(Above) Kohler Waters Spa at Destination Kohler in Kohler, Wisconsin. Photos courtesy of Kohler Waters Spa unless otherwise noted. (Click on images to see larger versions.)
A quartet of Kohler Waters Spas in Illinois and Wisconsin promise to refresh and renew body, mind, and spirit.
6-Feb-22 – The holiday frenzy is behind us and we’ve been through another year of pandemic pandemonium. Breathe deeply. Then, make an appointment to manage stress at a Kohler Waters spa.
Kohler, a name you know for luxury bathroom accessories, infuses a quartet of Midwestern spas with hydrotherapy expertise and a reputation for gracious living. The spas are in Lincoln Park in Chicago; Burr Ridge; and Green Bay and Kohler in Wisconsin. A fifth is at the prestigious Old Course Hotel in St. Andrews, Scotland.
Kohler Co. has been in the water business for nearly 150 years. In 1873, Jean Michel Kohler, an Austrian immigrant who made agricultural tools, enamelled a horse trough and called it a tub. Over the generations, the family business has become known worldwide as an innovative lifestyle brand.
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Expansion into spas was a natural transition, says Nikki MillerGlobal Director of Kohler Waters Spas. “As the world leader in plumbing, we are in a unique position to integrate our deep knowledge of the therapeutic benefits of water and high-performance product technology with gracious hospitality and service,” says Miller (left ). |
From one Kohler Waters Spa to another, the menus and amenities are nearly identical. The Burr Ridge and Lincoln Park locations are day spas, while Green Bay and Kohler reside in hotel properties. Travelers and those seeking refuge can expect the same experiences – and the signature scent of hollyhock – wherever they are.
Book your appointment and relax for as long as you like in serene spa suites featuring therapy pools, saunas, steam rooms and salons.
On the menu, more than 50 massages, hydrotherapies, wraps, facials, nail treatments and salon services. Miller reports that two of the most popular choices are the Himalayan Salt Stone Massage and the Lavender Rain Shower. A few treatments, like the Rain Man Hydrotherapy Experience, are designed specifically for men. All body treatments usually include some sort of exfoliation followed by moisturizing.
When reading various spa menus, whether at Kohler or elsewhere, you will sometimes notice the term Gingham shower.
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It refers to a hanging device with multiple showerheads that deliciously spit water when you lie in a shallow bed similar to a massage table (right). |
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The name comes from Vichy, a town in central France known for over 2,000 years for its hot mineral springs and thermal baths. (Not the French regime that collaborated with the Nazis in World War II.)
If the pandemic has brought societal benefits, Miller says, it’s because people have become more in tune with themselves and their desire to pursue wellness.
“Stay connected to others,” she says. “Take care of yourself, so you can be a better you for your family and friends.
Here’s a look at the four spas at Midwest Kohler Waters…
Kohler Waters Spa at Destination Kohler, Kohler, Wisconsin
The flagship of Kohler’s hotel portfolio is the American Club Resort Hotel in the company town of Kohler, just west of Sheboygan.
A five-star hotel with 241 rooms, it was built in 1918 as a dormitory for immigrant factory workers.
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The transformation into the luxury destination it is today began in 1981 and includes world-class restaurants, championship golf courses, shopping and the first Kohler Waters Spa. |
The rooms are appointed with the latest Kohler bath fixtures. The hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
While you’re in the neighborhood: Visit the Kohler Design Center, one showroom and one museum at a time, for plenty of inspiration for your next home improvement project. On display are beautiful tub designs by design stars, the latest Kohler products and one of the original tubs that started it all. Consult a Kohler designer for free, but reservations are strongly encouraged.
You can also take a class at the Yoga on the Lake studio overlooking the peaceful serenity of Wood Lake.
Kohler Waters Spa at Burr Ridge, Burr Ridge, Illinois
Last year, the spa underwent a major expansion that added new treatment rooms, a meditation space, and a Mediterranean-style cafe.
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A highlight of the project is the latest model of the Kohler Custom Vichy shower (right), which was designed exclusively for the spa. Photo by Pamela Dittmer McKuen |
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The state-of-the-art fixture hangs from the ceiling to allow the therapist greater flexibility of movement. Its horizontal arm houses six showerheads that can be customized based on water temperature, droplet size and shape, and spray intensity. Another novelty is LED light therapy, which is said to improve skin health and aid in cell repair.
While you’re in the neighborhood: Stroll through the Burr Ridge Village Center, an upscale mall with a plethora of shops, restaurants, and wellness services.
Discover Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve, a 220-acre urban wildlife refuge with trails through the woods and restored grasslands. Also on the grounds is the picturesque Graue Mill and Museum with a working water wheel flour mill.
Kohler Waters Spa at Kohler Lodge, Green Bay, Wisconsin
The Lodge Kohler is a boutique hotel anchored in the entertainment district of Titletown, across from Green Bay Packers’ Lambeau Field. Each of the 141 guest rooms and suites includes Kohler tubs, including programmable showerheads, and signature spa toiletries.
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The spa is discreetly tucked away behind closed doors on the first floor and adjacent to the indoor pools. (Left) Relaxation area at the Lodge Kohler location of the Kohler Waters Spa. |
If you are planning an overnight stay with your spa visit, check the Packers football schedule first. The hotel fills up well before home games.
While you’re in the neighborhood: The Green Bay Botanical Garden preserves and showcases the area’s outdoor beauty through all four seasons. Stroll along winding paths through 47 acres of themed gardens, natural green spaces and intriguing sculptures.
Indulge your sweet tooth at Seroogy’s, a legendary chocolatier serving handmade treats since 1899. The name is pronounced ser-OO-jeez.
Kohler Waters Spa in Lincoln Park, Chicago, Illinois
Escape the bustle of the city and immerse yourself in the rejuvenating environment of Kohler Waters Spa in the heart of Lincoln Park.
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Located in the live-work-play community of Lincoln Common, this is the newest in the Kohler spa portfolio. The two-level spa is designed with indoor and outdoor relaxation areas; Validated parking is offered. |
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While you’re in the neighborhood: Keep your zen at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. Butterfly Paradise, a greenhouse with over 1,000 free-flying exotic Lepidoptera, feels like summer all year round.
Or feel your personal power by visiting the permanent exhibit at the Chicago History Museum, Chicago women and the vote.
