Situated between the bustling metros of Chicago and Milwaukee, the Lake Geneva area has provided harried city dwellers with a peaceful yet sophisticated retreat for more than 100 years.
The towns of Lake Geneva, Delavan, Williams Bay and Fontana are clustered near Geneva Lake, which is two miles wide and eight miles long, and the second-deepest lake in Wisconsin. Its 5,200 acres and 26 miles of shoreline tempt visitors from spring through autumn with boating, fishing and swimming as well as a host of opportunities for wildlife viewing, hiking and golf. Nearby, smaller lakes Delavan and Como present similar amenities.
Apart from its copious natural beauty and related attractions, the area has a venerable and well-deserved reputation as an upscale resort destination. More than 50 resort properties, hotels, motels and bed-and-breakfast establishments, as well as 100-plus restaurants, comprise an impressive hospitality portfolio for a region with a principal town of 7,200 people. Noted for their well-preserved 19th century buildings—the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Lake Geneva one of America’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations for 2009—and many gracious, historically important manor estates, these pleasant lake towns have a flair for showcasing what makes them special.
Just 90 minutes from O’Hare International Airport in Chicago and 45 minutes from General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, the Lake Geneva area boasts convenience as well as attractions and event resources.
Of course, none of these valuable attributes alone is what gives Lake Geneva its undeniable charm. It’s the combination that’s such a winning one.
“Our uniqueness stems from our turn-of-the-century, historic downtown being adjacent to the beautiful waters of Geneva Lake,” says George Hennerley, executive vice president of the Lake Geneva Area CVB. “This, coupled with 22 golf courses, five major resorts, one-of-a-kind attractions, state and county green space, and the area’s rich history that helped Lake Geneva earn the moniker “Newport of the West,” all combine to make Lake Geneva a unique and satisfying destination.”
Many of the area’s grand resorts have recently received major facelifts.
Among the latest developments is the new 35,000-square-foot Avani spa at The Abbey Resort in Fontana. The 90-acre property offers 334 guest rooms and more than 40,000 square feet of event space, all recently renovated. Event facilities include a dedicated conference center with nine meeting rooms. A 6,000-square-foot tented pavilion provides a comfortable space for outdoor gatherings, and dining options range from casual cafes to upscale restaurants.
One of the largest resorts in Wisconsin, Grand Geneva Resort and Spa unveiled a 10,000-square-foot expansion to its meeting space in 2006, bringing its total to more than 62,000 square feet. Event space includes a 7,680-square-foot ballroom, 35 breakout rooms and a 13,500-square-foot convention center as well as a 5,400-square-foot outdoor pavilion with views of the golf course. Two highly regarded courses offer 36 holes of golf, and in winter there are 18 downhill ski slopes and a terrain park for snowboarding. The property also just finished an upgrade of its 355 guest rooms, spa and pool.
There are several other larger meetings hotels in the area. Set above the shores of Lake Como, the Lodge at Geneva Ridge (reflagged from The Interlaken Resort and Spa after a $100 million redevelopment) offers 146 guest rooms and 16,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 4,000-square-foot ballroom.
Timber Ridge Lodge, which adjoins Grand Geneva Resort and recently completed a renovation, offers 225 guest suites and a 3,500-square-foot ballroom, as well as a 50,000-square-foot indoor waterpark.
Lake Lawn Resort & Spa on Delavan Lake recently wrapped up a $40 million renovation that included extensive upgrades to the property’s 282 guest rooms, 32,000 square feet of meeting space and public space, as well as the new Frontier Restaurant, featuring New American cuisine and upscale comfort food utilizing fresh local produce. Set on 250 wooded lakeside acres, the property also offers golf, a spa and plentiful lake activities.
Located in downtown Lake Geneva just across from the lake, The Cove of Lake Geneva has 222 guest suites and 8,500 square feet of meeting space. The property unveiled two new ballrooms at the end of 2006.
Smaller groups will appreciate the lakeside location and intimacy of the Geneva Inn, which has 37 guest rooms and 2,000 square feet of function space. Its Grandview Restaurant offers fine dining in the evenings and serves weekend champagne brunches.
In the meantime, the communities themselves have been working to improve their already idyllic beauty to ensure they present an ever-cheerful and welcoming face to visitors.
“In regards to renovation, public areas in Lake Geneva and Fontana have not gone unnoticed, with the introduction of a variety of amenities, including new benches, streetlights and sidewalks,” Hennerley says. “The Lake Geneva Beautification Commission has also done a wonderful job with recent additions, including stately fountains, restored statues and enhanced landscaping and lighting.”
The wealth of unique off-site group options alone is reason enough to plan a gathering in Lake Geneva, and groups meeting in the area should take full advantage of the many excursion options available.
Where there is water there are boats, and where there are boats there are private group charters. Lake Geneva Cruise Line operates a wide range of vessels on the lake, from replica paddlewheel steamers capable of hosting groups of 225 to luxurious yachts suitable for groups of up to 40 people. Live music, DJs or casino-style gaming are available as cruise entertainment.
For a truly special event, try a one-of-a-kind blend of history and science with a breathtaking natural backdrop. Built in the 1890s, Yerkes Observatory is operated by the University of Chicago. It is known as the “birthplace of modern astrophysics,” and at one time housed one of the largest telescopes in the world. The facility is set on 77 landscaped acres on the shore of Geneva Lake and is available to host private events.
The opulent Queen Anne-style Black Point Estate, a historic summer home built in 1888, opened as a museum in 2007 after nearly 120 years as a family residence. Reachable by boat or bus, it’s the only original manor home in the area open to the public. Geneva Museum of History offers the home as a graceful venue for select gatherings of up to 47 people.
The iconic Riviera Ballroom once hosted big band luminaries such as Count Basie and Duke Ellington. The historic lakefront property can welcome groups as large as 400 into its 7,200-square-foot ballroom. It’s conveniently located in downtown Lake Geneva, and several scenic daily lake cruises depart directly from the facility.
Golf is a popular pastime in the area, and many of the local courses are very highly rated. Abbey Springs Golf Course in Fontana, which earned four and a half stars from Golf Digest, is happy to host tournaments of four to 144, or even more with double shotgun play. The Palmer, Player and Trevino courses at Geneva National Golf Club in Lake Geneva are all considered top tier. The club boasts a total of 54 holes and offers a 4,000-square-foot ballroom as well as smaller spaces for banquets and events. Hawk’s View Golf Club offers the championship caliber Como Crossings and another 18-hole course. The club can accommodate as many as 400 for meetings and banquets.
Well into its second century as a beloved destination for small and midsize groups of all sorts, Lake Geneva grows more fascinating to those in search of the tranquility of its waters and the elegance of a bygone era.
“Lake Geneva will continue to develop as a premier meetings destination in the Midwest,” Hennerley says. “Meeting planners like the professional ability and friendly attitude our people have. The fact that the Lake Geneva area features a wealth of resources and has the ability to meet the varied needs of meeting planners goes a long way to reinforce our reputation as a first-class destination and the ideal spot for meetings of all shapes and sizes.”
