The atmosphere at the Wilson Lodge put the whole family into the holiday spirit immediately. A cozy fireplace, hot cider, and a gingerbread house display greeted us in the lobby. The lodge was beautifully decorated for the holidays with poinsettias and decorated Christmas trees everywhere. Even though check-in time was somewhat chaotic (everyone seemed to arrive at the check-in time of 3 PM), it did not take long to relax and unwind.
Plenty of recreational opportunities and activities are available right inside the lodge. The indoor pool area is lushly landscaped and includes a hot tub, sauna, and fitness center. Nearby are a video arcade and the Hickman Lounge with a pool table and many other tables for playing games or working on crafts. A few weeks before our family reunion, we each received a list of activities scheduled during our stay. The kids enjoyed decorating their own racing car and creating dinosaur sand art during the day, while the adults participated in family pictionary and karaoke in the evenings.
My family received a group package rate of $99 per room per night. Included in this rate were a pass for the Festival of Lights and a free buffet breakfast for two adults per room per night. The breakfast buffet was held in the Ihlenfeld Dining Room, which provided views of snow-covered hills while we were dining. The buffet included just about every breakfast food imaginable and is probably one of the best that I''ve ever been to.
The rooms at the Wilson Lodge were clean and well-appointed. My room had a balcony off of it, from which I was able to view some of the lights from the Festival of Lights. My family also reserved a suite with a bar for family gatherings. We were also able to arrange a private banquet room for our annual family dinner and gift exchange.