
Photo Courtesy of the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa
This past May, Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva, Wis. completed a top-to-bottom overhaul of its 358 guest rooms and suites, providing enhanced accommodations for a thriving property. Stay-and-play opportunities provide visitors with the option of extending their day beyond the green and into comfortable sleeping quarters—stocked with amenities aplenty.
Stay and play has become synonymous with club living. Providing visitors with the option of extending their day beyond the green and into comfortable sleeping quarters—stocked with amenities aplenty—is a growing trend among bustling facilities. Be it a top-tier resort in a popular vacation destination, a facility that embraces its rich heritage, or a property that invites homeowners to join an exclusive members-only club, these forward-thinking designs have all the comforts of home … and then some.
Lakeside Living

“The feedback has been incredibly positive as guests rediscover the resort and its new look, while enjoying the services and amenities that it has always been known for.”
— Skip Harless, Managing Director of Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva, Wis.
At Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, in Lake Geneva, Wis., a recent guest facilities renovation marks the latest update and is paving the way for additional construction (refreshed ballrooms and meeting spaces are slated for spring 2024). “The resort always prioritizes investments and improvements to ensure the quality of the guest experience and services it is known for,” says Managing Director Skip Harless.
This past May, the facility completed a top-to-bottom overhaul of its 358 guest rooms and suites, providing enhanced accommodations for a thriving property.
Grand Geneva guests have myriad options when it comes to overnight stays. Standard rooms begin at 335 sq. ft., while suites range from 390-990 sq. ft. with a host of additional features. Amenities vary based on room style; standard rooms are equipped with 55-inch flat screen televisions, wireless internet, and motion sensor lighting. Suites include separate living and sleep quarters, along with a wet bar, gas fireplaces, balcony or patio. Bathrooms feature glacier white marble tile and custom matte black fixtures.
To create a consistent design across all guest spaces, designers looked to Grand Geneva’s natural surroundings for inspiration. Neutral colors and wood furnishings reflect the 1,300-acre resort’s great outdoors, with views of the lake and golf course just outside the window. Curated artwork from midwestern designers brings the feel of country life indoors, while balancing out the contemporary fixtures and furnishings. Underfoot, industrial carpeting in an ombre design picks up on similarly hued bedding and window treatments. Harless credits this style for “helping to extend the carpet life due to the movement in the pattern that tends to hide wear.”
This design palette carries over into the adjoining bathrooms, equipped with glacier white marble tile, custom black fixtures, natural stone flooring and granite vanity. Motion sensor lighting, elevated toilets and handheld showers round out the modern-day conveniences.
Since Grand Geneva’s refreshed guest rooms were unveiled, Harless reports glowing reviews from its patrons, further cementing its brand identity as a premium resort. “The feedback has been incredibly positive as guests rediscover the resort and its new look, while enjoying the services and amenities that it has always been known for,” says Harless.
Coastal Comfort

“The goal was to make the guests feel rejuvenated from the moment they arrived, reinforcing the resort’s commitment to providing quality service.”
— Noelle D’Olio, Corporate Creative Director for VIVÂMEE Hospitality and LBI National Golf & Resort in Little Egg Harbor City, N.J.
Briny ocean breezes beckon just over the bridge at LBI National Golf & Resort in Little Egg Harbor City, N.J., where guest facilities have undergone a recent makeover. Following the rebranding of the Jersey Shore resort, each of the 32 guest rooms have been updated to meet the needs of its new and returning clientele. “The goal was to make the guests feel rejuvenated from the moment they arrived, reinforcing the resort’s commitment to providing quality service,” says Noelle D’Olio, Corporate Creative Director for VIVÂMEE Hospitality, which manages the property.
Visitors to LBI National have the option of staying in standard guest rooms or deluxe suites, within comfortable 350-700-sq.-ft. setups. In a style characterized as a blend of coastal and mid-century modern, each space blends casual comfort with sophisticated accents. Sea- and sky-inspired blues, along with sandy beiges and soft whites, are designed to soothe and relax. D’Olio points out the boutique-style furnishings’ “clean lines and elegant silhouettes. These pieces are designed to provide both aesthetic appeal and functionality, allowing guests to feel at home,” she says. Warm woods, metallic details and woven fabrics are peppered throughout, while wall art showcasing Long Beach Island’s lighthouse and abstract artwork of the golf course add a personal touch to the living space.
The mid-century modern and coastal vibe carries over into the adjoining bathroom, awash in deep blue and complete with clean lines, contemporary fixtures and sea-inspired accents. Standard in-room amenities include desk space, a coffee bar and mini bar, while suites include a separate kitchen area.
With each room affording the privacy and personal touches that loyal customers have come to know and appreciate, LBI National is able to usher in a new wave of guests. “By upgrading the accommodations, dining areas and event spaces, the intention was to enhance guest satisfaction and encourage repeat visits,” notes D’Olio. Those making long-range plans to visit south Jersey next summer will know exactly where to stay.
Old World Charm

