LaPorte, 1110 Lakeside Street41.630973,-86.74015(Show on Map)
8.6
Very Good
+5 Photos
+5 Photos
+ 3 Photos3
Checkin - Checkout datesFri, 07 Aug - Sat, 08 Aug07 Aug - 08 Aug
1 Room2 Guests
Info
Summary of reviews
The Blue Heron Inn in LaPorte, Indiana, is celebrated for its exceptional location on the shores of Pine Lake. Guests are enchanted by the stunning lakefront views and tranquil atmosphere, making it an ideal retreat for couples and pet owners alike. Proximity to Indiana Sand Dune National Park, Chicago and South Bend enhances its appeal as a central hub for exploration.
The inn's welcoming ambiance is significantly enriched by its friendly and helpful staff, who go out of their way to ensure a pleasant stay. Personalized touches and dedicated service, particularly from individuals like Mary at the front desk, make guests feel at home.
Guests praise the complimentary hot breakfast, which features a good variety and highlights like biscuits and gravy and make-your-own waffles. While some desire a more extensive selection, the cozy breakfast atmosphere is generally well-received. Dinner options, particularly at the attached steakhouse T-Bones and the outdoor Tiki bar, receive high marks for food quality and service, despite occasional hiccups with room service and unexpected restaurant closures.
The inn’s accommodations are noted for their spaciousness, cleanliness and the charm of their lake views. However, there are frequent mentions of the need for updates with issues such as outdated decor, musty odors and inconsistent cleanliness. Beds receive mixed reviews with several guests finding them uncomfortable and in need of replacement. Nevertheless, planned renovations by new owners hold promise for enhancing the overall guest experience.
One of the standout features is the heated outdoor pool, consistently praised for its pleasant temperature, cleanliness and relaxing ambiance by the lake. The saltwater pool and ample sun loungers add to the enjoyment, despite minor complaints about some pool furniture. The dog-friendly policy is also highly appreciated, making the inn a top choice for travelers with pets.
In summary, The Blue Heron Inn offers a picturesque and tranquil lakeside retreat with exceptional service and a welcoming atmosphere. Its prime location, friendly staff and charming environment make it a delightful choice for those seeking a relaxing getaway, although attention to facility updates and bed quality would further enhance the guest experience.
Categories
Pool
This bed and breakfast provides a seasonal outdoor swimming pool. It is located on the lake with a popular beach bar.
Heated Pool
Outdoor Pool
Location of the pool:Outdoor pool
Is it a pool of special type?
Heated pool
Pool surface size:480 ft2
Pool minimum depth:3.5 ft
Pool maximum depth:4.5 ft
Pool maximum length:32 ft
When is the pool open?From 31 May to 30 September
Opening hours:08:00 - 22:00
Around the pool, there are also available:
Towels
Sunbeds
The water of the pool is sanitized using:
Chlorine
Are there written rules guests should follow before entering the pool?Yes
Is the pool accessible to persons with disabilities?No
Show more...
Parking
This inn offers a quaint and comfortable lodging experience and provides parking facilities.
3 Star
A pet-friendly bed and breakfast with free WiFi. Features an on-site restaurant and free private parking, offering a cozy and convenient experience.
Free Wi-Fi
Small
Outdoor Pool
Heated Pool
Room Types
No View Spa RoomThe spa bath and fireplace are the standout features of this double room. The spacious double room features air conditioning and a wardrobe, as well as a private bathroom boasting a hairdryer. The unit has 1 bed.
King Room with Lake ViewThe spa bath and fireplace are the standout features of this double room. The spacious double room features air conditioning and a wardrobe, as well as a private bathroom boasting a hairdryer. The unit has 1 bed.
Park ViewThis double room features a spa bath and a fireplace. The spacious double room features air conditioning, a wardrobe, as well as a private bathroom boasting a hairdryer. This double room provides a TV with satellite channels. The unit has 1 bed.
TB Lake ViewThe spacious double room offers air conditioning, a wardrobe, as well as a private bathroom boasting a hairdryer. This double room provides a TV with satellite channels. The unit has 1 bed.
TB Back ViewThe spacious double room features air conditioning and a wardrobe, as well as a private bathroom boasting a hairdryer. This double room provides a TV with satellite channels. The unit has 2 beds.
Executive SuiteThe unit has 2 beds.
Family SuiteThe unit has 1 bed.
