Grand View Lodge Recognized Twice by GolfWeek as the Nation’s Best Courses You Can Play

Minnesota-based Grand View Lodge is proud to announce that two of its courses, The Preserve and Deacon’s Lodge, have been recognized by GolfWeek magazine as two of the nation’s “Best Courses You Can Play.”  GolfWeek recognized just ten locations in Minnesota on its annual rankings, which present an ultimate guide to the world’s most outstanding public-access golf courses. Golfweek evaluates courses using 10 criteria, which include, layout, original design, hole variety, features and scenery.

Out of the Top 10 in Minnesota according to GolfWeek Magazine, Deacon's Lodge took #3 and The Preserve was #10.

“We are thrilled to have two of our courses recognized as ‘Best Courses You Can Play’,” said Mark Ronnei, general manager at Grand View Lodge. “It’s an exciting honor to be identified for providing not only exceptional golf, but also a compelling outdoor experience.”

Deacon’s Lodge -designed by Arnold Palmer and named after his father “Deacon”- this par 72 championship course features 18-holes and impeccably maintained Bentgrass greens, tees and fairways that smoothly flow across 500 acres of gorgeous forest, wetlands and lakes. The Preserve, strategically placed in some of Minnesota’s best forest and wetlands, provides golf and nature in harmony throughout this meticulously maintained, 18-hole, par 72 championship course. Scenic views from eleven elevated tees offer a spectacular experience of nature’s beauty, and five tees at each hole offer maximum flexibility for all skill levels.

Grand View Lodge also offers resort golf through golf packages, golf vacations, a day of golf or single golf game on two other courses, including The Pines and The Garden.

For more information about golfing at Grand View Lodge, click here, or visit the resort’s online pressroom to download photos. For additional resort information and to find out about vacation and package options, visit www.grandviewlodge.com or call 1-866-801-2951.

Grand View Lodge Receives Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Award

Recognized as one of the top 150 U.S. Mainland Resorts

Grand View Lodge is awarded Top 150 U.S. Mainland Resorts from Conde Nast Traveler's Readers.

Nisswa-based, Grand View Lodge has been awarded the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Award for the top 150 U.S. Mainland Resorts.  Determined by a survey administered to all readers, winning hotels are rated on a variety of criteria, including Food/Dining, Location, Overall Design, Rooms, and Service.

“Receiving Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Award means a great deal to us at Grand View Lodge,” said Mark Ronnei, general manager at Grand View Lodge.  “We strive to always provide our guests with the best, so being recognized by them for doing so is a huge honor.”

According to Condé Nast Traveler, these awards reflect the combined opinions of 28,876 readers rating the cities, islands and hotels they visited in the past year, and the airlines and cruise ships they traveled with. Stretching from Palm Beach to New Paltz, Grand View Lodge, the only Minnesota property to be honored, is among a list that profiles the country’s best places to stay, no matter the traveler.

Grand View Lodge is home to year-round offerings that include the luxurious Glacial Waters Spa, first-class wine tastings and culinary events located in the resort’s exclusive wine cellar, extensive kids programs and cozy cabins.  In the winter, there’s dog sledding, snow shoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.  In the summer, the resort fills with guests taking advantage of the property’s three championship golf courses (named as one of the top 125 Golf Resorts in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2011 Reader’s Poll), water activities and the views of beautiful Gull and Roy Lakes.  Furthermore, Grand View Lodge is equipped with the impressive Gull Lake Center with meeting rooms for all sizes as well as a Grand Ballroom, serving as the perfect backdrop for weddings and special events.

 This award, as well as the rest of Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice winners, can be seen online. To keep up with Grand View Lodge’s latest news, events and special promotions please visit the resort on Facebook and become a fan.  For additional resort information and to find out about vacation packages visit www.grandviewlodge.com or call 1-866-801-2951.

Grand View Lodge receives Golf Magazine’s Gold Medal Award

Nisswa-based Grand View Lodge announced today that it has been the recipient of several of Golf Magazine’s 2012 Premier Golf Resorts Awards, including the prestigious Gold Medal Award for the second consecutive year. Given to only 25 locations across North America, Grand View Lodge was the only Minnesota property honored. Other honorees included the Ritz-Carlton Kapalau in Hawaii, the Wynn Las Vegas and Fairmont Banff Springs in Alberta, Canada. Additional accolades Grand View was awarded included Best Golf, Best Lodging and “The Best Resort Near You”, all in the Midwest region.

Golf Magazine's Gold Medal Award was awarded to Grand View Lodge again this year.

“We are thrilled that we have been selected as a Gold Medal Award winner two years in a row,” said Mark Ronnei, general manager at Grand View Lodge. “We are dedicated to providing quality golf and accommodations and are proud to be recognized as a premier golf and vacation destination.”

Under Golf Magazine’s guidelines, voters judge the properties on four criteria, including golf, lodging, food and drink, and service. The quality of golf accounts for 40 percent, with 20 percent allocated to each of the other categories. The golf criteria includes hole variety, course condition, course maintenance and the value of the pro-shop. The resort’s accommodations, such as room décor and non-golf recreation, are also considered in the selection process.

