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5 Best Hotels in the Midwest of 2025
Guests flocked to Big Cedar Lodge (No. 4) for an authentically rustic experience. But don't worry, there are plenty of upscale touches to ensure a remarkable stay. 'We have been going to Big Cedar for a dozen years. This place is everything you want from a beautiful visit to the Ozarks,' one reader shared. They praised the 'excellent activities' like boating on Table Rock Lake, walking the hills on beautiful paths, and enjoying the incredible spa.
Readers also praised the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa (No. 5) for its family-friendly amenities. 'The Grand Geneva Resort provides the perfect balance for families seeking to have their children engaged and entertained, and the parents having their desires for excellent food, drinks, and service,' one traveler noted. 'Quality, elegance, cleanliness, and luxury are not compromised in the least. Everyone in the family left fulfilled! We plan on coming back every year!'
Once again, Deer Path Inn held on to its title from 2024 as the number one spot in the Midwest for your next outdoorsy stay.
Deer Path Inn: Lake Forest, Illinois
Deep Path Inn's exterior.
The Tudor-Revival landmark, first the home of Colonel William Sage Johnston, was turned into a hotel in 1929 and has been charming guests ever since. The inn blends English-style hospitality with modern comforts, all nestled in the heart of Lake Forest's historic district, just a quick train ride from downtown Chicago. There are 57 rooms, three dining venues, a legendary afternoon tea in the Garden Courtyard, and plush lounges where guests can kick back and relax all day. In addition to the setting, it's the people who make Deer Path stand out. 'Beautiful Inn with wonderful staff,' one reader shared. 'They make you feel at home from the moment you enter. Excellent dining options, too!' Just make sure that during your getaway, you stay awake long enough to enjoy the property's signature nightly milk and cookies.
Deer Path Inn: Lake Forest, Illinois
Reader score: 96.94
Grand Hotel: Mackinac Island, Michigan
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader score: 88.16
American Club Resort Hotel: Kohler, Wisconsin
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader score: 88.12
Big Cedar Lodge: Ridgedale, Missouri
Reader score: 84.00
Grand Geneva Resort & Spa: Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Reader score: 83.89
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Forbes
2 days ago
- Forbes
Nearly 3,300 U.S. Flight Delays Today Due To Extreme Heat And Thunderstorms
Travelers are encountering thousands of delayed flights Monday as extreme heat from Nebraska to the Carolinas snarls air traffic at major airport hubs. Blistering heat across much of the U.S. Monday is causing flight delays. getty As of around 1 p.m. EDT on Monday, nearly 3,300 flights within the U.S. were delayed, according to FlightAware flight tracking data. The Southeast, Midwest and Tennessee Valley will experience extreme heat through Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service, which is warning of heat index values ('feels like' temperatures) surpassing 115 degrees in some areas due to the 'dangerous combination of high temperatures and humidity.' By early afternoon Monday, there were triple-digit flight delays at Chicago O'Hare, Dallas-Fort Worth and Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson. There were double-digit delays at two dozen other U.S. airports, including Boston Logan, Denver, Newark Liberty, Charlotte-Douglas and Baltimore/ Washington. 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National Weather Service Extremely high temperatures, especially when combined with humidity, can increase the likelihood and severity of thunderstorms, which can cause the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to issue ground delays and stops for affected airports. In addition, extremely high temperatures can force airlines to reduce the weight carried on planes, which in turn can cause flight delays and passengers being bumped to lighten the load. Lightening the plane becomes necessary because it takes more to get the plane aloft. 'The warmer the air becomes, the less dense it also becomes, which means a higher groundspeed just to reach the appropriate airspeed [for takeoff],' Melanie Dickson, a lecturer at The Ohio State University's Center for Aviation Studies, told Forbes. 'Because the air is less dense, there are fewer air molecules traveling over the wings so the aircraft has to go faster to achieve the same amount of lift.' Hotter temperatures mean more runway is required for takeoff and landing, while engines produce less thrust. 'This means that there is a possibility that the runway isn't long enough to accommodate the longer takeoff roll—especially at high altitude airports, which already have air that is less dense than at or near sea level.' Dickson said. 'If you add heat to that mix, it can grind everything to a halt.' Travelers can expect more turbulence at takeoff and landing 'from the hot temperature causing thermals and rising air,' Dr. Bob Thomas, assistant professor of aeronautical science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, told Forbes. A weather issue in one region often blossoms into a national air travel problem because of how airlines reuse planes and crews for multiple trips during the day. A morning flight delay in Boston can prevent a plane from making it to Dallas for a midday departure, which can in turn bump back the same plane's afternoon flight out of Chicago. When thousands of morning flights are delayed, it creates a domino effect throughout the rest of the day. Why Do Airplane Cabins Get So Hot Before Takeoff And After Landing? Essentially, aircraft air-cooling systems are designed to work while the plane is in the air, not on the ground. 'The air conditioners on airplanes work differently than you'd expect,' Thomas told Forbes. 'At the airport gate, a big hose will pump cool air into the airplane, but in the time between leaving the gate and being airborne can get a little warm in the cabin.' According to tarmac rules of the Department of Transportation (DOT), airlines are required to let passengers off the plane after three hours for domestic flights and four hours for international flights. But extremely hot days can mean that passengers sit in sweltering cabins for hours when the plane is stuck on the tarmac, either waiting to takeoff or after landing. What Can Travelers Do To Avoid Summer Flight Delays? The simplest way for travelers to reduce the risk of a flight disruption is by booking an early flight, when temperatures are cooler. 'Especially down in the Southeast or anywhere in the South where there are afternoon thunderstorms every day, it's always smarter to take the very first flight in the morning,' Dr. Thomas told Forbes. 'You avoid the risk of thunderstorms delaying and changing routes.' Big Number 74%. That's the portion of flight delays in the U.S. caused by weather, according to FAA data. Over 7,000 U.S. Flights Disrupted Thursday—Latest Day Of Heavy Delays (Forbes)
Forbes
2 days ago
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CBS News
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Fresh cherries infested with invasive European cherry fruit fly found at Detroit Metro Airport
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