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Great Wolf Lodge Illinois Gurnee, Illinois
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Hotel comparison guide

Great Wolf Lodge Illinois vs Sheraton Chicago Northbrook Hotel

Great Wolf Lodge Illinois is a family-focused Gurnee resort built around an 80,000 sq ft indoor water park; this guide is for families and groups who prioritize kid activities and suites. Sheraton Chicago Northbrook Hotel is a mid-market Sheraton-branded hotel in Northbrook aimed at business and suburban travelers; this guide is for meeting planners and adults seeking a conventional hotel stay.

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Large indoor water-play structure with tipping bucket at Great Wolf Lodge Illinois

Great Wolf Lodge Illinois

Family-friendly · Water park · Suites

Best for families and kids who want included access to a large indoor water park, on-site family activities, and suite-style rooms.

See rooms & suites
Sheraton Chicago Northbrook Hotel, Northbrook, Illinois

Sheraton Chicago Northbrook Hotel

Business-friendly · Meeting space · Suburban

Best for business travelers or guests who want a traditional hotel with meeting rooms, a fitness center, and a suburban location close to Northbrook offices and shopping.

Quick Verdict: Great Wolf Lodge Illinois vs Sheraton Chicago Northbrook Hotel

When Great Wolf Lodge Illinois wins: pick Great Wolf Lodge if your priority is an on-site, climate-controlled water park, family-oriented entertainment, and larger suite layouts for groups traveling with children.

When Sheraton Chicago Northbrook Hotel wins: choose the Sheraton for a smaller, more conventional hotel experience with standard guestrooms, accessible meeting and conference facilities, and easy suburban access near Northbrook business districts.

Bottom line: Great Wolf Lodge is a purpose-built family resort and event center focused on water-park fun and suites; Sheraton Chicago Northbrook is a typical Sheraton property that fits business travel, smaller meetings, and guests who prefer a traditional hotel setting.

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Great Wolf Lodge Illinois vs Sheraton Chicago Northbrook Hotel – At a Glance

Side-by-side facts for Great Wolf Lodge Illinois and Sheraton Chicago Northbrook Hotel
CategoryGreat Wolf Lodge IllinoisSheraton Chicago Northbrook Hotel
Overall vibeLively, family-focused entertainment resort centered on a large indoor water parkConventional suburban Sheraton hotel with business and meeting appeal
LocationGurnee, across from Six Flags Great America and Gurnee MillsNorthbrook business district (1110 Willow Rd)
Size (rooms)414 suites160 guestrooms
AgesFamilies and kids (all ages welcome)All ages; geared to business and suburban travelers
Pools / water featuresSix indoor pools + seasonal outdoor pool; lazy river and multiple waterslides; 80,000 sq ft indoor water park1 indoor pool (wheelchair-accessible)
Restaurants & barsMultiple on-site venues (Barnwood, Timbers Tacos, Campfire Kitchen, Hungry As A Wolf, Wood's End Creamery, The Watering Hole, Dunkin', Freshwoods Market)1 restaurant (Connections Restaurant) and 1 bar/lounge; room service (limited hours)
Spa / treatmentsNot published
Known forA large, climate-controlled indoor water park and family entertainmentSheraton-brand meeting-friendly hotel in a Northshore suburb
Meeting & event spaceFull-service conference center; meeting space about 8,535 sq ft with multiple breakout rooms and prefuction spaceConference space and meeting rooms (conference/meeting capacity and square footage not published in supplier listing)
FitnessIron Horse Fitness Center (access included in resort fee)Fitness facilities; wheelchair-accessible fitness center

A Look Inside Great Wolf Lodge Illinois

Great Wolf Lodge Illinois: rooms & suitesRooms & suitesGreat Wolf Lodge Illinois: pools & beachPools & beachGreat Wolf Lodge Illinois: diningDining
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Location: Gurnee vs Northbrook

Great Wolf Lodge Illinois – Location

Great Wolf Lodge Illinois sits in Gurnee directly across from Six Flags Great America and close to Gurnee Mills.

