The Article below was published in Vol. 136, Issue 8 of the Lake Forest College Stentor on April 30, 2021.
Emma Overton ’21
Editor-in-Chief and News Editor
On April 7, the city of Lake Forest welcomed its first new hotel in 90 years. The Forester: A Hyatt Place Hotel is located at 200 North Field Drive in Lake Forest and features 156 guest rooms, 10 of which are one-bedroom suites. The hotel also houses almost 4,500 square feet of “multi-function meeting space for trainings, [and] social events,” as well as the Oaken Bistro and Bar, a “full-service restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner,” according to the hotel’s general manager, Marlena Karwowski.
Karwowski shared that while the average price of a room at The Forester ranges between $129 and $179 depending on demand, they are currently offering a Grand Opening special offer for 16.18 percent off the daily room rate, which runs through June 30. This promotion represents “nature’s scientific golden ratio, 1.618,” according to the hotel’s Facebook page.
Commenting on the challenges of opening a new hotel during the COVID-19 pandemic, Karwowski noted that “[t]he biggest obstacle in the process of opening the hotel were operating supplies. About half were delayed or backordered. Another challenge was to find associates that wanted to work. It was a long process, but with our referral bonus offer we started seeing more activity. We are still in need of more employees throughout all departments.” She also shared that “2021 will be our COVID recovery year in which we will see more social activity than corporate meetings. Those, however, are slowly coming back and we are ready to host any type of gathering. Weekends tend to be more sport/weddings focused and weekdays bring us business traveler[s] or hospital visitors.”
Karwowski also shared that the staff at The Forester “has been carefully trained to offer world class service to anyone staying here,” and emphasized the hotel’s amenities, including an “oversize fitness center [that] offers various equipment to accommodate any workout routine,” and an “outside patio is a wonderful place to unwind, relax by the fireplace, [and] order appetizers and beverages.”
Specific to Lake Forest College, Karwowski stated that the hotel hopes “to partner up with any departments of Lake Forest College to extend an invitation to use our services for anyone that may need a safe and clean home away from home.” Additionally, with in-person graduation ceremonies planned for the classes of 2020 and 2021, Karwowski encouraged students and their guests to stay at The Forester. She noted, “we love celebrations and want to support parents and guests in any possible way. Our spacious rooms have a cozy corner in every room if any students wanted to stay the night with their parents. Rooms are carpet free that guarantees clean space and air. Most of all, [the] hotel is conveniently located for easy access as well.”
