ft of meeting space and multiple breakout rooms | Conference center with 8,540 sq ft and 16 meeting rooms |
| Accessibility & business services | Fitness center (Iron Horse), wired internet in meeting space, included in resort fee; 24-hour front desk | 24-hour business center, free WiFi, 24-hour fitness center, concierge, express check-in/out |
| Parking & transport | Self-parking available for a nightly surcharge; RV parking for registered guests | Self parking (surcharge) and complimentary area shuttle within 5 mi |
Great Wolf Lodge Illinois sits in Gurnee directly across from Six Flags Great America and near Gurnee Mills.
A stay here is focused on immediate access to family attractions rather than downtown Chicago.
Marriott Chicago Schaumburg is in Schaumburg’s business district, close to Woodfield Mall and the Schaumburg Convention Center.
The Marriott is positioned for business and conference access in northwest Chicago’s suburbs.
Great Wolf Lodge Illinois offers only suites in family-oriented layouts.
Choose Great Wolf for suite-style rooms built to sleep families together.
Marriott Chicago Schaumburg provides standard Marriott room types aimed at business and leisure travelers.
Marriott’s rooms are conventional hotel rooms with accessible options and business-friendly amenities.
Great Wolf Lodge Illinois offers several family-focused restaurants and quick-serve outlets on property.
Dining choices emphasize family convenience and quick-service options between water-park activities.
Marriott Chicago Schaumburg has one on-site restaurant and a cafe, with a bar/lounge for drinks.
Marriott covers basic full-service dining needs for business and leisure guests in the suburbs.
Great Wolf’s signature feature is its indoor water park and multiple pools tailored to families.
If pools and slides are the main reason for your trip, Great Wolf is built for that purpose.
Marriott Chicago Schaumburg offers standard hotel pool facilities.
Marriott’s pools are typical hotel amenities rather than attraction-driving features.
Great Wolf offers fitness access and family entertainment more than nightlife.
Expect family entertainment and a fitness room rather than a full-service spa or adult nightlife scene.
Marriott focuses on business services and standard hotel wellness options.
Marriott is set up for business travelers and meetings, with basic wellness and evening lounge options.

Great Wolf Lodge — water park access, family suites, on-site games and attractions keep kids busy all day.

Marriott Chicago Schaumburg — 16 meeting rooms and an 8,540 sq ft conference center built for business events.

Marriott Chicago Schaumburg — a few minutes' drive to Woodfield Mall and local retail, handy for shoppers.

Great Wolf Lodge — combine the water park with nearby Six Flags, Gurnee Mills and on-site entertainment.
Great Wolf Lodge Illinois — its indoor water park, children’s pool, family suites and kid-focused dining make it the clear choice.
Marriott Chicago Schaumburg — the property lists 16 meeting rooms, a sizable conference center and a 24-hour business center.
Yes — water-park access is included with your stay and is available from opening on your arrival day through closing on departure day.
No — neither property is adults-only, and neither is a beachfront hotel.
Explore how Great Wolf Lodge Illinois stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·