Maxwell Mansion in Lake Geneva: Happy Days Are Here Again
By Tim Cotroneo
In anticipation of booking your stay at the Maxwell Mansion in Lake Geneva, WI, you may want to add the song, “Happy Days Are Here Again” to your playlist. This tune, belted out by radio star Annette Hanshaw, was the most popular melody of 1933, the year prohibition was repealed in America.
The connection between the lifting of prohibition and the Maxwell Mansion is evident throughout the hotel. The bond is unmistakable in the Speakeasy bar, the Apothecary Bar, the Secret Bourbon Vault, and the live show of talented bartenders mixing cocktails. The historic vibe can also be felt as you enter Maxwell’s vintage lobby. Stepping back in time is cultivated by the boutique hotel’s dedicated team, and their efforts result in guests flocking to reserve one of Maxwell’s 28 themed guestrooms.
Built in 1856, Maxwell was Lake Geneva’s first mansion. Today’s version of the hotel Dr. Philip Maxwell opened 170 years ago has been restored to carry on what has evolved into a Wisconsin hospitality legend. If boutique hotel means one-of-a-kind, then that’s what you’ll savor during your stay at this timeless escape located less than a half mile from Lake Geneva’s vibrant downtown.
Maxwell: Just The Right Property
Maxwell Mansion’s current proprietors are Monica and Luke Pfeifer. The couple, with combined hospitality experience of over 30 years, purchased the mansion in 2020 after an extensive search for “just the right property.” If a building that’s more than a century old can be turnkey, that is one way to describe what the Pfeifer’s found appealing about this 7,700-square-foot property which includes guestrooms, a ballroom, bars, cognac room, kitchen, back terrace, and an outdoor pool.
The Pfeifers arrived in Lake Geneva with extensive meeting and event experience. They’ve put those skills to work in a big way since taking over the Maxwell reins. Weddings are booked nearly every weekend, New Year’s Eve is always special, girlfriend getaways are burgeoning, the Wee Whiskey Fest takes place in April, and Maxwell’s Halloween Party sold out in 36 hours.
The first weekend in December is regarded as a second New Year’s Eve for the staff and guests at Maxwell Mansion. That’s when December 5, 1933, is celebrated. For those unfamiliar with this moment in time, the date is when Prohibition was repealed in the United States. Pump up the “Happy Days are Here Again” music.
Can’t Get in Without Knowing the Password
Maxwell’s Speakeasy is a key cog in the hotel’s growing reputation. Getting into the Speakeasy is an exercise in secrecy. A staff member will whisper how to find the side entrance and if you ask, share the password to get in. Knock three times and the Doorman will ask a new guest to share the magic words. Is it jiggle juice, is it some hanky with my panky, or is it bootleg boogie? Get it right and you’re now inside the most intimate booze emporium this side of Capone’s Chicago.
Step up to the bar and watch the master bartenders at work. If you want to go deep into your new surroundings, ask for a Wisconsin Old Fashion cocktail.
Once a guest is settled in at the Speakeasy, check out the décor. The walls flashback with photos showcasing America’s most wanted. Then again, could the photo be a shot of the person sitting in the booth next to you? The deep red enclave behind the bar is known as the Smooch Room. No interpretation of this whimsical name is necessary.
Stay Where Ulyssess and Jane Stayed
Back in the day, Dr. Maxwell was a mover and a shaker. Shortly after opening, legend says that Ulysses S. Grant stayed at the mansion. To further bolster this chapter in the hotel’s guest list, war historians love that one of the hotel’s rooms is known as the General Grant Suite.
Literary buffs thrill to stay in one of the mansion rooms dedicated to famous authors. Do you prefer sleeping in the Emily Bronte Room, the Charlotte Bronte Room, the Louisa May Alcott Room, the Jane Austen Room, or the Virginia Woolf Room?
For guests desiring a touch of modern with their history, Maxwell’s 14 Carriage House rooms and the Stable’s six rooms offer a fresh take on today’s hospitality. If you prefer, there are also two Garden rooms.
Accolades Bestowed on Maxwell Mansion
For those who need further convincing that Maxwell Mansion is the right choice for their Lake Geneva vacation, consider the accolades bestowed on this hospitality landmark. Maxwell was Voted Wisconsin’s Best Intimate Venue, Best Speakeasy in Wisconsin, and One of 16 Best Boutique Hotels in America.
Another of the great things about staying at the Maxwell Mansion is that it’s located just a stone’s throw from downtown Lake Geneva. Monica Pfeifer likes to describe their locale as a convenient, yet quiet, location. “We are downtown without being downtown,” Pfeifer said.
Whether you’re a history buff, a cocktail aficionado, or eager to experience Lake Geneva for the first time, Maxwell Mansion promises a one-of-a-kind stay that you’ll long remember. Once you’ve checked in at this prime slice of Lake Geneva real estate, observe the smiles of fellow guests who’ve come to realize that happy days are here again. https://staymaxwell.com/ https://www.visitlakegeneva.com/
