nba1017

Currently at the American Club having an over-all nice stay. I will write up a full report in a couple weeks after a whirlwind bit of travel. However, I have a question for the sophisticated and well-experienced members of this forum.

Because it's the off-season, the hotel only has its main bar/pub as well as a formal dining room open for dinner. The pub is jam-packed with both a retirement party for a hotel employee and a large (100+) group of local people here for a conference. The atmosphere is such that a hotel guest cannot get a seat, and regardless, the vibe is very much an insider's one with hotel employees drinking alongside locals.

I wouldn't have a problem with this expect that it is in effect a private party, and the hotel didn't just close down the bar as they should have. Any thoughts on this? Not in terms of compensation, but as to whether this automatically excludes the property from true luxury consideration. In my books, despite an otherwise really nice experience, this completely detracted from the the advertised amenities and feel of the resort.

ABG

I don't remember seeing in their advertising a promise to keep all locals out of their F&B establishments and making sure the "vibe" wasn't too insider. Your thread could have easily been about the hotel feeling too empty and the F&B outlets being total ghost-towns with no vibe at all.

mktozd

We found the hotel staff to be geniunely friendly and authentically local. Moreover, the food and the service were very much in line with other high end luxury properties. Might I recommend the Winery Bar by the Immigrant Room for drinks, etc.

Kagehitokiri

mktozd, website shows only 2 onsite open sun-thurs, as OP stated in post on tues, presumably regarding mon and/or sun.

http://www.americanclubresort.com/re...wisc_room.html
"Resort casual attire. Reservations strongly recommended."

http://www.americanclubresort.com/re.../hp_index.html
takes reservations
now, hotel should have told you to make reservations, especially if they knew of groups

youve run into full hotel dining outlets, but not full with 2 local groups?
no local finance people for example?
then guests wouldnt have option of standing. can guests leave with an order?
interestingly i dont see exclusive use mentioned on website

worse situation at rosewood sand hill >
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...l#post18887310
odd only wisconsin room says "Reservations strongly recommended."
i guess because there are presumably a lot more seats in horse & plow

mktozd

Horse & Plow is always busy even in the summer and I would suggest going early or making reservations. As well, if you are not happy with something, mention it to management, I would be surprised if they dont fix it.

NYBanker

While I agree with your comments on the staff...and the golf is certainly wonderful...I found the F&B to be middling, at best. I tried several different on-property venues and could not consider any to be consistent with high end luxury properties.

My room (a spa room in the Carriage House) had [5] Kohler sinks, which I think was a record for me in terms of number of sinks in my room.

I would gladly return to this property...but purely for the golf.

mktozd

The best for F& B was the Winery Bar, Immigrant Room and Brunch.

NYBanker

I tried both the Immigrant Room (their flagship, iirc) and the Winery Bar. Neither were world class, IMHO. Perhaps good for rural Wisconsin, but not much more.

I don't think anyone should visit this property for the food.

mktozd

All depends on your reference group. Compared to FS George V, no of course not. Compared to the composite of food offered at properties on this board, I would suggest it is good, but not exceptional. The Winery Bar was probably our favorite spot.