  • Easy short drive to family attractions like Six Flags and Gurnee Mills.
  • About 36–40 miles north of downtown Chicago by car (drive times vary).
  • On-site parking available for a nightly surcharge; RV parking allowed for registered guests.

Pick Great Wolf Lodge for proximity to theme parks and family shopping; expect a car or rideshare to reach regional transit.

Sheraton Chicago Northbrook Hotel – Location

Sheraton Chicago Northbrook Hotel sits in a Northbrook business district address (1110 Willow Rd).

  • Within suburban Northbrook with shopping and business centers nearby (Gallery Park, The Glen Town Center).
  • Preferred airport listed as Chicago O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD).
  • Complimentary area shuttle within 5 miles makes local trips easier without a car.

Choose the Sheraton for a quieter, suburban setting convenient to Northbrook business destinations and short drives to area attractions.

Rooms: Suites vs Standard guestrooms

Great Wolf Lodge Illinois – Rooms

Great Wolf Lodge offers suite layouts designed for families, with 414 suites across multiple formats.

  • Room types include Grizzly Bear Suite, Deluxe Family Suite, Family Suite, Wolf Den Suite, Junior Cabin Suite and others (10 suite types total).
  • No cribs or rollaway beds available — plan room choice by bed counts.
  • Wireless internet is included via the nightly resort fee; contactless check-in/out available.

Book Great Wolf Lodge when you need multi-bed suites and family-oriented room layouts.

Sheraton Chicago Northbrook Hotel – Rooms

Sheraton offers 160 guestrooms in conventional hotel room formats including Club Room and Deluxe Room options.

  • Room types listed include Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed; Room, 2 Double Beds; Club Room, 2 Double Beds and accessible options (various mobility and hearing-accessible units).
  • Complimentary wired and wireless internet access is included; flat-screen TVs and coffee/tea makers in rooms.
  • Housekeeping provided daily; some accessible room variations listed (roll-in shower, tub options).

Pick Sheraton for standard hotel rooms with accessible options and typical Sheraton amenities.

Dining & drinks: Family food court vs Single on-site restaurant

Great Wolf Lodge Illinois – Dining & drinks

Great Wolf Lodge provides many family-friendly eateries and quick-service options spread across the resort and water park.

  • Dining venues include Barnwood (dinner), Timbers Tacos (inside water park), Campfire Kitchen (breakfast buffet), Hungry As A Wolf (pizza), Freshwoods Market, Wood's End Creamery, The Watering Hole and Dunkin'.
  • The Watering Hole is a water-park bar offering beer and blended drinks; Barnwood serves craft cocktails and dinner.
  • Multiple grab-and-go and buffet options make it easy to feed kids between activities.

Great Wolf Lodge is geared toward family dining variety and convenience within the resort footprint.

Sheraton Chicago Northbrook Hotel – Dining & drinks

Sheraton Chicago Northbrook Hotel lists one main restaurant (Connections Restaurant) and a bar/lounge, plus limited room service hours.

  • Continental breakfasts available for a fee; Connections Restaurant handles lunch and dinner service.
  • Bar/lounge available for post-meeting drinks.
  • Vegetarian and vegan menu options are published among amenities.

Sheraton suits travelers who want a single on-site restaurant and a quieter dining experience tied to a business hotel.

Pools & signature amenity: Water park vs Hotel pool

Great Wolf Lodge Illinois – Pools & signature amenity

Great Wolf Lodge’s main draw is an 80,000 sq ft indoor water park with multiple pools and slides.

  • Water park features six indoor pools, a lazy river, multiple waterslides, and a children's pool; water park kept at about 84°F year-round.
  • Water park access is included with a room stay from opening on arrival day through closing on departure day.
  • Seasonal outdoor pool and poolside cabanas are available (cabanas for surcharge).