Grand View Lodge offers resort golf through a variety of packages or vacation options, a day of golf or single golf game on four distinct courses, including The Pines, The Preserve, Deacon’s Lodge and The Garden. The Pines, which is currently being renovated to include new tee boxes, rock walls and other features, provides three 9-hole courses in Minnesota’s rich forest landscape. The Preserve melds golf and nature in an 18-hole, par 72 championship course placed within forests and wetlands. It features beautiful views from eleven elevated tees. Deacon’s Lodge, designed by Arnold Palmer, is a par 72, championship course featuring 18-holes and Bentgrass greens, tees and fairways. It spans across 500 acres of forest, wetlands and lakes. The Garden, originally created in the 1930’s, is located on the main grounds and provides a relaxing 9-hole, par 35 course.

In celebration, Grand View is offering the Gold Medal Award Weekend package for only $299 per person, May 4^th – 6^th. This weekend includes two nights deluxe accommodations, one round of golf at each of our three championship courses, breakfast each morning, and a Friday and Saturday dinner buffet at Freddy’s Grille. For more information about golfing at Grand View Lodge, click here. For additional resort information and to find out about vacation and package options, visit www.grandviewlodge.com or call 1-866-801-2951 to book the Gold Medal Award Weekend package.

Snow Much Fun

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. While most will be caught up with hosting parties, others who would rather skip straight to the marshmallow toasting and caroling out in the snow will have the opportunity to do so with Grand View Lodge’s winter activities.  While Old Man Winter is often not welcome in other places, Grand View Lodge looks forward to that first snowfall and it’s not hard to see why.  From dog sled rides along Minnesota’s wintry landscape to cross country skiing through scenic trails, it’s hard to hibernate with the variety of options available.

There is something for everyone here. Families can grab an old fashioned sleigh ride taking them over the meadow and through the woods to one of Northern Minnesota’s most spectacular views, or, for the more daring, bundle up for ice fishing, snowmobiling or a snowshoe adventure. Furthermore, just down the road at Ski Gull, our Grand View Lodge guests can receive 15% off tubing, skiing, snowboarding and rentals then come back to the Lodge to cozy up with baking, crafts, a crackling fire or mug of hot cocoa.

Winter is the prime time for a unique Minnesota vacation, no matter your interests; you’ll find plenty of indoor and outdoor activities that satisfy both the winter enthusiast and the cold naysayer, for your next winter retreat at Grand View Lodge.

What’s Cookin’?

If you take a big whiff, you may be able to smell the sweet aroma of culinary treats here at Grand View Lodge. From cooking classes to seasonal dish favorites, Grand View Lodge always has something cooking. 

There is nothing more Minnesotan than eating fresh walleye caught from one of our sparkling 10,000 lakes.  If you are going through summer fish fry withdrawal, Grand View Lodge has a winter special incorporating our favorite fishy friend, Walleye Chowder.  If you can’t make it up to see us, at least we can bring a little bit of Grand View to you. Enjoy!

Click here to download the 4X6 recipe card for your use! Check www.grandviewlodge.com for the Resort’s latest culinary and wine experiences.

Dashing through the Snow…

On a one horse open sleigh. That’s the idea at least behind Grand View Lodge’s newest winter feature, un Cheval.  Meaning “one horse” in French, Grand View Lodge is introducing this romantic couple’s sleigh ride Friday and Saturday nights throughout the entire winter season.

Teaming with our restaurant, Cru, Grand View Lodge invites our guests to experience the romance beginning with an intimate dinner at Cru featuring its extensive wine cellar, followed by a champagne toast while you and that special someone are whisked away through the property’s majestic landscape.  Whether you are celebrating an anniversary, trying to impress a first date, surprising your sweetheart or just looking to enjoy a moonlit ride through gently falling snow, un Cheval is the perfect ride to make your evening très magnifique!

Gone Fishing

Who says business meetings have to take place in a stuffy conference room? At Grand View Lodge, we are committed to providing our guests with a taste of the real Minnesota and where we come from, winter means snowmobiling, skiing and of course, ice fishing. Tried and true fisherman at heart, we believe that nothing should have to keep you from the ice house, including business. 

We know, we know, getting out of work is tough and you only have so many vacation days… but no worries, here at Grand View, we are making it easy for you to do both. This winter, we are introducing the Lil’ Grand View Lodge on Gull, a creative meeting place where you can actually mix work and play.
That is the idea, at least, behind this newest addition, which is a unique high-tech ice fishing house where Grand View Lodge guests can plot business strategies while jigging for walleye through two feet of frozen lake.

With the look and feel of the property’s rustic lake cabins, the heated 8-by-16 foot conference center features wireless internet, a 32” flat screen LCD with Direct TV, DVD player (fully equipped with a plethora of fishing videos), microwave oven, sink with running water and a fully functioning private restroom.  Soon to be located on Gull Lake, the house sleeps eight using fold-down beds, and has eight fishing holes with lines affixed to the cabin’s built-in seating.

A Plexiglas conference tabletop suspended by cables and attached to a set of pulleys can be raised and lowered as needed. The rest of the decor reflects Grand View Lodge’s “up North” style. The exterior is constructed of hand-carved, insulated white pine logs, reflecting the traditional northern setting, and at 128 square feet, it’s more than twice the size of a typical fish house.

Fisherman or not, the Lil’ Grand View Lodge on Gull offers its guests a unique meeting place that spawns creative thinking and where, even if you work late, are still able to catch dinner.