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Area B&Bs welcome guests with comfortable rooms, amenities

Looking to get away for a weekend, but don't have the spare cash to travel far? Whether you're dreaming of a romantic getaway or just relaxing with some friends, you can spend a night at a bed-and-breakfast where you can see the local sights and then relax amid antique furnishings and modern amenities.

Barrington House Bed & Breakfast, 203 Dundee Ave., Barrington, (847) 381-0203; barringtonhouse.com

Rates: $155-$195

Located in Barrington's historic district, Barrington House was built in 1894, but now features free high-speed Internet and TVs with DVD players. A pampering experience, each room is decorated with fresh flowers and Ghirardelli chocolates will be waiting for you. Glasses and corkscrews are available if you want share a bottle of wine in your room, on the porch or in the common area, which features a fireplace and a player piano. A three-course breakfast is made fresh each day and served on china and crystal. Dishes include pastries, omelets, French toast, sausage, ham and bacon, and are made with garden-fresh herbs.

Shady Oaks Bed & Breakfast, 15 Lake View Place, Lake Zurich, (847) 438-6797; shadyoaks-bb.com

Rates: $150-$190

Three of the four rooms at Shady Oaks have views of the lake, two with access to balconies overlooking the water. The 1904 Dutch Colonial cottage is accented by antiques. All the beds are new and made with Italian sheets. Rooms also feature cable TV and plush towels. The common room is often stocked with a bowl of fruit, along with juice in the refrigerator. When the weather is nice, you can eat a filling breakfast of quiche, frittatas and pancakes on the porch and soak up some sun.

Harrison House Bed & Breakfast, 26 N. Eagle St., Naperville, (630) 420-1117; harrisonhousebb.com

Rates: $178-$228

Built in 1904, Harrison House has been restored and updated with air conditioning, Internet access, cable and TVs with DVD players. The spot attracts lots of couples and bridal parties who enjoy fresh flowers in their room along with complimentary wine, cheese and cookies. The rooms feature king-size beds and three of the five have whirlpool bathtubs. If you feel the need to snack, the common area is stocked with fresh fruit, chips, popcorn, a full cookie jar and sometimes even cheesecake. The fridge is also packed with beer, wine and juice. In the morning, you can have breakfast in your room, the dining room or on the porch with selections including sourdough blueberry pancakes, turkey sausage quiche with sun-dried tomatoes, crepes and eggs Benedict.

Victorian Rose Garden Bed & Breakfast, 314 Washington St., Algonquin, (847) 854-9667; sleepandeat.com

Rates: $99-$149

Built in 1886, Victorian Rose Garden is decorated with Victorian-style antiques, but still features cable TV and wireless Internet access. Known as a destination for romantic getaways, the spot offers several packages where you can add on dinner at the nearby seafood spot Port Edward Restaurant and have roses waiting in your room. Girls' getaways are also popular with afternoon tea available for an added fee and two spas within walking distance. Three of the four rooms feature queen beds, while one has a king. Guests often congregate on the porch or in the family room, which is also inhabited by a resident cat. While he's aloof enough that those with allergies are unlikely to be harassed, plenty of cat lovers have tried to get the feline in their good graces during their stay. Breakfast is served on china and crystal with linen napkins and features fruit, juice, coffee and tea.

Lynn Harrison has run Harrison House Bed & Breakfast in Naperville for more than 20 years. This is for a story on local B&Bs. Scott Sanders | Staff Photographer
This upstairs bedroom at the Harrison House Bed & Breakfast in Naperville is owner Lynn Harrison's favorite. Scott Sanders | Staff Photographer
A decorative bathroom for one of the upstairs rooms in the Harrison House Bed & Breakfast in Naperville. Scott Sanders | Staff Photographer
Built in 1894, the Barrington Bed & Breakfast has been updated with modern amenities. Courtesy of Barrington Bed-and-Breakfast
Lynn Harrison has run Harrison House Bed & Breakfast in Naperville for more than 20 years. This is for a story on local B&Bs. This is the downstairs bedroom. Scott Sanders | Staff Photographer
Guests can relax on the porch of the Harrison House Bed & Breakfast in Naperville. Scott Sanders | Staff Photographer
The common area of the Barrington Bed & Breakfast includes a fireplace and player piano. Courtesy of Barrington Bed-and-Breakfast
The Victorian Rose Garden Bed & Breakfast in Algonquin is a romantic getaway decorated with antiques. Brian Hill | Staff Photographer
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