Harbor Shores on Lake Geneva

This older (1980) tourist hotel has a small and unpretentious lobby with a low ceiling that makes it a bit dark, but it’s a quiet and pleasant enough space with a large lake mural on one of the walls. The long reception desk and lower portions of the walls feature a natural stone facade; their beige and brown hues complement the homey living room-like cluster of upholstered sofas and crimson leather armchairs resting on an Oriental-style rug. An electric fireplace completes the cozy scene, while a flat-screen TV provides entertainment. Guests don’t tend to linger in the lobby, but instead gravitate to the popular Gino’s restaurant. It’s a large and casual place, with black and white checkered tablecloths, a wrap-around bar with plenty of stools, and lots of wood, including nice hardwood floors. It also offers a terrace with outdoor seating and fantastic views of Lake Geneva. Overall, it's a casual property with fairly bland, chain-like interiors, but it's clean and pleasant, attracting tourists who want to be close to the lake.

This hotel’s location just across the road from lovely Lake Geneva and a brief walk into downtown is its primary selling point. A nice restaurant is adjacent to it, as is the greenery at Seminary Park. Most attractions are about a five-minute walk away, including the shops and restaurants of downtown, peaceful green space at the White River State Park and Flatiron Park, the Lake Geneva Cruise Line dock, and the Lake Geneva Public Beach. The Big Foot Beach State Park is an eight-minute drive. Drive times to Milwaukee’s General Mitchell International Airport and Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport are approximately 60 and 80 minutes, respectively. 

This 1980s hotel shows its age in spots in the rooms, but they are clean, spacious, and pleasant, with some nice updates like the rustic, natural-wood furniture that includes headboards, bed frames, nightstands, and dressers with built-in electric fireplaces. The maroon and gold-striped carpet is fresh and contrasts nicely with the soft yellow walls. The bright white bedding is accented with olive throws and decorative pillows, and the drapes are solid light brown. Green upholstered armchairs and an oval table are included, and King Rooms have brown upholstered sleeper sofas. The other bed option is Double Queen. Both include modest kitchenettes with wet bars, microwaves, Keurig coffeemakers, mini-fridges, and dishes. Lakeview Rooms have narrow balconies with tables and chairs and sweeping views of the lake. Parkview Rooms don’t have balconies, and some simply overlook the hotel parking lot instead of the adjacent Seminary Park. The bathrooms are rather small and dated with standard shower/tub combos, but they do offer spacious tan granite vanities. Be aware that ambient noise from neighboring rooms can be heard readily. Free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and DVD players come standard. 

This hotel’s amenities are geared toward tourists, who make up the primary customer base. Heated pools and hot tubs are both inside and outdoors. The indoor pool is small and situated in the basement in a rather dark and dank space. The outdoor pool is open seasonally and has plenty of loungers surrounding it, but it’s somewhat small as well. The basement also has a sauna and fitness center with several cardio machines, but no weight-training equipment. Rates include a free continental breakfast, but many guests have complained that it’s limited and served in a cheerless, windowless room. A large Italian restaurant/bar -- Gino’s East Pizzeria -- opens into the hotel lobby. It has a terrace for alfresco dining and overlooks the outdoor pool and Lake Geneva. A Keurig coffeemaker with K-cups is in the lobby, but it’s not free. The gift shop sells sundries, beverages, snacks, and frozen treats. The hotel has 5,300 square feet of event space that can accommodate up to 250 people. Free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the property, and the lobby has a computer station with internet access and a printer. DVD rentals are available in the lobby for a small fee. An ATM and vending machine are in the lobby, and the front desk has a safe deposit box for guest use. Parking is free.