Just off the main Lake Geneva tourist track, The Ridge Hotel is the ideal base camp for any Lake Geneva visit. A sleek and chic destination, The Ridge is far from the stereotypical Lake Geneva hotel. It. is. stunning. A Tech savvy coffee bar lobby that dubs as a work space, a delicious craft restaurant and indoor beer garden with (a truly stunning) view of the lake, ice skating, chic bonfires for s’more roasting, winter igloos for winter treats and champagne toasting, and all this is in close proximity to one of the coolest winter attractions in North America . Could a Winter Escape get better than this? No need to look – it doesn’t exist.
Come along as we explore the family side of this four-season Lake Geneva Resort – The Ridge.
Checking into the Ridge
Only a five-minute drive from downtown Lake Geneva and just off the shores of Lake Como, the privately owned 146-room Ridge Hotel overlooks the stunning wooded shoreline and the award-winning Geneva National Golf Club. The hotel’s restaurant, outdoor terrace and many of the guest rooms offer gorgeous panoramic views of the property – making it one of the most unique and sleek hotels in the Lake Geneva area. Bonus – The Ridge is Fur-Friend friendly, which means your family fur friend can come along on the trip as well.
There is an immediate comfort you feel walking into The Ridge. A multi-million-dollar contemporary transformation took the lodge into a new destination unlike anything Lake Geneva has seen before. The vibrant, open-air lobby is as chic as it is inviting, with an instant appeal to not only road travelers in search of a relaxing trip, but also to urbanites that crave a contemporary experience. A rare mix to accomplish – but they nailed it. We also loved that they considered traveler comfort and conveniences. For example, the open-air lobby turns from a coffee shop by day to a wine bar at night, offering over-sized sectionals to relax on, as well as a stunning communal workstation with multiple USB stations. Perfect for working or laying back, the area is beckoning and comforting, all with modern fireplaces warming the ambiance.
Perfectly Crafted – Dining at The Ridge
Whether it’s a cup of coffee and a quick on-the-go breakfast, Friday Night Fish Fry (a famous Wisconsin tradition!), a crafted burger or a special occasion steak dinner, the dining options at The Ridge has something for everyone.
The lobby café, bean + vine coffee and wine bar, was our go to during the trip. The full-service coffee bar not only caffeinated guests, it carried a wide selection of wine beer and snacks, including juice boxes and snacks specifically for kids. They serve high-end brews from hand roasted Colectivo coffees and Rishi organic teas, both local brands that hail from Milwaukee (and served all over the world). We loved the bagels and muffins and used this as our breakfast destination. Come evening, bean + vine offers wine and beer by the bottle and glass, and the lobby turns into the perfect gathering space for family and friends.
Right off the lobby is Lake Geneva’s newest restaurant for dining, drinking and indulging – Crafted Americana. A casual, family friendly and (gorgeous) contemporary restaurant known for craft beers and great food and incredible views – rolling hills, wooden shoreline, and an incredible lake is all perfectly framed by the large picture windows. Not just a hotel restaurant for guests, Crated Americana has gained the respect of local foodies and is considered one of the top restaurants in the area.
Come Summer, The Ridge also offers BAR 55 as a full-service outdoor bar and grill on the veranda, with live music and entertainment as well.
Room with a View – Guest Rooms & Conveniences at The Ridge
The Ridge has 146 hotel rooms and suites, all designed with the perfect function-friendly layout, and include Google Chromecast so you can stream direct from your phone or tablet. Each standard room features king or queen bed options, and select rooms offer views toward the lake. Some of the suites offer separate sleeping areas and kitchenettes and are perfect for families. We stayed in a room that had 2 queen beds and a patio entrance to the outdoor amenities, with a gorgeous lake view.
As we brought our pet, The Ridge provided a dog-gone cute pet kit for us in our room, including a ball, a cute dog bandanna, doggy bag clip, and the cutest door knocker that said, “Doggy on Vacation” (how cute is that!). Read more about the pet policy HERE.
Other Guest amenities include indoor and outdoor pools, a 12-foot outdoor fire feature, an on-site health club and spa. As we visited in winter – we loved the indoor pool with its atrium. No windowless dark pool room at The Ridge – The gorgeous glass atrium brought the sunshine into the pool area, and with the foliage it felt like a summer abyss.
Winter at the Ridge
Wintertime is the perfect time to chill at The Ridge. The hotel offers a plethora of amazing activities that appeal to all ages:
Private Igloo
These heated Igloos can be rented for up to 8 people (reservations required!) and will cater to any food or drink desire from Crafted Americana. As the bonfire is only steps away – we opted to visit the igloos for an after-dinner winter treat – s’mores and wintry drinks. Was such a great winter experience to be cuddled up by the bonfire glow and the winter snow. (and seriously – is it even winter without an igloo snow globe?). Find out more HERE.
