Exploring the Abandoned Garden Hotel in Illinois

Рет қаралды 43,433

Жыл бұрын

I recently explored an abandoned hotel with everything left behind. It shut down in May of 2019 due to a basement flood. The owner of the property never fixed the problem & abandoned it completely.
in September of 2019 the Winnebago County Health Department condemned the property noting unsafe condition. Liens have been placed on the property because the owners reportedly owe thousands of dollars in taxes and other fees.
This was not my first time here. In 2020 I stumbled on this place with most of the glass in tact, rooms untouched, alcohol left behind, and so much more. Now the vandalism and mold is so bad I don't see any hope of this place ever reopening.
I wish I could show you what it looked like in 2020. Unfortunatly, I was not taking videos back then and the property remained sealed up until recently. I was actually caught by the police at the end of my explore. Please do not go and cause more damage to the property. You will get charged with trespassing.
Here is a video from another explorer right after the hotel was closed in January of 2020 - • Exploring an abandoned...
The city has been fighting to demolish the place but legal battles keep it locked. Does the owner know his property looks this bad?
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About: Decayingmidwest creates abandoned & exploration videos on this channel. Subscribe to see what was left behind, forgotten, and decaying in the Midwest!
DISCLAIMER: Exploring abandoned and decaying places is very dangerous and can lead to injury or even legal consequences if you are not properly prepared. Get permission from the land owner before exploring places like these and be extra cautious when exploring alone. Wear the proper exploring gear and always let someone know where you are.
The code of urbex (urban exploration) is to leave the location just as you found it. Don't steal anything, vandalize, or spray paint. Take only pictures and leave only footprints.

Пікірлер: 163

@Mr.clintontoney 6 ай бұрын

I’ve been in the restaurant business for over 35 years. Looking at all of the equipment just sitting going to waste is so heartbreaking. There is well over $350k worth of equipment in that kitchen. Not including the utensils. That walk in freezer is a good $75k alone.

@paulwinchester9655 3 ай бұрын

For real? Man that’s sad

@EmilyWatros Ай бұрын

@@paulwinchester9655yeah. The deep fryers and freezers alone are expensive, and then there's the ranges. That's insane

@Solaceon 2 ай бұрын

I used to work here back in 2017. I was 20, a clueless kid hired through a voc rehab program. When I worked there, half of the place was abandoned and the other half was not. It was my job to clean up the abandoned half as well as the lobby and common areas (pretty sure the room with the Pac-Man graffiti was once an arcade, that wallet no doubt came from the nearby lost and found). The place was always dead quiet, eerie, never busy except for sporting events and I saw the signs of disrepair even then. I was eventually fired for "wandering", but in reality I think I just saw something they didn't want me to see without knowing it. Always thought the place was shady. Both surprised and not at all that it's come to this fate. So surreal to see a place I worked not even that long ago in this condition... and that it's gonna be demolished soon. Thank you so much for this tour, it's been fascinating. I remember every sign, chair, and corner like it was just yesterday. Those stairs and that banquet hall sucked to vaccuum.

@katb8686 2 ай бұрын

I worked at this hotel for 10 years.. I breaks my heart to see this video of all the vandalism. What a shame!! It started out as a Holiday Inn and was so popular and nice back in the day. Then shortly after 9/11 it was bought by some people from Pakistan and changed to a Ramada Inn and that's when the decline began. They eventually began getting rid of the employees that knew the guests and businesses so well and were a big draw to the hotel for repeat business. That harmed the business, then they also stole money from the bus company that was a daily regular stop for transportation to Chicago area airports. The bus company ended up moving their passenger drop off/pick up to a gas station/travel center about a mile up the road. The hotel eventually stopped paying the bills and let more staff go. Then they closed it. I moved from the area but heard that some investment group came in and wanted to try to reinvigorate it but that didn't work and at some point the city took it over trying to make a go of it. Truthfully, the building had quite a bit of water damage to it as it was built near a creek and when the creek flooded, so did the hotel basement. Imagine that happening over and over for 30 plus years... I remember the basement being flooded several times during my 10 years there and a hose with a pump running up from the stairs and out the closest door pumping water out. I just saw in local area news that the hotel is going to be torn down. It's probably for the best but it's really sad and the end of an era with many awesome stories to tell of area company Christmas parties, baby showers, wedding receptions, sports team banquets, and celebrities that stayed there, and so on. We had a great bar, a great restaurant, and great banquet rooms. At one time we were all like family there when we had a crew that really clicked. I miss the good times.

