FONTANA, Wis.
Benchmark is expanding its presence in the Midwest by adding The Abbey Resort and Avani Spa to its Benchmark Resorts and Hotels brand portfolio.
Set on 90 acres along the shores of Geneva Lake, the year-round resort is 75 miles from downtown Chicago and 45 miles from Milwaukee.
“We are delighted to be moving forward with such a highly esteemed, well-respected hospitality management provider as Benchmark,” said Cary Kerger, owner of The Abbey Resort and Avani Spa. “With the expertise and elite customer service of the Benchmark Resorts & Hotels brand portfolio, this new partnership is an excellent match for The Abbey Resort’s top priority of providing an exceptional guest experience.”
The Abbey Resort joins Benchmark’s other Midwestern properties, including Wingspread Retreat & Executive Conference Center in Racine, Wis., and Chicago’s Eaglewood Resort & Spa.
“We are very excited to expand our presence in the Midwest with such a prominent resort in an area of stunning natural beauty and historic interest,” said Benchmark CEO Alex Cabañas. “The Abbey Resort has perfectly preserved its remarkable setting while looking to the future with vision and contemporary, experiential offerings for its guests.”
The Abbey Resort recently completed significant updates and renovations to enhance the property’s guest rooms, restaurants, meeting spaces, public spaces, the Avani Spa and the A-Frame roof exterior that is the resort’s signature.
The newest project included the creation of a cutting-edge virtual entertainment venue where high-powered virtual reality PCs allow guests to not only play games but to be part of them. At the Immersion Cinema, guests enjoy the latest films, sports events and other programing, and the accompanying Immersion Cafe is open for snacks and drinks. Corporate groups at the resort find this venue a unique spot for presentations, teambuilding and informal gatherings.
With 40,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor meeting space and more than two dozen meeting rooms, the resort can host a wide variety of events and conferences. The Harbor Ballroom offers 10,000 square feet of divisible space and a separate conference center provides an additional 6,000 square feet.
Fresh from the recent refurbishment, all 334 guest rooms, suites and 14 vacation villas combine casual chic with contemporary comforts in a lakeside setting.
Five restaurants and bars offer a variety of dining options. The signature restaurant, 240° West, puts a contemporary Midwestern spin on classic American dishes. On weekends, Bar West serves bar snacks and libations accompanied by live music. For casual dining, there’s the Waterfront, known for house-smoked barbecue, outdoor dining and live weekend musical entertainment. Private events are catered in the Porto, an area inside the resort’s A-frame, designed to host memorable occasions.
