Marcus Hotels Press > Press Coverage
09.07.17 |
FOX 6: Tricks of the Mix: Details on new class teaching you how to make barrel-aged cocktails
FOX 6 had members of the Mason Street Grill team on their morning show, Real Milwaukee, to discuss Tricks of the Mix – a class to help Milwaukeeans make barrel-aged cocktails at home. Watch the full segment here.
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09.06.17 |
Premier Bride: 10 Beauty Tips to Look Radiant on your Special Day
 Premier Bride shared Elizabeth Walsh-Zimmermann’s, director of the WELL Spa + Salon at the Pfister Hotel, top ten beauty tips for brides to look their best as they walk down the aisle. Check out the tips here. |
08.31.17 |
Southern Living
Midwestern Getaways Your Southern Girlfriends Will Love By Perri Ormont Blumberg Deadwood, South Dakota Frontierswoman Calamity Jane first rolled into Deadwood in 1876 with some of her friends, and women have been heading there to recharge ever since. The town has been designated a National Historic Landmark, and there’s so much to do: gambling girls can enjoy testing their luck at Gold Dust Casino & Hotel and the active crew can hit The Mickelson Trail via bike, horseback, or foot under the watch of spruce and ponderosa pine forests. For more information, visit deadwood.com. Columbus, Ohio It’s not a stretch to call Columbus the “Nashville of the Midwest.” Beyond a vibrant songwriting community (catch rising stars at Natalie’s Coal Fired Pizza), you’ll see live acts at many restaurants, jazz clubs, and various venues around town. Musicians also dot the street during Gallery Hop, a monthly tradition of celebrating art after hours in the Short North Arts District. For lodging, swap Music City’s trendy Germantown for low-key German Village. There, you can stay at German Village Guest House in the heart of this district where brick-lined blocks hug historic buildings. The girls can take a floral crown or bouquet class at newly opened Flowers & Bread which combines both of those favorites fresh from the soil and oven, respectively—plus coffee—under one roof. We’d be remiss if we didn’t send you to Katalina’s, a hybrid of Southern and Latin food, where the Nutella-filled pancake balls will convince you to book your encore trip. For more information, visit experiencecolumbus.com. Stillwater, Minnesota The inviting mid-1800s downtown, which runs parallel to the St.Croix River (read:sunset booze cruise), has more than 70 stores pedaling crafting supplies, antiques, home decor, spices, candy, and more. Take Stillwater by foot with a guided food tour or throw on apron and cook up a storm during a hands-on class at Cooks of Crocus Hill. Take a knitting or crocheting lesson at Darn Knit Anyways, and don’t miss the homemade turtle fudge at Tremblay’s Sweet Shop. For lodging, snag a block of rooms at The Lowell Inn, which was founded in 1927, and is on the National Historic Register. For more information, visit discoverstillwater.com. Door County, Wisconsin
Dangle your Southern toes over the crystal waters of Sturgeon Bay as the crew gathers at this lively vacation spot. In addition to a wealth of waterfront activities, a fan-favorite in “The Door” is cherry picking, since the climate and soil here are as good as it gets. Speaking of the fruit, you’ll never forget a Cherry Train Tour on Washington Island, a year-round island with a quirky culture and traditions ranging from fish boils to literary festivals. Book a stay at Ridges Inn in the town of Baileys Harbor and grab a drink at former general store and butcher shop, The Blue Ox. For an unforgettable excursion, rent bikes or mopeds from Edge of Park and cruise over the gravel on the (relatively flat) Sunset Trail in Peninsula State Park. For more information, visit doorcounty.com. Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Time has a way of slowing down amidst the ten acres of grapevines at Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery. Let afternoon tastings linger into dinner over a few wood-fired Three Little Pigs and Truffled Mushrooms pizzas. Catch a show at the splendid Paramount Theatre—upcoming acts include The Avett Brothers and comic Rodney Carrington. If your travels take you to Palisades-Kepler State Park consider booking a cabin or two (each hold four) where the group can cook supper together after a day on the trails. If connecting with nature isn’t your thing, try the Belmont Hill Victorian Bed & Breakfast reminiscent of a grand 19th-century estate you’d spot in Charleston. Meet y’all at the farmers market! For more information, visit gocedarrapids.com. Petoskey area, Michigan Natural beauty is at every turn in a motley collection of Great Lake State resort towns, including Boyne City, Petroskey, Harbor Springs, and Bay Harbor dotting Lake Michigan’s Little Traverse Bay. If you love a good Main Street, head to Boyne, which is also the perfect excuse for booking a spa treatment at Boyne Mountain Resort. Don’t miss the Victorian architecture, the Historic Gaslight District, and the scenic water views in Petoskey proper. To stay a stone throw’s away from it all, check into Stafford’s Perry Hotel. For our favorite group excursion for the gals, venture on the Ernest Hemingway’s trail. Sure, it’s no Key West, but the writer had a summer house on Walloon Lake and there’s a lot of fascinating history to unearth. For more information, visit michigan.org/city/petoskey-area. Winona, Minnesota You may be more familiar with Southern stretches of the Mississippi River, but Winona gives travelers plenty of reasons to explore its Northern bluffs. Snap a group picture at Garvin Heights Overlook while the dirt on your hiking boots is still fresh. For lunch, enjoy a spread on one of the picnic tables or stay at ground level and enjoy an old-fashioned meal at Lakeview Drive Inn, where the root beer is served in an old-fashioned frosted mug. For a city of around 27,000, Winona’s Minnesota Marine Art Museum well exceeds expectations with waterway-themed paintings from Van Gogh, Monet, Matisse, Picasso, and others. For a midday pick-me-up, it’s hard to outdo a fresh doughnut at Bloedows (we recommend the Bavarian Cream-filled pastry). And for a solid night’s rest, you can’t beat the Alexander Mansion B&B, which dates back to the 1880s, and may very well inspire some Victorian-style renovations at your own home. For more information, visit visitwinona.com. Abilene, Kansas On June 22nd, 1945, Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “The proudest thing I can claim is that I am from Abilene.” After visiting this welcoming small town, you’ll see why. If you can time it, visit during the twice yearly (April and October) Reitz & Rust Vintage Market. There, you can scout over 200 vendors selling antiques and art, as well as tour quirky vintage campers during the Vintage Camper Show. If you can’t schedule your trip around market-time, there is still plenty of antiquing to do (Abilene is home to more than 150 antique shops). Other local favorite to-dos include the Abilene and Smoky Valley dinner train (arrive early to see the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum) or dine at Three One One, called the “Key West of the Midwest”, which serves hits like mahi mahi tacos and yes, wonderful key lime pie. Another evening, book a table at Brookville Hotel for their famed family-style fried chicken dinners rounded out by baking powder biscuits and sweet-and-sour slaw. Come bedtime, get comfortable at Engle House Bed and Breakfast, a restored home from 1910. For more information, visit AbileneKansas.org. Mackinac Island, Michigan Enjoy a slower pace on this Lake Huron oasis, where you can only get around on foot, bike, or horse and buggy. For group getaways, consider timing your travels around the annual Lilac Festival, which runs every June for 10 days. In addition to wine tastings, live concerts, a 10k race, and giant parade, you can also wacth the coronation of the Lilac Queen and Court, much like San Antonio’s famed Fiesta. Don’t skip town without paying a visit to Fort Mackinac, an 18th century fortress on the bluff, which offers regular tours and exhibits. For our absolute favorite way to spend an evening, relax on an Adirondack chair and savor the sunset at Mission Point, an 18-acre resort. For larger groups craving more privacy, consider their pet-friendly Straits Lodge, which is also located closer to town. For more information, visit mackinacisland.org. Oak Park, Illinois You’d never guess you were only 10 miles outside of downtown Chicago in this town brimming with architectural marvels, independently-owned shops, and small-town hospitality. Check out the world’s largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture at the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, and then scope out Unity Temple, one of his recently restored works. While in town, bookworms should definitely