Riverbank Lodge

My wife and I stayed at the Riverbank Lodge for Thanksgiving weekend for a couple’s get-​away. I’d heard about it from a co-​worker and he gave it very high remarks. We arrived the day before Thanksgiving after a surprise snow storm hit the area. It was a long, nail-​biting drive once we got off of I-​55 (there is no direct way to get to Petersburg), but with a little persistence and a lot of white-​knuckling, we made it.
The lodge was built as a bank until it was bought and converted to the lodge in 2006. It’s got a very rustic, outdoorsy feel inside, and they had just started decorating for Christmas. The guest rooms (there are 24) vary in size and accommodation, and we opted for the corner room with the in-​room Jacuzzi tub. We had a great view of the Sangamon River… and I’m sure it’s gorgeous in all of its summer greenery and fall colors. For a while there was a Bald Eagle soaring in the sky above the river. (I was too interested in the Eagle to get my camera and take a photo.)
There is a lounge on the premises that has a fairly decent selection of beverages and bar-​type food that you can order (and, yes, Schlitz… which I hadn’t had in, quite literally, decades). The prices are actually very reasonable, and although the lounge is rather small, it’s got a very comfortable feel to it.
The lobby is spacious, and the ceiling spans up two stories. The décor is outdoorsy and is populated with reclining chairs, sofas, and tables for lounging around playing cards, reminiscing with friends and family, having a drink as you relax in this awesome getaway.
All of the staff that we encountered were very friendly. Any questions we had about the area were knowledgeably answered, and there is a small gift area where you can buy some logo apparel.
We had a great time at the River Bank Lodge and hope to return for a visit when there’s more green and less cold in the area.

Cute lodge style B n B is the best way to describe this family run lodging. Décor evokes the feeling of being on a ski trip with the log cabin texture walls, hardwood floors, comfy leather chairs, & rocking chairs. The personal service truly sets it apart. We were here for a family reunion and we pretty much took over the hotel and they were accommodating over & beyond what you could imagine. It’s VERY clean & comfortable and they had a few surprises that were every unexpected in the little community of Petersburg. Rates were reasonable, go for the fireplace suite with the flat screen, it’s worth it !
Our room had 2 Q with mini fridge and microwave. Free wifi and continental breakfast in the AM which included cereal, yogurt, coffee, boiled egg, bagels, fruit. The utensil dispenser was the big hit with our family. Downstairs there’s a laundry room $ 1 per load, soda machines, conference room, and a banquet room for our big reunion. Breakfast ends at 10 am, but they always were so nice to accommodate the late risers.
The lobby & bar became our social gathering place every night. Craft beers, wine, full bar, and bar menu is available. There’s even 3 slot machines right off the office and selection of gifts, shirts, sundries in the lobby.
Less than 30 minutes to Lincoln Museum and 30 seconds to the Dairy Queen that’s open til 10 pm. Yup, get your blizzard on.

We enjoyed this place very much; comfortable, clean, well kept, friendly staff, good food in bar, and complimentary continental breakfast. This is a no frills place — no pool, no exercise room, small tv in room — but was just fine in all the important ways. There is a train that passes in the night but not a big deal. The building used to be a bank, btw. I would not hesitate to stay there again. Could have been a little cheaper but was near the New Salem historic site.

So I have a client in Petersburg and needed a place to stay that wasn’t Springfield. In Petersburg, the Riverbank Lodge is it.
This falls under the heading of It Is What It Is. That and It Grows On You. I’ve been here twice now. The first time the room was barely larger than the bed with just enough room for a rickety luggage rack, a night stand, a chair, and loooots of overhead fluorescent lighting. The bathroom was so small I had to step out of it to towel off after showering. The second time I booked the double king. Muuuuch better. The lobby is lodge rustic. It does butt up against an active train track and the train does come through… at 2am. But once the locomotive passes, it’s not too bad. The rhythmic **thunk-thunk…thunk-thunk** of the cars following behind it lull you back to sleep.
The folks who run the place are friendly. They do ask that you sign your life away when signing in. «Please initial here, here, here & here, and sign here.» Really? Is it a mortgage or a hotel stay? But I imagine all the signing is probably from a bad experience they had and are just looking to cover themselves legally.
I have a feeling this won’t be my last stay here. I suppose there’s a chance that this rating could be revised. I’d like to be able to give a 3– or 4-​star review for a quaint, rustic inn in a downstate community. But it’s not quite there yet.