@biglove4usa Жыл бұрын

We live right by this hotel. Used to be a Holidome years ago. It was dead along time ago. Under new ownership, they tried to get new business. But, it never worked out. The basement has been flooded for years too. They have it all bordered up. But, obviously, did not keep the idiots out. I figured it has to be bad inside. I never thought it would look that bad. It will be torn down eventually. Sad to see so much damage done for nothing.

@dlane7539 Жыл бұрын

I seen Before pictures of this place & was awesome. The 90s vacation spot for many families. Sadly families don't vacation like they used to so many amazing old hotels are left to rot.

@teresah.6696 Жыл бұрын

I'm very surprised no one has not backed up a 🚛 truck and loaded up the nice furniture in the lobby, and the bar stools and other furniture plus the lamps, office supplies, TV's, fridges and microwaves. Hotels and motels seem to leave all behind instead of calling shelters and letting them have mattresses and linens AND not letting the employees have anything left behind. It's all just a tax right off for them. Also surprised you didn't run into any homeless staying in there... it's a nice setup.

@liquidmark5081 Жыл бұрын

You don’t want that furniture. Mold, mildew, parasites, etc

@Katherines_journey Жыл бұрын

I love that you dont add any jump cuts to any of your videos it just really allows us to get a full view of the places you visit❤

@mjarboesdf Жыл бұрын

This could be a homeless persons paradise! Seriously, there are so many homeless people that need quick shelter on nights with bad weather. They can come here to at least have a bed and cover from the elements. Maybe even find a room that doesn't have broken windows and close the door for protection. Safer than sleeping in the streets.

@Katherines_journey Жыл бұрын

But its really sad that police kick them out of these places that the police dont even care about😢

@jeanniescott3308 10 ай бұрын

It already is paradise to homeless they destroy all these properties continuously so that’s a joke

@hollysmith1347 2 ай бұрын

Depends on what kind of homeless. Some just need a safe place to stay while looking for a better home. Others are destructive and full of drama. I've been homeless on/off during childhood and again for 8 months just a few months back. But it would be a good place for homeless families if it's close to resources and services. If it's too far away and no access it's not a good idea.

@hollysmith1347 2 ай бұрын

@@jeanniescott3308depends on the type of homeless. I was homeless for 8 months a few months back. I kept every hotel I stayed in clean and even cleaner than when I booked in. But there definitely are the destructive, drama filled ones. I kept clear of those types. But if the hotel isn't near resources and services or has access to them it's not a good idea anyway.

@chooch1995 7 күн бұрын

There’s no functioning toilets or showers. Think of the problems that would create.

@ceejay2855 Жыл бұрын

I’m impressed the smokes are still beeping..

@deanawetzler3690 Жыл бұрын

That toilet paper was gold during Covid!!!!!

@lung3793 Жыл бұрын

Its honestly crazy to think about the good these buildings could do. The potential to help people going through such a rough time. Greed is such an enemy of the people

@MoeLarrycurly1 Жыл бұрын

👍👍

@aarongasser5572 7 ай бұрын

So fix it up then and help those people out

@SquareNoggin 4 ай бұрын

What is it you think run down abandoned buildings can do for people exactly?

@stanleywestell441 3 ай бұрын

Maybe the people coming over the border ?

@MidniteClimax 2 ай бұрын

This building is condemned, it's not useful for anything.

@johnnehls4078 4 ай бұрын

Pisses me off to see the utter disrespect these idiots have done to this place even if it is abandoned. It was bought by an overseas company that did nothing with it then the pool rotted out and they walked away from it

@denisesmith2745 Жыл бұрын

You show everything I would want to look at!! Thank you!!

@EJStoner18 9 ай бұрын

I live not far from here. I've stayed here for reunions and been to events here. This is very sad. Absentee owners squeezed every cent out of the place and then abandoned it . So much waste.

