Charles Gardens LLC

    120 S Ruby Ln, Fairview Heights, IL, 62208
    4.0 · 14 reviews
    • Independent living
    • Assisted living
    AnonymousCurrent/former resident
    4.0

    Homey dog-friendly assisted living satisfied

    I moved into this one-level, dog-friendly assisted living close to home - it feels homey with a pond, patio and walkable area. The staff are terrific: friendly, caring and on top of meds, transportation and daily activities (games, bingo, themed days, trips); rooms are accessible with alcoves, fridge/microwave and meals are included. I'm satisfied and find it affordable, though parts feel dated (old appliances/carpet, motel-era layout) and there have been occasional cleanliness/staff lapses.

    Pricing

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    Amenities

    4.00 · 14 reviews

    Overall rating

    1. 5
    2. 4
    3. 3
    4. 2
    5. 1
    • Care

      4.3
    • Staff

      4.5
    • Meals

      4.0
    • Amenities

      3.3
    • Value

      4.5

    Pros

    • One-level layout
    • Assisted living services and medical assistance
    • Staff frequently described as very nice, friendly, and helpful
    • Attentive and caring staff with a family atmosphere
    • Transportation to medical appointments
    • All meals included / meals available
    • Range of daily activities (games, bingo, themed days, trips)
    • Accessible rooms with handicap rails
    • Alcoves in units with fridge and microwave
    • Patios and outdoor features (pond, walkable area)
    • Dog-friendly
    • Timely medication delivery noted by some reviewers
    • Weekly room cleaning offered
    • Reasonably priced / affordable care
    • Long-term residents and a welcoming community

    Cons

    • Reports of poor or disgusting cleanliness in some areas
    • Outdated facilities and fixtures (old carpets, stove, sink, air conditioners)
    • Motel-era / 1960s feel to parts of building
    • Inconsistent maintenance (mixed reports of new vs old carpets/AC)
    • Unusual apartment layouts (extra shower used for storage)
    • Meals not consistently high quality according to some reviewers
    • At least one report of unprofessional or disrespectful staff member
    • Frustrations mentioned without clear resolution in some reviews

    Summary review

    Overall sentiment from the reviews is mixed but leans positive, with a strong emphasis on the quality of the staff and the community environment. Multiple reviewers highlight that Charles Gardens provides a warm, family-like atmosphere where caregivers are attentive, friendly, and helpful. Transportation to appointments, assistance with medical needs, and timely medication delivery were repeatedly praised, and several reviewers explicitly recommended the facility. The property’s one-level layout, accessible rooms (handrails), alcove kitchen conveniences (fridge and microwave), patios, and proximity to a pond and walkable outdoor areas are noted as practical and pleasant features for residents.

    Staff and care quality are the most consistent strengths cited. Words like "terrific," "very caring," and "on top of everything" recur across summaries, along with descriptions of staff helping with appointments, daily needs, and creating a supportive environment. The activity program is another positive theme: daily activities, themed days, bingo, games, and trips are offered and appreciated, contributing to social life and engagement. Reviewers also call out affordability and the inclusion of meals and weekly room cleaning as tangible benefits. The facility’s dog-friendly policy and evidence of long-term residency further reinforce a sense of stability and community comfort.

    The primary concerns center on facilities and cleanliness. Several reviewers report outdated fixtures and finishes — old carpets, stoves, sinks, and air conditioners — giving parts of the building a "motel-era" or 1960s feel. One reviewer described cleanliness as "disgusting," while others described the facility as well kept and clean; this indicates inconsistency in housekeeping or possibly isolated problem areas. Related to the physical layout, at least one reviewer noted an unusual apartment configuration where an extra shower is being used for storage, suggesting variability in unit layouts and possible improvisations. Prospective residents should be aware that impressions of physical condition vary and may depend on which unit or wing they see.

    Dining receives mixed feedback. While multiple reviewers praised the food and said they "loved the food," others found meal quality lacking. This split suggests that dining experiences may vary by meal, time, or individual taste. Similarly, management and operations mostly receive positive mentions in the form of helpful staff and good communication, but at least one reviewer reported an unprofessional or disrespectful staff member and generic "frustrations" that were not elaborated on. These comments point to occasional personnel or service consistency problems rather than systemic failure.

    In summary, Charles Gardens appears to be a community with strong person-centered care and a friendly culture, offering many useful features for assisted living residents: accessibility, included meals, activities, medical assistance, and transportation. The major caveat from these reviews is variability in physical condition and cleanliness: some areas or units feel dated and in need of maintenance or updating, and there are isolated complaints about cleanliness and one-off staff behavior. I recommend that prospective residents and families visit in person, tour several unit types, ask about recent or planned renovations, inspect housekeeping standards, sample a meal, and speak directly with staff about routines and complaint resolution to confirm whether the facility’s strengths align with their priorities.

    Location

    Map showing location of Charles Gardens LLC

    About Charles Gardens LLC

    Charles Gardens LLC has all sorts of living options for seniors, with some folks living in mobile home parks, others staying in apartments, and some getting care in larger buildings set up for senior living, and it's been around since December 20, 2000, so there's some history behind the place, even if it hasn't gotten any Better Business Bureau accreditation, and being a limited liability company, it runs with a business focus, but what really stands out is they've got independent living, assisted living, and even nursing home services, so it means people can get more or less help as their needs change, plus they've set up all kinds of specific care types and offer home health care, personal care services, and elderly care, covering planned social activities for the residents right there on the large grounds, and from what can be seen, everyone gets three meals a day that are prepared and served like a nice restaurant, which makes mealtime feel special, and there's free laundry done for everyone, so folks don't have to worry about that, and 24-hour staff means help is always nearby, which is a comfort, and when you walk around you see decorated common rooms for socializing or just relaxing, and private patios for each resident so there's personal outdoor space, and with five different layout options for living spaces, there's a fair bit of choice in how people set up their homes, all of this rolled up with the features you find in a retirement home or senior center, with lots of amenities aimed at comfort and making daily life more convenient for residents, so Charles Gardens LLC covers a wide range of senior living needs in one place.

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