Has anyone played/stayed at Geneva National Resort Courses in WI?

[Supr3m3]

I got an ad on instagram for Geneva National Resort up in Lake Geneva, WI. I'd never heard of it until today, but they boast three 18-hole courses designed by Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, and Lee Trevino. 

 

Has anyone heard of it/played there before? How was the experience?

[PeteW]

Yes, stayed there this past September. We went up on Friday and played 36 at Hawks View and then played 36 at Geneva National on Saturday. We played the Player and Trevino courses. 
 

They have a putting course to hangout at after the round or at night. The lodging is not on the same property as the courses, but they have a shuttle to take you back and forth. I think they bought an old hotel and did a renovation to it. 
 

Courses are nice but they are not on the same level as say Sand Valley. But it’s an easy drive up from Chicago. 
 

They treated us great. 

Edited January 11 by PeteW

[TBone0576]

Like Pete mentioned the courses in that area are good but not great in my opinion.   It has been some time since I have been out that way but have played all of the Geneva National courses as well as Hawks View.  The Grand Geneva also has two courses.  Most people speak highly of The Brute there but I've never teed it up at that property.   I'm sure a number of others here have more experience in that area.  

[snpcrk121]

On 1/10/2023 at 10:14 PM, PeteW said:

The lodging is not on the same property as the courses, but they have a shuttle to take you back and forth. I think they bought an old hotel and did a renovation to it.

I just wanted to add that they do have 2 lodging options on golf course property, The Cottages (https://www.genevanationalresort.com/cottages) and The Suites (https://www.genevanationalresort.com/suites). We stayed in The Suites Summer '21 and they seemed to be very new/recently renovated...right on the 18th hole of the Player Course, just a short walk to the club house.

 

I've done 2 guys trips up to Geneva National. The courses are solid and have always been in great condition. The on course restaurant is pretty solid and you are also ~10 minutes from downtown Geneva, which has some more restaurants and pretty lively bar scene on weekends (we saw no less than 5 bachelorette parties when we were out on the town). And you also have the courses and Grand Geneva and Hawk's View, which are supposed to be pretty good as well. The price is pretty reasonable and being less than 2 hours from Chicago makes it is really easy for a weekend trip.

[Supr3m3]

On 1/10/2023 at 10:14 PM, PeteW said:

Yes, stayed there this past September. We went up on Friday and played 36 at Hawks View and then played 36 at Geneva National on Saturday. We played the Player and Trevino courses. 
 

They have a putting course to hangout at after the round or at night. The lodging is not on the same property as the courses, but they have a shuttle to take you back and forth. I think they bought an old hotel and did a renovation to it. 
 

Courses are nice but they are not on the same level as say Sand Valley. But it’s an easy drive up from Chicago. 
 

They treated us great. 

Appreciate the feedback! I think value-wise Geneva National sounds pretty good compared to Sand Valley (and a lot easier to convince my wife, since it would be both of us playing). Sand Valley is definitely on my bucket list, though. 

[Supr3m3]

On 1/13/2023 at 10:16 AM, snpcrk121 said:

I just wanted to add that they do have 2 lodging options on golf course property, The Cottages (https://www.genevanationalresort.com/cottages) and The Suites (https://www.genevanationalresort.com/suites). We stayed in The Suites Summer '21 and they seemed to be very new/recently renovated...right on the 18th hole of the Player Course, just a short walk to the club house.

 

I've done 2 guys trips up to Geneva National. The courses are solid and have always been in great condition. The on course restaurant is pretty solid and you are also ~10 minutes from downtown Geneva, which has some more restaurants and pretty lively bar scene on weekends (we saw no less than 5 bachelorette parties when we were out on the town). And you also have the courses and Grand Geneva and Hawk's View, which are supposed to be pretty good as well. The price is pretty reasonable and being less than 2 hours from Chicago makes it is really easy for a weekend trip.

Have you stayed at Grand Geneva as well? How were the accomodations? The packages they have seem pretty good too!

[PeteW]

I haven’t stayed at or played Grand Geneva. Years past we rented a house. Last year was the first time we did Geneva National. 

[snpcrk121]

On 1/17/2023 at 1:30 PM, Supr3m3 said:

Have you stayed at Grand Geneva as well? How were the accomodations? The packages they have seem pretty good too!

Sorry, just saw your post. We have not stayed at Grand Geneva, but have stayed at Timber Ridge which is associated with Grand Geneva and just down the road. We went up to the Grand Geneva one evening and the property seemed pretty nice, but can't speak for the rooms.

[StudentGolfer4]

Have stayed and played The Brute at Grand Geneva. Golf course was fun, but nothing outstanding. It was well conditioned and had some good elevation change. Paid $125-150 on a summer weekend morning from what I recall. We stayed in a villa so I cant speak to the hotel rooms. Hotel itself was nice, nothing great. It all seemed to have a nostalgia vibe to me. Really the entire town did. Like it use to be the cool place to be and they’re still surviving off of that reputation. No experience of the highlands course at Grand Geneva. 
 

The town itself has some good options and would be a good place to get dinner/drinks in the evening. How lively it is would depend on what you are expecting and comparing it to. 
 

I have been by Geneva National and into the clubhouse. If golf is the focus I think it would be the better choice. If you’re trying to talk your wife into it, I think Grand Geneva would be preferred. Don’t quote me, but I believe you could easily stay at one and play a round at the other. Rates will most likely be cheaper for resort guest but I don’t believe either require a stay to play.