11.18.16

Grand Geneva Resort & Spa Will Light Up Lake Geneva with 22nd Annual Christmas in the Country Festival

Lake Geneva’s AAA, Four-Diamond Resort Lights Up the Holiday Season With Festive Six-Week Long Picture Perfect Holiday Celebration Beginning November 20

LAKE GENEVA, Wis. (November 9, 2016) – Boasting more than two million lights, new programming and a picturesque winter wonderland this holiday season, Grand Geneva Resort & Spa and sister property, Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark, will kick off this year’s Christmas in the Country festivities with its annual Illumination Ceremony Nov. 20.

Celebrating its 22nd year, Christmas in the Country is a holiday favorite, complete with a variety of activities from breakfast with Santa to classic Christmas tale readings and festive holiday tea that bring this magical time of year to life. The six-week long picture perfect holiday celebration welcomes locals and guests alike to share in the festive holiday spirit and includes the following events and programming:

Illumination Ceremony Nov. 20 – Don’t miss more than two million lights twinkle to life at this special annual event. Discover even more holiday magic this season with hot apple cider and cookies, kids activities and live entertainment throughout the Grand Ballroom, Evergreen Ballroom and the lobby. Guests are invited to bring a toy to donate to United Way of Walworth County.

Breakfast with Santa – Almost as fun as Christmas morning, don’t miss Breakfast with Santa! Come in your PJs or dressed in your holiday best. Everyone will enjoy live holiday music, buffets for adults and kids, and fun seasonal activities…just don’t forget your wish list! Every Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 26 – Dec. 24 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Prices range from $10 (kids 2-5) to $18 (kids 6-12) and $30 for adults. Reservations are recommended by calling 262-249-4788.

Trolley Tour of Lights – Hop aboard the Grand Geneva trolley for a tour around the resort to see all the festive decorations. Tours available hourly at 5, 6, 7 and 8 p.m. Call 262-248-8811 ext. 3782 to make your reservation.

Gingerbread House Display – Area residents can display their candy-created masterpieces beginning Nov. 20 through the holidays just outside Ristorante Brissago.

Meet Santa! – Visit with Santa and his elves in the lobby and enjoy live holiday performances from local high schools, every Saturday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 26 – Dec. 24. Live holiday music from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Classic Holiday Tale – Relax and listen to a classic holiday story come to life from Nov. 25 – Dec. 23 at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Friday – Sunday. Pajamas and slippers highly encouraged. New this year, stories will truly come to life by adding interactive experiences during readings to make for an even more memorable experience.

Elf Mail Run – Drop off your letters to Santa at the magical mailbox located in the main lobby. See Santa’s helpers stop by to collect the mail at 4 p.m. daily to deliver it to the North Pole. Participate in the fun with the Elf Mail Run package, below!

Elf on the Shelf – This favorite holiday tradition comes to life with real elves hiding around the lobby for kids to find. Every day there will be a new skit that invites kids to participate and help save the day.

Festive Holiday Tea – Grand Geneva will serve special afternoon holiday tea daily from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. from Nov. 27 – Dec. 24. Reserve a table and take a step back in time and tradition by calling 262-249-4788. $14.95 per person.

Holiday Themed Grand Experiences – For a true resort experience, take part in a variety of daily activities including holiday themed mixology classes, paint and sip classes, beer and cheese pairings and making holiday creations perfect for entertaining including ornament and holiday décor and holiday pastry dishes.

New Year’s Eve – Ring in the New Year in “Grand” style. Whether you choose to celebrate over a romantic meal in one of the resort’s award-winning restaurants with a gathering of friends or family, Grand Geneva offers a variety of packages and dining options to welcome the New Year! To reserve the packages below, please call (800) 558-3417.

• NYE Grand Style Package – Start counting down to 2017 with this delicious New Year’s Eve package featuring a romantic dinner at Ristorante Brissago or Geneva ChopHouse and a night of music and dancing in the Grand Ballroom with a two-night stay. Rates start at $799 and package includes:

– Two-night stay in a deluxe guest room
– Choice of dinner for two at Ristorante Brissago or Geneva ChopHouse
– Admission to the Déjà Vu Party at 10 p.m. with two complimentary drink tickets, champagne toast, party favors, and balloon drop at Midnight

• NYE Grand Celebration Package – Dress to the nines for this Grand Celebration on New Year’s Eve. Guests will be treated to drinks, food and dancing—all leading up to the midnight balloon drop. Rates start at $699 and package includes:

– Two-night stay in a deluxe guest room
– Private table in the Grand Ballroom to enjoy a lavish seafood dinner featuring a sushi and sashimi station, crab cake action station and a carving station; advance reservation required
– Admission to the Déjà Vu Party at 10 p.m. with two complimentary drink tickets, champagne toast, party favors, and balloon drop at Midnight

