I spent two nights at Wind Creek Chicago Southland, a casino resort in the south suburbs of Chicago, and I had one big question going in: Would I enjoy staying there if I didn’t gamble?
As it turns out, there was plenty to keep me busy. I checked out the hotel amenities, toured the spa, enjoyed two very different dining experiences, and used the resort as a home base for exploring Chicago Southland.
Here’s what stood out during my stay, what you should know before booking, and whether I’d recommend staying here even if gambling isn’t part of your plans.
My stay was hosted by Wind Creek Chicago Southland and the Chicago Southland CVB. As always, all opinions are my own.
Wind Creek Chicago Southland at a Glance
- Location: East Hazel Crest, Illinois
- Address: 17300 S. Halsted St., East Hazel Crest, IL 60429
- Distance from downtown Chicago: About 20 miles south
- Hotel: 298 rooms and suites (255 guest rooms and 43 suites)
- Check-in: 4 p.m.
- Check-out: 11 a.m.
- Minimum check-in age: 21
- Wi-Fi: Complimentary
- Parking: Free attached garage
- My room: Deluxe King
- Hotel amenities: Indoor pool, spa, fitness center, restaurants, bars, and casino
- Best for: Couples, weekend getaways, casino trips, and travelers exploring Chicago Southland
Things to Do at Wind Creek Chicago Southland
The casino may get top billing, but you could easily stay at Wind Creek Chicago Southland without spending much time on the gaming floor. I did.
Depending on how you want to spend your stay, you can:
- Book a spa treatment or spend time enjoying the spa facilities.
- Have dinner at Alto Steakhouse, where you can see the Chicago skyline on a clear day.
- Try Food Bazaar, a modern spin on the traditional casino buffet.
- Swim in the indoor pool or relax in the hot tub.
- Use the fitness center if working out actually makes it onto your vacation agenda.
- Watch a game in the sportsbook lounge.
- Try your luck in the casino with slots and table games.
- Explore Chicago Southland, using Wind Creek as your home base.
I spent most of my stay eating, exploring, and checking out the hotel amenities, so I’ll get into each of those below.
My First Impressions of Wind Creek Chicago Southland
One of the first things I noticed about Wind Creek Chicago Southland was how easy it was to get to. It’s just off Interstate 80 near Interstate 57, so within minutes of leaving the highway, I was pulling into the attached parking garage. And parking is free, which I always appreciate.
The casino opened in late 2024, followed by the hotel and spa in April 2025, so everything still felt brand new during my visit. The hotel itself felt bright and modern, with plenty of artwork throughout.
The front desk staff was genuinely friendly, and a bellman showed me how to use the destination-dispatch elevator system.
Instead of pressing a button inside the elevator, you scan your room key at a kiosk first. You choose either your guest room floor or one of the public areas, and the system tells you which elevator car to board. That elevator is programmed to go only to the destination you selected.
It took me a minute to get used to it, but I ended up appreciating the added security since guests can only access their assigned room floor or the hotel’s public spaces.
My Deluxe King Room
My Deluxe King room was spacious, beautifully furnished, and filled with natural light. More importantly, the king-size bed was extremely comfortable, which will win me over faster than just about any fancy hotel amenity.
I also appreciated having multiple outlets and USB charging ports on the nightstands.
The room also had several thoughtful tech features. The lights were controlled by touchscreens at both the entryway and bedside, so I didn’t have to get out of bed to turn them off. The entryway touchscreen also controlled the privacy and housekeeping request indicator.
There was also a desk and work area, although the chair wasn’t adjustable. At 5’2″, I couldn’t quite get comfortable, so I ended up working from the bed instead. Honestly, the bed is my favorite spot to work anyhow.
I never watch TV when I travel, but if you do, there’s a 55-inch flat-screen. I was much more excited about the full-length mirror. It’s a pet peeve of mine when hotels don’t have one.
The room also included a safe, mini fridge, coffeemaker, and complimentary bottled water.
The bathroom had a large glass-enclosed shower and a well-lit vanity that made getting ready easy. There was also a makeup mirror, clothes steamer, and hair dryer.
And the shower? Multiple spray settings and excellent water pressure. That always earns bonus points from me.
Restaurants at Wind Creek Chicago Southland
You don’t have to leave Wind Creek Chicago Southland when you get hungry. There are several places to eat throughout the resort, ranging from quick casual options to a full steakhouse dinner.
During my stay, I ate at Food Bazaar and Alto Steakhouse.
Food Bazaar
By the time I checked in, it was late afternoon and I was hungry, so I headed to Food Bazaar.
It’s a modern take on the traditional casino buffet. You still pay a single fixed price, but instead of walking down long buffet lines and serving yourself, you choose food from different stations, order directly from the staff, and they hand you your selections.
It solved just about everything I’ve always disliked about buffets. I didn’t have to use serving utensils that hundreds of other people had touched or wait behind someone having an existential crisis over mashed potatoes versus mac and cheese. I simply ordered what I wanted and picked it up when it was ready.
