Overall sentiment: The reviews for Sunrise of Gurnee are overwhelmingly positive in tone across the majority of responses, with repeated praise for the facility’s cleanliness, warm and home-like atmosphere, engaging activities, and high-quality dining. Many reviewers describe the community as beautiful and well-maintained — often using words like elegant, ornate, or hotel-like — and consistently note that common areas and apartments are light-filled and comfortable. Staff are commonly described as friendly, compassionate, attentive, and invested in residents’ wellbeing; reviewers frequently highlight staff willingness to spend time with residents, personalized attention, and good communication with families. The presence of an on-site RN, monthly wellness checks, and visible infection-control measures (notably through the pandemic) are cited as reassuring elements that support residents’ health.
Care quality and staff: A large portion of reviews emphasize strong care quality: prompt assistance, dignity and respect for residents, individualized focus on independence, and supportive leadership. Many families credit staff and management with smooth relocation, effective care coordination, and marked improvements in resident engagement and mood after moving in. Multiple reviews also point to long-tenured employees and stable staff familiarity with residents, which contributes to a ‘family-like’ environment. That said, there are a notable minority of reviews that describe significant lapses in care — such as incidents of incontinence being mishandled, residents left in wet clothes, used supplies found in rooms, and reports of unsanitary equipment — which are serious concerns. These negative incidents are not the majority impression but are substantial enough to be recurrent themes that prospective families should investigate further.
Facilities and amenities: Reviewers consistently praise the facility’s physical attributes: manicured grounds with a pond and vegetable garden, courtyards, sunrooms/porches, skylights, and a variety of communal spaces (dining room, salon, music areas). Apartments come in multiple floorplans (studios, 1-bed, 2-bed) and many are described as well-appointed and bright. Some reviewers, however, point out that certain units — especially lower-cost or memory-care rooms — can be small and that larger suites are limited or frequently occupied. Highlighted amenities include the dining room, bakery area, grand piano, mini-bar stocking, and on-site salon. The community is noted as pet-friendly (specific references to a resident dog named Wrigley), which many families see as a positive.
Dining and activities: Dining is one of the strongest recurring positives: reviewers describe restaurant-style meals, multiple chefs, varied menus, and enjoyable food. Many cite menu-based ordering and an appealing dining experience with no noticeable odors during meals. A minority of reviewers raised issues with dietary accommodations — especially for residents requiring diabetic or strictly managed diets — reporting a lack of individualized meal preparation in some cases and inappropriate snacks being offered to residents with dietary restrictions. Activity programming is another highlight: reviewers report robust options including exercise classes, walking clubs, baking and cooking clubs, musical entertainment, movies, outings to cultural attractions (e.g., Chicago Botanical Gardens), and frequent trips via the community bus. Memory-care programming (e.g., reminiscence) is mentioned positively by some, but several reviews note that the memory-care area itself is small and may not suit every need.
Management, communication, and consistency: Communication and staff responsiveness receive many favorable mentions; reviewers commonly note compassionate, family-oriented staff who proactively coordinate admissions and respond to concerns. Many families found the admissions process and ongoing communication to be clear and supportive. Conversely, there are recurring criticisms about management or front-desk demeanor in a minority of experiences — including accounts of rude information-desk staff, unresponsive directors, and unresolved complaints — which can create distrust. Reviewers also repeatedly report confusing or non-transparent pricing structures, extra fees (for medication dispensing and other services), and slow final billing, which undercut otherwise positive impressions and raise concerns about value.
Safety, cleanliness, and compliance: Most reviewers emphasize excellent cleanliness and strict infection-control measures; the facility’s COVID protocols and general sanitation are frequently commended. Security features and a sense of safety are also noted. However, several reviews reported localized cleanliness/pest concerns (mouse droppings, mold) and crusty equipment, which contrast sharply with other testimonials and suggest potential variability in housekeeping standards or isolated incidents that should be verified. A few reviewers raised safety/handling concerns that led them to relocate their loved ones; these incidents are serious and, while not representative of the majority, merit careful attention.
Value and fit: Cost is the most commonly cited downside: many reviewers describe Sunrise of Gurnee as expensive or very expensive, with some specifically calling the cost a poor value when weighed against inconsistent service or hidden fees. The fee structure appears to vary by unit and required care level, and several families advise prospective residents to clarify all additional charges upfront. There is also an important theme about fit: reviewers often stress that the community is an excellent fit for certain residents (those seeking independence, strong social programming, high-quality dining, and a warm environment) but may be less appropriate for individuals needing higher levels of memory care, private larger suites, or strict dietary customization.
Overall synthesis and guidance: In aggregate, the reviews present Sunrise of Gurnee as a high-quality, attractive assisted living community with many strengths — notably cleanliness, staff dedication, strong dining and activities, and beautiful grounds — and with a generally uplifting resident experience for many families. At the same time, there are recurring, serious negative reports (care lapses, pest/mold issues, management unresponsiveness, and unclear fees) that appear in multiple independent reviews and should not be ignored. Prospective residents and families should weigh the strong positives against these concerns, verify current staffing levels and management responsiveness, ask specifically about pest control and recent inspections, confirm how dietary needs are accommodated, request details on all fees and medication-dispensing charges, and carefully evaluate the memory-care capacity and apartment sizes available. A personal tour, meetings with care staff and leadership, and follow-up with references or regulators can help clarify whether Sunrise of Gurnee will be a reliable fit for a particular resident’s needs.
