Maxwell Mansion is a wedding venue, motel and a cocktail bar. I was here mostly for the cocktail bar, but I did get a tour of the mansion and grounds. The mansion was built in 1856, making it the first mansion in Lake Geneva. The estate has been completely redone but charming details were kept. Along with a mansion where you can book a room, Maxwell also includes beautiful gardens, lounges, outdoor fireplaces, a heated pool, croquet and bocce ball. There is also a separate area in the back with motel rooms. Like I said, I was there for a lil' drink. There's a bar inside the mansion (Apothecary Bar) with all kinds of medical and druggist paraphernalia, with the space being a tribute to Dr. Philip Maxwell. But it's the speakeasy, which is accessible outside in the front of the house, that you'll want to visit. Ask for the password inside the mansion, and they will let you into a dark, below-ground bar. It's all decorated in prohibitionist flyers, and even the bartenders are dressed up in period costumes. It's a really cool and unique bar in Lake Geneva. read more

We went to both the apothecary bar and the speakeasy. We did not spend the night. I don't see that Yelp has a separate page for the food/drink places. Focusing the review on the apothecary bar. You need to know the password to get in the speakeasy. A few days after we visited the speakeasy, we went in to try the apothecary bar to get some food and drink. A friendly helpful bartender, explained all their creative cocktails, shared the pub food that they offered, and answered questions. We ordered a flatbread pizza and a spinach artichoke dip as well as a couple of cocktails. They served us at a table where we sat on a couch in a room just across the hall and were quite comfortable. There are other rooms where you can go - not much seating in the actual apothecary bar. read more

I went here for the apothecary bar. I was able to explore a lot of the mansion property, but I did not book a room to stay overnight. Like others have mentioned, it is a historic building in Lake Geneva. Therefore, things here are on the older side, including the bathrooms. However, I really enjoyed the vintage charm of the exterior and interior. I had a mocktail Negroni and Old Fashioned. Both were good, very strong. The bar itself is pretty tiny, so I went to sit in one of the adjacent rooms. They had a red velvet sofa booth and tables with clear chairs. It reminded me of Alice in Wonderland! I also went outside, and they have those insulated domes for the winter. It was nice to sit in there and just relax. I enjoyed this quaint place. The next time I am here, I plan to visit the speakeasy downstairs! read more

The first house of its kind on Lake Geneva. The Maxwell Mansion has went through many changes and owners, but still maintains that nostalgic charm. The staff is helpful and very friendly. We started exploring the Mansion in the apothecary bar where they serve up some of the classic and not so classic cocktails. Everything is so good when prepared by an experienced mixologist. Our next stop was a visit to the Speakeasy which was really cool and I could see spending more time here just for the vibe, you feel a little naughty being in this space as in a 1930's gangster way. They have some outdoor seating and convenient parking. I would consider The Maxwell Mansion a gem of Lake Geneva read more

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The speakeasy ambiance is spectacular just by itself. What an incredible authentic cool vibe. Then its greatness was matched and exceeded by Renee at the bar and Nathan at the door. Renee's skill and personality are awesome! The paper plane and red hook cocktails are perfect and the spinoff and artichoke dip delicious. I can't wait to go back! read more

Maxwell Mansion - Hotels Near Me - Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

This place has the worst costumer service. We were here for a bachelorette party and rented an igloo. We were rudely showed to our igloo with no explanation of what to expect. When asked what to do we were given one QR code and she rolled her eyes and left. The only thing enjoyable about this place was the bartenders! So nice and helpful! Food is not worth the price. read more

What a fun place to stay! They have a bar, and a speakeasy as well. While we were there they had a band playing and we could enjoy it from the patio area on the second floor. We used this as a quick getaway sort of staycation style. Very relaxing. read more

Maxwell Mansion is a beautifully restored Victorian boutique hotel just steps from downtown Lake Geneva and the lake. The stylish rooms and romantic atmosphere make it a perfect backdrop for creative projects. I recently did a styled shoot here and the historic charm paired with modern touches made every detail feel elevated and timeless. It is truly a unique and inspiring space. read more

We visited the Maxwell Mansion on our girls weekend and loved the vibe. We started with cocktails at the apothecary and then went down the stairs to the speakeasy. By far one of the best speakeasy we have been to...and the bartender was super fun! Recommend the amaretto sour with the egg white...best drink on the menu. Fun place to visit and a super friendly staff. read more