@jamesbehrje4279 5 ай бұрын

Chinese company.

@KingPrincess1337 Жыл бұрын

Honestly, though, I do think that if a building like this is going to be demolished, the usable items like blankets and pillows and mattresses should be donated to the local homeless shelters

@PinetopJackson2 Жыл бұрын

I've heard so much about this place! Multiple tales of homeless taking over the top floors, and being very aggressive about defending their digs from explorers

@PinetopJackson2 Жыл бұрын

Oh wait, I'm this one's in IL, I was thinking of a hotel near Detroit

@xeijiri3726 Жыл бұрын

Or what’s it called

@matteodelapaz1698 Жыл бұрын

@@xeijiri3726 only hint is the holiday inn in Beloit

@jvonesh78 Жыл бұрын

This hotel used to be a very nice one back in the day, sad to see it looking this way cause of stupid people damaging what isn't there's. This hotel was even nice when it was Garden Hotel briefly.

@gracieg7601 Жыл бұрын

Who does all that breaking all the glass? That’s so disgusting. Why are people so awful?

@sweenytwain7095 2 ай бұрын

I stayed in this hotel for 3 months rite b4 they closed down. The owners were horrible people and raised my rent in the end and i was practically the only permanent resident here. Sad too see it in this condition. It was a beautiful hotel. Thanks for posting

@operationurbex Жыл бұрын

I started watching this video the other day and didn’t have time to finish it. Great video. Food looked nasty!

@jamesrissell7567 Жыл бұрын

I stayed at this place some time ago. To bad it went down hill fast.

@Tay-tay3030 Жыл бұрын

There is still so much money that could be made from the things that were left over. This place could be renovated and turned into a homeless shelter.

@gracieg7601 Жыл бұрын

I can’t believe the way it’s just destroyed to this. It’s horrible. Such wasteful mess.

@stormb8421 Ай бұрын

I used to stay at this place for weeks at a time to be funny when I worked in Rockford. Had the whole place to myself every time. All my co workers thought I was crazy but I liked the creepiness of it

@controversialdrift6755 Жыл бұрын

I live about 2 blocks from there, it's so crazy to see this on KZfaq only days after I was there

@jakobmcbride7519 Жыл бұрын

yo bro what town is this hotel in?

@admiral6095 Жыл бұрын

@@jakobmcbride7519 it’s in south Beloit

@jennmorse8820 Жыл бұрын

Grew up minutes from there. Stayed there many times for pool parties. Sad to see it this way

@cynthiaj.simmons870 Жыл бұрын

@@admiral6095 I live in Rockford, Illinois I thought it wasn't a place here in this town because if anything becomes abandoned here in Rockford no one will be able to explore them because the the police will definitely arrest people her in Rockford or they tear the buildings out before anyone can explore them. 🤔🤔🤔

@juanargueta5988 3 ай бұрын

@@admiral6095 is this still standing or has been demolished

@BlackDogAdventures Жыл бұрын

Great video! I watched the entire thing!

@Blahbevava 5 ай бұрын

Sheesh I just swam in that pool something like 7-10 years ago! They opened up the pool in the summer for anyone to come in and swim for $5 a person. Problem was the pool had NO heat at the time so it was freezing cold! The hot tub was nice though. The place had a funny feeling to it at the time. It felt like being back in time a little from when I was a kid in places like that in the 80's and early 90's but had this strange sense of dread about it too. You could tell something in the air was off like it wouldn't be long before the place was closed down and abandoned completely. A relic lost in time. What a shame too as I love the layout and style of these older motels around a pool like that. That line of windows now broken were all a darker tinted shade. Kind of gave off a funny vibe about them like the place was once crawling with life and energy at one time but was now like something waiting to die. I'll bet the place was a lot of fun back in it's prime. Hate seeing nice places like this destroyed!

@thewiseman1873 Жыл бұрын

You got some balls visiting this place.

