Lake Lawn Lodge has been a Delavan institution since its founding in 1878, and a permanent fixture along Highway 50 for generations of area residents. It is located off Highway 50 (Geneva Street), near Interstate 43, on the shores of Delavan Lake. The north shore of Delavan Lake, where Lake Lawn Resort is situated, was occupied by Native Americans as early as 1000 BC, and the resort’s construction unearthed many artifacts that are currently on display throughout the facility.
In the early decades of the 20th century, the original hotel became a retreat for various large employers, and over time the complex expanded with dining, shopping facilities, a convention center, a remodeled golf course, and its own airport opened in 1948. Guest facilities expanded dramatically with new lodges and wings, including Timber Lodge, Boulder Lodge, Woodlawn Lodge, the paired Shorewood Lodges, and Norwood Lodge, while the ballroom burned to the ground in 1978. The resort underwent numerous ownership changes between 1990 and 2005, each bringing renovations to public areas, guest rooms, or the golf course, and the slogan shifted to “Resort to the Finest” and later “Lake Lawn Resort.”
Delavan Resort Holdings purchased the property in 2004 and embarked on an ambitious redevelopment plan worth hundreds of millions, including a $40 million renovation completed in 2006 for guest rooms and Timber Pool, the transformation of Woodlawn Lodge into Lakewood Suites, and the conversion of the entire property into a condotel model where individual rooms were sold as condo units and rented to vacationers. By 2009, Anchor Bank foreclosed on the property, buying it for about $20 million in 2010, and shortly thereafter the resort was closed, putting hundreds of employees out of work. A group of local investors led by Gregg Kunes purchased the property in 2010 with plans to reopen the facility as a resort, and the golf course and marina reopened in May 2011, followed by the rest of the resort in July 2011.
The resort today contains nearly 300 guest rooms, a conference center with 22 meeting rooms, three restaurants, a gift shop, a golf course, driving range, airport, marina, three pools, a game room, and a spa. The Lake Lawn Lakefront property remains a popular wedding venue, praised for its lakeside setting, the versatility of event spaces, and the attentive service of coordinators who help ensure smooth weekends, though some reviews mention occasional response delays and pricing concerns. Numerous wedding testimonials highlight the stunning backdrop, delicious catering, and the ability to host ceremonies with easy outdoor access and beautiful lake views, sometimes blending both indoor and outdoor spaces seamlessly.
From a historical perspective, the site’s legacy stretches back to its days as a winter headquarters for Barnum and Bailey Circus after the Mabie Circus era, during which time the resort’s surroundings and facilities evolved alongside changing ownerships and hospitality trends. The presence of a golf course, spa facilities, multiple lodges, and an extensive convention center has kept Lake Lawn Lodge a central element of Delavan’s tourism economy, even as financial and operational challenges have made its future a topic of debate among stakeholders and the local community.
Today Lake Lawn Lodge stands at the intersection of heritage and modern resort development. While the financial and ownership dynamics have introduced periods of uncertainty, the resort’s physical footprint-frontage on Delavan Lake, its golf course, marina, and multiple lodging options-continues to attract guests, weddings, and conference attendees who value lakeside access and a long-standing hospitality tradition. The question of its continued vitality hinges on balancing debt restructuring, marketing to stay financially viable, and maintaining the standards that have defined Lake Lawn since the late 19th century.
- Historic significance: Established 1878 with a rich lineage tied to local and regional hospitality trends.
- Redevelopment and condotel model: Massive renovation efforts and ownership transitions in the 2000s.
- Financial turbulence: Foreclosure in 2009-2010, subsequent acquisition by local investors, and partial reopening in 2011.
- Facilities and capacity: Nearly 300 rooms, a conference center, golf course, marina, spa, pools, and multiple dining options.
- Current use: Premier lakefront wedding venue and regional destination with ongoing appeal for events and leisure stays.
For visuals, consider a lakefront map showing Lake Lawn Lodge’s location on Delavan Lake and its proximity to Highway 50 and I-43, as well as a historical timeline infographic highlighting key ownership and renovation milestones. A hospitality operations chart could illustrate the condotel model and the asset mix (rooms, suites, lodges, conference spaces, and recreational facilities).
Despite the controversy surrounding its financial affairs, Lake Lawn continues to be marketed as a premier lakeside destination in Delavan, with a particular emphasis on weddings and group events, leveraging its scenic setting, extensive event spaces, and established service teams. The resort’s enduring presence on the Delavan shoreline demonstrates resilience in a competitive hospitality landscape and a communities’ willingness to preserve a storied local landmark.