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I'm looking at these photos and Yelp and feeling so eager to return for a full Maxwell Mansion experience! It looks like such an awesome space. Our experience, though also awesome, was minimal as we only made it to the speakeasy underground. Cool spot! It gives those typical speak-easy vibes with little hallways jetting into small seating areas. Darkly lit, matching the mysterious energy. One (small) bar set in the middle and the drinks are swankyyy! Tasty, well-made, and high-priced. This isn't the spot I would come for multiple rounds, or casual drinks, but it was so great for a gal bachelorette party night out. We really enjoyed stopping by! Will definitely return to experience hotel itself, it's unique antique furnishings, and rustic-chic themed decor. read more

The service was great. The decor was Halloween themed and cool. The outdoor seating is nice with multiple fire places/ pits. I had the mango sticky rice cocktail, it wasn't my fav so I wouldn't recommend but great experience nonetheless read more

Maxwell Mansion - Mango sticky rice. - Hotels Near Me - Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

Amazing location, speakeasy was so fun and the drinks were incredible. Loved the huge igloos! Beautiful

One of my favorite things to do in a new place is find really good cocktails! The Apothecary Bar at the Maxwell Mansion Hotel was one of the top rated cocktail bars in Lake Geneva and I totally get why. The hotel itself seems a little unassuming when you drive past it but the black and white decor is a total vibe. Since we were only there for a day, we didn't stay there, but we got a chance to get drinks at the bar and walk through the first floor of the house. I got a Lychee Luau and my husband got an Agave Sun by Lakefront which is what they recommended when my husband asked for something similar to a summer shandy. He liked his beer and likened it to a Blue Moon. My cocktail was very good - sweet and tart. The lychee was a little too subtle for my taste but overall very good. They also have a kitchen/restaurant but they couldn't off us a menu until 6pm because of a private event going on. There is also a speakeasy, but it's only open starting 9pm and you need a password to enter (which isn't hard to find!). Exploring the house was cool too! The bartenders were super friendly and told us about Dr. Maxwell and things to look out for in the house. Overall a very nice experience. read more

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What a delightful place to stop for an afternoon libation. Steeped in historic charm, the bartenders at the apothecary craft the most delicious cocktails which you can enjoy either on their outdoor terrace or in a number of sitting areas adjacent to the bar area. We would have liked to spend more time looking around and hopefully will come back for a longer stay in the future. read more

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We recently stayed at Maxwell Mansion for a long weekend celebrating our wedding anniversary. It's the first time staying here. I'm so glad we chose this property. The mansion was built in the mid-1800s by a Chicago surgeon as his summer home. The mansion is historic and beautiful. There's the main mansion, a nice outdoor patio where occasionally there's entertainment, a pool and two buildings beyond that with more accommodations, the stables and carriage house. The grounds would be beautiful if they had a landscaper to keep up with the gardens. We actually stayed in room 15 in the carriage house. The room was very clean, it had a small sitting area, and a very small bathroom with a nice shower. Absolutely no counter space for toiletries. There was no wardrobe or closet, however, they did have a pegboard with gold hangers to hang up a few clothes and they provided comfy robes. There's definitely room to add a wardrobe in this room, which would be nice. There was a Keurig coffee maker in the room, as well as a small refrigerator. The lighting was poor except right in front of the sink. Also, we had a problem, keeping our curtains closed as every time the air conditioning ran, which was right under the window, the curtains open. Bring extension cords as they don't have outlets on either side of the bed to plug in your phone to have it handy if your family needs to reach you at night, and the outlets are minimal at best. The location is great - walkable to the lake, restaurants and shopping so we didn't use our car and walked everywhere. Upon checking into the mansion, we were given cards for two free cocktails at their bar, the Apothecary. The Apothecary was run by Peter. He made great cocktails and gave me tastes of things he thought I'd like. We enjoyed his friendliness and he took great care of us throughout our stay The first night we decided to listen to the entertainment on the patio so we ordered light fare from the bar and enjoyed the evening. Note, the hotel doesn't have a restaurant for dining. I would suggest partnering with a local restaurant to provide a box or basket with bakery to go along with coffee in the morning. The following two nights after dinner in town, we went down to the speakeasy. The guests actually get to enter the speakeasy an hour before the public and are given the password upon arrival. It was so cool! We knocked on the heavy black door and a small window opened. A husky voiced man asked for the password and the door opened to a throwback to the 1920s. The music from Sinatra to Tony Bennett was perfect. Unfortunately, they switched to current music later on, which didn't fit the speakeasy vibe. Too bad. The rooms with the low lighting, the hidden bathroom and the bookcase which opened to a passage way all led to a fun experience. Renee took great care of us both nights and made fabulous cocktails. Whether you're staying at the mansion or not, I would definitely recommend stopping by the speakeasy. You have to find out the password, though, to gain entrance. I think this is a wonderful property to stay at - clean, comfy beds, friendly staff, nice grounds although they need to be tended to. We'll definitely come back even with the few negatives. read more