If an immersive water-park experience is the priority, Great Wolf Lodge provides on-site attractions that define the stay.

Sheraton Chicago Northbrook Hotel – Pools & signature amenity

Sheraton Chicago Northbrook Hotel offers an indoor pool as part of its recreational amenities.

  • The property lists one indoor pool and fitness facilities.
  • The pool is wheelchair-accessible.
  • Sheraton’s pool complements meetings and fitness rather than serving as a family water-park attraction.

Sheraton’s pool is suitable for a quick swim or downtime but not a family water-park centerpiece.

Wellness & nightlife: Fitness, accessibility, and evening options

Great Wolf Lodge Illinois – Wellness & nightlife

Great Wolf Lodge provides a fitness center and family entertainment venues rather than a traditional nightlife scene.

  • Iron Horse Fitness Center access included in the resort fee.
  • Evenings are family-focused with arcades, bowling, ropes course, and kid activities rather than adult nightlife.
  • Property is non-smoking and pet-free (service animals allowed).

Great Wolf Lodge focuses on family entertainment and fitness rather than adult-oriented nightlife.

Sheraton Chicago Northbrook Hotel – Wellness & nightlife

Sheraton includes fitness facilities and a bar/lounge for quieter evening options.

  • Fitness facilities include a wheelchair-accessible fitness center and free wired internet in common areas.
  • Bar/lounge and Connections Restaurant provide modest evening food-and-drink options.
  • Property lists several accessibility features for meeting rooms and public areas.

Sheraton supports business-traveler wellness needs and calm evening dining/drinks rather than active family entertainment.

Who Wins? Best Pick by Travel Style

Best for kids & families
Lobby seating area with tall stone fireplace and chandeliers at Great Wolf Lodge Illinois

Great Wolf Lodge Illinois

Great Wolf Lodge — direct access to the indoor water park, multiple family activities, and suite-style rooms.

Best for meetings & business groups
Sheraton Chicago Northbrook Hotel, Northbrook, Illinois

Sheraton Chicago Northbrook Hotel

Sheraton Chicago Northbrook Hotel — Sheraton brand meeting rooms, business center, and conference facilities in a suburban business district.

Best on-site dining variety
Wide view of lodge-style lobby with seating and stone fireplace at Great Wolf Lodge Illinois

Great Wolf Lodge Illinois

Great Wolf Lodge — several on-site restaurants and quick-service outlets that cover breakfasts, snacks, pizza, and dessert.

Best simple, conventional hotel stay
Sheraton Chicago Northbrook Hotel, Northbrook, Illinois

Sheraton Chicago Northbrook Hotel

Sheraton Chicago Northbrook Hotel — predictable room types, daily housekeeping, and standard hotel services for adult or business travelers.

Frequently asked questions

Great Wolf Lodge Illinois vs Sheraton Chicago Northbrook Hotel: FAQs

See all FAQs →
Which property is better for a family with young children?

Great Wolf Lodge Illinois. Its indoor water park, children’s pool and family suites are designed for kids and parents to use all day.

Which hotel is best for a corporate meeting?

Sheraton Chicago Northbrook Hotel is aimed at business and meeting travelers; it provides meeting rooms and conference space in a suburban business district, while Great Wolf Lodge also has event space but with a family focus.

Is water park access included at Great Wolf Lodge?

Yes — water park access is included with a stay and available from opening on arrival day through closing on departure day.

Does Sheraton Chicago Northbrook Hotel offer breakfast and room service?

Sheraton lists a restaurant (Connections Restaurant) and a bar/lounge, continental breakfasts are available for a fee, and limited room service hours are offered.

More Great Wolf Lodge Illinois Comparison Guides

Explore how Great Wolf Lodge Illinois stacks up against other hotels nearby:

Wide view of lodge-style lobby with seating and stone fireplace at Great Wolf Lodge Illinois
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