plan a visit to Ernest Hemingway’s Birthplace and Museum, a marvelously maintained Victorian home where the novelist was born. Meanwhile, green thumbs should consider a trip to the Oak Park Conservatory to delight in a vast assortment of flora and fauna. Everybody will enjoy a meal at Citrine for Mediterranean-inspired bites and $6 cosmos and martinis on Wednesdays for Ladies Night. Southerners will also feel right at home at The Carleton of Oak Park, where orders of crab cakes and gumbo fly out of the kitchen at Poor Phil’s. For more information, visit visitoakpark.com. Rapid City, South Dakota There’s more to the Rapid City and Black Hills area than checking Mount Rushmore off of your bucket list, though you can certainly do that, too. Kick off quality time with a festive dinner at kōl, where you can watch your food being made in a 10,000 pound coal-fired oven. For a night cap, we’re torn between Blind Lion, a basement speakeasy inspired by the roaring 20s and Vertex Sky Bar, an elegant rooftop bar at the recently renovated Hotel Alex Johnson. The next day, hit the rolling prairies and take in the views at Custer State Park via an open-air Buffalo Jeep Tour. End your trip with your best girls by your side and 7,500 stars above at Badlands National Park for a stargazing session. For more information, visit visitrapidcity.com. Hayward, Wisconsin Snow lovers will enjoy this easygoing Northwestern town in the Badger State. In the winter, set your sights and skis on the Birkie Trail, a 62-mile path that weaves you through breathtaking forests. In the fall, swap skis and snowshoes for mountain bikes or sneakers as you take in the foliage. There are plenty of great camping spots in Hayward, or for a wilderness-lite experience, reserve a few rooms at LCO Casino, Lodge and Convention Center. Wherever you stay, enjoy a taste of home at Old Southern BBQ, with some of the most glorious ribs North of the Mason-Dixon. For more information, visit haywardlakes.com. Indianapolis, Indiana If you’re in Indy on a Sunday during football season, you’re tailgating. Start by wandering down Georgia Street—even if you don’t have a ticket to catch the Colts, it’s always a can’t-miss party. Afterwards, head to Slippery Noodle Inn, a historic venue with live jazz and blues nightly. Once a stop on the Underground Railroad, you’ll want to head to the back bar for the best people watching and dancing. There’s no finer way to recover from a spirited evening than sitting on the patio at Gallery Pastry Shop with hot chocolate and macaroons. Rest up in the Broad Ripple neighborhood (it’s only 10 minutes North of downtown) at Hotel Broad Ripple. They frequently host movie nights in the backyard and have a cozy wine bar / living room downstairs perfect for reliving memories from yesteryear with old pals. For more information, visit visitindy.com. Lake Geneva, Wisconsin That time your crew went ice skating, hopped aboard a Christmas train, and caught a magic and illusion show all in the same day? Safe to say you’ll be talking about it for years to come. In this friendly resort town you could also easily spend a few days never leaving your hotel. Try the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa where a three bedroom villa with fireplace is perfect for lounging. When you’re ready to toast your bond of friendship “off campus,” journey to Apple Barn Orchard & Winery, an open orchard and farm where you can pick your own strawberries, apples and pumpkins seasonally. For more information, visit visitlakegeneva.com. Corydon, Indiana First stop: Get your sugar rush at Butt Drugs, a charming old-fashioned pharmacy with soda fountain. Explore Harrison County’s wonderful wineries, with a country backdrop that rivals the best of Southern wedding dreams. Count sheep at Kintner House Inn (if you’re squeezing in last-minute girlfriends, one roll-away bed or cot is free), ideally situated in the downtown area. If you dare to venture below street-level, take a tour with Indiana Caverns of Indiana’s longest cave. When you resurface, gather your spelunkers for tea and scones at the Darling Old Capitol Tea Room. P.S. It’s no surprise that Corydon will remind you of the South, it’s only a half an hour outside of Louisville. For more information, visit thisisindiana.org. |
08.23.17 |
U.S. News & World Report
