Grand Geneva Resort and Spa: A Perfect Family Getaway Any Time of Year

The town of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin is conveniently located an hour southwest of Milwaukee, and about ninety minutes north of Chicago, making it the perfect choice for a quick getaway. Grand Geneva Resort and Spa is the town’s premier resort property, offering a variety of activities from golf to snow skiing, along with a wide variety of seasonal events, making it a perfect family getaway any time of year.

*Disclosure: Although I was a guest of Grand Geneva Resort and Spa, opinions are 100% my own.

Grand Geneva Resort and Spa: A Perfect Family Getaway Any Time of Year

What Works for Families

The resort has a slogan “Kids Are Grand”, and they mean it. They have something for children of all ages from childcare at their health and fitness facility to their Kids Adventure Camp at the Adventure Center. Families can find bikes to ride, take hikes through the property, go horseback riding, climb rock walls, or try their hand at archery. Kids will never complain of boredom at Grand Geneva Resort and Spa.

The beds are extremely comfortable and the amenities are very nice. This visit I stayed in a suite, but in the past we stayed in a room with two double beds and felt it was spacious for five of us.

• Extra programming

The resort offers a daily schedule of “Grand Experiences”, something you might want to try while on property. These can include movie nights, painting classes, property tours, mixology classes, game nights, and s’mores making. These are complimentary unless otherwise specified.

• Free trolley service

There is a free trolley service to take families around the property. If they need a ride to the Adventure Center/Ski Area, just hop on the trolley. Want to go to the water park? The trolley will take you there. You can park your car once you arrive, and not need it again unless you need to leave the property.

• Access to a water park

Guests of the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa can use the water park at the sister property Timber Ridge Lodge for a fee. For those that don’t want to stay at a water park, but want to use it for a day or two, this is a great option.

• Year round fun

I have never seen a resort more focused on making the holidays special in some way. During the fall the resort offers Haunted Hayrides through the woods, and at Christmas the resort goes all out with Christmas in the Country offering special activities every day and beautiful decorations to celebrate the season.

During the Winter Carnival there are ski and snowboard demonstrations, competitions, and races along with a torch light parade and fireworks. There are wine celebrations for adults throughout the year and special events at Thanksgiving, Easter, and 4th of July. Everything revolves around families having fun!

What Doesn’t Work for Families

• Resort layout

The resort is designed to resemble a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired building. This makes it a bit confusing when trying to remember how to get to your room and I may be wrong, but I don’t remember seeing any elevators (I’m sure they must be there somewhere). Families with strollers or a lot of luggage should ask for assistance when getting to and from their room.

• Breakfast options

We’re a family who likes to have breakfast included with our stay. At Grand Geneva Resort and Spa families have an option to purchase from the Grand Café (some days a buffet is offered, other days it’s strictly from a menu) or grab a quick bite from the coffee place (Café Gelato). Another option might be to pay for the upgrade to Geneva Club privileges which provides access for breakfast, snacks, and hors d’oeuvres daily. All rooms have mini refrigerators too if you want to go to the store and purchase your own breakfast.

The Hotel

The Grand Geneva Resort is a AAA Four Diamond resort offering 355 suites and deluxe guest rooms. Beginning in 2017 the property will open up villas in a variety of sizes (studios, one, two, and three bedrooms) which will be perfect for families.

The hotel was originally the Lake Geneva Playboy Club Hotel, when it opened in 1968, the first of its kind in the United States. It has evolved quite a bit since then into the family friendly resort it is today. There are two championship golf courses, a spa and fitness center, tennis courts, horseback riding, a ski and snowboard park, and hiking and biking trails.

The Rooms

The rooms are quite spacious and the beds are very comfortable. Each room has a mini refrigerator, coffee maker, flat screen tv, and a television in the bathroom mirror which is pretty unique.

I would recommend asking for a room with a lake view and making sure there aren’t any trees blocking your view as it is pretty spectacular. Many rooms have private balconies or patios, but those with small children should know the sliding doors are very secure with multiple locks. The bathrooms are tastefully decorated with granite and feature amenities from the on site WELL spa.

Dining

There are plenty of restaurants to choose from on property. Geneva ChopHouse is the on-site steak and seafood restaurant. Ristoranté Brissago is Italian themed and has some wonderful pasta dishes. Grand Café is the main dining room, serving American cuisine like sandwiches, salads, and burgers. Links Bar and Grill is perfect for grabbing a bite to eat after playing a round of golf. Leinenkugel’s Mountain Top Lodge is open during ski season along with Timbers Grill, both serve food to those enjoying time on the mountain. There are plenty of dining options, it just depends on what your family wants to eat.

Spa, Swimming Pool, Fitness Area

The WELL Spa and Salon offers a full range of services from massages to pedicures. I had a very fun pedicure called “Toes on Tap” where I enjoyed a Wisconsin Spotted Cow beer, while soaking my feet in a bath of citrus and hops. I had an amazing nail technician and the other gals I went with raved about their facials. So if you can make time to get away from the kids, make time for the spa.

The outdoor swimming pool is very popular and can get busy at times. Families shouldn’t hesitate to head to Timber Ridge for some waterpark fun while they are visiting Grand Geneva. When it gets cold in the winter there is also an indoor pool at the fitness center. Kids can swim year round at this resort.

Grand Geneva Resort and Spa has one of the most amazing fitness centers I have ever found at a property. In addition to a variety of fitness classes they offer daily there is also a large selection of cardio equipment, weight machines, and free weights. There’s a 35 foot climbing wall, indoor tennis courts, and basketball courts too, which make it the perfect place to get a good workout.

The Grand Geneva Resort and Spa isn’t your typical resort. The staff is friendly and kids are made to feel welcome wherever they go on property. They have thought of everything when it comes to making families happy and it shows.