Geneva National Community Guide
Quick answer: Geneva National is a gated community of about 1,200 condos and single-family homes on 1,800 acres along Lake Como, about 4 miles west of downtown Lake Geneva. It surrounds 54 holes of golf by Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Lee Trevino.
Every property pays a $420 monthly community fee; condos add a neighborhood fee. Golf membership is separate and optional. Short-term rentals aren’t allowed.
2 organizations share the property. The Geneva National HOA runs the gatehouse, roads, utilities and the Swim and Racquet Club. Destination Geneva National, owned by Paloma Resort Properties, runs the golf, restaurants and lodging, and most of it is open to the public.
Owning a home doesn’t require a golf membership, and joining the golf club doesn’t require owning a home. That’s the single most misunderstood fact about the place.
Geneva National at a glance
| Fact | Geneva National |
|---|---|
| Homes | About 1,200 condos and single-family homes (not a separate census place) |
| Size | 1,800 acres, established 1990 |
| Location | Unincorporated Town of Geneva, Lake Geneva mailing address |
| Golf | 54 holes: Palmer, Player and Trevino courses |
| To Geneva Lake | About 5 minutes to Williams Bay Beach |
| To downtown Lake Geneva | About 4 miles, 10 minutes |
| To Chicago (Loop) | About 80 miles, 90 minutes |
| To Milwaukee | About 50 miles, 1 hour |
| Lake access | Lake Como borders the property; Geneva Lake public beaches in Williams Bay |
| Community fee | $420/month, all properties |
| Website | Geneva National HOA · Destination Geneva National |
Quick picks
The 3 golf courses
All 3 opened with the club in 1991 and have bentgrass tees, fairways and greens with 5 sets of tees. Public tee times are available online.
| Course | Designer | Character | Play it if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palmer | Arnold Palmer | Elevated tees, demanding greens; recent work softened the opening hole and rebuilt 4 greens | You like target golf over rolling ground |
| Player | Gary Player | High risk, high reward; finishes beside The Cottages at the Turn | You like shot-making and decisions |
| Trevino | Lee Trevino | The most links-influenced; challenging but forgiving | You like a ground game |
See how they compare with Grand Geneva and the rest of the area in the Lake Geneva golf guide.
Things to do at Geneva National
The Dance Floor
PublicNo clubs neededAn outdoor putting course next to the clubhouse. The easy way to spend an evening here without a tee time.
Simulator studio
WinterInstructionIndoor simulators keep the golf calendar going from November to April.
Swim and Racquet Club
PoolsPickleball2 pools, a splash pad, tennis and pickleball courts and a clubhouse that hosts seasonal events. The HOA also runs game nights and seasonal parties.
Trails
HikingCross-country skiingTrails through woods, prairie and shoreline for running, biking and cross-country skiing in winter.
Where to eat
Most restaurants are open to the public. Hunt Club and Niche are on Hunt Club Court and Hunt Club Drive near the main entrance.
1. Hunt Club Steakhouse
SteakhouseReservationsThe special-occasion pick. Order the tomahawk ribeye. Reserve ahead on weekends.
2. Niche Cafe and Wine Bar
CoffeeWineEspresso and pastries in the morning, self-serve wine dispensers at night. Live music or comedy Friday and Saturday 6 to 8 p.m.; happy hour Tue to Fri 5 to 7 p.m.
More places to eat on the property
turf. kitchen + tap
Casual all-day food and beer. The post-round default.
Paloma Cantina
Mexican food and margaritas.
bean + vine
Coffee, light food and wine.
Deck Bar
Outdoor drinks overlooking the course.
The Tap Room
The members’ side of the clubhouse.
Williams Bay and downtown Lake Geneva are 5 to 10 minutes away. See the restaurants guide and the bars and wineries guide.
Lake access: Lake Como and Geneva Lake
Lake Como
FishingPontoonsLake Como borders Geneva National, with Lodge Geneva National (W4240 WI-50) on the far shore. It’s shallow and weedy, better for pontoons and largemouth bass and northern pike than for swimming or skiing.
Williams Bay Beach and the Shore Path
Geneva LakeSwimmingThe closest Geneva Lake beach, with Shore Path access right there. Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy’s 231 acres of trails are on the way.
Tip: Most owners who boat on Geneva Lake rent a marina slip or use in-and-out service at Gage Marine in Williams Bay or Gordy’s in Fontana. See the boat tours and rentals guide.
HOA fees: what you pay and what it covers
| Fee | Who pays | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Community fee, $420/month | Every property: condos, single-family homes and vacant land | 24-hour staffed gatehouse; Swim and Racquet Club; water and sewer; common roads and snow removal; entrance and boulevard landscaping; on-site management; debt service and reserves |
| Master association fee (varies) | Condos only, set by each of the 18 neighborhoods | Neighborhood landscaping and snow; exterior paint and maintenance; roofs; property insurance; garbage; reserves; management |
| Golf or social membership (optional) | Anyone who joins, owner or not | Golf and club privileges; same pricing for residents and non-residents |
Tip: Several condo neighborhoods have had special assessments for roofs, decks, paint and siding. Ask the HOA and the neighborhood board about pending or planned assessments before you write an offer.
Rental and building rules
Short-term rentals: not allowed.
Long-term rentals: owners must hold the property 3 years before renting, and leases run at least 12 months.
New homes: every single-family plan goes through the Architectural Review Committee, with a 1,800-square-foot minimum. Bring the committee in at the design stage; it saves redraws.
