Prevue January/February 2015 - (Page 66)

Grand Geneva Resort & Spa Meetings get inspired among 1,300 acres of Midwest perfection [ON LOCATION] JOHNALEE JOHNSTON T he timing of our arrival at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa couldn't have been more exciting if it were scripted. The property, originally constructed as the Lake Geneva Playboy Club Hotel in the late-1960s, is buzzing with bunny ears, vintage cars and attire revealing enough to make Cher blush. On this otherwise quiet summer day, a corporate party and wedding are energizing this tucked-away lakeside resort. In its heyday, the sprawling 355-room property was an entertainer's haven, luring high-proﬁle celebrities such as Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Liza Minelli and Sonny and Cher from the bright city lights to the quiet rolling hills of Lake Geneva. A presentday engineering ofﬁce used to function as a recording studio- that, along with 1,300 meandering acres, a private airstrip, two championship golf courses and the promise of exclusivity set the stage for the 4-star Grand Geneva's rise as a top Midwest resort. THERE'S GOLD IN THESE HILLS During an Amazing Race-style scavenger hunt, we're swept through grassy, tree-laden knolls to view some of the resort's perks, including the WELL Spa + Salon & Fitness Center. Himalayan salt lamps in treatment rooms emit ions that are said to neutralize the negative impact of modern technology- television, computers and other devices-on the body. The Himalayan 'positivity' session builds on this concept with a massage and salt scrubs. Though entirely unsure of the lamps' success, the consensus is that it's tempting to stay in the immediately calming atmosphere. Our Gran Race Team is soon whisked away, however, and harnessed up to climb a 35-foot-tall wall nearby. Other popular activities carried out here include yoga, cycling, swimming and indoor/outdoor tennis. "Our Grand Race Team teambuilding is customized to ﬁt your group," says Courtney Nobilio, director of marketing communications for the property. "We can add in more physical challenges, or activities to slow things down a little too." Nobilio is excited to tell us about the new Clean the World teambuilding program, where groups assemble disease-preventing hygiene kits that are donated to the non-proﬁt, Clean the World. THE THICK OF IT The 355-room campus-style resort offers 62,000 sf of state-of-theart event space. Interiors are earthy, warm and airy, much like you'd expect from a Frank Lloyd Wright-infused design. Meeting rooms bring the elements indoors with built-in views of the meandering landscape. After a quick trolley ride to The Mountain Top, a steep multi-use mountain, we arrive to cheers from the sidelines of the Gladiator Assault Challenge, a Navy SEAL-like mud run course with 36 grueling obstacles spread over six miles. The Mountain Top, anchored by the Mountain Top Ski Chalet, transforms into a ski and snowboarding hill the ﬁrst week of December through mid-March. After a good Midwest snow, cross-country ski trails and snowshoeing, skiing and snowboarding lessons. An ice skating rink and sledding are offered nearby under an outdoor pavilion. AND THEN WE EAT Grand Geneva's culinary offerings are locally sourced-and it shows. All ﬁve of the resort's restaurants use fresh herbs and vegetables from an on-site garden. One of our favorites was the Ristorante Brissago, with regionally made pastas, cheeses, olive oils and desserts complement a nice selection of Italian wines. For an authentic dose of Wisconsin's culinary ﬂair, book a beer and cheese tasting. A glass of Wisconsin Amber from Capital Brewery with a cranberry chipotle cheese pairing really hits the spot on a warm summer evening. grandgeneva.com 66 | prevue magazine 66-67_Grand Geneva_IHG.indd 66 1/8/15 7:03 AM http://www.grandgeneva.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Prevue January/February 2015

Planner’s Pick: New Orleans
Fresh Meets: Hilton
Bureau Buzz: Raleigh
Good Business: Monaco
Sea Shores: Royal Caribbean International
The Era of Personalization
CONVENTION CENTERS INNOVATE
CORPORATE RETREATS
ONLY IN FLORIDA
On Location: Barcelo Bavaro
SOUTH KOREA
DUBAI
On Location: Caesars Entertainment
On Location: Grand Geneva
On Location: Guadalajara

Prevue January/February 2015