@jamesoso259 Жыл бұрын

Wait so that glass wasn’t originally broken and that bar had alcohol in it!? I would have never guessed

@decayingmidwest Жыл бұрын

Yes. The thumbnail for the video was actually taken before the glass was broken

@lauran.9427 Жыл бұрын

Winnebago County....Guys...there HAS to be some kinda GREAT finds down in Champaign or Decatur!!

@lilyplayingwithdolls482 6 ай бұрын

The glass crackling is ASMR

@cynthiaj.simmons870 Жыл бұрын

Great video!!! 😊❤😊❤😊❤ I didn't know there was anything abandoned in Rockford or Beloit because I live in Rockford and I didn't know we have anything abandoned and have that much apocalyptic damaged because either I thing of it this way either before anyone can get to explore anything in and around Rockford is that either they will have the police tell people or arrest people or just tear down the building because anyone can get to explore it. 🤔🤔🤔 Again great video and it looks like a really cool place kinda of like a mini shopping mall design. And I love the fact it a very long detailed video of this too. Wish there were more longer videos of places like this here on KZfaq since I call myself a KZfaq Urban Explorer I explore abandoned places here on KZfaq from everyone I watch here on KZfaq!!! ❤❤❤

@aarongasser5572 Жыл бұрын

Youre kidding right? Half of rockford is abadoned 😆😆

@matt_berg_media 10 ай бұрын

@@aarongasser5572right, I came here to say this. Abandoned buildings all over the city 😂

@Solaceon 2 ай бұрын

There is soooo much. Beloit, Janesville, and Rockford were my introduction to rurex/urbex and I'm forever grateful.

@kariannagonzales1206 Жыл бұрын

Have you ever gotten sick after exploring? Just asking because of all of the mold and decay!

@TheDel4873 8 ай бұрын

I haven’t explored abandoned places since May of 2023 but the last ever time I did my throat kinda hurt but it felt better quickly

@lexusvroomvroom1910 Жыл бұрын

I've always wondered what was inside abandoned buildings especially since where I lived in indiana had so many of them

@stanleywestell441 3 ай бұрын

Kids make a game Out of vandalism 😢

@urbaninvestigations2430 Жыл бұрын

Forgot we left our @s in the guest book lol. That place Is way worse than it was last year, most of the glass was still intact.

@admiral6095 Жыл бұрын

That’s crazy I got the back we’re lots of KZfaqrs left there @users names there I think I have yours too 😂

@pumpkinpie7254 Жыл бұрын

Hey new here, just saw your Google shorts ... Question, you ever find yourself having " unexpected company " on these walk through's ?

@PattiS3 5 ай бұрын

What an outrageous waste of resources.

@yuukikos Жыл бұрын

I'm wondering why people left all of that behind. Like, at least they could try to sell everything from the kitchen.. not even talking about rooms and the building itself Maan, are you wearing something for protection? Because it might be dangerous to inhale that mold

@CaidenWaddell 6 ай бұрын

I just searched this place up and it looked so nice wish I could've gone before it closed

@GabrielRendonJuarez Жыл бұрын

Theres so much things there gone to waste that these assholes destroyed that could have went to the less fortunate. Seeing these videos are so cool but sort of always make me sad when i see all the nice stuff that ppl just destroyed

@biglove4usa 2 ай бұрын

This hotel is supposed to be torn down within the next 2 weeks. It has been an eyesore for years now. It was a Holidome years ago. It is all border up now. But, as you can see by the video, they have destroyed anything that was worth anything.

@carlosfonseca5754 4 ай бұрын

Such a waste it's sad to see this place rotting away so much vandalism done to that pool area man that's a shitload of glass

@random-demisexual-polytherian 3 ай бұрын

I just want to know like what happened, like sometimes you'll see abandoned buildings with like lots of food you still left over there decorations out like everything was there and people were there but then they just vanished one day like, did everyone just say fuck it and leave

@dvdvideo10 6 ай бұрын

All the smoke detectors beeping because the batteries are running out. At first I thought those were birds tweeting. 😂

@murof0078 Жыл бұрын

We should help the people down on their luck!! People down on their luck....let's wreck this place! I don't get it!