7 Perfect Mini-Moon Getaway Ideas for Newlyweds By Sheryl Nance-Nash Increasingly, couples are opting to delay taking a traditional honeymoon. Instead, they’re retreating on whirlwind escapes after walking down the aisle to enjoy some instant rest and relaxation. Mini-moons, or three or four-day postnuptial getaways, also appeal to cost-conscious soon-to-be brides and grooms who are looking to rebuild their funds and go off on their dream vacation in a few months or later in the future. Whether you’re looking for an enchanting escape, a rustic getaway or a full-on outdoor adventure, here are ideal places to plan a mini-moon with your better half. Charleston, South Carolina This southern city is known for its romantic atmosphere. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride or plan to bike and picnic along the waterfront. After taking in the city sights, you can dig into the city’s famous Southern cuisine (think: gumbo and shrimp and grits) at classic institutions like Husk. What’s more, it’s easy to swoon over Charleston’s enchanting hotels and inns. Take for example The Spectator Hotel, which recalls the extravagance of the Roaring ’20s and is set in the heart of Charleston’s Historic District. At the property, there’s an emphasis on quality service and amenities, with personal butlers and locally sourced in-room breakfast menu options, snacks and beverages. Plus, you can enjoy complimentary vintage bicycles to make your way around the city before retiring to one of the city’s best speakeasy bars showcasing Prohibition-era cocktails, The Bar. Lake Geneva, Wisconsin Lake Geneva is ideal for a romantic duos craving foliage, lake views and cozy restaurants on a long weekend escape. Take walks along Lake Geneva’s 26-mile Shore Path, which boasts striking views of historic mansions. When you’re ready for more activity, Dan Patch Stables at Grand Geneva offers guided 45-minute horseback riding treks through hundreds of acres of lush landscapes. And for couples looking to hit the links, The Brute and Highlands golf courses offer flowing fairways. The award-winning Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, a 1,300-acre resort in Lake Geneva, recently opened 29 new villas with amenities such as an outdoor swimming pool, as well as six fire pits. The villas also offer in-room spa treatments. When hunger calls, favorite local spots include Ristorante Brissago, Lake Geneva’s premier Italian restaurant, with its handmade pastas and comprehensive wine selection, along with The Geneva Chophouse and Tuscan Tavern and Grill. Outdoorsy couples will love Lake Placid’s beaches, which are rife with opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, boating, hiking and taking sunset cruises. If you two just want to chill, settle into a reclining beach chair on a white-sand beach before delighting in the area’s excellent cuisine. Lake Placid offers a variety of cuisine, from traditional American barbecue at the much-raved-about Smoke Signals restaurant to organic, fine dining to Simply Gourmet, an eatery featuring 46 different sandwich options named after the 46 High Peaks in New York state. Top-notch resorts such as Lake Placid Lodge and the Whiteface Lodge offering a woodsy yet elegant experience. Vacation days can be spent communing with nature, exploring Olympic village or popping into quirky local stores. Indian Wells, California Newlyweds looking for a memorable wedding weekend getaway should consider escaping to this desert oasis in the Coachella Valley. Miramonte Indian Wells Resort & Spa, with its California palms and mountains, offers an especially romantic atmosphere. Explore the San Andreas Fault by private Jeep tour or cruise to Joshua Tree National Parkto take in an abundance of natural wonders with a rock-climbing session. After a day out in the desert, unwind on the balcony of one of the property’s many Mediterranean-style villas featuring sweeping views of the Santa Rosa Mountains. As the evening draws near, pamper yourselves at the newly renovated Well Spa, where you and your better half can take a dip in one of the salt pools or soothing eucalyptus steam rooms. The Well Spa’s Pittura Festa treatment encourages couples to a paint each other with a palette of colorful, healing muds, while sipping champagne before receiving a custom couples massage. Afterward, cozy up to cocktails at Miramonte’s oversized outdoor fire pits as the sun sets before closing the day with a candlelit dinner at the recently remodeled, Citrus & Palm Restaurant, for a farm-to-table dining experience. Vail, Colorado