by Martin Palicki
Pulling up to the expansive Blue Harbor Resort makes one feel they are in their own version of “The Shining.” The massive resort stretches both vertically and horizontally around you, with a long ramped driveway leading up to the front door. Once inside the three-story lobby, however, the imposing exterior gives way to a gracious interior, and virtually every employee works hard to make you feel like you are a guest in their own home.
Opened in 2004, the Blue Harbor Resort is part of the Great Wolf Lodge chain of resorts, and is the first indoor water park resort not to carry the rustic backwoods theme of its predecessors. Its location on the shores of Lake Michigan, less than an hour north of Milwaukee, is the perfect setting for the seaside resort theme permeating the property.
Theming is one of the two defining elements of the Blue Harbor. Often subtle, the nautical theme plays its way throughout the resort, from the glass dolphin sculpture in the grand lobby to the classy yet playful nautical carpeting lining the halls of the hotel. Of course, the centerpiece of the resort (and the theming) is the 40,000 square foot Breaker Bay indoor water park. With two tube slides, two body slides and three kiddie slides provided by ProSlide, a multi-level play structure from KoalaPlay Group and a lazy river, pool and hot tub area from Neuman Pools, this park has something to offer everyone. With a sandy colored exposed wood ceiling surrounding a large bank of sunlights, the space is bright and open by day, but equally comforting and calming by night.
The slides are fun, and well integrated into the building, with the overall effect convincing you that this bright and fun playground was somehow sunk beneath the ocean— starfish, seaweed and all.
Equally impressive (if not more difficult to attain) is the level of courtesy and helpfulness the Blue Harbor has imparted on its staff. Every new hire to the resort receives a minimum of 8 hours of training, and the effects are evident. Even the lifeguards, who probably have some of the more mundane jobs on the property (and in my experience are generally a unique breed of people), were friendly and talkative, without compromising their primary role as sirens of safety. The staff in the facility’s two main restaurants was equally jovial and helpful. The Rusty Anchor Buffet offers a plentiful breakfast buffet with made to order omelets, and a dinner spread as well (though the exact hours of operation were a matter of dispute and apparently vary based on occupancy). On the Rocks Bar & Grille, by comparison, offers standard table service, with a good selection of sandwiches and pizzas, and a decent supply of martinis to match. For a more formal dining experience Weissgerber’s Seabird Restaurant offers a restaurant and tapas bar, though its location at the extreme far side of the resort beyond the convention center makes it seem like more of a special outing, and definitely more appealing to the convention guests rather than the water park guests.
All the restaurants offer unparalleled views of Lake Michigan, as do half of the resort’s 400 rooms. The property is located on a peninsula formerly used as a coal storage facility for the nearby Sheboygan power plant that provides the one small eyesore in an otherwise picturesque setting. A small jogging path runs along the length of the property, between the resort and the lake, though I can’t imagine one taking advantage of that while the crisp winter winds whip off the lake. The rooms themselves are artfully executed. With a variety of rooms to choose from, the offerings range from fun to stunning. The family-friendly KidAquarium Suite offers kids a separate room and bunk beds, while the Boathouse Suite includes a nautical themed room for the kids, while Mom & Dad enjoy the luxuries of a standard room. For larger groups, a loft suite is perfect. With 3 full beds, a pull out sofa, and one and a half baths, it’s more than enough room for two small families to share. Best of all, the room rates are reasonable, considerably lower than some of the other Great Wolf properties.
Altogether, the resort offers a fun environment with plenty to do at a reasonable price. Although Sheboygan is not the first place one might think of for family vacations, the resort, coupled with the lake, offers the perfect mix of relaxation and recreation.
For more information visit www.blueharborresort.com.
BY THE NUMBERS
•40,000 square feet of waterpark
•275 full-time employees
•125 part-time employees
•85 degree water temperature
•87 degree air temperature
•4,400 square feet of arcade
•2,000 gallons of water dumped from the sinking
ship in Breaker Bay every 5 minutes
•65 percent winter occupancy
•90 percent summer occupancy
•13 life guard positions (minimum)
•183 suites
•2 gift shops
-compiled by Bill St. Yves