@tor6351 3 ай бұрын

I am surprised all the expensive stuff is still there. If that would be in my town in a few days the place would be completely empty

@maryduska 8 ай бұрын

I hope you are not alone I hope you have someone with you

@AnazelG 9 ай бұрын

Call me crazy, but I would really like to renovate this place and make it into a hotel again and it also has such a convenient place by the freeway for travelers to stop. Or maybe even turn it into a hotel for the homeless... The possibilities are endless!

@RangerRickTV Жыл бұрын

🔥🔥🔥

@tyty5559 5 ай бұрын

I feel like Goldy Locks was in there fliping over mattresses😂

@MoeLarrycurly1 Жыл бұрын

The towels and bed clothes such a waste........

@cl0udjelly 9 ай бұрын

dammit i was eating and then i started this video in the middle of it so i had to skip that part LMAOAOAO also, do you ever wear a mask or something?do you ever get sick from all that mold etc? anndd oh my god i hope you were wearing the proper shoes and pants bc DAMN that was a TON of glass everywhere. even in the beginning there was just piles and piles of it😭 not only that but you can hear all the glass and stuff youre stepping on. though im sure youve done this enough times to know to be extra careful. anyways-

@Hello_there_obi 6 ай бұрын

Is there a video of when stuff was more intact as you talked about?!

@pickleballer1986 Жыл бұрын

when was this closed

@douglassenriquez423 3 ай бұрын

I honestly don't see how people can be so difficult to disrespectful...... And they wonder why, they cant have nice things...? SMH

@murof0078 Жыл бұрын

If you took a towel from this hotel back in the day. They would charge you credit card. Now they are just abounded

@xbronzow 6 ай бұрын

* everything goes dark * * 1905 Regina music box: classical overture starts playing *

@tristanwoodmansee477 Жыл бұрын

This place is a wreck!! Its really sad to see! Pardon for saying this, but the water in that pool is creepy and I would hope there are no secrets in that water if you know what I mean.... aka bodies. Were you not creeped out going through there?

@gracieg7601 Жыл бұрын

It looks like they just got fired and everyone walked out. Is that what happened?

@KingPrincess1337 Жыл бұрын

It could actually be paradise to a lot of different homeless people. As someone who has struggled with homelessness in the past, I am one-hundred-per-cent for people being allowed to use spaces like this to get out of the elements. I do not, however, condone what they have done to this wonderful resource... For some reason, somebody thought they had the right to destroy something beautiful, and that's just NOT RIGHT. Have a little bit of respect for the people that are coming after you to enjoy the same thing that you enjoyed, ya jerks!!! If you want to paint something, get a huge piece of carpenter paper, stick it up somewhere, and tag that instead of the freaking walls!!!! This space could have been used to house countless families who are homeless, but because these jerks came through and broke all of the windows, none of the rooms are able to hold heat any longer...... Absolutely NO respect.... 🤬

@hayden-xi2hu 7 ай бұрын

Did you all see that laser 18:13

@wisehat_yt 4 ай бұрын

thats not a laser

@Jfizz66 Жыл бұрын

What a waste... Nice hotel back in its day I'm sure. Either tear it down or fix it up.

@Voidboi223 Ай бұрын

0:10 POV: Fallout 4 Also me: *Eat it. It might gove you 60 rads but the 30 HP is worth 💀*

@stanleywestell441 3 ай бұрын

😮 Just think how much coper in that place 😮 so many things the owner could sell for the property taxes 😢

@stanleywestell441 3 ай бұрын

😮 Oh ya forgot to tell you bring a camera as backup

@tweef79th Жыл бұрын

It would be nice if they just offered as shelter with rules for the less fortunate instead of leaving it to decay an being vandalized

@chooch1995 7 күн бұрын

The liability for any injuries incurred would then fall on the one offering the place up for shelter. It’s legally not possible.

@suemcnellis6107 Жыл бұрын

Wow all that decay and damage in 5 years?

@Jay-jd7qp Жыл бұрын

Well when all the teens and some adults get to it I’m sure it wasn’t too long for them to make it look like this.

@gracieg7601 Жыл бұрын

It just gets me when I think of the waste thst a company has. Awful!

@kristingallo2158 Жыл бұрын

What a complete waste. So much stuff people could have used.