Vail is an idyllic village tucked into the Rocky Mountains. In winter, enjoy pastimes such as skiing, snowboarding and tubing. And in the warmer months, you can enjoy biking, hiking, fishing, boating, golfing, paddleboarding and horseback riding. When you’re ready to unwind, join a yoga class around town or make your way to the spa. And when hunger sets in, there’s no shortage of excellent cuisine. You won’t want to leave Vail without eating at Pendulum, Matsuhisa, Sweet Basil, Vintage and Mountain Standard. If you’re looking for luxurious accommodations, treat yourself to a stay at The Sebastian – Vail, a Timbers Resort. The property boasts a pools with mountain-views, hot tubs, a spa, excellent cuisine at its restaurant, Leonara, and great cocktails at The Frost Bar. Another excellent lodging choice for couples is Sonnenalp, which boasts a variety of restaurants, a spa, a tranquility pool and even an oxygen bar. Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Then there’s charming about Cape Cod with its vibrant clam shakes and New England cottages. You might want to celebrate your newlywed status by staying at the only five-star resort on Cape Cod, Wequassett Resort and Golf Club. Swim in the oceanfront pool, enjoy myriad water sports, or partake in a round of golf or tennis. You won’t want to skip checking out the nearby town of Chatham, where you can shop at boutiques, enjoy people-watching and feast on oysters paired with your beverage of choice. Big Sky, Montana For an off-the-beaten-track escape, consider stealing away to Big Sky Country. At the Collective Yellowstone at Moonlight Basin, you can get a luxury tent at an alpine lake, equipped with a wood-burning stove, a private deck with Adirondack chairs, a private bathroom and a king-size bed with luxurious linens. And you’re sure to get a good night’s rest after spending the day hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, paddleboarding, canoeing, fly-fishing or hitting the links with your partner. Soothe any sore muscles with a private, in-tent massage. Best of all, breakfast is complimentary, picnic and boxed lunches are available and a three-course farm-to-table meal prepared lakeside is available for dinner.
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08.23.17 |
Money Inc.
Six New Resort Villas to Put on Your Travel List By Matt Kirouac From Alpine slopes to Thai pools, villas are a surefire way to up the ante on luxury travel, and elaborate new versions are popping up all over the world. Decked out with multiple rooms and amenities, villas are all about capturing that ultimate escape, immersing guests into a faraway world while still making them feel right at home. Here are six of the most noteworthy new and upcoming villas to put on your international itinerary. Grand Geneva Resort, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin Hidden away in the serene Wisconsin woods a couple miles from downtown Lake Geneva, historic Grand Geneva Resort has been a popular draw for Midwestern Americans for decades — the hotel originally served as the Playboy Club, ca. 1968. It’s come a long way over the years, implementing new attractions, incredible restaurants, activities and expansions, all while maintaining the warm hospitality and woodland comfort that’s always made Grand Geneva so endearing. Chief among those expansions is a brand-new set of familial villas. Tucked along a private stretch of roadway, the villas offer the ultimate peaceful escape for families, couples and groups of friends looking for a sense of home with the added bonus of luxury and Lake Geneva proximity. Villas range in size from studios to three bedrooms, each one elegantly appointed with ample living areas, full kitchens, private bedrooms, grocery delivery, washers, dryers and furnished outdoor patios. Exclusive to villa guests are a couple fire pits and pools. Depending on what size villa you’re after, various options include lofted bedrooms, stone countertop kitchens and soaking tubs. Just outside the villas is a nature trail that weaves through the woods, offering a fun way to explore the grounds. While you’re here, be sure and book a reservation at Geneva Chophouse. The steak- and seafood-centric restaurant in the main resort building fills up fast, thanks to its quality food and views overlooking the ground and golf course. Banyan Tree Cabo Marques, Acapulco, Mexico Banyan Tree Cabo Marques is already one of the ultimate destinations for villas, what with its 45 private enclaves housed on stilts and surrounded by mountains and Acapulco coastline. Now there’s even more to fawn over with the introduction of the resort’s latest, the jaw-dropping Villa Cerezo, a 4,500-sq.