The American Club Resort in Kohler, Wisconsin

Home ownership, like parenting, provides its share of joys and troubles. I knew vacations would never be the same once we closed on our fixer-upper 1950s Cape Cod. So I figured that just like many parents-to-be take a prenatal last hurrah in the form of a babymoon, my family should head on a housemoon before taking possession. And I knew The American Club Resort in Kohler, Wisconsin was just the place to go.

Kohler, a village whose name you might recognize from your bathtub or kitchen sink, was the perfect Midwest destination for us because we also had plans to remodel our house’s old kitchen and bathrooms. Where else can you get a one-of-a-kind massage and see the trendiest bath fixtures?

The American Club Resort consists of two hotels and several recreational venues. Some of the facilities are blocks, or in the case of the stables and world-class golf courses, miles apart. No worries though; the resort provides plentiful, free shuttles and many of the buildings are an easy walk away. Still, the layout makes this a destination best suited for kids age 5 and up.

One hotel is the stately American Club, a lovely historic inn which once housed Kohler’s many immigrant employees and is now well-suited for families with well-behaved children. The other is the more relaxed Inn on Woodlake, where we stayed. Our “Prairie Suite” was clean and modern with upscale bathroom fixtures. On a cautionary note, the bathroom’s high-end five-nozzle shower might be a bit overwhelming to a young child. But my tween, teen and husband loved it. The latter was enamored to the point of now insisting that we replicate it in our new home.

The resort offers a variety of dining options, from the refined four-diamond Immigrant restaurant to casual family dining at Horse and Plow, the original hangout for Kohler workers. In fact, the current tabletops are made from the floors of the former American Club Bowling alley. In addition to family friendly fare, they serve a generous selection of Wisconsin beers. It’s also the place to try obligatory fried cheese curds.

The Greenhouse is a lovely cafe in which to linger over a light breakfast or a snack. Plan to chillax and soak in the vacation vibe in the antique solarium, on the nearby bench swing or in the surrounding, flower-packed courtyard. For a true indulgence, check out the Craverie Chocolatier Café,  home to some of Oprah’s favorite gourmet chocolates.

Health-conscious guests can burn those calories on one (or both) of the two world-class golf courses, horseback riding (pic below) or working out at the Sports Core fitness complex. Serious fans of the game should note that Blackwolf Run will be home to the 2012 U.S. Women’s Open. The resort also offers tennis, horseback riding and bike rental for a fee, with other resort activities such as swimming and hiking provided at no charge.

Whatever gets your blood pumping, Kohler Waters Spa is the place to relax afterward. In addition to the expected spas services like Swedish massages and pedicures, they offer unique treatments like special baths. I was treated to a Lavender Rain service that involved exfoliation, massage and so much water that at one point I was imagining what a mess it must be to clean up, but then I fell into a blissful state of deep relaxation and my “mom brain” shut down.

Along with relaxing spa services, visitors can indulge with a soak in the co-ed relaxation pool (bring your bathing suit), cool-plunge pool, and take a light snooze on the enclosed rooftop deck or dip in the co-ed  whirlpool on that level. I can easily imagine spending four or more hours at the spa.

If sports and spas aren’t you thing, the small village has educational options: learn about the history of the Kohler and the company in addition to checking out high-end bathrooms, not to mention Wisconsin’s version of the Great Wall of China at the Kohler Design Center. Even better, watch a bathtub get manufactured on the free Factory Tour (ages 14 and up). Other tour options include an architectural tour of the American Club and organized visits to the John Michael Kohler Arts Center, which is reported to have the fanciest urinals in the world (seriously! Google it.)

My family of four enjoyed a fun, relaxing weekend in weekend in Kohler, Wisconsin. I’m trying hard to recapture the spirit of our housemoon as I meet an endless stream of plumbers, electricians and pretty much every type of housing contractor under the sun.

ChicagoGal Kim Moldofsky is the mom of two tween boys who’s been blogging since 2005 at Hormone-colored Days, but now spends her time writing about her house at Reluctant Renovator. Her family was treated to their visit as guests of Kohler and the American Club Resort.

Kohler Hotels