• NYE Hills & Thrills Package – Celebrate the New Year with the whole family at the Grand Geneva with this two-night package. Rates start at $799 and package includes:

– Two-night stay in a deluxe guest room
– Four lift tickets for one day of skiing or snowboarding at The Mountain Top ski hill
– Table for four at a special NYE dinner with a variety of food stations, complete with entertainment later in the evening to ring in 2017

• NYE Junior & Teen Celebration –Ring in the new year with this kid and teen-friendly celebration (ages 4-17), complete with kid-themed buffet, beverages, and a toast to ring in 2017. Tickets are $75 each and can be added to any package or purchased separately. Activities include:

– Complimentary arcade style video games
– Movies with popcorn in a theater-like setting
– Games and crafts
– DJ and dance floor
– Kid-friendly buffet, beverages, toast and balloon drop to ring in the New Year

Packages and Deals
• Elf for a Day – New this year, kids get to be a part of the daily Elf Mail Run at 4 p.m. in the lobby, complete with their own elf hats and shoes. Their duties include helping the elves collect all of the mail from Santa’s mailbox and make sure it gets safely delivered to Santa Claus. They even get Santa’s favorite treat, milk and cookies, delivered right to their room. Package includes an overnight stay, two elf hats and two pairs of elf shoes. Valid November 26 – December 23, 2016.
• Breakfast with Santa – Almost as fun as Christmas morning, wake up to a special breakfast with live holiday music and a meet and greet with Santa! In addition to adult and kid-focused gourmet buffets, there will be plenty to do with special holiday activities planned. All attire is welcome, whether you want to dress up for a photo with Santa or show up in PJs. Package includes an overnight stay in a deluxe guestroom and four tickets to Breakfast with Santa. Valid on Fridays and Saturdays November 25 – December 23, 2016.

Ski Season at Grand Geneva
In addition to the lights, shows and on-property events that make Grand Geneva an idyllic holiday getaway, the property boasts The Mountain Top ski hill with 20 runs and a terrain full of snow all winter long for skiers and snowboarders alike.

On opening day, Dec. 10, The Mountain Top will be giving away 500 free lift tickets to use that day. All guests need to do is bring in a canned food donation and the voucher from the Grand Geneva Facebook page, weather permitting. Guests can get more out of their skis or board this season with the Frequent Skier Punch Card. With the purchase of one punch card for $250, receive 10 lift tickets for use any time during the 2016-17 ski season. With no limits on when or who can use the tickets, family and friends can partake in the fun. For more information, please call 262-249-4726.

For more information on Christmas in the Country festivities, The Mountain Top or reservations please call 800.558.3417 or visit www.GrandGeneva.com.

Grand Geneva Resort & Spa is owned and managed by Marcus Hotels & Resorts and the company manages Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark.

About Grand Geneva Resort & Spa
Grand Geneva Resort & Spa is an award-wining all-seasons resorts set on 1,300 acres in the legendary southeastern Wisconsin community of Lake Geneva, just 90 minutes from Chicago and 50 minutes from Milwaukee. The property features 355 guest rooms; WELL Spa + Salon; two championship 18-hole golf courses; The Mountain Top, a three-chair/20-run ski and snowboard facility, 62,000 square feet of meeting and convention space and three restaurants. For more information, please visit www.grandgeneva.com and follow us on on Facebook and Twitter.

About Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark
The family-friendly Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark is located in the legendary southeastern Wisconsin community of Lake Geneva, just 90 minutes from Chicago and 50 minutes from Milwaukee. The property offers a collection of 225 expansive one and two-bedroom suites that are equipped with whirlpool baths, private balconies and spacious living rooms. Full kitchenettes, which boast full-sized refrigerators, stove-top burners, dishwashers and double sinks, provide complete comfort for families. The lodge also offers its signature 50,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor aquatic wonderland, Moose Mountain Falls – the area’s only Waterpark – as well as a 3,600-square-foot arcade, 3,500-square-foot ballroom and a family barbeque restaurant. For more information, please visit www.timberridgeresort.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

About Marcus Hotels & Resorts
Marcus Hotels & Resorts owns and/or manages 18 hotels, resorts and other properties in the U.S. A leader in the hospitality industry since 1962, Marcus Hotels & Resorts creates asset value for hotel owners through its expertise in management, development and product repositioning, including hotel food and beverage concepts developed by its Marcus Restaurant Group. The company’s distinctive portfolio includes city-center meeting hotels, upscale resorts, historic properties, and premium branded and independent first-class hotels. Marcus Hotels & Resorts is an approved operator for all major lodging brands. For more information, please visit: https://media.marcushotels.com and follow the company on Facebook and Twitter (@MarcusHotels).

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