Living the dream at the ‘Hive’

BUSINESS PROFILE: Bug-Bee Hive Resort

Bug-Bee Hive Resort has been creating a buzz on Lake Koronis since 1920  

By Scott Thoma

Paul and Kella Bugbee have owned and operated Bug-Bee Hive Resort near Paynesville since 2000. Photo by Scott Thoma

Looking for a relaxing place to vacation or hold a family reunion that includes numerous amenities and activities, a place to gather with your extended family or quilting club members where you can showcase each other’s talents, a memorable place to hold your outdoor wedding, or just looking to get away for a weekend?

Bug-Bee Hive Resort on beautiful Lake Koronis, near Paynesville, can accommodate those needs and more.

“We absolutely love Bug-Bee Hive Resort. This was our third year coming back, and it just keeps getting better. The cabins are cozy, clean, and perfect for relaxing. We especially love how spacious and comfortable they are for our big family. It’s such a wonderful place for all of us to come together, laugh, make memories, and enjoy quality time in such a peaceful setting. The staff is always so friendly and welcoming, making us feel right at home every time we visit. Bug-Bee Hive has become a family tradition and one we genuinely look forward to every year,” said Tammy Gysberg.

Founded, owned, and operated by the Bugbee family since 1920, this Central Minnesota resort includes spacious grounds, modern cottages, a large banquet center, indoor swimming pool and hot tub, swimming beach, kid’s playground, and a host of activities geared for children and adults alike. Once referred to as “the second-most beautiful lake in Minnesota,” the picturesque and serene setting at the Bug-Bee Hive provides panoramic views of this 3,000 acre body of water with its diverse topography and three islands.

Bug-Bee Hive Resort has been a fixture on Lake Koronis since 1920. Here is a photo in the early days of the resort. Contributed photo

“The beauty of the Lake Koronis area is what draws people to the resort, but it’s the welcoming care that keeps them coming back,” said Shannon Melham, during her Minnesota Library Association retreat at Bug-Bee Hive Resort.

As part of the third generation, Paul Bugbee says that “Back in the day, Lake Koronis boasted a total of 14 resorts, all of which catered to avid fishermen and families seeking escape from middle-America summer heat waves. There was no such thing as air-conditioning in those early years.”

Over the years, all the other resorts on Lake Koronis have disappeared. Alternatively, the Bug-Bee Hive has continued to grow and has evolved into a year-round vacation, recreation, and gathering hub for families, family reunions, businesses, organizations, church retreats, crafting groups, and a wide mixture of other gatherings.

“Because of our close proximity to the metropolitan Twin Cities and the Midwest in general, we welcome guests from all over Minnesota and the nation,” said Paul.

Today, the “Hive” can host up to 250 people at any time, with 32 rental units ranging in size from one to six bedrooms, many of which include a one-to-one ratio of bathrooms. All of the cottages, identified with “bee” names such as the Honey Bee, Drone, and Yellow Jacket, include sizeable dining/living rooms, full kitchens, and large decks which overlook the lake and resort grounds.

During the summer, Bug-Bee Hive offers a week-long venue of activities for the entire family.

Events such as the ‘Island Adventure,’ a scavenger hunt, bean bag tournament, beach front musicians, bonfires and s’mores, kid’s crafts, and big-screen outdoor movies contribute to the overall vacation experience. A boat launch, marina, and fish-cleaning facilities accommodate all fishing and boating enthusiasts. All are included in the cottage rental rates.

Pontoons and jet skis are also available for rent.

There are a lot of fun things to do at Bug-Bee Resort including lawn games, top-notch fishing on Lake Koronis, a full-size indoor pool, movies show by the lake, fun in the water, and relaxing on some Adirondack chairs around a crackling fire at the end of the day. Contributed photo

Family Reunions

Paul and his wife, Kella, take a lot of pride in hosting numerous family reunions and guests who have been coming to the resort over their lifetimes.

Several families have been coming here for over 50 years, year after year, as their time to reunite with each other and build new and lasting memories. Many are now introducing their fourth generation offspring into this valued family tradition at the Bug-Bee Hive.

“It wasn’t until our youngest child went off to college that we realized the significance of getting together with family, whenever and wherever we can,” said Kella. “We’re not getting any younger and, more than ever before, time spent with family is a priceless experience. We’re so happy that we are in the business of bringing families together, whether it is for a week in the summer, a wedding, anniversary, or a long weekend around the holidays.”

Depending upon their size, families often reserve larger cottage units which can house upwards of 12 to 18 individuals, or they’ll request a side-by-side duplex or multiple cottages to accommodate everyone. A banquet center and catering kitchen, which are in the main lodge, are perfect for sharing meals, games, and centralized gatherings for the entire group.

“We have been doing a ‘family weekend’ for over 30 years. We stayed at some lovely places, but Bug-Bee Hive Resort is absolutely the best place we have stayed at. We rent three cabins, and this year each cabin was spotless, comfortable and we felt right at home the minute we walked in the door. We can’t wait to be back,” said Lisa Della Rocca.

During the winter months, the banquet center often accommodates large crafting groups, church retreats, business and meeting events, and specialty functions that may require on-site lodging and group meal accommodations.

There are a lot of fun things to do at Bug-Bee Resort including fun in the water. Contributed photo

“When quilting and scrap-booking guests come, the place looks like a small manufacturing company,” said Paul.

Audio-visual equipment and extremely reliable internet accessibility is available throughout the resort.

A number of years ago, the Minnesota “Golden Gopher” football alumni association conducted several three-day fishing tournaments at the Bug-Bee Hive. Head coach, P.J. Fleck, hosted up to 200 Gopher alumni and fans at the resort to talk football and recruit new season ticket holders from rural Minnesota. Known for his ‘Row the Boat’ mantra — which translates to never giving up in the face of adversity — Fleck presented the Bugbees with an oar which is now proudly displayed on the walls inside the lodge.

Spring and fall weddings are commonplace at the resort as well, with a choice of locations for wedding ceremonies, receptions, and the celebration banquet. The catering kitchen allows complete flexibility as to meal choices, caterers, beverages, and timing of events.

In addition to the banquet center and catering kitchen, the main floor of the “Bee Keeper” lodge includes the reception lounge, a “Bee Sweet” ice cream shoppe, gift shop, library, wood fireplace, and the adjacent indoor swimming pool/recreation area. Additional three- and four-bedroom rental units are located on the third floor.

Bugbee says that running a resort is a “labor of love.” “It’s a lifestyle as well as a livelihood. It’s a great place to raise a family, to meet people, and to develop a strong work ethic.”

There is a lot of blood, sweat, and tears that go along with owning your own business, he said, but at the end of the day it’s all worth it.

There are a lot of fun things to do at Bug-Bee Resort including being a great spot for an outdoor wedding. Contributed photo 

“To hear a child’s laughter as they catch their first-ever fish, to observe the thrill of accomplishment when someone learns how to water ski, or to feel the warmth of a family gathered together around a bonfire; these are the experiences and memories that make us full,” Bugbee said.

“We are blessed to share our home and our resort with others. Please consider the Bug-Bee Hive Resort as your home away from home,” he added.

Open year-round, Bug-Bee Hive Resort is located 90 miles west of Minneapolis in the heart of central Minnesota’s lake country. You can find them at 29659 Queen Bee Lane, Paynesville, Minn. For more information or to make a reservation, call 320-243-4448 or visit them at www.bugbeehiveresort.com or on Facebook.

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