@maryduska 8 ай бұрын

Can I askyou what happen why did they close down and why did they clean and get rid of that nasty food in the coolers they left behind really what happen here ?

@Finley67 2 ай бұрын

Sad whoever did it must have had a grand Ole time. Don't know if they got caught, but they know who they are. When they get older, I hope karma gets them.

@TimberTheWolf 3 ай бұрын

I would do a 24 hour challenge there!

@hollysmith1347 2 ай бұрын

Is that beeping noise a bird? What is it? Pretty sad how once beautiful, beloved place get forgotten.

@murof0078 Жыл бұрын

Said that so much has gone to waste

@wanlopmsmgamer102 11 ай бұрын

Somebody told the place to people and people started to break the place😥

@LadaFoggy 7 ай бұрын

Sad place 😢

@DM-id3yw 2 ай бұрын

You can always depend on that 1 smoke detector

@xoxkillerqueen 24 күн бұрын

be careful exploring alone!!

@thedoubled7431 4 ай бұрын

You have to be insane after all of those smoke detectors beeping

@t123tina Жыл бұрын

What happened to the place why have hold a kitchen stuff they could sell them deep fryers Worth $2,000

@liquidmark5081 Жыл бұрын

Play sone ink spots music in the background and it’s exactly like fallout

@linkroblox9474 Жыл бұрын

0:18 YOOOO CHORIZO

@keepitthoro6768 8 ай бұрын

Why was everything just left behind?...any one?

@KFJ.Explores Жыл бұрын

How you always gonna talk abt spot privacy & then put the name of the place right in the title 🤣

@Obro_ 10 ай бұрын

Hey not the expert at all but I feel you should be wearing a respirator in these places 😅

@cookkiieee 10 ай бұрын

Police kick them out because look what they do. Destroy property that's not theirs. They should be grateful for a place to sleep instead they trash and tweak inside. Sorry but not sorry.

@lung3793 Жыл бұрын

All the beeps lol

@Jay-jd7qp Жыл бұрын

Man each room has a smoke alarm I hate when they beep lol

@thesuppergamerkid8531 Жыл бұрын

Can you do garden street school

@ListerMotorsports 8 ай бұрын

imagine cooking all that food and being told the not to come in tomorrow the place isnt going to reopen.. so sad... sinful to me...

@bloopbleepnothinghere 3 ай бұрын

I wonder why they didn't liquidate all the kitchen equipment, furniture, HVAC, wiring, seems like they literally just walked away from a good couple of hundred thousand if they sold all of those assets. Hell, I bet someone would have just come and taken it all away for free, it would make no difference to the owners. Why just let it all go to waste? What happened to Gary? Crazy.

@user-ls7ct3ii9x 4 ай бұрын

I wonder why scrapers dont go in there?

@felicitysmoakandwillgraham6453 Жыл бұрын

so many things could have been salvaged or sold, such a waste.

@Zoiskon 6 ай бұрын

Sounds like im in a playstation party will all those beebs

@jacobfoster9185 7 ай бұрын

I will never, ever understand why people don't live in these places. What are the squatting laws

@H00dner Жыл бұрын

All that soda to waste... I would’ve gladly drank it all 😋 and also all the toilet paper and silverware my god lol all that can be used...

@H00dner Жыл бұрын

And the cups too... It seems like they were in a rush if they left all that useful stuff

@gracieg7601 Жыл бұрын

It’s pure stupidity that caused stuff to be torn down to shreds.

@stanleywestell441 3 ай бұрын

Has someone Don a walkthrough of fishermens inn ? Hint hint 😂

@cecemast715 Жыл бұрын

Linens would be welcomed in animal shelters. So much could be salvaged. Shame.

@derekpichora4298 Жыл бұрын

I don’t understand y people have to vandalize

@jaybradley100 Жыл бұрын

I don’t understand y Matt blames himself if it does

@johnpelszynski6646 3 ай бұрын

SMOKE ALARMS STILL WORKING ?

@mirkoscuccato6444 5 ай бұрын

This video is sponsored by Diet Pepsi 😂

@aarongasser5572 7 ай бұрын

Ive driven around this place 3 different times abd everytime there were 2 cop cars watching the property