What it is

A century-old resort on 500 acres by the people that invented the modern bathtub.

What it isn't

So old school that it’s boring. Yes, The American Club was built in 1918, but its activities would wow any latter-day royal, whether you feel like driving a courtesy BMW through the Sheboygan County Landmarks Tour or shooting sporting clays that simulate a running rabbit.

What we think

Spoiler alert: you’ll have the best shower of your life here. That’s because each traditionally-tailored room is fitted with Kohler’s latest and greatest fixtures. But that’s only the beginning of the fun here, where exploits are worthy of a champagne toast year-round. In winter, guests try everything from Bavarian curling to ice fishing the Sheboygan Marsh. After the thaw? Hit the 10,000-square foot racquet club or hike onto the lake for al fresco yoga on a lofted platform—namaste, indeed.

You're here because

No surprise for a company that makes some of the world’s very best bathroom fixtures, but the Kohler Waters Spa here is legendary. Among their high-tech new offerings? A CBD massage and a virtual reality pedicure that takes you through a magical meditation as your tootsies receive five star pampering.

The Moment

In 1924, when Kohler was just a little-known startup, its staffers would meet in a taproom for R & R (and plenty of tipples). Now known as The Horse & Plow, it’s still the place to let loose bigly—so no wonder your shoulders drop as soon as you walk in. Famished, you settle in to a cozy seat with fireplace views and order a pork schnitzel with Jaeger mushroom sauce, then wash it back with a Wisconsin craft beer. Hey, hitting the spa can be exhausting.

Restaurants & Bars

The Immigrant Restaurant - American cuisine with modern European influences

The Wisconsin Room - Seasonally rotating farm-fresh cuisine in an elegant atmosphere

The Greenhouse - Garden café

The Horse & Plow - American classics in a cozy atmosphere

The Winery Bar - European-style wine cellar

Location

In Kohler, Wisconsin (population: 2,081), about an hour north of Milwaukee.