-ft., three-story villa nestled over cliffs along the Pacific Ocean. With enough room for up to 15 guests, the sprawling space features five ocean view bedrooms, eclectic artwork, a full kitchen, 43-inch HD LED TV screen, an office and an outdoor space with heated swimming pool, ocean views, a solarium and garden. DoublePool Villas by Banyan Tree, Phuket, Thailand Proving itself to be quite the expert on all things villas, Banyan Tree also operates a boutique establishment in Phuket’s Bang Tao Bay anchored by some pretty incredible poolside villas. There’s an impressive 24 of these villas, each one wholly immersive, transportive and distinct, surrounded by gardens and a lagoon. Villas range in size from one- to three-bedroom, decked out with sleek, contemporary Thai decor and cozy comforts. Most striking is the floating bedroom pavilion, a sleep space surrounded by tall glass windows over a private wading pool. It doesn’t get much more zen than this. Outside, each villa also has its own personal infinity edge pool and a Thai sala, a thatched roof pavilion that’s great for spa treatments or stargazing. In addition to resort dining at French-Vietnamese restaurant Tré, guests can also utilize in-villa dining programs, including breakfasts prepared by villa hosts and optional meals and events conducted by a private chef. Hôtel Le Toiny, St. Barth’s Come December, the most iconic hotel on St. Barth’s is getting a major upgrade with the addition of eight new villas to the 25-year old property. The villas are capping off an extensive series of multi-phase renovations for the hotel, whose hillside locale overlooking Toiny Bay has long marked it as one of the most beautiful vantage points on the island. Guests can expect four one-story one-bedroom villas, three two-story one-bedroom villas and one two-story two-bedroom king villa. In line with the rest of the resort, each villa will be totally secluded and freestanding, with private infinity pools and terraces looking over the Caribbean Sea. Milaidhoo Island Maldives, Maldives Private villas are the name of the luxury game at Milaidhoo Island Maldives, an immaculate property that opened late-2016 over 13 acres in the Baa Atoli’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Altogether, there are 50 villas on the grounds, each one meticulously designed by a local Maldivian architect. Accessed via seaplane from Maldives International Airport, the villas are exquisite in their beautiful natural surroundings, boasting 180-degree outdoor views. Inside, each one is bedecked with contemporary art pieces and custom-made furnishings. While remote, each one is easily accessible to restaurants, water sports, yoga and other activities, with private freshwater pools on the sun deck, day beds, soaking tubs, rain showers and hanging Maldivian swings called “undhoali.” Guests can ultimately choose from one of two styles of villa, a water pool villa or a beach pool. The former consists of thatched-roof villas situated on stilts over the ocean, with steps leading right into the water and a glass wall shower that affords views into the ocean. Then there are the beach pool villas, located on the white sand beach amid a shroud of palm trees. Blockhaus, Lucerne, Switzerland Nestled high in the hills overlooking Switzerland’s Lake Lucerne and the Alps, Blockhaus is the quintessential mountain villa. Located on-property of the new Bürgenstock Resort, it doesn’t get more pleasantly isolated than this. The car-free resort feels preserved in time, free of congestion and clamor, with a focus on natural inspiration, utilizing earthy elements that give the space the feel of a lavish ski lodge. It’s accessed via catamaran from Lucerne, which drops visitors off at the resort’s dock where they then ride the funicular railway directly into the lobby of the Bürgenstock Hotel. Elsewhere on the resort, guests can enjoy a 66-seat private cinema, Lakeview Bar & Lounge, Spices Kitchen & Terrace and the indoor-outdoor Bürgenstock Alpine Spa. Beyond Blockhaus, the resort also has 10 Lakeview Residence Suites, which consist of private villas ranging from 5,791 to 8,762-sq.-ft., each with views overlooking the lake and mountains.
