Historic
house with Gilded Age charm and original architectural details
Bathrooms
are modern with steam showers and heated marble floors
Breakfast-in-bed included with reservation and Champagne upon arrival
Lakefront
dining in the main-floor restaurant
Chauffeur
with 1932 Model A Ford to take guests on short rides
On-site fitness center
Discounts
on pontoon, speedboat, and Jet Ski rentals from nearby boat pier
Free
parking and Wi-Fi throughout
Staff dress in period costumes
High
prices
Noise
from main streets and cars can be heard from time to time
The
restaurant is open to the public and guests can get rowdy
Rooms sell-out quickly
Located in downtown Lake Geneva, Baker House is an intimate, upscale, and fun boutique
hotel with only four guest rooms -- though the property itself has 30 rooms, and each
has unique character. The hotel is family run, and the house is a Queen Anne
Victorian, finished in 1885 for one of Wisconsin's most notable families.
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Baker House has been
lovingly restored and furnished with antiques from the late 19th century --
reminiscent of the Gilded Age. Downstairs is Baker House, open-to-the-public and
well-reviewed restaurant and bar, and upstairs are the guest rooms and private
lounge. Visitors will
find modern amenities like free Wi-Fi, steam showers, heated bathroom floors,
and flat-screen TVs in this seemingly old-school hotel. Breakfast-in-bed and Champagne on arrival are included with the room rates.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Historic and renovated Queen Anne Victorian -- employees wear period uniforms
The house itself is a Queen Anne Victorian
mansion built in the late 19th century. It's very romantic, and an ideal find for newlywed getaways and anniversary
celebrations. Its owners restored the mansion, but many original pieces still
remain, including the inlaid wood floors and fireplaces with hand-carved mantels. Antique lace decorations, crystal chandeliers, ornate working fireplaces,
and taxidermy statement pieces would make for a fantastic period hotel set.
Inside the lobby and parlor, a grand piano sits behind stuffed sofas and
wingback chairs, which provide a casual dining and lounge experience.Past
the lobby and behind a pair of curtains is the bar. Though a small area, it has
as much character as other rooms. Surrounding the well-stocked bar are black
leather tufted benches, black and white photographs, and a vintage boxing speed
bag. Taking on a different feel from the bar, the restaurant is bright with
natural light coming in from the surrounding windows and glass-top tables.
Dressed in period uniforms, the house staff includes a personal butler, whose
late night parlor games guests enjoy most. Despite the “upstairs/downstairs”
role-playing, the atmosphere is friendly and fun.
Location
On Lake Geneva, at the residential edge of downtown with lakefront views
The
Baker House is located on Lake Geneva at the edge of downtown in an area that
is mostly homes and hotels. And while the main street is just outside the front
steps, guests should note that the house is in a residential
neighborhood, not a commercial one with shops. It's a pleasant 15-minute walk to breakfast at Simple Cafe, best known for using locally grown and
seasonal ingredients. Lake Geneva School of Cooking is another talked about spot,
where guests participate in cooking lessons and toast their successes with
wine.On
the edge of a lake, guests have easy access to the water. The hotel offers discounts on boat rentals from their affiliated boathouse. Surrounding
the lake are other elegant century-old mansions and a 21-mile Geneva Lake
Shore Path. Strollers beware: this is a full day’s hike. At the halfway point
along the lake (about 15-minutes by car and two hours by foot) is Yerkes
Observatory, which is home of the world’s largest refracting telescope.
Rooms
Elegantly decorated in rich patterns, antiques, and lush bedding; heated marble floors and steam shower bathrooms
In
high-demand and often sold-out, each of the four rooms is unique in style,
extremely well thought out, and is named appropriately and accordingly:
Bordeaux Suite, Champagne Suite, Provence Suite, and Versailles Suite. They
vary in size, though even the smallest is comfortable, with hanging
chandeliers, high ceilings, and king-size Ostermoor beds. Modern amenities
include iPod docks, flat screen TVs, Wi-Fi, and mini-fridges. As for decor,
think lush colors, rich fabrics, and one-of-a-kind period pieces.The
Bordeaux room is the smallest of the four, but it has a cozy and seductive
effect. Walls and fabrics are covered in rich colors of red and gold. A velvety
red tufted headboard highlights the sleep area, while a fur bed runner makes
the room even ritzier. The bathroom, also small, is no different from the
wonderful room. Walls are black leather with crocodile embossed prints, and
there is a soaking tub.If
views of Geneva Lake are a must have, the Champagne Suite offers partial view
of the lake -- the parking lot across the house shares the view. This is the
flashiest of all rooms in the most literal sense, the walls of this suite are
covered in shimmery fabrics and the bathroom is a posh house of mirrors. Though
narrow, the bathroom has heated marble floors, and a shower with four pivoting
body sprays. A fur lined bench offers space for both people and their
toiletries.Classic
blue toile and beige leather walls surround the wooden furnishings in the
Provence Suite. Large windows surround the bed itself. In the bathroom, the
heated marble floor and steam shower with body jets offer a luxurious spa
experience.The
Versailles Suite is the largest of the four. This spacious room, with a separate
sitting room and mirrored turret, is furnished with antiques and decorated in
cool cream shades, creating a relaxing ambience. Draped in Italian lace, a
four-poster bed with crown canopy is truly glamrous. In the
turret corner, mirrors line the walls from floor to ceiling and reflect natural
light throughout the space.
Features
Personal butler, free breakfast, and discounts at affiliated boathouse
Upon
arrival, guests are greeted with Champagne and a personal butler, who will be
available for the duration of any stay. On top of that, there is a chauffeur
and a 1932 Model A Ford available for short rides. Across the way, there is a
boathouse where guests are eligible for discounts on pontoon and Jet Ski
rentals. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and there's an on-site fitness center with cardio machines and free-weights. Breakfast is included in the room rate. It can be requested as room
service, or enjoyed in the dining area in a buffet set-up. The buffet includes
breakfast favorites like made-to-order eggs Benedict, bacon, and French toast. The Baker House and its bar are a popular spot for locals and guests, with the party often carrying on well into the evening.