“The updated guest rooms, and overall renovations, celebrate the hotel’s traditional Mediterranean Revival style and old-world Florida grandeur, seamlessly integrating 21st century elements.”
— Vanessa Williams, General Manager of The Vinoy Resort and Golf Club in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Tapping into the prominent past of the St. Petersburg, Fla. community, The Vinoy Resort and Golf Club recently completed the first stage of a full-scale renovation that included refreshed guest rooms. General Manager Vanessa Williams describes the project as having “captured the beauty of Florida’s golden age, reflecting the hotel’s rich history through a sophisticated lens.” The rooms, which are part of the Marriott Bonvoy’s Autograph Collection, were unveiled to guests last April and earned a strong reception.
Ranging from 330 to 1,420 sq. ft., Vinoy’s updated guest accommodations are situated in the resort’s main Historic Building and Tower. Standard facilities are outfitted with a king bed or two queen beds, while Tower rooms include a patio or balcony overlooking the lush grounds. Suites in either locale boast a prime bay or garden view and separate living room, with Tower suites featuring a balcony.
Giving a nod to the Floridian coast, each room is laid out with wood flooring leading into blue carpeting—a look that Williams characterizes as the sand meeting the sea—and sophisticated detailing like crown molding and ornate fixtures. Custom paintings from Alicia LaChance add color and personality to walls, further personalizing the space. King rooms designed with cane panels help to distinguish the entry from the rest of the living space. This luxurious vibe carries over into the stone-covered bathrooms and their marble walk-in showers.
Williams credits the Vinoy’s refresh for helping to maintain the resort’s roots and reaffirming its brand identity for future visitors. “The Vinoy is a historical icon in the St. Pete community, known for its unique architecture and storied history,” she says. “The updated guest rooms, and overall renovations, celebrate the hotel’s traditional Mediterranean Revival style and old-world Florida grandeur, seamlessly integrating 21st century elements.”
Permanent Housing

“All who have seen the cottages have been impressed with the way they celebrate The Greenbrier’s history, while providing an exciting new look and increased functionality.”
— Jill Justice, DO, President of The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, W. Va.
Taking advantage of resort amenities while returning to the privacy of home may seem like a dream, but for those at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, W. Va., it’s a wish come true. The Greenbrier Legacy Club program affords homeowners the opportunity to obtain membership following the sale of a legacy cottage or estate home, which are then redesigned. With the majority of members joining this exclusive initiative, the resort continues to find ways to appeal to new clientele with first-class accommodations.
Residence renovations were prompted by a desire to keep pace with modern-day lodging. “The historic elements of the properties were a major part of the appeal, but this refresh allowed the addition of some modern convenience and personal touches, while still maintaining the Greenbrier’s signature look,” explains Jill Justice, DO, President of The Greenbrier. “When the decision was made to sell these properties to private owners, it was also critical to convert many of the properties to make them more functional as long-term residences.” Custom kitchens and upgraded bathrooms were also key components of the refurbished homes.
Guest homes are situated throughout the resort’s property, offering convenient access to the main facility and views of the golf courses, croquet lawn and clubhouse. Their footprints vary, from one-bedroom, 725-sq.-ft. Spring Row Cottages, to Estate homes boasting up to seven bedrooms.
As part of The Greenbrier Legacy Club, buyers choose a designated floor plan and interior design plan upon purchase. Cottages come fully deeded and owners are enrolled in an HOA program that includes utilities, maintenance, landscaping, security, trash collection and other services. An added incentive is an opt-in hotel rental initiative, enabling homeowners to rent their property and generate income.
Renovations are handled by Greenbrier Interiors, a team of in-house designers that have created four palettes from which residents may select and which incorporate wares from Dorothy Draper Fabrics & Wallpapers, Thibaut, Circa Lighting, Carleton V. Kindel, Iconic Pineapple and Cooper Classics, among other vendors.
The Huntsman, aimed at the sportsman, features décor in deep navy and forest green. “It’s perfect for those who want to bring an upscale lodge look into a relaxed home,” describes Justice. The Traditionalist is resplendent in light blues and greens for a subdued look, while the Showstopper reflects a bolder color palette that resembles the main hotel. Finally, the Springhouse pays tribute to the Greenbrier’s domed structure on the center of the grounds. “The design … creates a relaxing atmosphere, symbolic of the laid-back mountain living and renewing mineral spa,” says Justice of the resort’s main attraction dating back to 1778.
According to Justice, approximately 90 percent of residents are part of this Greenbrier-managed program. There are currently 72 Legacy Cottages and Estates homes for sale, with Spring Row Cottages accounting for the fastest selling property so far. With some cottages dating back nearly two centuries, Justice acknowledges the palpable enthusiasm for the program as a whole. “Many speak of wanting to create a legacy to pass down to future generations, and some selected a home where they have stayed and created lasting memories in the past,” she notes. “All who have seen the cottages have been impressed with the way they celebrate The Greenbrier’s history, while providing an exciting new look and increased functionality. Their potential as luxury rental properties is impossible to ignore.”
Summing It Up
> Resorts with updated guest facilities keep pace with visitor expectations.
> A property’s natural surroundings help to inform color palette and décor choices.
> Adding modern-day conveniences to rooms and suites provides additional comforts for guests.
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