Kohler Waters Spa Reviews Spa Features Lifestyle Gayot

"Highland Fling" in the Midwest
Kohler Waters Spa
by Jennifer Olvera

The 36-foot relaxation pool

Kohler Waters Spa is located two-and-a-half hours from Chicago and one hour north of Milwaukee, in a planned garden village community. This destination spa attracts a national and international clientele consisting of guests at The American Club, which houses the spa, as well as day-trippers making the drive to get a dose of all-out luxury. Hydrotherapy is the spa’s main focus—which is no wonder, given the property is owned by the Kohler family, renowned makers of kitchen and bath fixtures. Expect to be soothed by the sound of trickling waterfalls, plunge in a dramatic relaxation pool with an eight-foot water-wall and take in treatments in water-themed rooms.

On the main floor, black and white marble tile and gracious seating areas give guests a place to linger before heading downstairs to the respite area with steam rooms, saunas, tiled whirlpool bath and cool plunge pool outfitted with Kohler’s famous fixtures and faucets.

The Immersion Suites

Tile and tumbled stone from Ann Sacks exude a sleek, soothing vibe, which is mimicked by the marine and earth-inspired color palette of the public spaces. An enclosed glass rooftop deck with whirlpool, fireplace and lounge is the perfect place to relax in-between services.

From chocolate pedicures to golf, aromatherapy to Great Lakes stone massages, the spa boasts a full line of treatments. But the real reason to come is for experiences like the Highland Fling, an exfoliating full-body treatment with aromatic mint oil and coffee ground application done while under the streams of a Vichy shower. Buckets of water, gathered from a deep copper tub nearby, are flung on the body. It’s a strangely relaxing experience that’s followed by an application of moisturizing, smells-good-enough-to-eat chocolate body butter. Also drawing healing from water, the Vie facial swathes skin in marine and seaside botanical extracts, while shiatsu and lymph drainage techniques help boost the skin’s function. An added perk: the service ends with a foot massage and hydrating eye-lift masque.