Planning a visit to Brookfield Zoo Chicago? William Tell Hotel MOD Collection by Sonesta offers a place to stay in Countryside, Illinois, with rooms and suites and on-site dining at Tell’s Tavern. This guide covers what to check before booking, planning your journey to the zoo, and making time to explore the surrounding area. For current admission, parking and free-day details, see our Brookfield Zoo tickets and parking guide.
How Close Is the William Tell Hotel to Brookfield Zoo?
William Tell Hotel is located at 6201 Joliet Road in Countryside, Illinois. Before setting out, check directions to your chosen Brookfield Zoo entrance and allow for traffic and parking. Journey times vary by route and time of day.
Check Availability
Before locking in your stay, a few details are worth confirming:
- Room occupancy and bed configuration: Options range from cozy rooms for two up to suites for six guests, with king or queen bed configurations. See Rooms & Suites for the full lineup.
- Breakfast: Tell’s Tavern serves breakfast daily; check whether it’s included in your selected rate when you book. See Dining for hours.
- Parking: Complimentary self-parking is available for all guests, including larger vehicles.
- Check-in and check-out: Check-in begins at 4 p.m. and check-out is at 11 a.m.; early arrival or late departure is subject to availability.
- Traveling with a pet: Pets are welcome for a per-stay fee. Travelling with a pet? Review the zoo and hotel pet policies before booking.
Where to Stay Near Brookfield Zoo: What Actually Matters
Search "hotels near Brookfield Zoo" and you'll get a list sorted by distance, but distance is the least interesting part of the decision. What actually shapes the stay: a real dinner without a second drive after a full day of walking, spacious rooms with room to breathe, easy access to downtown La Grange, the Metra into Chicago, and historic Route 66 as Illinois celebrates the Mother Road's 100th anniversary in 2026. Traveling with a dog? The William Tell offers pet-friendly stays, worth knowing before you book anywhere.
Visit Tell's Tavern
Make It a Weekend: Beyond the Zoo
One of the quiet advantages of staying in Countryside is what surrounds it. A sample weekend locals would endorse: Saturday, zoo at opening, back to the hotel for a rest, then an easy evening at Tell's Tavern, where Swiss precision meets American spirit. Sunday, breakfast, then choose your direction — downtown La Grange for coffee and browsing, the Metra into the city for museums or the lakefront, or Route 66 southwest, where the centennial year has the roadside stops between here and Joliet livelier than they've been in a generation.
See Things to Do Nearby
A Stay With a Story
Plenty of hotels near Brookfield Zoo will hand you a keycard. Not many can hand you a history. After 50 years, the William Tell has been revived in name and spirit, thoughtfully restored and locally rooted, hosting the region’s meaningful moments with timeless style and a touch of rebel heart. If the zoo is the reason for the trip, the hotel can be the reason the trip is remembered.
Let the past meet your present. We’ll keep a light on.
FAQ
Where is William Tell Hotel located?
William Tell Hotel MOD Collection by Sonesta is located at 6201 Joliet Road in Countryside, Illinois, in the western suburbs of Chicago near Brookfield Zoo.
How far is Brookfield Zoo from downtown Chicago?
About 14 miles west of the Loop. The Metra commuter rail also runs nearby for a car-free trip into the city.
Is the William Tell Hotel pet-friendly?
Yes. The William Tell Hotel offers pet-friendly stays, which makes it a practical base for families traveling with pets, since the zoo itself does not admit them.
Is there a restaurant at the William Tell Hotel?
Yes. Tell’s Tavern is the hotel’s on-site restaurant and bar, so dinner after a zoo day doesn’t require getting back in the car.
How much time should we plan for Brookfield Zoo?
Most visitors spend four to six hours. With 216 acres to cover, many families split the visit across two days, which is where a nearby hotel earns its keep.