The Lodge Offers a Northwoods Escape

By Ronnie Wendt | © The Lodge

Nestled among towering pines and near a sprawling 10-lake chain, The Lodge is not just a venue — it’s a Northwoods escape.

This serene sanctuary seamlessly blends rustic charm with modern luxury, affording corporate groups a chance to retreat, recharge and reconnect in a natural setting.

A GRAND WELCOME AT THE LODGE

The moment guests step into The Lodge, they are enveloped in rustic elegance complete with stunning artwork from owner Liz Uihlein’s personal collection.

The front desk area offers a friendly greeting, but the heart of hospitality awaits in an expansive hospitality room where guests can savor complimentary coffee and tea while admiring the view.

Just off the hospitality room lies a back patio, with two seating areas available for informal gatherings in the fresh air.

Nathan Ochocinski, general manager, adds the patio is a magical setting year round. “We had a corporate group do team builders on the patio in January,” he recalls. “They came here fully prepared for the cold, with matching snowsuits and everything for an unforgettable team-building experience.”

A SPACE FOR EVERY OCCASION

The Lodge offers two spaces for group rentals. The conference room comfortably hosts up to 17 attendees, with flexible seating arrangements, high-speed Internet, a connected TV for presentations, and a video webcam for virtual meetings. “We normally have a rectangular table set up, but the room can be manipulated to have rows of tables facing the TV or four tables facing each other for group work,” he says.

The gathering room down the hall is a fan favorite for groups up to 50, depending on the furniture arrangement. The room’s versatile furniture allows for various configurations, from cozy lounges and meeting areas to dinner settings and standing-room-only cocktail events.

When more space is required, the room has doors to the back patio, which groups can use for breakout sessions and more.

LUXURY LODGING

The Lodge boasts 20 beautifully appointed guest rooms — 16 with two queen beds and four with king beds. Second-floor rooms feature small decks with seating and many rooms have in-room fireplaces.

For VIPs or event organizers, the on-site apartment is a perfect choice. This suite connects to the second-floor balcony and features a full kitchen, dining area, electric fireplace, and back deck with a panoramic view.

For groups needing more room, The Lodge’s rental homes offer additional accommodations. The Vance Lake House, a four-bedroom lakeside retreat; the 3030 House, a three-bedroom hideaway among the pines; and condos on Rest Lake are also available.

RECREATION AND RELAXATION

Corporate groups can combine business and pleasure in a scenic setting, ideal for biking, hiking, and water fun at the lake or the Manitowish River.

The Lodge’s relationship with River’s Edge Adventure Company ensures easy access to outdoor activities, from biking and kayaking to snowshoeing and snowmobiling. In spring and summer, the area’s 50 miles of bike trails provide a perfect team-building adventure.

Groups seeking indoor relaxation can head to The Mac, a full-service fi tness center offering yoga, spin and water aerobics classes, and a heated pool with whirlpool and sauna.

MEMORABLE MEALS

Catering at The Lodge is a treat of its own. Smokey’s Supper Club, an upscale restaurant and part of The Lodge’s family of businesses, offers a full catering menu.

Though Smokey’s caters most events, some groups also have Village Market and Reuland’s Catering in Minocqua provide on-site food and beverage, Ochocinski says.

“All caterers have access to our fully equipped commercial kitchen,” he adds.

With stunning views and luxury accommodations, The Lodge is a destination where groups can find focus, creativity and camaraderie in a Northwoods haven.