Double Room with Pool ViewThe unit has 2 beds.
Deluxe RoomThe unit offers 1 bed.
Guest Reviews
8.6
Very Good
Review Summaries
Location
Situated directly on the serene Pine Lake in LaPorte, Indiana, The Blue Heron Inn offers a picturesque and tranquil retreat for travelers. Its prime location boasts breathtaking lake views, providing guests with a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere. Many visitors appreciated the convenient proximity to Indiana Sand Dune National Park, Chicago and South Bend, enhancing its appeal as a central spot for exploration.
Guests consistently praised the stunning lakefront views from their rooms with some rooms featuring direct vistas of the water and the surrounding nature. The setting is described as charming, quaint and inviting, perfect for couples looking for a getaway. The outdoor pool and boardwalk allow for leisurely strolls and relaxation by the water, while the pet-friendly policy makes it an ideal choice for those traveling with pets.
The staff at The Blue Heron Inn receive high marks for their friendliness and helpfulness, contributing to a warm and welcoming environment. Visitors also enjoyed amenities such as the spa tubs, comfortable beds and a complimentary hot breakfast, adding to the overall positive experience. While some noted that the property could use some updates, the charm and beauty of its location on Pine Lake more than compensated.
Overall, The Blue Heron Inn is celebrated for its exceptional location, lovely lake views and friendly service. It stands out as a delightful and peaceful place to stay, whether for a romantic retreat or a convenient base for regional exploration.
Breakfast
Nestled along the serene lakeside, The Blue Heron Inn provides a widely appreciated breakfast experience for its guests. A significant number of reviews praise the breakfast for being very good with many guests mentioning the high quality and cozy atmosphere that accompanies their stay. Particularly noteworthy are the hot breakfast options with specific commendations for the delicious biscuits and gravy and scrambled eggs with pepper and onion.
Guests often highlight the breakfast selection as good with enough variety to cater to different tastes, although some wish for a few more items like fresh fruit and additional beverage options such as water and juice. The ability to make one's own waffles adds a delightful personal touch to the experience. However, some reviews mention that the selection could be larger and the breakfast room can become crowded due to its size.
While the majority of feedback is positive, a few guests felt the breakfast was somewhat disappointing, either finding it lacking in flavor or variety. Despite these occasional critiques, the homemade aspect of the breakfast and the hard-working, professional staff are often emphasized.
Overall, the free breakfast at The Blue Heron Inn leaves many guests satisfied and complements the cozy and scenic charm of this lakeside retreat.
Dinner
The Blue Heron Inn's dining experience receives high praise from guests, highlighting various aspects of both food and service. Many reviews point out that the restaurant offers excellent cuisine with multiple diners emphasizing the quality and excellence of their meals. Guests appreciated both the food and service at the bar out back as well as the convenience and taste of T-Bones, the attached steakhouse.
The on-site restaurants and food service garnered positive feedback with some guests enjoying a wonderful dining experience and noting the restaurant's constantly changing menu. The presence of the Tiki bar near the pool added to the appeal, offering a combination of drinks, food and entertainment.
While most feedback is overwhelmingly positive, it's worth noting the occasional disappointment with room service and an incident where the restaurant was closed earlier than expected. Overall, the dining options at The Blue Heron Inn contribute significantly to a pleasant stay, offering convenience and a delightful culinary experience amidst a scenic setting by the lake.
Rooms
The Blue Heron Inn offers a diverse range of room experiences, blending charm with a touch of nostalgia. Guests repeatedly highlight the spacious and clean nature of the rooms, often mentioning balconies and decks with stunning views of Pine Lake, enhancing their stay's relaxation and enjoyment. Many rooms feature practical amenities like kitchenettes and hot tubs, which contribute to a comfortable stay. The decor captures a quaint, albeit dated, vibe that prompts a sense of history and uniqueness.
However, there are frequent mentions of the need for renovations and updates across the property. Issues such as outdated furnishings, musty odors and leaky shower doors have been pointed out. Beds receive mixed reviews with some finding them comfortable and others noting them as too firm or uneven. Cleanliness can be inconsistent, as some rooms are spotless, while others have been found dirty or poorly maintained. The lighting in some rooms also appears to be insufficient.
