Strolling down one of Lake Geneva's charming streets is like taking a walk back in time. The lighting and streetscapes are pure 1880s. Storefronts with colorful awnings and perfectly groomed flower boxes are a fitting backdrop for happy visitors bustling from one shop to the next or meeting friends for lunch.
The greater Lake Geneva area, which includes the communities of Delevan, Fontana and Lake Como, is truly a jewel in the Midwest. Lake Geneva itself was founded in 1836 on waterpower and as the end of the railroad line and quickly became an escape for Chicagoans after the Great Fire of 1871.
"We could grind wheat all summer because we are at the head waters of the White River," says George Hennerley, president of the Lake Geneva CVB. "When the fire hit Chicago, people started coming here in droves. We even had camps where Chicagoans were basically refugees until their homes in the city were rebuilt.
"Once they were here for a while, they realized how beautiful Lake Geneva was and decided to build mansions along the water."
For the next 50 years, the city of Lake Geneva prospered. Almost every Chicago big wig had a place along Geneva Lake to spend their summers. The scene was absolutely magical—women donning umbrellas, jeweled corsets and full ball skirts walking in tandem with men in top hats and coats with tails along the lake, sometimes going out on the water in a yacht.
"Before the era of air conditioning, breezes from the water would cool the community by the lake—it was a great time in history," Hennerley says.
Mansion building ended with the Great Depression, but the city continued to attract visitors who needed a summer getaway.
"Then in the 1950s, people discovered the road trip, and bed-and-breakfasts started popping up all over town," Hennerley says. "After that, the big hotels starting coming in."
"Big hotel" No. 1 was The Abbey, built in the mid-'60s, followed by Hugh Hefner's Playboy Club.
"The Playboy Club was something the area hadn't yet seen—a 350-room resort with two golf courses, meeting facilities, skiing facilities and pools," Hennerley says. "From there, we just continued to evolve as a premier recreation and business destination."
Present Day
Thankfully, things haven't changed much in Lake Geneva—just a few tweaks here and there, most designed to enhance the destination while preserving its historical integrity.
The Playboy Club is now the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, and while many of the mansions have been torn down due to wood construction and lack of proper insulation, others have stayed upright and been restored to their original splendor and welcome tour groups.
"We have one mansion, Black Point, which was built in 1888 and has never been modernized," Hennerley says. "It was donated to the state of Wisconsin and people can tour it and even meet there."
Unlike communities dramatically altered by a major influx of residents, Lake Geneva has kept its small town feel with less than 10,000 residents.
"I am from here and when I was growing up, we were a town of about 5,000 residents," Hennerley says. "Now, we are at about 8,000. We've mostly seen significant growth in our second homes and condos, but from a year-round perspective, the city of Lake Geneva hasn't grown that much; it has kept its charm."
Venue Variety
The charm translates well to groups. The city is only about a 90-minute drive from downtown Chicago and a one-hour drive from Milwaukee, so air and road travel is a breeze. If you have a private jet, it is even easier; the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa has a tarmac.
Once lakeside, groups have a wide variety of accommodations to choose from. Starting with the first major property to grace the area, The Abbey Resort is a 90-acre, full-service gem right on the lake and offers 334 guest rooms and 40,000 square feet of meeting space, which includes a 6,000-square-foot tented pavilion.
Just 14 miles east is the sprawling Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, an AAA Four Diamond resort with 355 guest rooms and 62,000 square feet of meeting space. The resort is well known for its golf offerings, which include two courses: The Brute and The Highlands.
Within Grand Geneva's campus is the Timber Ridge Resort, a perfect spot for groups bringing the family along. The property has a 50,000-square-foot waterpark, 225 guest suites and a 3,200-square-foot ballroom.
Back at the lake is a more intimate property, Bella Vista Suites, which recently added a lobby lounge and a spa and features 39 guest suites and 3,000 square feet meeting space. Just 300 feet to the east is Harbor Shores on Lake Geneva, featuring 108 guest rooms and 5,300 square feet of meeting space.
Additionally, The Geneva Inn has 2,000 square feet of function space and is located next to the 21-mile lakefront path. A lakeside patio and atrium at the inn is perfect for group functions. Farther north is The Cove of Lake Geneva, which has 8,500 square feet of meeting space.
"Beyond those properties, we have smaller, more retreat-like facilities throughout the area such as the French Country Inn on Lake Como, the Comfort Suites and Mill Creek Hotel, and Delevan Lake Resort in nearby Delevan," Hennerley says.
Another favorite is the Lodge at Geneva Ridge above Lake Como, with 16,000 square feet of meeting space.
Hotels and resorts aren't the only places for groups to meet in greater Lake Geneva. Restaurants are also popular for off-site dinners and receptions.
"We have a lot of great restaurants in the area," he says. "Popeye's is one—and it isn't the fast food Popeyes. It overlooks the lake and beach area and has space for groups of up to 80 people."
Geneva Chophouse is another popular option for groups looking for an off-site venue. The restaurant is located within the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa and offers space for private events. Lake Geneva's downtown district has a wide variety of dining establishments welcoming meeting groups, starting with Ryan Braun's Tavern & Grill on Broad Street. The Italian eatery (make sure to try to the pizza and pastas) has an indoor private event space for up to 18 people and opens its patio in the summer for up to 48 people. In addition, the restaurant is planning to open a downstairs private space in April for groups of up to 40 people.
Nearby on Main Street, groups can check out Sopra Bistro, a fine dining restaurant that opened in March 2008. It has space for dinners, receptions and meetings and is well known for its rigatoni, grilled salmon and microbrews.
If you are in nearby Fontana, check out Novak's Restaurant, known for its homemade soups and Chicago-style pizza. The restaurant has a nice outdoor patio for up to 50 people. The Cobalt Lounge, also in Fontana, offers space for a 50-person sit-down dinner and 100-person strolling reception.
Outdoor Adventure
Beyond its resorts and restaurants, the Lake Geneva area also offers a plethora of outdoor adventure options for everyone from the thrill-seeker to the laid-back meeting delegate.
"There are tons of things to do on Geneva Lake, like parasailing and fishing," Hennerley says. Parasailing-bound groups can check out Jerry's Majestic Marine, which also offers pontoon boat and wave runner rentals. Groups can also parasail off The Abbey Resort's marina.
Fishing enthusiasts can call the Lake Geneva Fishing Guide Service, which offers boats for rent. Another unique excursion option is Lake Geneva Cruise Line, which operates a variety of vessels—from replica paddle wheel steamers to luxury yachts—and accommodates group outings.
"The Lake Geneva area offers a unique blend of activities and venues for visiting groups," Hennerley says. "We have first-class, state-of-the-art amenities and great lodging and food, yet you can walk out your back door and find yourself in Middle America.
"Groups feel relaxed here and can focus," he adds. "They don't have to worry about being in a bustling city. Our location is a little bit outside of a major city, but you will not be roughing it here. It is a great place."
Katie Morell is a Chicago-based writer and former Meetings Focus editor.
