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Lake Geneva's Abbey Resort Re-Emerges With a New Look

Posted on: Thursday, 23 June 2005, 21:00 CDT

Your friend took to the gym, had some work done, heeded a little fashion advice and now gets more attention than a Desperate Housewives Barbie at an American Girl doll convention. There's nothing like a little friendly competition to spark a new look and attitude, whether it's in your own neighborhood or one of Chicago's favorite getaway spots such as Lake Geneva.

Meet the new and improved Abbey Resort, Marina, Conference Center and Spa in Fontana, Wis.

Since the Marcus Corp. acquired and seriously renovated the Grand Geneva Resort, Chicago-area families have been flocking there for the last decade, enjoying its ski programs, indoor water park and golf courses.

With a grand opening over Memorial Day weekend, the fortysomething-year-old Abbey Resort re-emerged with an extreme makeover that should give travelers of every ilk, including families, another reason to visit the Lake Geneva area.

Around $40 million later, the Abbey Resort boasts new guest-room interiors with a casual nautical decor and ultra-comfy beds, totally renovated bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, fridge, microwave and more. Sure, there's a coffee maker, but caffeine aficionados will like the fact that they can ring up a free delivery of fresh coffee beans and a grinder to get the eyes wide. A few days before your getaway, you can pre-order drinks and snacks to be waiting for cranky kids upon arrival.

Public spaces, landscaping, meeting areas, ballrooms, restaurants and the Fontana Spa are gleaming with new elements and contemporary design. Fifteen years ago, the Fontana Spa was one of the only destination spas close to Chicago. Today, the 35,000- square-foot space offers more than 40 different services, an understated but lavish look, pool, steam and sauna rooms and a state-of-the-art fitness center.

What's in it for families? Plenty.

The Abbey Resort is in the village of Fontana on the western edge of the lake. The resort's 407-slip marina, the only protected marina on Lake Geneva, offers a host of options: slip rentals, charter boats, scenic boat tours, ski boating, ski school, para- sailing and wave runners. Geneva Lake (its official name), the second deepest lake in Wisconsin, is 21 miles around and makes a fine mega-walk (especially after visits to some of downtown Lake Geneva's ice cream shops).

Golfers may tee up at the scenic Abbey Springs Golf Course, rated four stars by Golf Digest, or choose from five other nearby courses. Give the quadriceps a reason to live by renting mountain bikes or tandem bikes - complimentary for any hotel guest. Leave the Game Boy at home and snag complimentary use of tennis racquets and balls, volleyballs, basketballs, footballs, badminton, lawn dice, bocce ball or croquet gear, jump ropes, board games and cards.

The Kids Kapades area is also brand spanking new and it's the hub of the resort's fully supervised program for ages 4-12. Young vacationers can hang loose in the Cartoon Club where there's plenty of coloring, games and animated nuttiness. Half- and full-day fee- based programs include swimming, arts and crafts, games, trips to the park and more.

Remember having dinner without cleaning up cracker crumbs, bruised egos and dishes? Enjoy an upscale dinner at Porto, the resort's new Mediterranean-style restaurant while the younger set enrolls in Kids' Night Out, an evening program of pizza, games, swimming, crafts and a movie. If they squawk about the brief separation, assuage their glares with a visit to the impressive Game Room: a rec room kids' dreams are made of with video games, air hockey and billiards.

Forget about dodging weekend traffic in downtown Lake Geneva just to find a place to eat. The Abbey Resort now offers nine choices: three full-service eateries, two outdoor/indoor snack spots, a sweet shop, coffee bar and two bars. Spring for the Sunday brunch at Fontana Grill. It rivals some of the toniest brunches in downtown Chicago.

Check www.theabbeyresort.com for online lodging/package specials or call (800) 709-1323.

You might want to couple your getaway with one of Lake Geneva's special events ranging from art fairs to the 156th Annual Walworth County Fair. Go to the official Web site of the Lake Geneva Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, www.lakegenevawi.com, or call (262) 248-4416 or (800) 345-1020.

Source: Daily Herald; Arlington Heights, Ill.

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