Despite these drawbacks, the staff receives praise for their friendliness and service. Guests appreciate the Inn's cleanliness and space, noting the property's well-maintained state. The upcoming renovations by new owners hold promise for addressing many of the existing issues, although there is some concern about maintaining the Inn’s original ambiance. Overall, The Blue Heron Inn provides a unique and pleasant stay with room for improvement in modernizing its facilities.
Beds
At The Blue Heron Inn, guest reviews indicate that the beds could benefit from several improvements. While a few guests found the beds to be very comfortable and enjoyed the firmness of some mattresses, the majority experienced issues. Common complaints included mattresses that were outdated, worn out and uncomfortable with many describing them as lumpy, sagging and uneven. Some guests found the bed frames problematic, including one instance where the bed frame popped off. Bed sizes and configurations, such as beds without headboards and small beds, also raised concerns. Additionally, bedding seemed inconsistent with reports of lumpy pillows and mattress covers with marks. Improving the bed quality at The Blue Heron Inn could significantly enhance the overall guest experience.
Cleanliness
The Blue Heron Inn presents a mixed bag when it comes to cleanliness. On the positive side, many guests found the facilities to be clean, tidy and well-kept. The building and rooms are often described as beautiful, homey and very clean with some rooms offering stunning lake views and spacious, well-maintained spaces. Guests frequently praised the helpful and friendly staff, contributing to an overall pleasant stay.
However, there were notable inconsistencies in cleanliness that were hard to overlook. Several reviews pointed out issues like dirty carpets, moldy showerheads and unclean coffee makers. Some rooms had a persistent smell of kitchen smoke and food, while other areas, like the serving area, were not well attended to. The carpets were often mentioned as needing replacement for a more modern and easier-to-clean option. Besides, a few guests experienced unclean beds and bathrooms, which is a significant drawback.
In summary, while the Blue Heron Inn boasts good aspects of cleanliness and charm, attention to detail is needed to address the specific areas of concern pointed out by several guests.
Staff
The Blue Heron Inn boasts an impressive staff that consistently receives high marks for their warm, friendly and extremely helpful nature. Guests frequently highlight individuals such as Mary at the front desk, who stands out for her exceptional service and dedication to making stays perfect. The atmosphere created by the staff is one of welcoming kindness with team members going above and beyond to ensure guests feel at ease and attended to.
Upon arrival, guests are often treated to personal touches, like being shown to their rooms to avoid any confusion. The dining staff also contribute to the pleasant experience, providing a fun and engaging environment. While there are isolated comments about less favorable interactions, these are significantly outweighed by the praise for the courteous and efficient service provided by the majority of the team.
Overall, the staff at The Blue Heron Inn significantly enrich the guest experience, making it a standout feature of this destination.
Pool
The Blue Heron Inn boasts a heated outdoor pool that guests find extremely relaxing and enjoyable. The pool area is complemented by an ample number of sun loungers, many of which are noted for their comfort, contributing to a pleasant experience by the water. Visitors appreciate the pool's pleasant water temperature, making it a refreshing escape, particularly after a warm day. Though some have highlighted that a few pieces of pool furniture were less comfortable, overall impressions of the pool are highly favorable.
The pool's cleanliness is consistently praised and many find it a perfect retreat, tucked away by a beautiful lake that adds to the serene environment. The inclusion of a saltwater pool also draws positive remarks, enhancing the relaxing atmosphere. Moreover, the pool remains accessible throughout the day and into the night, a feature that guests find outstanding and convenient.
Also praised are the complementary amenities, including nearby restaurants and a big park next door, which help create a holistic, enjoyable experience. All things considered, the pool at The Blue Heron Inn stands out for its comfort, cleanliness and the relaxing ambiance it provides.
Dog Friendly
The Blue Heron Inn is recognized for its exceptional pet-friendly accommodations and services. Guests appreciate the welcoming environment for pets, notably allowing larger breeds like Great Danes. The staff consistently demonstrate great care and friendliness towards pets, ensuring comfort for both the animals and their owners. Spacious, dog-friendly rooms provide a comfortable stay and guests value the ability to check in early, enhancing convenience for those traveling with their furry companions. The inn's warm acceptance of pets makes it a favored destination for pet owners seeking a welcoming retreat.
FAQ
Yes, The Blue Heron Inn has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Heated Pool, Outdoor Pool. For more information, read the answers to the Pool questionnaire
No, a spa isn't available at The Blue Heron Inn.
No, The Blue Heron Inn doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at The Blue Heron Inn.
