As things slowly begin to return to normal, many people are looking for the chance to escape and unwind. Others are hoping to celebrate those big life occasions, like weddings, anniversaries, milestone birthdays and more. And still others are excited about the opportunity to meet up with work or professional groups to make plans for the coming year.
At The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake, they can do all of this and more in a safe and spectacular setting.
“People are very excited about our lakeside location, and they love the fact that we have a lot of outdoor space available so that they can spread out,” said Daisy Hall, director of sales and marketing. “They appreciate that not only are we adhering to state and local guidelines for safety, but that we’ve gotten pretty inventive about how to set up spaces so that people can remain socially distant while still enjoying their stays.”
Meetings and Group Retreats
Bringing a larger group together during a pandemic can be difficult, but The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake has gone above and beyond to ensure guests’ comfort and safety.
“We’ve been seeing more and more group inquiries, including from educational and religious groups, that have been especially pleased with the options available to them,” said Hall. “In addition to having a wealth of outdoor space, we also have numerous meeting rooms so people don’t need to all gather in one place. The staff is constantly refreshing these meeting spaces, and we have even set up scheduled meeting breaks so that we can do a more thorough cleaning.”
Hall added that The Lodge also hosts hybrid events, where people can choose to attend meetings in person or Zoom in from their guest rooms.
Especially popular this past year were the lodge’s guest cottages, which provide even more social distancing than staying in the hotel itself. The cottages include fireplaces and kitchenettes, as well as firepits for outdoor gathering spaces.
“The cottages also have grills, so people can bring their own food and do team building that way,” said Hall, adding that the cottages feature gorgeous lake views.
Other opportunities for team building abound and include wine tasting experiences with the on-premise wine expert, Certified Wine Specialist Lauren Fiala, or trips on the Wine Shuttle, which travels to a number of wineries throughout Ohio Wine Country.
“This summer, we’re optimistic that we will be able to open Lake Erie Canopy Tours on our property, which will be great for those who love to spend time outdoors,” said Hall. “In addition to a zipline, the adventure course has three different circuits for those who like things easy, medium, or a little more challenging.”
For those not fond of heights, there are options to kayak or pedal boat, and there are also golf carts available to rent. A 2-1/4 mile paved trail runs along the Lake Erie shore for those who prefer walking, and hiking trails are available in adjacent Geneva State Park.
“We have something that everyone can do, and it’s a great way for people to team build while not thinking about team building,” said Hall. “And it’s a lot more exciting than ‘trust falls’ in the meeting room.”
The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake is also within walking distance of two wineries, a spa, a municipal golf course, a couple of upscale restaurants, and numerous walk-up eateries. There is a restaurant on site that includes an outdoor patio, as well as a gazebo and firepit that can fit up to 14 people along the lakeshore.
Weddings
While many couples chose to delay their weddings last year, or hold much smaller, more intimate ceremonies, The Lodge is seeing a lot of interest this year from couples who are ready to tie the knot in a variety of ways.
“While we’re booking many smaller weddings of around 100 people, we’re also getting requests for much larger weddings as well,” said Hall. “Brunch weddings have also become a trend—people are getting married early in the day and having brunch afterward.”
“Because there is less international travel, we’re also seeing smaller, more intimate weddings, with guests staying overnight or for a few days,” she added. “Because we have such a unique lakeside location with on-site amenities, it feels like you’re traveling to an oceanfront getaway.”
Bride Tiffanie Butler agreed. “We stayed here after our wedding due to travel being limited because of COVID-19, and everything was amazing!” she said. “We booked the balcony rooms where you could view the lake, the pool, and sunrises and sunsets, and we loved it.”
While most weekends are booked up for larger weddings in 2021, there is availability in May and after September, and smaller, brunch-style weddings can also be arranged. There is still a good mix of Fridays and Saturdays in 2022, though Hall said that they have seen a big increase in wedding requests since the beginning of the year.
“What’s also interesting is that in 2019-2020, it was tough to sell a wedding on a holiday weekend, but in 2021 and 2022, we’re already booked for the Fourth of July and Memorial Day,” she said of an emerging trend.
The Lodge offers a Sweetheart Package that includes an overnight stay, wine, chocolates, souvenir glasses and breakfast for those celebrating a honeymoon or anniversary, as well as those looking to get away for Valentine’s Day or any day.
“It’s available to anyone at any time; if you want to celebrate your anniversary or to celebrate Tuesday, it’s here for you,” said Hall, noting that the property’s romantic lakeside gazebo makes the perfect place to propose to a loved one.
Whether looking for a pause from the pandemic, a chance to finally meet up with friends and colleagues, or a magical, memorable wedding, The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake provides the perfect setting. To learn more, visit www.thelodgeatgeneva.com.