The Osthoff Resort was built in the late 1800s as a retreat for wealthy travelers. Located on the shores of a glacial lake, the Osthoff quickly became the “it” place to escape the summer heat for city dwellers from Chicago, St. Louis, and Milwaukee. Today, more than 100 years later, the Osthoff still offers a sense of place and respite in the village of Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Rebuilt in 1995 by new owners, it quickly became a AAA Four Diamond resort hotel. Because it is located just an hour north of the Milwaukee airport, visitors from farther afield can easily experience the charm of the gilded age that is still present at the Osthoff Resort.

Though most people travel to Elkhart Lake to enjoy the crystal clear waters and other summer activities, the Osthoff Resort is a destination in itself, year round. For me, the big draw was the sense of history, the amenities, and the serene beauty of the lake. Though it was 27 F when I was there, the sound of geese flying overhead and the reflection of the clouds on the water was enough to distract me...at least long enough to take a few photographs. The great thing about staying at the Osthoff: there was plenty to keep me busy indoors, too.

There’s an award-winning spa, a cooking school, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a fitness center, and two restaurants on site. But first, head straight for the bar in the Elk Room. With dark wood panelling, a rustic fireplace, and soaring windows revealing the lake in the distance, this room is cozy and comfortable, and invites lingering with friends over a good conversation.

Ready to hear more about my weekend there? 

How to spend a weekend at the Osthoff Resort

It felt like I was constantly eating when I was in Wisconsin. I never expected a place of only 1,000 year round inhabitants to have so many great restaurant options to choose from. At the Osthoff, there’s Lola’s On The Lake or Otto’s.
 
Lola’s is a more elegant dining room with a large menu to satisfy most appetites. Lola’s is open only for lunch and dinner. There is an extensive wine list, and the menu features many regional dishes, such as trout from the area, and seasonal salads. 

Otto’s serves casual American fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In the summer, there is outdoor dining, as well. This is the place to have a hamburger and fries, steaks, or oatmeal and eggs for breakfast.

For a more intimate dining experience, take a short walk to the Elkhart Inn. Originally a private residence built about the same time as the hotel, the Inn was sold in the 1930s and transformed into a restaurant with a beautiful walnut wood bar, which remains today. Copper-colored walls and arched doorways, along with excellent service and delicious cuisine, make dining at the Elkhart Inn a lovely experience. Do try the caramelized scallops, which we had a with a zesty New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Entrees include walleye, a regional fish, and many game meats grilled to your specifications. 

If you’re the foodie type and enjoy cooking, book a class at L’ecole Du Maison. The class is very hands on and the chef teaches you cooking skills that can be used no matter the type of cuisine you prepare. I learned how to julienne vegetables, how to hold my hands and fingers so I didn’t cut them, how to make clarified butter, and so much more. I’ve been to cooking classes in Sante Fe and even in Italy, and this class was the most enjoyable because I was engaged in doing. Bonus: you actually do eat what you prepare, and chef pairs it with the appropriate wine selection. Sharing a five course meal made with friends was a highlight of my time. 

I also enjoy trying out new spa treatments everywhere I go, because of my background in the beauty business. I’ve been to wellness retreats in Emilia Romagna, a hammam in Milan, and have enjoyed many spa treatments in Napa Valley. I can honestly say the Aspira Spa at the Osthoff is at the top of my top ten spas list. 

Built upon the principles of Feng Shui and eco-friendly design, the spa offers a very comprehensive menu of services to heal the body, mind, and spirit. Enjoy some quiet time in the meditation room, or relax around the wet area in a comfortable lounge chair. I fell asleep there after my treatment, that’s how relaxing it is. Aspira is know for treatments that incorporate elements of the local environment, like cedar and elderberry, into a massage or facial. The therapists are excellent and the space is both relaxing and elegant.

The rooms

I did not realize that all the rooms at the Osthoff are suites, so I got quite a surprise the first time I saw mine - it was huge! Though I didn’t spend much time in the room, I enjoyed lying on the sofa in front of the fireplace at night watching the lights twinkling outside. Each room has a kitchenette, which I thought would be great for a longer stay. There’s also a small balcony, but for a girl who grew up in Texas and California… I’ll save that for a summer visit.

What else is happening at the Osthoff?

Spring brings Jazz on the Vine, with Grammy award-winning artists like Boney James. This event sells out as early as January, so book in advance.

If you visit Elkhart Lake in the summer months, the hotel can arrange for all sorts of water activities for you...or you can lounge on the sandy beach. I was there in the winter and would love to go back and dive into that clear cool water on a hot summer day. Still, winter has its own special appeal, and Osthoff’s German Christmas Market is worth a visit. In fact, if you have never been to a European Christmas market but want to, go to this one. Drink a warming cup of Gluwein and eat some authentic Nuremberg sausages. Shop for Russian ornaments and hand-made German nativities, silk scarves from India, and local artisan crafts. 

You can read more about the market in this article. You’ll want to do all of your Christmas shopping there, I promise. I bought ornaments made from vintage light bulbs and a warm winter hat (it does get cold in Texas sometimes). 

And be sure to get your photograph taken with Old St. Nick. 

Go for a weekend, stay for the experience. You’ll fall in love with this off the beaten track resort and the lake which lends the village its name. I did.

Osthoff Resort
101 Osthoff Ave.
Elkhart Lake, WI
www.osthoff.com

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Penny Sadler is the Style/Travel Editor for Wandering Educators. For more information on traveling in style, please see www.pennysadler.com and http://adventuresofacarryon.com/

All photos courtesy and copyright Penny Sadler, except word photo, Osthoff Resort, adapted by Wandering Educators