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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I've never stayed at a bed and breakfast before ... what should I know?
A: The first thing that you should know about staying at a bed and breakfast is that every B&B is different. At Hidden Lake we include a few notes on Hidden Lake B&B Etiquette in your guest directory. It covers things like what hours we are available, paddle boating and fishing etiquette, hours for breakfast and so on. Aside from that, when you arrive, please check-in at the Main House (the driveway just past the large Hidden Lake Bed & Breakfast sign, and all the way up the hill). You'll be given a quick "tour" (no more than 10 minutes, I promise) to show you around ... where breakfast is served, where's the lake, etcetera. After that we'll check you in and take you to your suite.

Q: What do you serve for breakfast?
A: What we serve depends largely on you ... your likes and dislikes and, of course, any food allergies. Generally speaking, we serve three courses, a fresh fruit creation, a homemade pastry, and a hot entree with a breakfast meat. We also have five flavors of juice on hand as well as Starbucks coffee and a variety of teas. More information on our breakfast service and your options concerning breakfast is available on our Amenities page.

Q: Do you serve any other meals?
A: No, we don't serve any other meals but we do offer some alternatives to dining out for lunch and dinner. For example, if you're going hiking, you might enjoy taking along a backpack lunch. Or if you don't wish to hassle with going out to dinner on the day you arrive, especially if you are arriving late, you might try our in-suite picnic, a midnight snack or an arrival tray. Additional information on these services is available on our Special Packages page.

Q: Are there any places nearby for dinner?
A: We are fortunate to have several restaurants within 5 to 30 minutes of Hidden Lake ranging from BBQ to Mexican to romantic, white table cloth restaurants. Please click on our Area Attractions page for more information.

Q:What is there to do around Hidden Lake?
A: At Hidden Lake itself, you can enjoy paddleboating, fishing, a walk through the woods, a picnic in the gazebo, a lakeside fire under the stars, a cozy chiminea fire on the patio, birding and simply relaxing by the lake. We also offer a complimentary library of movies for your enjoyment, board games, and a selection of books ranging from political to mystery to romance.

The Southern Illinois area offers a host of things to do. Wine tasting has become increasingly popular as more and more wineries have opened their doors. There are now sixteen wineries in the area. Hiking is extremely popular. We have unique and beautiful state parks and natural resource areas that comprise the Shawnee National Forest. Little Grand Canyon, Giant City, The Cache River Wetlands, Garden of the Gods, and Cave in Rock are some of the more popular sites to hike. And don't be conerned that "hike" means rugged. Many of the trails are ranked easy to medium. 45 miles of bike trails from Harrisburg to Karnak make biking a funway to spend the day especially since that 45 miles includes the Cache River Wetlands and a 535 foot tunnel in addition to beatiful woods and countryside. One of the best ways to experience the beauty of the Shawnee National Forest is to go horseback riding. You can enjoy a traditional trail ride or experience the fun of riding with just you and a guide. If you enjoy gambling, Harrah's Casino is approximately 45 miles away. Additonal information on things to do is available on both our Attractions and Greatways to Spend the Day pages.

Q: How far is Hidden Lake from the wineries?
A: The closest winery on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, Inheritance Valley, is approximately 8 miles from Hidden Lake; the furthest, Kite Hill, is approximately 20 miles.