Grand Geneva Resort and Spa in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin – A Luxury Vacation with Your Airplane

WI – Are you dreaming of a lakefront vacation with your airplane? If you are, you might want to check out Grand Geneva Resort and Spa in Lake Geneva, WI. The resort is home to the Grand Geneva Resort Airport (CO2), and upon arriving, you can enjoy luxury accommodations, golfing, spa treatments, fitness classes, rock climbing, swimming, a waterpark, archery, disc golf, and more. Let’s explore what makes the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa amazing for pilots and their families.

Grand Geneva Resort and Spa History

The Grand Geneva Resort and Spa first greeted guests in 1968. However, back then, it was known as the Lake Geneva Playboy Club Hotel, which was built by Hugh Hefner. He envisioned a place where Midwesterners could enjoy a little bit of Vegas while still being in the countryside and staying close to home. From 1968 to 1981, the resort was visited by Cher, Gregory Hines, Ann-Margret, and The Smothers Brothers.

After the Playboy Club’s shutdown in 1981, it was purchased by new owners. They changed the name to the Americana Hotel in an attempt to shake off its “bunny” image and make it more family-friendly. Those owners maintained the property until 1993 when it was purchased by Marcus Hotels and renamed the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa. They envisioned a place where couples and families could enjoy a luxurious vacation and immediately began extensive renovations to achieve that goal.

In 1997 and 1998, they renovated the airstrip and reactivated the airport. Then, they set to work on expanding the offerings at the resort. In 2001, Marcus Hotels built the Timber Ridge Lodge and Waterpark. In 2005, they opened the Geneva Chop House restaurant. In 2011, they opened the Pet Club to showcase the resort’s pet-friendliness. In 2017, they built The Villas at Grand Geneva to provide guests with lodgings that had more space and features. In 2021, they opened The Landing, which is an outdoor dining area, and in 2024, they opened Moose and Maple in the former Smokey’s BBQ House.

Grand Geneva Resort and Spa Airport

The Grand Geneva Resort and Spa Airport (CO2) was first activated in 1968. However, back then, pilots could view it on their sectional chart as Playboy. It was built to allow businessmen, celebrities, and others to fly directly from Chicago O’Hare to the Playboy Club Hotel. Unfortunately, the airport fell into disrepair over the decades and was decommissioned by the time Marcus Hotels purchased the property. However, in 1997, Marcus Hotels began renovating the airport area, which encompasses 20 acres. Those renovations were completed in early 1998. CO2 currently has one runway, Runway 05/23. It is paved but considered to be in poor condition due to extensive cracking. The runway is 4,100 feet long and 75 feet wide. It does contain medium-intensity runway lights. It’s important to note that CO2 is privately owned by the resort but is for use by the public. There are four aircraft based on the field, and it averages 150 airport operations a year. Transient general aviation activities comprise 67 percent of the air traffic at the field, and 33 percent is comprised of air taxis. The airport is closed from December 1st through April 5th. The CTAF is 122.8, and pilots can contact Milwaukee Approach and Departure on 135.875.

Grand Geneva Resort and Spa Accommodations

The resort boasts 358 renovated and updated rooms as well as the Villas. Each regular room contains a 55” flat-screen TV, a safe, a coffee maker, a mini-fridge, WiFi access, and motion-sensing lights. The suites boast separate living areas and private bedrooms, as well as fully furnished balconies and wet bars. Some suits also have gas fireplaces.

The Grand Geneva Villas were designed with couples and families in mind, who may need more space than a standard hotel room or suite can provide. The Grand Geneva Resort and Spa Villas allow guests to choose from a selection of studios, one-bedrooms, two-bedrooms, or three-bedrooms. Each villa comes with a fully equipped kitchen that includes a refrigerator, stove, and microwave. All villas, except the studios, have dishwashers. Some villas also contain ovens, washers and dryers, and gas fireplaces. You can also expect your villa to have a security safe, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, and a private outdoor patio with furniture.

Grand Geneva Resort Golfing

If you love golf, the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa has two courses. The first course is the Brute, which features large greens and fairways. It contains more than 7,000 yards and was designed by Robert Bruce Harris. Intermediate to expert golfers can enjoy its challenging layout, 68 bunkers, and crowned greens.

The second golf course is the Highlands, which is a Scottish-inspired course. It boasts wide fairways and quick greens as well as several par 4s. The course is known for helping golfers improve their strategy while testing their skills.

Grand Geneva Resort Activities

Visitors to the resort can enjoy many activities, including rock climbing, swimming, pickleball, disc golf, mini golf, archery, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, basketball, tennis and volleyball. They also have golf lessons, an arcade, and an indoor/outdoor waterpark.

Geneva Resort Spa and Salon

The Geneva Resort Spa offers various types of massages, including an anti-aging massage, a Relax Me massage, a therapeutic massage, a prenatal massage, a CBD massage, and an aromatherapy massage. Individuals can also add certain services, including scalp treatments and paraffin treatments for the hands and feet. The spa also has a salon where you can receive manicures, pedicures, foot soaks, and an array of hair services, including haircuts and styles as well as color and highlights.

Dining at Grand Geneva Resort

The Grand Geneva Resort and Spa offers plenty of places to eat. If you’re interested in dining at a restaurant, there are five, including the Ristoranté Brissago, the Geneva ChopHouse, the Grand Café, Links Bar & Grill, and Leinenkugel’s Mountain Top. If you’re looking for great dinners, you might try the Ristoranté Brissago or the Geneva Chophouse. The Ristoranté Brissago offers fine Italian dining. The Geneva Chophouse offers steak and seafood.

If you’re looking for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or something in between, you might try the Grand Cafe or Links Bar and Grill. Leinenkugel’s Mountain Top serves lunch and dinner cafeteria-style for hungry skiers. Of course, you can also order room service and eat at your leisure in your luxury accommodations.

The Grand Geneva Resort and Spa truly has something for everyone. You can spend a day relaxing and taking care of your physical and mental health at the spa. You can enjoy a day on the lake or hiking the trails. You can go horseback riding or mountain biking, and you can even test your skills on the rock wall. What makes it even better is that you can travel to the resort in your airplane. If you’re looking to get away from it all, enjoy the countryside, and relax and unwind, this may just be the ideal vacation for you and your family.