Redesign of The Ridge Hotel complete

Multi-million dollar renovation of former Geneva Ridge wraps up

Paloma Resort Properties, a Midwestern golf and hospitality company, has completed the second phase of renovations to The Ridge Hotel, a privately owned 90-acre property formerly known as Geneva Ridge Resort.

The Ridge Hotel’s $4.5 million in upgrades include new dining and drinking concepts, new lobby and reception area, enhanced fitness facility with new Life Fitness equipment, and a facelift to hallways, restrooms and the glass-adorned staircase to the ballrooms.

In addition to the new bean + vine coffee and wine bar, which opens up into the airy entrance, The Ridge Hotel is anchored by Crafted Americana, a contemporary restaurant featuring artistic, handcrafted American fare and aims to draw diners from beyond the usual hotel clientele.

“We brought this rustic lodge-looking resort into the 21st century with this second stage of renovations and a stylish new brand,” said Paloma Resort Properties President Garth L. Chambers, whose company took over management in 2011 of the 146-room, full-service hotel. “When we pulled what was then Geneva Ridge under the Paloma umbrella, we promptly revamped operations and staffing and made vast physical improvements to the building’s infrastructure, allowing for $1.7 million in upgrades.”

The initial phase of improvements included a backyard veranda highlighted by a 12-foot-long fire feature and lounge; poolside sports bar overlooking the wooded Lake Como shoreline; outdoor wedding pergola and aisle; and a refreshed Aspen Ballroom with raised ceilings, state-of-the-art finishes, and French doors opening out to the patio. The french door looks very classy and matches well with the whole design. Most hotels and homes usually make use of sliding glass doors for the patio. However, french doors and accordion doors are becoming new alternatives to sliding glass doors these days.

Chambers anticipates that the redesign also could affect guest demographics.

“The Ridge has a unique location just off the beaten track, five minutes from the bustling tourist town of Lake Geneva,” he said.”Add to that prime location the property’s recent enhancements, and The Ridge Hotel becomes even more attractive to the business professional and millennial, while continuing to draw in golfers, vacationers and group business from weddings and retreats.”

Chambers said Paloma will monitor the success of the renovations while planning for the final redesign, geared to further enhance the guest experience while attracting the next generation of travelers to Lake Geneva. “Our goal is to start what we finished – reviving a struggling sleeper property and transforming it into a leading lodging and restaurant destination in Wisconsin.”