Osthoff Resort – Elkhart Lake –  A legendary place

Osthoff Lake Resort  – Surrounded by Wisconsin’s lush Kettle Moraine State Forest, and settled alongside 500 feet of shoreline, the Osthoff Lake Resort manages to provide an idyllic escape only a few hours away from Milwaukee and Chicago. The resort’s story began in the late 1800s when German entrepreneur Otto Osthoff recognized an opportunity to build a luxury resort alongside a pristine spring-fed lake. After becoming a drama and arts camp for much of the 20th century, new investors reinvented the resort in 1995. Since then, it has been awarded the AAA Four Diamond rating for eighteen consecutive years.

Osthoff Lake Resort offers one- bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom guest suites. Each suite has a kitchen, dining and living room, television, fireplace, and a private balcony. The suites are classically styled after grand old hotels balanced with modern amenities. Within the resort guests can experience luxury spa treatments at the Aspira Spa. Aspira Spa offers a number of holistic facials, massages and healing therapies. Guests can also book a Spa Suite where small groups share a private space that includes a master shower, whirlpool and stone fireplace. Refreshing smoothies, juices and salads are available nearby at the Aspira Spa Cafe.

The Aspira spa with a wide array of services is a close walk from your room.

The spa offers various options for relaxing and rejuvinating services.

The Spa Cafe is only the beginning when it comes to Osthoff’s dining options. Both Lola’s on the Lake and Otto’s Restaurant offer unique menus to be enjoyed with panoramic views of Elkhart Lake. Lola’s menu is characterized as “eclectic,” containing a variety of lunchtime sandwiches and seafood dishes for dinner. Otto’s is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with traditional burgers, pizzas and steaks. Five minutes away from the resort, the Elkhart Inn has been open for nearly 100 years and creates German-inspired meals using local ingredients. Finally, the Elk Room is a nice spot for morning coffee or afternoon cocktails with floor to ceiling windows looking out at Elkhart Lake.

The Spa Cafe offers delicious smoothies and veggie juices.

Guests can also develop a new skill while staying at Osthoff. L’ecole de la Maison Cooking School hosts several courses on French, Italian and German cuisine. Other courses include “Wisconsin Roots,” which explore the state’s trademark cheddar with German-influenced recipes; “Osthoff Garden – Farm to Table,” using produce grown in the resort’s on-site garden; and “European Breakfast Cookery,” which covers signature breakfast dishes from around the continent. The cooking school also offers holiday themed courses such as “Traditional Thanksgiving” and “French Christmas.”

Take a cooking lesson at L’ecole de la Maison at Osthoff Resort. You’ll come home with impressive skills!

There are several ways for guests to make the most of their surroundings at Osthoff. Outdoor activities such as bicycling, dog sledding, skiing, fishing, horseback riding and ice skating are available at different times throughout the year. Mini golf, paintball and batting cages are also nearby. If guests want to explore the area, attractions such as the Henschel’s Native American Museum, Abler Art Glass Gallery, Bookworm Gardens and Road America are unique places to check out. Fun geared towards children is available through Osthoff’s Pleasures Program. Through this program children are led through craft projects and introductory cooking lessons. Families are also welcome to join in on bonfires and lake cruises.

To learn more about all Osthoff Lake Resort has to offer, visit www.osthoff.com.