The French Country Inn — Hotel in Town of Geneva

DO NOT STAY HERE!

I booked two nights a while back. When I called, I mentioned my specific requiremts was that I wanted a lake view room, and a place to stay that provides an outdoor pool. I was told yes to both so I proceeded to book my reservation.

When I arrived, there pool was under construction and has been since I made the booking. Their restaurant is also closed down. After checking in, I told Lacy who worked at the front desk that I was no happy that no one told me about the pool and restaurant, and that I will be talking to management later.

The rooms where not what was shown on the website, as they where small, dirty, and very dingy, while also being extremely outdated. We went to the Jimmy Buffett concert and while we where there the concert rescheduled.

I then called the French country inn and spoke to what he called himself the “general manager” and told him about my experience and that I want to cancel my second night and I expect a refund for my second night. The reason why I called was because I didn’t want to get stuck staying there another night. I reserved two rooms.

I brought with me, my in-laws who stayed in one room, and while we where away my nanny’s that stayed back to watch and take care of my 3 yr old daughter, and my 1yr old infant son.

Eric proceeded to tell me that I was “rude” to lacy. And that he didn’t not appreciate that, and the fact I wanted to cancel the next day, he will just cancel both days.

I told him my nanny was there with my two children. We are not canceling. Since I had horrible reception at alpine valley, I told him we are on our way and I will just talk to him in person about the situation.

He said, that he is calling the POLICE and that everyone has to leave. When the police showed up, since there was no law broken, my nanny said that she can’t leave, because they have no car seats, the parents are not here, and had no clue as to what was going on. Be fore the cop showed up, Eric walked up to the room, knowing my nanny was there with my children, was very rude to my nanny telling her that they all need to go.

She we arrived the cop felt bad for us, as he listened to both sides and said we did nothing wrong, he is just the middle man, and even suggested to me to leave reviews.

When we left the concert, my wife tried calling, and every time lacy picked up the phone she hung up. So not only is the staff rude, and uncommindating, they litterly kicked out a 3 yr old, a 1 yr okd with a nanny, that was just sitting in the small gross dingy room because there was no pool.

Whatever you do, do not stay here. You will be disappointed. There is a reason why they always have vacancies when everyone else, and I mean everyone...

I wanted to find a romantic place to spend the night away from home as a surprise for my wife’s birthday. Boy did I find a great location. The French Country Inn is an unbelievable hotel with stunning views of Lake Como in Wisconsin. At first glance from the parking lot it looks like an ok motor inn. (Editor's note: It was still cold in Wisconsin so the landscaping had not been completed and the pool was still covered) The view from the parking lot is deceiving. This hotel is full of charm and surprises.

When we first arrived we were greeted in the lobby by Eric, the general manager. We immediately felt welcomed and comfortable. Eric explained the history of the hotel and the history of the lobby. He told us the lobby was built in Denmark, disassembled and shipped to Chicago. It was reassembled and displayed as part of the Danish exhibit during the 1893 Columbian Exposition World’s Fair in Chicago. The lobby was again disassembled and then reassembled at its present location. The lobby is lined in warm oak panelling and bookshelves. The floor is inlay with multiple designs including a compass rose. There is a beautiful staircase and oak windows which were. The windows in the lobby were also of Danish design and were triangular in nature. There were even two books written about the hotel and that were on display in the lobby.

The hotel is old and the climb to the second floor on a very windy cold April evening was non-eventful, but the staircase is outside and Wisconsin’s winter has taken its toll on the paint and treads. Don’t let my description deter you from coming here.

Now for the rooms. When we opened the door to our room we transformed to a room that has been totally made over. It was modern with a touch of class. It was stunning! A high ceiling with 2 skylights, a gas fireplace and a very comfortable bed and pillows greeted us with one of the most beautiful views of picturesque Como Lake. The lake is just feet from the hotel. You can almost reach out and touch it. There is even a balcony with 2 comfortable chairs and if the weather was better we would have had our morning coffee out there.

There is also an excellent restaurant attached to the Inn, The Getaway. I will post reviews of our dinner and breakfast there as well.

I highly recommend the French Country Inn on the lake for a relaxing and enjoyable...

It may have only been our 2nd visit to Lake Geneva and the French Country Inn (now known as The Getaway), but Eric welcomed us back like we were family.

It was MLK weekend and the perfect opportunity for us to take advantage of the extra day off work for our little getaway from Chicago.

We once again opened the door to our room to unveil a pristine view of Lake Como, this time a a serene sheet of ice. My wife went straight to the fireplace and I soon joined her, after stepping out on the balcony to breathe in that clean, crisp air. Relaxing, calm, and peaceful, we took in some good moments of quiet and conversation, and a few BYO custom cocktails too.

Our 2nd night was a special treat, as we had the chance to stay in the Dillinger suite - quite possibly the pinnacle of the history that consumes The Getaway. Eric shared with us his latest finds and artifacts from the infamous Dillinger gang that used the inn as their “Getaway” in the 1930s. Eric seems to always be uncovering something new and fascinating, then finding a way to showcase and share it at the inn. Just ask him!

Rooms for both nights were refreshed and well appointed for 2. The beds slept warm, cozy and comfortable. Breakfast was continental with healthy options to get your day started. The inn is constantly being updated with enhancements always bringing something new to look forward to and enjoy.

This time, we tried out their newly opened restaurant, like the inn under new Mars ownership. The food and drinks were very good. We had the seared tuna and eggplant parm- both substantial portions and well prepared.

As a bonus on our final day, Eric pointed us to find a nature trail in the woods just across the street. It was a nice short hike and a great way to get outside, taking in more of that peaceful nature which helped make our visit one that we won’t soon forget.

Outstanding stay start-to-finish and very much looking forward to our next Getaway at this...