Homes at Geneva National
| Property type | What you’ll find | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Condominiums | Townhomes, villas and club cottages in 18 neighborhoods; top units have full fairway frontage | Low $200Ks to about $1M |
| Single-family homes | Custom homes on golf, wooded or lake-view lots, 1,800 sq. ft. minimum | About $950K to $2.75M |
| Vacant land | Building lots; price follows views and fairway position | About $75K to $450K |
Ranges are typical recent figures; check current listings. With condos, add the community fee and the neighborhood fee to your monthly math.
The 18 condo neighborhoods
Club Cottages (#7) · Cobblestone Courts (#40) · Eagleton (#47) · Eagleton Ponds (#46) · Eagleton Villas (#55) · Fairway (#6) · Foxwood (#34) · Golfview Manors (#45) · Golfview Terraces (#54) · Golfview Villas (#35) · Highlands (#8) · Lakelands (#9) · Lakeview Point (#43B) · Lakeview Terrace (#43) · The Cottages at the Turn (#57) · The Turn (#52) · The Woods (#10) · Woodlands (#12)
Single-family homes are spread throughout and aren’t part of a condo association.
Schools
School assignment inside Geneva National depends on the address. Listings in the community show both of these districts, so confirm with the district before you buy.
| District | Schools |
|---|---|
| Williams Bay School District | Williams Bay Elementary; Williams Bay Middle/High School (500 W. Geneva St.) |
| Lake Geneva J1 and Lake Geneva-Genoa City Union High School districts | Central-Denison, Eastview and Star Center elementaries; Lake Geneva Middle School; Badger High School |
Commute and getting here
| To | Distance | Typical drive | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Williams Bay | A few miles | 5 to 10 minutes | WI-50 to WI-67 |
| Downtown Lake Geneva | About 4 miles | 10 minutes | WI-50 |
| I-43 | About 6 miles | 10 minutes | WI-50 west to Delavan |
| Chicago Loop | About 80 miles | 90 minutes | US-12 to I-94 |
| O’Hare | About 65 miles | 75 to 90 minutes | US-12 to I-94 or I-90 |
| Milwaukee | About 50 miles | 1 hour | I-43 |
Geneva National through the year
Golf season (April to October)
All 54 holes open, the Deck Bar and The Dance Floor run, and the Swim and Racquet Club pools open for summer. Book weekend tee times early.
Fall
The courses turn color in October and tee sheets loosen after Labor Day. The best time to play. See fall activities.
Winter
Trails become cross-country ski routes and the simulator studio keeps golf going. Hunt Club and Niche stay open year-round. See winter activities.
Best of Geneva National
| Category | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First round | Palmer course | The signature design, recently refined |
| Dinner | Hunt Club Steakhouse | Tomahawk ribeye, open year-round |
| Coffee | Niche | Opens 8 a.m. Tue to Sat |
| Non-golfer | The Dance Floor | Putting course, no clubs needed |
| Beach | Williams Bay Beach | Closest Geneva Lake sand |
Mistakes buyers make
Assuming golf comes with the house. It doesn’t. Membership is separate and priced the same for everyone.
Budgeting only the $420 fee for a condo. Add the neighborhood master fee, and ask about special assessments.
Planning to rent it on weekends. Short-term rentals aren’t allowed, and long-term leases need a 3-year hold first.
Expecting Geneva Lake frontage. The lake on the property is Lake Como. Geneva Lake is 5 minutes away.
Frequently asked questions
What is Geneva National in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin?
A gated community of about 1,200 condos and single-family homes on 1,800 acres along Lake Como, about 4 miles west of downtown Lake Geneva. It surrounds 54 holes of golf run separately by Destination Geneva National.
How much are HOA fees at Geneva National?
Every property pays a $420 monthly community fee. Condos also pay a master association fee that varies by neighborhood. Single-family homes pay the community fee only.
What does the Geneva National community fee cover?
The 24-hour staffed gatehouse, the Swim and Racquet Club (pools, tennis and pickleball), water and sewer, common roads and snow removal, entrance and boulevard landscaping, on-site management, and debt service and reserves.
Do you have to join the golf club to live at Geneva National?
No. The HOA and the golf club are separate. Owning a home doesn’t require membership, and membership doesn’t require owning a home. Pricing is the same for residents and non-residents.
Can you rent your home at Geneva National?
Short-term rentals aren’t allowed. Owners must hold a property 3 years before renting, and leases must be at least 12 months.
Who designed the Geneva National golf courses?
Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Lee Trevino each designed one 18-hole course. All 3 opened in 1991, and public tee times are available.
How many neighborhoods are in Geneva National?
18 condo neighborhoods, each with its own master association and budget. Single-family homes are spread throughout and aren’t part of a condo association.
Is Geneva National on Geneva Lake?
No. It borders Lake Como, a 955-acre lake with a 9-foot maximum depth. Williams Bay Beach on Geneva Lake is about 5 minutes from the gate.
How far is Geneva National from Chicago?
About 80 miles from the Loop, roughly 90 minutes via US-12 and I-94. Milwaukee is about an hour north.
Thinking about a home on the fairways?
Kim and Joel Reyenga with eXp Realty cover Geneva National’s condo neighborhoods, single-family homes and building lots, from fairway villas near the clubhouse to wooded lots near Lake Como. Joel is a former Director of Real Estate Sales at Geneva National.
Search Geneva National properties Equal Housing Opportunity. Reyenga Team, eXp Realty.