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08.22.17 |
WGN-TV Lunchbreak
Jason Poole, Executive Chef Ristoranté Brissago Grand Geneva Resort and Spa Tomato and Basil Caprese Ingredients: Directions: Wood Oven Baked Sea Scallops Ingredients: Directions: Place oil into the pan, add onions and garlic and caramelize. Add sea scallops, season with salt and pepper, and brown on both sides. Once scallops are browned, add lemon juice and white wine and reduce by 2/3rds. Finish dish with cheese, butter and herbs. The cheese and butter will thicken the sauce in the dish. View segment here. |
08.22.17 |
Daily Herald – August 13, 2017
Nearing 50, Grand Geneva’s beauty remains stunning and its future even brighter By Len Ziehm With the big tournaments held recently at Erin Hills and Whistling Straits and the opening of Sand Valley, it may seem that luster could be off the Wisconsin golf destination that started all those good things. Don’t you believe it, though. Grand Geneva is doing just fine, thank you. Dave Hallenbeck, director of golf at the Lake Geneva resort, has seen it all in his four decades there. He’s impressed with the changes in golf throughout Wisconsin as well as what’s gone on at his home base. “Blackwolf Run (Kohler), The Bull at Pinehurst Farms (a Jack Nicklaus design in Sheboygan Falls), Erin Hills, Sand Valley. These are world-class golf properties that I never would have expected in Wisconsin. Geneva National has been very successful. They have a wonderful facility over there,” said Hallenbeck. “Keeping up was our biggest challenge.” But Grand Geneva has more than kept up with all the improvements in the Badger State, and that goes for neighboring Illinois as well. The resort is an easy drive from all parts of the Chicago area and its courses are well-known to players from that area. Coming up in 2018 is the 50th anniversary of the resort and the 25th anniversary of its ownership by Marcus Corporation. Both milestones are meaningful, because no Wisconsin destination has the history that Grand Geneva has, and that has been beautifully chronicled in a coffee-table book, “A Grand Tale: The History of Grand Geneva Resort,” published by Nei-Turner Media Group. The first attraction: The building of the Playboy Club-Hotel started it all. It was completed in 1968 and brought visitors by the droves to Lake Geneva. Hugh Hefner was, of course, the man behind that. Hallenbeck first arrived during the Playboy days. At age 19 he was a lifeguard at the Playboy Club’s swimming pool, one of the first heated outdoor pools anywhere. Now 63, he returned after college to work as an assistant under the late head golf professional Ken Judd 40 years ago. Golf wasn’t part of the equation when Hefner started the Playboy Club. Skiing was available when the resort opened. Golf arrived shortly thereafter when architect Robert Bruce Harris designed The Brute — a course way ahead of its time when it opened. “At the time it was massive, and that’s what Playboy wanted,” recalled Hallenbeck. “Big greens, big bunkers, one of the longest courses at 7,300 yards from the tips. In the 1960s that was unheard of.” There’s still a mystique about The Brute. It’s always been very near the top of my frequently changing list of favorite courses. The most amazing thing about it now is the fact that the course still operates with its original greens. Hallenbeck acknowledges that something will have to be done at some point. “Over 50 years the greens have settled, and we’ll have to address those issues,” he said. “We’ve got to tear them up, but that’s a whole year project, and that’s hard to do when you’re packed every day. Overall, The Brute has withstood the tests of time, which is amazing.” The Brute was built after the resort was under Playboy Club ownership. Playboy departed in 1981, selling the resort to Chicago-basked Americana Hotels Corporation. The resort endured two foreclosures before Chicago’s JMB Realty Corporation took ownership in 1988 and present owner Marcus came on in 1993. Marcus took a resort that had fallen on hard times and revitalized it with golf a big part of the process. Beyond The Brute: Grand Geneva’s other course is more historically significant than even The Brute. It opened as the Briar Patch, a joint design effort by legendary designer Pete Dye with a then-young Jack Nicklaus functioning as a consultant. Nicklaus was at the height of his storied playing career, having won the 1965 and 1966 Masters tournaments before being brought to the resort before the Briar Patch’s completion in 1967. The Briar Patch was Nicklaus’ introduction to golf architecture, but won’t go down as one of his premier architectural efforts. Architect Bob Cupp was brought in for a 1996 renovation. “He redid the whole course,” said Hallenbeck. “From a playability standpoint it’s a very nice golf course.’’ The course was renamed The Highlands after Cupp completed his work, which included the development of fescue fields. The end result is a beautiful course, one different from The Brute, with exceptional greens. Both are popular with visitors, many of whom don’t share my clear preference for the older course. Charities at home: Unlike Blackwolf, Whistling Straits and Erin Hills, the Grand Geneva courses haven’t made a splash hosting big tournaments. They won’t, either. Instead of being a tournament venue, The Brute and Highlands are popular destinations for charity events, and that’s been great for Hallenbeck. “My goal was to raise $1 million for charities in my career,” he said. “That was my goal 40 years ago. At the end of this year, we will have raised $25 million.” Grand Geneva hosts about 25 charity events each year. The Easter Seals Golf Classic and National Italian Invitational celebrated their 40th anniversaries this year. Juvenile Diabetes, United Way, Make-A-Wish — they’ve all benefited from hosting tournaments at Grand Geneva. “I’ve been on up to 20 charity boards,” said Hallenbeck. “When I started on them I was the kid. Now I’m the senior member, and I’m working with the grandkids of some of the people I had worked with on some of these charity committees.” He calls children’s charities “my passion,” and worries that there’ll be no one ready to pick up those projects when he retires. That’s a concern for later on, plus — with his two children getting married this fall and already settled in the area — Hallenbeck doesn’t plan on straying very far. Looking ahead: For now the immediate issue is what will happen at Grand Geneva as it heads into its second 50 years. “I suspect the newest thing will be just trying to be as competitive as we are with everything,” said Hallenbeck. “Marcus is so good at doing what they do. They’ve already expanded the villas.” Grand Geneva also offers more activities and dining opportunities than most Midwest golf destinations, and the views are stunning throughout. That suggests the second 50 years could be even better than the first. • For more golf news and golf travel stories, visit lenziehmongolf.com.   |
08.16.17 |
This Milwaukee man has become a bit of a celebrity for getting big name hotel guests
Working in hospitality can sometimes be a tiring and thankless job, but one local man’s positive personality is doing more than just comforting guests. If you’ve been to the Pfister Hotel lately, there’s a good chance you’ve seen him because he greets every guest with respect from the moment they walk in the door. Brian visited Milwaukee’s premiere hotel to see what makes this bell captain one of the best in the business.
Read more at http://fox6now.com/2017/08/09/this-milwaukee-man-has-become-a-bit-of-a-celebrity-for-getting-big-name-hotel-guests/ |
08.09.17 |
Real Milwaukee: This Milwaukee man has become a bit of a celebrity for getting big name hotel guests
 The Pfister Hotel’s bellman, Harold Lewis, has become quite the local celebrity with his contagious smile, friendly personality and commitment to both guests and local visitors at the hotel. He has even been honored as the model of the utility box outside the Pfister, featured in a Bon-Ton advertisement and surprised with a proclamation in his honor from Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. See him in action and hear what drives Harold to be his best every day on WITI-TV’s Real Milwaukee here. |
08.04.17 |
Pfister Hotel nominated for Best Historic Hotel 2017
Historic Hotels of America® and Historic Hotels Worldwide® are pleased to announce the nominee finalists for the 2017 Historic Hotels Awards of Excellence. These Historic Hotels Awards of Excellence recognize and celebrate the finest historic hotels and hoteliers across the nation and around the world. |
