The Osthoff Old-World Christmas Market
The Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, is no stranger to winning prestigious awards. The resort has earned the coveted AAA Four Diamond Resort rating for twenty-three consecutive years. Only properties that deliver premier guest experiences with superior personal service, first-class amenities, and impressive surroundings are given this prestigious award
My visit to the Osthoff was in late summer but, I've been told that winter, and Christmas especially, is a magical time in Elkhart Lake where they host the annual Old-World Christmas Market. Over the last few years, the Osthoff added two more distinguished awards. The resort's Old-World Christmas Market was voted the #1 holiday market in the U. S. in the 2018 Readers' Choice Awards from USA TODAY and 10Best. Last year, the market was voted #5 Best Holiday Market by USA Today's Readers' Choice 2023.
General manager Lola Roeh has been the spark plug that keeps the Osthoff winning yearly awards. According to Roeh, everyone at the Osthoff takes pride in offering their guests a superior product and continually strives to meet and exceed their expectations. Roeh created the Christmas Market idea after having lived in Germany years ago. "My husband and I loved the German Christmas markets, the way they brought people together and put them in the spirit of the season, and I thought it would be wonderful to recreate that here in Wisconsin," said Roeh. "The original Osthoff was opened in 1886 by German entrepreneur Otto Osthoff and his wife Paulina, and I think they'd be pleased too," added Roeh.
The Osthoff continues to be up against stiff competition for the top spot. Other noteworthy competitors include markets in Denver, Philadelphia, San Francisco, New York, Chicago, and even Washington, D.C., to name a few of the twenty nominees. In addition to editors from USA TODAY and editors from 10Best.com, votes are cast by expert travel contributors and other partner media sources. Then, the contest is opened to readers for a voting period of four weeks.
The 2024 holiday market will be the resort's 26th, and vendors and visitors from all over the world make it an annual tradition to attend. While other markets are open-air, shoppers at The Osthoff's market find themselves inside a heated tent the size of a football field. The tent is decked out with traditional wooden booths, fresh pine trees, garlands of twinkling white lights, and an authentic German food court, much like you'd find in market squares in Europe.
The 10-day market is always held at the beginning of December. It features the wares of more than 70 artisans from around the world, including Germany, Russia, and Turkey, and local producers, too. Two German artisans, a skilled woodcarver who creates smokers and nutcrackers and another who brings spices from Nuremberg to make his secret recipe bratwurst for hungry shoppers, have never missed a market in all 26 years. The event draws over 14,000 visitors.
2024 Holiday Events
Old World Christmas Market - December 6 - 15, 2024
Market hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, and admission is $7 per adult. Children 14 and under are complimentary with an adult ticket holder. Discounted ticket prices for groups of 20 or more are available, and parking is free. An overnight package during the show run includes a one-night stay and two admission tickets to the Old-World Christmas Market. Pricing is from $209.00 plus tax for stays Dec. 6-15. For more details on the market, log on to www.ChristmasMarketAtOsthoff.com or call 877-517-4596.
Other Holiday Happenings
* Children's Holiday Workshops: Dec. 7, 14, with cookie decorating and ornament-making with Santa's elves for children ages four-10.
* Holiday Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides: Dec. 7 and 14th.
* Breakfast with Santa or a Brunch with St. Nicholas and his Reindeer.
For reservations, call 855.876.3399 or book online at www.Osthoff.com.
December 19th, 2024 - 7:30 pm
The Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, is thrilled to host Nashville recording artist Doug Allen Nash for his sensational "Rockin' Elvis Christmas!" Prepare for an electrifying performance on Thursday, December 19th, featuring Doug's unique Elvis tribute with a dynamic multi-media theatrical show and top-tier musicians.
If You GO
The Osthoff Resort is a Wisconsin tourism landmark featuring elegant suites and guestrooms, a stunning lakefront setting, three restaurants, the award-winning Aspira Spa, salon, spa and gift boutiques, and grand conference rooms and meeting spaces. It is located just one hour north of Milwaukee, less than two hours from Madison, and approximately three hours from Chicago.
The Aspira Spa was ranked #2 Spa in America, #1 Midwest Spa, and #1 Lake Spa in North America by Spas of America in its annual ranking. Aspira Spa was ranked #3 in Spas Of America's Top 100 SPAS (January 2020). The Osthoff has been named one of the Top Resorts in the Midwest by Conde Nast Traveler magazine Readers' Choice Awards. It was selected as #5 in the Conde` Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Award for 2019 in the category of Top Resorts in the Midwest.
You'll be hard-pressed to find a more beautiful and tranquil setting than the quaint little village of Elkhart Lake, situated along the lakeshore. The lake, rich in natural beauty, offers a wide range of water sports and recreational opportunities for visitors, such as boating, water skiing, canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, swimming, and sunbathing.
There are plenty of other things to do while in Sheboygan County, as well. You can get your speed on with motorsports galore at Road America. Play golf at Quit Qui OC Golf Club or tour Henning's Cheese Factory, famous for its award-winning cheeses. Stroll through art galleries and gift shops. Stop in for wine and beer tastings. There are many excellent dining opportunities. Take a hike on the Ice Age Trail or in the Kettle Moraine State Forest, or visit Henchel's Indian Museum and Trout Farm, to mention a few other reasons to visit the area. Elkhart Lake Tourism plans Special events and activities throughout the year, so there's always something happening around town.
