It’s the holiday season and I love it. BUT, I know it ain’t just me that feels overwhelmed at times during the craziness of this time. Especially with kids school activities, holiday shopping, holiday parties, Q4 work related items and well, holiday stress. So my design girls, Erin of Luv All Things Home and Emily of M+B Design started a new tradition, lets escape for 24 hours for a Girls Weekend to Lake Geneva. The reason we initially selected to have a Girls Weekend Lake Geneva was that it was a neutral location. We all live in three different mid-west cities. So, for all of us, Lake Geneva was 1-1.5 hour drive. Also, I had not stayed or spent time in Lake Geneva since I was a child. How? When I live so close! I was excited to re-discover this adorable “Hallmark Movie” town only 1.5 hours from Chicago. AND TRUST ME, I haven’t stopped convincing my family that this is a great mid-west escape destination.
Girls Weekend Lake Geneva
There are the four necessary S’s when you have a girls weekend in Lake Geneva: Shopping, Spa, Steak, Sleep and we covered all the bases. I arrived early to Lake Geneva so I could have time to discover the town and with the holiday decorations, I truly felt I had stepped into a hallmark movie. The town center is cute, quaint, and truly everything I think a getaway town should be.
Shopping
They have amazing interior / home shops and the Cornerstone Shop and Gallery is incredible. We walked around the store, and as two interior fanatics, we were in awe of the vignettes and store design. And guess what? They do have interior designers on staff, I knew it, cause it was flawless. I purchased an ornament for my kids and found the perfect wood key holder for my kitchen. I love that they have unique gifts but also, if you need help finishing a space in your own home with accessories, this is the place to shop.
Spa
After a couple of hours of shopping, we were treated to some bubbly, foot massages and pedicures at Clear Waters Salon Spa on Main Street. It gave us time to catch up since Haven Conference and simply relax. The staff let us chit-chat and laugh for hours. We usually feel rushed to get to work or grab the kids, this time, the only reason we left was because they were closing.
Time For Check-In & The Igloo Experience
We were very excited to head to The Ridge and check-in and get ready for the evening. The staff was so kind and helpful, minutes after arriving in our room I received a text from the hotel asking if everything was alright and if we needed anything to just call. A MAZE ING! The warm welcome was perfect before we strapped on our winter boots and headed outside to their new Igloo Experience to enjoy a little hot cocoa.
The Igloo Experience is perfect for friends to gather or a romantic evening with apps and drinks. Can you imagine a sweet proposal under their cozy blankets here?
Steak and Sleep
And don’t worry, if you want to step out of the igloo and enjoy the outdoors, their amazing fire keeps you toasty and warm. I think Erin (from @luvallthingshome) was thinking if she really had to return home to her kids the next day
Dinner at Crafted Americana
Crafted Americana is truly a culinary experience within The Ridge. From the cheese / beer soup to filet mignon, you cannot go wrong. The ambiance is the perfect setting for the girls to treat themselves or a romantic dinner for two.
Dessert at The Hunt Club Steakhouse
As guest of The Ridge they offer a shuttle service, which is fabulous, to get around. In case you didn’t know, my hubs and I love checking out Wine Spectator awards and he was so jealous when he found out that we got to visit The Hunt Club, 2018 Spectator Award of Excellence recipient. But, when you are out with the girls there is nothing like a great dessert and lets just say we didn’t leave a drop on the plate.
It’s All About The Pajamas and Pillow Talk
Escaping for 24 hours with your girls, or if you can take a long weekend, it’s all about catching up on each other’s lives, learning more about one another, laughing, and sharing stories that ultimately bring you all closer together. What is amazing about taking time away from your kids and life, and escaping to a small mid-west town is that you feel rejuvenated and ready to come back to your “normal” life with a new energy. SO, if you are looking to escape with your friends, even for a 24 hours, Lake Geneva is it. Only 1.5 hours from Chicago I know I will return for future friend trips and believe me, I haven’t stopped telling my family how wonderful this town is that I can’t wait to bring them up.
And, we all know a girls trip is about getting comfy back in the room and being silly. These girls are a riot! Check out our outtakes.
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Lucy says
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