When Otto Osthoff opened his Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin hotel in 1886, his guests arrived by train. With them were their steamer trunks loaded with the high fashions of the day. They were accompanied by their children and their servants. The women, children and servants stayed in the relatively cool north woods for the summer. The breadwinner spent his week in the oppressive heat of the city, returning to Osthoff's for weekends with his family.

Osthoff's has undergone several incarnations since the years of Otto's ownership. During Prohibition, it operated as a gaming casino and, of course featured a not-too-well-hidden speakeasy. It was one of the haunts of the Prohibition era gangsters who appreciated its expert blackjack dealers coupled with its proximity to the big City. Its 29-acre campus survived Prohibition and, in 1955, the resort was sold and operated as a summer camp for students of drama and theatrical arts by Sulie Harand and her sister Pearl. Both are remembered as accomplished actresses and performers in and around Chicago. Finally, in the early 1990's, rebuilding was begun and new condominium apartment units were constructed. The resort opened in 1995. At the time, it featured two outdoor pools and one indoors for winter use. Things have changed and, with the November 2005 grand opening of a new north wing, the facility has become one of the most deluxe four diamond resort and destination spa vacation venues in the Midwest. Now, of course, with expressways winding their way within a couple of miles of the resort, Osthoff's is an easy 2-1Ž2 hour drive from the center of Chicago. The distance from downtown is less than 150 miles.

The fully equipped condominium apartments are a part of a rental pool allowing guests the flexibility of a vacation while offering the comfort of a suite with living area, kitchen, two-person whirlpool bath, fireplace and private balcony. All the sofas are convertible into beds which makes it possible for the kids to come along for the Osthoff experience. The North wing holds 48 newly-furnished, sparkling one, two and three bedroom suites.

In addition to all these features, the new wing offers meeting facilities that will hold as many as 1,000 attendees and banquet accommodations for 600 at a single seating.

The latest addition includes a first class 100-seat lake view restaurant. The formal restaurant, named "Lola's on the Lake" after the general manager of the hotel, Lola Roeh, is now open for dinner with such specialties as prawns with asparagus ravioli, pecan crusted walleye and an herb grilled veal chop with Chianti butter sauce, gorgonzola polenta and wild mushrooms. Lunches include grilled Mediterranean vegetable pita and a Tuscan grilled chicken on Ciabatta layered with roasted bell peppers, portabella mushrooms and fresh (Wisconsin) mozarella. On each of these menus is the delicious signature corn bisque.

Another restaurant with less formal atmosphere is part of Osthoff's. Offering more casual fare, Otto's Restaurant has a complete children's menu and it's open seven days a week for all meals. Located as it is on the lake level, it's designed for a casual eating experience.

If all these exquisite food offerings seem to fill you, the sparkling new Aspira Spa will help you keep the pounds under control. The spa offers a choice of many different massage techniques. One of the most unusual therapies is called Balneotherapy. This puts a bathing experience into play where there is a combination of more than 200 water jets in an imported European tub, colored lights and the hands of an experienced hydro therapist to sooth some tightened muscles and make them ready for the more traditional types of massage treatments. The Aspira contains a number of wet and dry therapy suites.

It's been designed to be a holistic, organic approach to the spa experience. Therapy rooms are located around a central core which is the meditation and relaxation sanctuary. Lola was responsible for the concept which was completed by spa designer, Raoul Sudre. It's design, as Lola explained, was to apply the healing techniques of various indigenous peoples throughout the world.

In addition, the spa offers a full range of facials, manicures, pedicures and hair salon treatments. Within the spa facility, there's a Finnish Sauna, a shared lounge with a whirlpool, relaxation sanctuaries, a yoga room and a spa café. New to the region is the spa suite concept designed for either two or four guests and offering all encompassing private spa experiences. The suites include a fireplace, whirlpool tub, patio, love seats and showers. The spa's logo is intended to say it all. The three open circles signify a union of mind, body and spirit. Osthoff offers much more than fine dining and spectacular spa facilities. The town is known all over the country for its Road America events held during the summer. The Road America's 570 acre facility, now past the half century mark, has its track located only a short distance from Osthoff's driveway. Its four mile long permanent road course operates from April through October for both professional and amateur events. It's considered to be America's Monte Carlo of auto racing.

Elkhart Lake is a glacially formed lake covering more than 300 acres and is as deep as 116 feet. Fishing in summer, along with sailing and, of course, swimming are all popular.

In winter, weather permitting, there is cross country skiing, snow mobiling across the glacial kettle moraine that dots the countryside. In Elkhart Lake, a town of some 1000 people, there's a chance to do some shopping and to experience the relaxed atmosphere of small town America. The craftspeople and artisans who have shops in the village will always welcome tourists.

Elkhart Lake offers a number of other activities to attract visitors. If you don't get lucky on the lake, you will certainly be able to bring home a catch from the local Hidden Springs Trout Farm which also operates Henschel's Indian Museum displaying 10,000 years of Wisconsin history. And Osthoff's itself offers a series of special events throughout the year. You can experience "Jazz on the Vine," in May offering smooth jazz performed by world-class musicians and, at the same time, sample exotic wines. A Harvest Moon Ball weekend in late October features a welcome reception, ballroom dancing, a five course dinner and a lavish Sunday brunch. Thanksgiving Day features a seasonal buffet. Finally, there's an Old World Christmas Market. In fact, each season offers something special and for more information, a call to Osthoff's will bring you a brochure and the packages that are being offered, frequently accompanied by promotional rates.

Any time of the year you decide to visit Osthoff's in Elkhart Lake, you'll find a warm reception and a busy schedule. If he were here looking at this latest addition to the Osthoff legacy, Otto would be amazed at what's happened to his humble hotel by the lake.

Resources:

The Osthoff Resort: 1-800-876-3399

www.osthoff.com

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