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Great drinks at the apothecary bar located on the main floor. The bartender was very friendly, and there were many options for cocktails. We loved walking around the grounds with our drinks. read more

Maxwell Mansion - Apothecary bar - Hotels Near Me - Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

Stayed in the "carriage house" which is a motel. Although the room was clean (thank god) the decor is depressing. It's not quaint. They have 2 sad lamps with the dullest bulbs - you can't even begin to read a book. The tiny bathroom is lined with corrugated tin....its like taking a shower in a garbage can. Outrageous for the price read more

Absolutely obsessed with this place! I have not yet stayed as a guest, but visited here twice in the same day because it was so phenomenal. The service/bartenders, mixology, ambiance made this such an enjoyable experience. The flatbreads are also delicious!! Highly recommend the bar in the hotel as well as the speakeasy at night. read more

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We went into the speakeasy and it was so much fun! Decorated for the season and so many fun drinks! The bartender even made me a drink off the menu! It was a great experience! Can't wait to visit Lake Geneva again! read more

Maxwell Mansion - Even the menus were fun to look at! - Hotels Near Me - Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

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I have gone to the apothecary a few times and love the atmosphere. The drinks are really good and unique. The Mango Sticky Rice (yes it is a drink) is my favorite! My only issue has been that I was charged for 3 drinks once and only ordered 2. After I mentioned it to the bartender, it was a bit of a issue refunding for the drink. It would have been nice to be offered another drink at a discount for my time. It was an honest mistake but I just expect a little something as an apology. I still have to try the speakeasy that is in the basement! A few friends have had good comments about it. read more

Great stay! Employees genuine and nice. This place is steeped in history. Great bars on site. Stable room was perfect. PLUS IS THE KEURIG MACHINE! Comfy bed. Would absolutely stay again read more

We just came here for drinks. I was SO excited to try this place. It's very cute and has a lot of potential. No one greeted us when we walked in so we walked around the entire place trying to find the bar. No bar tender. Waited ten minutes before a guy finally came in. He was NOT friendly and the drink he made me was legitimately gross. It was hot and kind of dirty in there. Hoping it was just an off night for them. To be fair, it was a Tuesday, so not exactly the time to bring your A game as an establishment. Giving it three stars for the building and grounds and potential. read more

Talk about a bunch of snobs. Rude service and overpriced drinks. The whole vibe was just off putting it was like being in a horror movie. Horribly nasty bartender. Place was just gross. Never again. read more

Best kept secret - now that I let the cat out of the bag! Great service and beautiful rooms! The speakeasy is so fun and amazing! Cocktails are great and they have a small appetizer menu which is perfect too! read more

Nice touch with water bowl and treats for dog. Clean room. If you like old, old furniture, this is your place. Bed very uncomfortable and creaks. Nice outdoor seating for music. Checked out day earlier as could not sleep in bed. See above comment. read more

We came for a very short girls trip just Friday to Saturday and had an amazing stay at the mansion. We did stay in the mansion instead of the stables which I think was the best choice. We were in the Jane Austen room and it was perfect. I think you have to understand this is a mansion turned into a boutique hotel so don't expect the room to be super roomy, which I figured going into it. The bathroom was by far our favorite and was big. They don't have a counter with the sink, but they had a stool where we could set things down. We loved the champagne in the room and it made us feel special and appreciated. The room was clean and tidy even with the vintage decor. The two bars had friendly and accommodating bartenders and we enjoyed the Speakeasy bartender who shared history of the mansion and Speakeasy. The pool was perfect! Having water and towels available for guests. We enjoyed the grounds and the decor. It felt like we stepped back in time which we really enjoyed. The location is perfect, we were within walking distance of everything we wanted to do. There did happen to be a small wedding when we were there but it didn't prevent us from enjoying the grounds. My only suggestion is that the hotel let you know a week or so in advance if any areas will be closed during your stay so that you can make any necessary changes. If there had been a wedding in the bars and we wouldn't have gotten to enjoy those we would have been disappointed and would have felt like a waste of a stay. I did check on my own a few days before to make sure no events did conflict with our stay. read more

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Stayed here for one night for a mini honeymoon with my wife. Such a unique spot. Loved the pool that doesn't typically allow children which is a plus for us. Will def be coming back and absolutely recommend! read more