THE OSTHOFF RESORT www.osthoff.com 855.876.3399
PO Box 151, 101 Osthoff Avenue, Elkhart Lake, WI 53020-0151, osthoff@osthoff.com
Thank you to Elkhart Lake Tourism for introducing me to the award-winning accommodations at the Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake.
My visit to the Osthoff was in late summer but, I've been told that winter, and Christmas especially, is a magical time in Elkhart Lake where they host the annual Old-World Christmas Market. Over the last few years, the Osthoff added two more distinguished awards. The resort's Old-World Christmas Market was voted the #1 holiday market in the U. S. in the 2018 Readers' Choice Awards from USA TODAY and 10Best. Last year, the market was voted #5 Best Holiday Market by USA Today's Readers' Choice 2023. General manager Lola Roeh has been the spark plug that keeps the Osthoff winning yearly awards. According to Roeh, everyone at the Osthoff takes pride in offering their guests a superior product and continually strives to meet and exceed their expectations. Roeh created the Christmas Market idea after having lived in Germany years ago. "My husband and I loved the German Christmas markets, the way they brought people together and put them in the spirit of the season, and I thought it would be wonderful to recreate that here in Wisconsin," said Roeh. "The original Osthoff was opened in 1886 by German entrepreneur Otto Osthoff and his wife Paulina, and I think they'd be pleased too," added Roeh.
The Osthoff continues to be up against stiff competition for the top spot. Other noteworthy competitors include markets in Denver, Philadelphia, San Francisco, New York, Chicago, and even Washington, D.C., to name a few of the twenty nominees. In addition to editors from USA TODAY and editors from 10Best.com, votes are cast by expert travel contributors and other partner media sources. Then, the contest is opened to readers for a voting period of four weeks. The 2024 holiday market will be the resort's 26th, and vendors and visitors from all over the world make it an annual tradition to attend. While other markets are open-air, shoppers at The Osthoff's market find themselves inside a heated tent the size of a football field. The tent is decked out with traditional wooden booths, fresh pine trees, garlands of twinkling white lights, and an authentic German food court, much like you'd find in market squares in Europe.
The 10-day market is always held at the beginning of December. It features the wares of more than 70 artisans from around the world, including Germany, Russia, and Turkey, and local producers, too. Two German artisans, a skilled woodcarver who creates smokers and nutcrackers and another who brings spices from Nuremberg to make his secret recipe bratwurst for hungry shoppers, have never missed a market in all 26 years. The event draws over 14,000 visitors.
2024 Holiday Events
Old World Christmas Market - December 6 - 15, 2024
Market hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, and admission is $7 per adult. Children 14 and under are complimentary with an adult ticket holder. Discounted ticket prices for groups of 20 or more are available, and parking is free. An overnight package during the show run includes a one-night stay and two admission tickets to the Old-World Christmas Market. Pricing is from $209.00 plus tax for stays Dec. 6-15. For more details on the market, log on to www.ChristmasMarketAtOsthoff.com or call 877-517-4596.
Other Holiday Happenings
* Children's Holiday Workshops: Dec. 7, 14, with cookie decorating and ornament-making with Santa's elves for children ages four-10.
* Holiday Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides: Dec. 7 and 14th.
* Breakfast with Santa or a Brunch with St. Nicholas and his Reindeer.
For reservations, call 855.876.3399 or book online at www.Osthoff.com.
December 19th, 2024 - 7:30 pm
The Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, is thrilled to host Nashville recording artist Doug Allen Nash for his sensational "Rockin' Elvis Christmas!" Prepare for an electrifying performance on Thursday, December 19th, featuring Doug's unique Elvis tribute with a dynamic multi-media theatrical show and top-tier musicians.
If You GO
The Osthoff Resort is a Wisconsin tourism landmark featuring elegant suites and guestrooms, a stunning lakefront setting, three restaurants, the award-winning Aspira Spa, salon, spa and gift boutiques, and grand conference rooms and meeting spaces. It is located just one hour north of Milwaukee, less than two hours from Madison, and approximately three hours from Chicago. The Aspira Spa was ranked #2 Spa in America, #1 Midwest Spa, and #1 Lake Spa in North America by Spas of America in its annual ranking. Aspira Spa was ranked #3 in Spas Of America's Top 100 SPAS (January 2020). The Osthoff has been named one of the Top Resorts in the Midwest by Conde Nast Traveler magazine Readers' Choice Awards. It was selected as #5 in the Conde` Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Award for 2019 in the category of Top Resorts in the Midwest.You'll be hard-pressed to find a more beautiful and tranquil setting than the quaint little village of Elkhart Lake, situated along the lakeshore. The lake, rich in natural beauty, offers a wide range of water sports and recreational opportunities for visitors, such as boating, water skiing, canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, swimming, and sunbathing.
There are plenty of other things to do while in Sheboygan County, as well. You can get your speed on with motorsports galore at Road America. Play golf at Quit Qui OC Golf Club or tour Henning's Cheese Factory, famous for its award-winning cheeses. Stroll through art galleries and gift shops. Stop in for wine and beer tastings. There are many excellent dining opportunities. Take a hike on the Ice Age Trail or in the Kettle Moraine State Forest, or visit Henchel's Indian Museum and Trout Farm, to mention a few other reasons to visit the area. Elkhart Lake Tourism plans Special events and activities throughout the year, so there's always something happening around town. THE OSTHOFF RESORT www.osthoff.com 855.876.3399
PO Box 151, 101 Osthoff Avenue, Elkhart Lake, WI 53020-0151, osthoff@osthoff.com
Thank you to Elkhart Lake Tourism for introducing me to the award-winning accommodations at the Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake.
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