The stations cover several types of food, including Italian, Mexican, Southern dishes, seafood, burgers and sandwiches, and desserts.
I was in the mood for Italian, so I ordered a margherita pizza and Caesar salad from Bottega. The crust had a nice chew, and the fresh mozzarella was the star of the pizza.
And yes, I may have wandered over to Sugar Lips afterward. I told myself I was just looking, but somehow a couple of bite-sized desserts ended up on my plate.
Alto Steakhouse
The next night, we had dinner on the top floor at Alto.
Walking in, I immediately noticed the dry-aging steaks on display. Chef Fabio Viviani, a former Top Chef finalist, serves as Alto’s culinary partner and brings Italian influences to the steakhouse menu.
You can see the Chicago skyline from the dining room on a clear day, but I spent most of dinner paying attention to what was on my plate instead.
This ended up being one of the best meals I’d had in a long time, and I’d happily come back just for dinner even if I weren’t staying at the hotel.
Dinner started with several appetizers, but the smoked burrata immediately became my favorite. The tomato jam added just the right amount of sweetness to balance the creamy cheese, and I found myself making sure every bite included a little of both.
For my entrée, I ordered the spicy Creste di Gallo, and it lived up to its description. Too many dishes claim to be spicy and barely deliver, but this one had a noticeable kick without overwhelming the other flavors.
Every plate that came to the table looked just as impressive as mine, and we spent the first five minutes taking photos before anyone took a bite.
By the time dessert arrived, I was completely stuffed. Everyone else somehow managed to find room, but I’d officially reached my limit. Judging by how quickly the desserts disappeared, I may have missed out.
Before heading back downstairs, I stepped onto the terrace for one last look at the skyline.
The Spa at Wind Creek Chicago Southland
While the rest of my group enjoyed their spa treatments, I toured the facilities instead, and I was impressed by what I saw. Between the thermal suite, aromatherapy showers, and guided mud room, there’s quite a bit more here than the usual massages and facials.
You don’t have to book a massage or facial to enjoy the spa facilities. Standalone spa passes are available starting at $100 per person at the time of writing, giving guests access to the hot tub, saunas, steam rooms, and relaxation areas. Spa passes can be booked separately through ResortPass.
The spa has several relaxation areas, along with a whirlpool, sauna, steam room, Himalayan salt sauna, and four aromatherapy experience showers.
I’d never heard of aromatherapy showers before. Each uses a different combination of water temperature, spray pattern, and scent, and they’re designed to be used in a progression which I thought was a pretty neat idea.
The changing areas are spacious and stocked with amenities like razors, shower caps, and other toiletries in case you forgot something at home.
There are eight treatment rooms, including two with private showers for body wraps and exfoliation treatments.
I also got a peek at the guided mud room. Guests begin with a salt scrub, rinse, apply either a mud or charcoal mask, and then relax on heated seats while steam does its thing before the final rinse-off.
It sounded like a fun option for couples or friends who want something a little different from a traditional spa treatment.
Pool and Fitness Center
Wind Creek Chicago Southland also has an indoor pool, hot tub, and fitness center for hotel guests. The indoor pool has designated family hours in the morning, followed by adults-only hours for the rest of the day. Check the current schedule before your visit, especially if you’re traveling with children.
Wind Creek Chicago Southland Casino
Although I didn’t gamble during my stay, I did walk through and check out the casino.
The gaming floor has more than 1,400 slot machines, dozens of table games, a dedicated high-limit area, and a sportsbook lounge where you can watch a game while placing a bet.
One other thing caught my attention: robot bartenders.
It was early morning, so they weren’t mixing drinks yet, but they were still fun to see. Naturally, I needed a photo.
Things to Do Near Wind Creek Chicago Southland
One of the things I appreciated most about staying at Wind Creek was the location. It worked well as a home base for exploring Chicago Southland. And at the end of each day, it was nice to come back to a comfortable room and have several dining options right at the hotel, rather than getting back in the car.
Over two days, I checked out the colorful Richard Haas murals in Homewood, made my own candle at Blue Pearl Candles, and toured Gayety’s Chocolates to see how the candy gets made.
I grabbed lunch at Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery, watched artists at work at Lotton Art Glass, and spent some downtime at Chicago Gaelic Park.
My Wind Creek Chicago Southland Review: Is It Worth It?
So, would I stay at Wind Creek Chicago Southland again?
Yes.
If you’re specifically coming for the casino, obviously you’ll have plenty to do. But if you’re traveling with someone who gambles when you don’t, I wouldn’t rule Wind Creek out just because “casino” is in the description. You don’t even have to walk through the casino to get to the restaurants and hotel amenities.
I loved my room, had two excellent dining experiences, and found it a convenient place to stay while exploring Chicago Southland. I’d happily return, and I’d make sure to have dinner at Alto again.
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