Heritage Harbor Resort Marina Achieves Elite Fleet Award

Heritage Harbor Resort, just 90 minutes from Chicago and centered around a 182-slip marina, has earned the 2021 Boater’s Choice Elite Fleet Award by Marinas.com. The only Illinois marina to win the award twice, Heritage Harbor is a popular stop for boaters continuing along the Great Loop, offering 32-acres of 8-foot -deep harbor and an opening width of 200 feet. The marina, with slips of 35 to 60-feet, accommodates boats of all sizes as well as single-load floating and private dock boxes.

“We are very proud to be recognized as an Elite Fleet Marina, once again, by Marinas.com Boater’s Choice,” said Pierre Alexander, Heritage Harbor Resort Marketing Manager. “It is a testament to the state-of -the art facility we offer boaters, but also to the quality of service and attention to detail our marina operators provide daily to create a memorable experience.”

According to Marinas.com, the 2021 Elite Fleet Winners maintained an average star rating of at least 4.7 and received at least 10 reviews throughout the year. Winners are considered to go above and beyond to delight boaters. Heritage Harbor also achieved the award in 2019 as well as multiple Boater’s Choice awards in 2018.

Heritage Harbor Resort is a premier vacation destination, offering a second-to-none amenities and a variety of homes, including condominiums, villas, townhomes, single-family homes and custom residences, for purchase or rent. The 16-mile stretch of waterway between the Marseilles Lock and Starved Rock Lock provides and abundance of oaring and watersport options. Rental boats including, pontoon boats, jet-skis, Go-Float electric boats, are available at a 20% discount for Harbor Inn guests. In collaboration with Quest Water Sports, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards are also available for rent.

“Unlike the Great Lakes, boating here is not nearly as congested and, therefore, tends to be safer,” Alexander said. “Residents also have the flexibility of owning a smaller boat for use on the river and other area waterways that take them to secluded beaches and riverside parks. Boaters enjoy waterskiing, tubing, wakeboarding and abundant fishing. Large and small mouth bass, crappie, catfish, walleye and sauger are abundant, in fact, ESPN named the area ‘The Sauger Capital of the World’.”

Heritage Harbor also features the Red Dog Restaurant, Tiki Bar and beach as well numerous neighborhood clubhouses and swimming pools. The Heritage Harbor activity director plans year-round events for residents and guests, including live music on weekends, crafts, cooking classes, tours, and the weekly, Saturday 5K walk and run.

The Resort’s newest neighborhood, Navvy Town, is ideal for investors with six two-story Lock Tender Cottages priced from $309,000 available for spring delivery. These homes feature 1,150 square feet of living space with two bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths and an open-concept kitchen and living room as well as an option to finish the full basement

The Canal Quarters Mansion Flats, priced from the low $219s, are also available and consist of 580-square-foot, one-bedroom condominiums with four to a building. Two- bedroom Carriage Homes will be offered in the future. Navvy Town will also feature a water feature and recreation hall for games, movie nights and other family fun.

“Boaters and non-boaters alike enjoy endless recreational opportunities at Heritage Harbor,” Alexander said. “The community is across from the 97-mile I & M Canal Biking trail, is just three miles to charming downtown Ottawa and is only 15 minutes from Starved Rock State Park.”

The 2,630-acre Starved Rock State Park, known for its steep sandstone canyons and waterfalls, attracts hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Historic Ottawa, site of the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas Debate, offers shops, restaurants, craft breweries and more. Minutes from Heritage Harbor, visitors also enjoy the August Hill Winery and Illinois Sparkling Co. Tasting Room, Illinois River Winery, Utica Electric Bike Rental, LaSalle Canal Boat tours and the Grand Bear Falls Indoor Water Park. Golfers enjoy a host of nearby golf clubs such as Dayton Ridge Golf Club, Pine Hills Golf Club Bar and Restaurant and Bourne golf course. The Concept Haulers Motor Speedway offers go-karting and the nearby Grundy County Speedway offers stock car racing.

Heritage Harbor is located at 111 Harbor View Drive in Ottawa. Please call (815) 433-5000 to preschedule a one-on-one appointment or email tammyb@heritageharborottawa.com . Enjoy a virtual drive-through of the community by visiting www.visitheritageharbor.com.

Heritage Harbor Resort marina in Ottawa achieves Marinas.com Boater’s Choice Elite Fleet Award, the only Illinois marina to be recognized twice with the distinction.