Arriving for my stay at Siebkens Resort in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, all was calm. Who knew that screeching tires, high-octane fumes, and screaming crowds had once made this hotel’s location the heart of America’s racing culture?
I figured something was up when I saw the historic “Hard Left” marker outside Siebkens Resort entrance. All became clear later when I did a tour with hotel co-owner Wendy Orth.
The town of 950 is well known for a larger, more modern lakeside hotel next door. But I wanted to dip into the history of Elkhart Lake, which Siebkens Resort has so lovingly preserved.
Siebkens Resort is an Estate with Vintage Aspects
At check-in, I learned my room was in the Condo building. The clerk gave me a map and pointed out the property’s various buildings. She told me Siebkens Resort was established in 1916 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2020.
This family tree of hospitality has deep roots.
The main building, with the lobby, also housed Pam’s Restaurant. An outdoor seating area had a snack gazebo and a tent set up for that night’s musical entertainment. Next door, an 1882 Greek Revival assembly hall was now called the Opera House. It once staged theatrical productions. On its lower level was The Stop-Inn Tavern, a beloved, racing-themed watering hole. Behind it, the Siebkens Resort’s Historic lodging offered smaller rooms and was once known as the Elm Park Hotel.
Modern Condo and Balcony rooms were in the next building. Plus, across the street, rustic Lakeview Cottage offered six historic hotel rooms.
Whew. A lot to remember.
Rooms Range from Modern to Historic
The hotel’s total accommodation capacity is 50 rooms and suites.
I was given a code to open my hotel room, and I made sure to take a picture of it just in case I lost the slip of paper. My 2nd-floor room was spacious and inviting with a King bed and a balcony with a table and two chairs. A relaxing spot for coffee or a sundowner. Amenities included a flat-screen TV, mini-fridge, and coffee maker. Plus, there was an elevator.
The three-story Condo structure sits on the site of Siebken’s original hotel and was opened in 2008. I had a single room, but it also housed two- and three-bedroom condominium suites, some of which are owned and go into a rental pool.
Condo suites have fireplaces, full kitchens, dining areas, and some units feature washer/dryers.
An outdoor pool and hot tub were available in the middle of the complex for all guests.
Siebkens Resort’s New Owners are Keeping the Legacy Alive
Wendy met me in the lobby and kindly showed me around. She and her husband, Rob, a pediatric radiologist, bought the property in 2019 and were in the midst of sprucing it up, with careful attention to historic details.
Wendy’s father raced his 1964 Shelby 289 Ford Cobra at the nearby Road America track for three decades, so she was well acquainted with the town.
Her parents bought a vacation condo next door at Osthoff Resort & Spa, and she and Rob did the same in 2014. When they heard the Siebkens Resort was for sale, they jumped at the opportunity and relocated permanently with their two children.
Although the Siebkens Resort has a racing legacy, it started out as a railway vacation stop in the late 1800s. The resort was one of many that were scattered around the 119-foot-deep, 292-acre lake.
“When the original owners bought the property, they thought the lakefront land directly in front of the hotel was included. They were wrong, so they bought the Lake Cottage in order to gain access to a small, private beach,” Wendy explained.
A Beachfront for Dipping and Watersports
A wooden staircase led me down to the sandy enclave where a scattering of beach chairs faced the water.
From a small dock, you could launch paddleboards and kayaks. A pleasant aspect of the lake community is that Wednesdays are “No Wake” days, and perfect for a quiet paddle.
The pristine water community has been voted one of America’s top destinations, including ranking #3 on USAToday’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 for best lake in the country.
Siebkens Resort has a Top Bar on the Racing Scene
Before dinner, I headed to the “best bar on the racing circuit.”
The Stop-Inn Tavern’s walls were papered with decades of racing memorabilia. I spied posters, stickers, photos, and signatures of legendary driving crews. Mario Andretti was a favorite, as was Paul Newman, who came here in 1969 to film Winning. He stayed in room 11 of the original hotel.
The bar’s sandwich counter featuring Siebkens Rye Bread is a destination in itself.
“We still have the original recipe and have a bakery make it fresh for us daily,” explained Wendy.
Dining with Wisconsin Pride
Dinner in Pam’s dining room, named for the original owner’s granddaughter, had a distinctive Wisconsin flavor. I opted for the Walleye Piccata, wild-caught from the Great Lakes and served over fresh pasta with capers and crisped spinach.
Other items included Wisconsin Carbonara, a house-made fresh pasta with bacon, Wisconsin SarVecchio cheese, egg yolk, and a Chardonnay-peppercorn cream reduction.
The morning pick-me-up in the lobby was also a treat. As soon as I walked in, the aroma of freshly brewed Ruby coffee (roasted in Wisconsin) hit me. Plus, grab-and-go items were laid out for guests, including yogurt, granola, fruit, and seed cake.
Siebken Resort Thrived for Four Generations
This resort has always been a family operation. Herman and Laura Siebken emigrated from Northern Germany and moved to the area in 1916. Herman had managed hotels back in Germany, so they acquired the Elm Park Hotel. Back then, it was known for robust food, classic drinks, and spirited entertainment. More property was purchased, and ownership passed down for four generations. Herman and Laura’s daughter, Olive “Ollie” Siebken, took the reins in 1947, just as the race craze in America began. Now Wendy and Rob Orth, although not Siebkens, are paying homage to the dreams and efforts of their predecessors.
The Motor Racing Connection
After World War II, returning veterans who had seen fast European cars wanted to put pedal to the metal. Farm roads were the initial choice, but by 1951-1952, a public street course ran directly through town. Right outside Siebkens Resort was one of the most perilous turns on the circuit, an 80-degree, flat, “Hard Left.”
A major crash injured some spectators, and other tracks experienced even worse tragedies, so the practice was banned. Ollie Siebken and other local organizers decided to sell stock and raise funds for a private race circuit just outside town. In 1955, the track known as Road America was born.
Siebkens Resort became the unofficial headquarters. Icons like Mario Andretti, Dan Gurney, and Paul Newman spent many an evening unwinding at the resort at the Stop-Inn Tavern.
Activities Near to Siebkens Resort
Road America is one of the top 10 road-racing circuits in the world. It hosts more than 400 events a year, including IndyCar, IMSA, NASCAR, and vintage racing with historic cars from around the world. A family-oriented track, it prides itself on unusual and delicious food (the northern corner of the track is called The North Pole and pays homage to Canada with Molson beer and poutine).
I enjoyed a snack and watching the track at the Finish Line Tower.
- Get a Car Rental
- Buy Travel Insurance
Kids and adults alike love the twists and turns of the Karting Experience, plus you can do off-road trails in UTVs.
Wade House is a restored 1850s stagecoach inn in nearby Greenbush. Tour the inn, take a horse-drawn carriage ride, and marvel at craftsmanship in the museum. In addition, there are demonstrations in a blacksmith shop and sawmill.
Watersports are popular during the warmer months. Pontoon rentals, paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing, and other watercraft activities are available. Plus, bring a rod and reel to catch smallmouth bass, northern pike, and walleye.
Also close by is the Ice Age National Scenic Trail for hiking and trail running.
Rates at Siebkens Resort
Units in the Condo building range from $300–$600 per night, depending on size and season. Historic lodging rooms range from $175 to $300 per night. Winter rates are lower, and parking is free.
Check rates for Siebkens Resort online at Expedia, Agoda.com, or Hotels.com.
Hotel feature by Toronto-based travel writer Maureen Littlejohn. Photos © Maureen Littlejohn. Wisconsin’s Elkhart Lake arranged for her stay as she researched a larger piece. As always, her thoughts and opinions are her own.
