Janko Hospitality has revealed that The Forester Hotel, a contemporary, chic new hotel located in Lake Forest, IL in Conway Business Park, is set to open in April. The first hotel to open in the community since 1929, The Forester Hotel concept is inspired by the city of Lake Forest’s motto “Naturae et Scientiae Amor” which translates to “Love of Science and Nature.” The Forester Hotel will be at a crossroads safeguarding all the comforts of Hyatt, while at the same time blazing new trails with boutique offerings including an upscale bistro and bar and more than 4,500 sq. ft. of flexible event space.
“NORR conceived of the inspiration, with the intent of blending natural materials and colors with industrial features and fabrications,” said Mike Janko, director, Janko Group. “Overall, the color scheme is ultimately natural, blending blues and greens throughout with various wood grains on case goods, FF&E and flooring. The design, though, incorporates clean modern lines and various metalwork throughout.”
Science and nature are woven throughout the space, from artwork inspired by natural fractals and meeting rooms named after native plants and flowers, to the front desk itself being constructed of a solid, single white oak tree trunk. The design will also extend to the property’s 156 spacious guestrooms and 10 suites.
“Today, our hotel lies in one of the country’s major pharmaceutical corridors (science) while near a vast network of conserved open lands (nature). Thus, Lake Forest’s whole history intertwines science and nature,” Janko said. He said that the artwork spans from authentic photographs to abstracted prints. “Each celebrates both an aspect of nature and the science inherent in that nature, whether through the raw beauty or the intrinsic parts that compromise the whole,” Janko said.
Elements of the hotel’s branding also incorporate science and nature, Janko said. “A local artist was commissioned to design scientific botanical illustrations of leaves and flowers native to the area. The illustrations are used throughout the hotel’s website and collateral beside nature photos of the same plant species to demonstrate the juxtaposition of science and nature,” he said.
Ideally equipped to host events both large and small, The Forester Hotel will have three event rooms and a pre-function space all featuring the latest technology. The Lupine Room will have exterior access to an outdoor patio and 1,676 sq.-ft. of space, accommodating up to 186 guests, while The Aster Room, the hotel’s largest event space, will be able to host up to 250 guests in its 2,232 sq.-ft. space. Best suited for groups of up to 45 guests, The Blue Stem Room will be an intimate 378 sq. ft. space.
“As the first boutique-inspired Hyatt Place in the world, we wanted to create a boutique experience in the public spaces while maintaining the comforts of a Hyatt Place in the guestrooms,” Janko explained. “Thus, the guestrooms follow the latest brand standards, with upgraded features including stone counters, LVT wood floors, and floor-to-ceiling windows that imbue the rooms with more natural elements, thus tying them to our theme. The guestrooms also eschew the prototypical art for nature-inspired pieces—a manipulated photograph of beautiful bark for the Cozy Corner and an abstracted rippling waterway for the bathroom. The public spaces still include Hyatt Place features, such as the market and guest kitchen, but elevates their materiality (richer woods and natural materials). Other features have been expanded/elevated.”
The hotel will also have several on-site dining options including the chef-driven, full-service restaurant Oaken Bistro + Bar, which will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Executive Chef Kristen Burman, formerly of Limelight Catering and Anthology San Diego, will create seasonal American dishes flavored with adventurous twists. The restaurant will feature an eclectic variety of wine and spirits including signature infused cocktails with local flowers and herbs. The modern bar and lounge area will be filled with earth-toned features and foliage-inspired light fixtures.
“Since the start of this project, we’ve wanted our hotel to be distinctly modern, signifying 92-years of advancement,” Janko said. “We believe that the hotel represents the town of Lake Forest.”
