Harbor Shores on Lake Geneva

I stayed here 2/14/26, and I’d only return if I lost a bet. The thin walls let us hear the upstairs guests’ lives in detail, including an unwanted performance at 2 a.m. The room had a stale cigarette smell, if you miss the old days of indoor smoking. The bathroom looked stuck around 1970, with ceiling tiles sporting a mold motif and a gritty shower. At least the stay left me appreciating my own home and sense of smell.

The lakefront location alone makes this hotel worth booking, and I’d pay extra for a lake view with a balcony. The dated rooms have had some cute upgrades, and the staff are friendly and super helpful. Both pools were VERY clean, the wifi worked well, and I liked being able to check out on my phone and get a text when our room was ready. We can’t wait to come back with the kids for a quick getaway from IL.

The view from our fourth-floor room facing Lake Geneva was great, and the downtown location is convenient, but that was about it. There was no table for eating, no side table by the bed, and no screen door to the balcony, so a few flies got in and we couldn’t get rid of them. For $200 a night including all the extra fees, I wouldn’t return. Harbor Shores needs work.

The room was spacious and clean, and the staff were very friendly and accommodating. We had a lake view, though it looked directly over the attached restaurant’s roof, which wasn’t ideal. I had two minor concerns: people who weren’t staying at the hotel were using the outdoor pool, since there’s no keyed entry and anyone can walk in. Also, the guests next door were smoking pot on their balcony. I reported it to the front desk and hope they dealt with it.