S’more Much Fun
The best way to warm up from a chilly Wisconsin Winter is by the bonfire! The Ridge has a 12-foot contemporary fire feature on the veranda and offers gourmet s’more packages to visitors. Choose from flavored marshmallows or classic and squish them between graham crackers with an assortment of gourmet chocolates for the ultimate winter treat (the perfect family winter activity).
Ice Skating for the Family
Bring your own skates or rent from the Front Desk, then slip-slide away on the outdoor ice rink surrounded by fire pits. Bonus – Ice Skating is complimentary for hotel guests. More on the ice rink HERE.
Snow Candy
More of a foodie than an ice athlete? Make some maple Snow Candy! The Ridge offers a Maple Snow Candy experience where you can create sugary taffy with snow and warm maple syrup.
Winter’s Prost in The Biergarten
Next door to Crafted Americana you’ll find a rustic Biergarten serving brats, Bavarian pretzels the size of your head (seriously!), a traditional charcuterie board, and boots of German bier, naturally. What we specifically loved about the Bier Garden is that it was very family friendly, with lots of communal tables with a wide selection of board games for kids – it made for the perfect fun evening for all ages.
Cool as Ice – Ice Castles
The Ridge, and sister property Geneva National, are not only close to, but are official partners to the world-famous Winter attractions – Ice Castles.
What is Ice Castles? Ice Castles is an awe-inspiring, interactive ice experience is built using hundreds of thousands (!) of icicles, hand-placed by professional ice artists. Featuring breathtaking LED-lit sculptures, frozen thrones, slides, and fountains, this over-the-top ice kingdom is the ultimate winter experience that you will never forget. The award-winning frozen attraction has now grown to six locations across North America, with on right in Lake Geneva. Read about our full Ice Castles experience HERE.
Stay and Play
Ice Castes was created right on the property of Geneva National – in fact, the check in area is inside Geneva National’s Clubhouse. The Inns at Geneva National are boutique vacation villas are literally just steps from Geneva National’s Clubhouse and offer exclusive Ice Castles Overnight Packages for visitors. Choose to rent an (truly amazing!) full six-bedroom home with game room– ideal for extended families, friends-cations, and corporate retreats — or book an individual room within an Inn for more of a B&B experience. While we didn’t stay at Geneva national, we did tour these incredible suites and I could easily see bringing our extended family here for a fun retreat. More on Geneva National HERE.
The Ridge is just down the road from Ice Castles and offers free Ice Castle shuttle transportation to guests. More on their stay and play packages HERE.
Four Seasons of Fun
When the summer sun shines, The Ridge’s outdoor activities come alive. The Ridge Hotel’s Marina allows guests access to Lake Como, and with the lake’s calm and shallow waters, it’s great for family adventures! The Marina offers paddleboards, kayaks and pontoons for rent (and bonus -furry family members are welcome to ride the kayaks and paddleboards with a life jacket). Rather chill by a pool? The ridge has that too – the on-site pool offers incredible Lake Como views.
Geneva National Resort & Club
Located 1.5 miles west of The Ridge Hotel, Geneva National Resort & Club offers 54 holes of challenging championship golf. The three golf courses are carved into the Wisconsin countryside, and flanked by the Lake Como shoreline, and are stunning. More yet – were designed by none other than the legendary masters, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, and Gary Player.
Don’t miss the Hunt Club Steakhouse, the legendary restaurant located on property or TURF. KITCHEN + TAP, Geneva National’s new Clubhouse restaurant overlooking Lake Como and Ice Castles, is the perfect place to grab a bite or a drink – with select seasonal menu of tacos, curds, wings, chili, hot dogs, and salad.
Tips for your Visit:
- There is a small, nicely stocked, convenience store adjacent to the lobby with toiletries and food options.
- There is a small, one-time fee for fur friends (regardless of size or weight, or length of stay!) but they must be registered prior to check in.
- The gourmet S’mores passes can be purchased at bean + vine off the main lobby.
- For igloo experiences: while there is faux fur and a small heater, you still need to come dressed in your winter wear for the snow globes (Wisconsin Winters are COLD).
- The free shuttle to Ice Castles runs quite frequently (and saves you the headache of parking!). Check with the concierge for exact times.
- The Ridge offers (truly incredible) event spaces for weddings and corporate functions – some of which with stunning views of the Lake.
- There is a 24-Hour Fitness Center, Spa, and Co-ed Eucalyptus Steam Room & Separate Sauna for adults (and don’t miss Wine Down Wednesdays (live music weekly in the Lobby, 5:30–8:30pm).
The Ridge
W4240 WI-50
Lake Geneva l WI 53147
800.225.5558
More information HERE
GENEVA NATIONAL RESORT
1221 Geneva National Avenue South
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
262.245.7000
More information HERE