My wife and I flew out from New Hampshire for a visit with my son and his wife in the Chicago area. My wife had never been to Lake Geneva before and my son suggested staying at the Maxwell Mansion. What a terrific place! My son had booked us into the Jane Austen room as I'm a great Austen fan, and that was just over the top. The whole place is so comfortable with wonderful staff that made our short stay memorable. We visited the Apothecary Bar which was an experience in itself. We not only sat in the bar while we had our drinks, but moved around and sat in various other sitting areas in the hotel because.... well, why go anywhere else because you just can't beat that experience anywhere else. read more

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We had drinks in the apothecary bar I have to say I was a little skeptical of how the drinks would come out but I have to say that these were one of the best drinks I've ever had The girl that was making our drinks was so nice read more

Maxwell Mansion - In the lounge - Hotels Near Me - Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

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Had a great stay!! Perfect place to stay for any occasion..or just to come for a drink and pictures. The inside and outside is beautiful. Staff is very nice. Lovely place all around. Will be coming back again :) read more

We just stopped here for drinks and the bar area was decorated for Halloween. The back yard fire pit was going and the bartenders were very nice and made great cocktails. 5 shots of casamigos ran me $54 though which surprised the heck out of me. The $10-$12 cocktails were right on point. Old mansion with modern tastes. Younger crowd. read more

I'm in love. Great customer service/check-in, amazing cocktails, and don't skip the Speakeasy when it's open. We stayed in the carriage house and can't wait to come back during the summer. Our room was impeccably clean with an amazing duvet and bathrobes I wanted to buy. Loved the jetted tub and all of the little touches (Dr. Maxwell's apothecary toiletries, the Keurig, branded mugs, fab furniture). The mansion itself is just gorgeous and the new owners are killing it! My only tiny qualm is the music. Sound system in speakeasy and the mansion was good, but the music just didn't fit the ambiance. I don't want dance remixes of Elton John songs when I'm lounging in an 1850s mansion or a 1920s speakeasy. But to each their own - hard to cater to everyone's music tastes, ya know! We are looking forward to staying again! read more

My husband and I stayed here for weekend get away! First impression was super charming and elegant mansion! Going during Christmas time with all the holiday decorations is a must! The staff are all friendly and we enjoyed the speak easy/bar on Saturday night! A lot of fun history! The 4/5 stars comes from the fact that we could hear the music from the basement all the way up to our room on the 2nd floor room! The sound carries easily through the vents. It's an old hotel but some additional sound proofing would have been nice as we were trying to sleep at 10pm and the music didn't stop until almost midnight. Needless to say we will be back as it was very relaxing to get away from hustle and bustle of the city but maybe pick a different room next time! read more

Nice pool, lobby, general location and competitive pricing, especially considering the area. We stayed two nights during one weekend in July while in the area for a rehearsal dinner and wedding at the LGCC. The bridal party secured a block of rooms at a different hotel and we decided to have a little time on our own a short distance from family and friends, leading us to MM. Our room was nicely decorated and included two chairs, a whirlpool tub for two in the bedroom area and an adorable bathroom with a sliding barn door. On the day of check in, we were provided with a key code to enter our assigned room, preventing the need to stop over at Baker House to formally "check in". Our room location was on the first room on the second floor near the stairs, forcing us to see others travels up and down the steps and to choose privacy (curtains) over sunlight. Without natural lighting, we found the room to be very dark. For the right price per night, we would definitely stay again. read more

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My go to spot to take a friend for a drink in an amazing atmosphere! The bartender is super nice and always is very helpful! I love the drinks they come up with, highly recommend. read more

Very unique and eccentric location. The atmosphere was quirky and fun, on premise bar and speakeasy were great. That being said, furnishings seemed a little tired in many places, especially in outdoor seating areas. read more

This review is specifically for the bartender in the speakeasy Renee. I CANNOT say enough good things about her. She is fun, friendly and just overall created a great experience for us! I would 1000X recommend the mansion! read more

Cocktails were amazing! Service was excellent and the atmosphere was great. Cozy fireplace and soft seating outside by the fireplace was exactly what we needed to sit and enjoy good friends and conversation. We will definitely be back! read more

Stayed here for the first time for an anniversary weekend. Loved the Grant suite! Super friendly and attentive front desk and bar staff. Wonderful sitting areas to do nothing but relax. Thoroughly enjoyable and we can't wait to make a return visit. Thank you for making our important date even more special! (Remember to visit the Speakeasy!!) read more

Stayed in Maxwell Mansion several months ago, so this review is delayed- but am still talking about &recommending this B&B to everyone looking to travel to Lake Geneva. We stayed in the Grant Suite &loved it- felt like we had our own condo. The bath included a clawfoot tub &all ingredients required for a perfect bath. There were also several fun events the night we visited including a free cocktail, holiday party, &don't forget the passage to the speakeasy! read more