Highlights: The American Club

•The American Club is in the unique resort village of Kohler, Wisconsin, founded by the famous kitchen and bath fixture manufacturer

•Architecture recalls an English country manor house

•Rooms and suites have a comfortable country elegance

•The American Club and Destination Kohler are home to nine restaurants, offering a variety of succulent cuisine

•Set amid a relaxing waterfall, at the Mobil Three-Star Kohler Waters Spa offers a comprehensive treatment menu

•Golfers have their choice of four championship golf courses

Amenities: The American Club

• 240 rooms, 3 story. Check-in 4 pm, check-out Noon. High-speed Internet access, wireless Internet access. 8 restaurants, 5 bars. Children's activity center. Fitness room, fitness classes available, spa. Beach. Indoor pool, children's pool, whirlpool. Golf, 72 holes. Tennis. Airport transportation available. Business center. Credit cards accepted.

General Impressions: The American Club

While the company is perhaps better known as an internationally recognized plumbing and bath fixtures brand, Kohler is equally famous for its unique village destination in the heart of the Midwest. The planned village of Kohler looks like a slice of an English countryside transplanted to America. Its rolling green fairways recall the famed links of Scotland and Ireland, while the immaculately maintained English garden looks like something straight out of a Henry James novel. While the village is home to four championship golf courses, a renowned spa, and two hotels, it’s The American Club hotel that stands out the crown jewel.

The American Club has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a boarding house for immigrant workers who couldn’t afford to pay for lodging and meals, and worked at the Kohler company. Today, its sophisticated country styling appeals to leisure and business travelers alike. Its stone manor house reminds visitors of a country estate in the Cotswolds, but this hotel is far from fussy or intimidating. A welcoming atmosphere pervades the entire property, especially in the luxuriously comfortable rooms and suites, where top-of-the-line Kohler fittings are the only reminder of the village’s provenance. It is far from corny, though this make-believe village could indeed feel like a Disneyland for adults, with its numerous amenities and features, including a shopping village, private beach, glorious 11-acre spring-fed lake, and nine different restaurants.

The American Club is a good bet for vacations, and is a particularly good fit for golfers and spa aficionados. It’s a perfect destination for mother-daughter getaways, men’s golf weekends, and romantic escapes. Since the hotel is located within a resort village, it’s unlikely that solo business travelers would book this hotel, but it is a natural choice for corporate group retreats, meetings, or incentive travel.

Families with older children who enjoy sports, lounging on the beach, and indulging at the spa will feel comfortable here. Since The Carriage House accommodations and spa are limited to those over the age of 16, and the hotel lacks child-friendly amenities, it’s probably not the best choice for travelers with infants or young children.

(+) Unique and charming village-style destination resort with first-rate amenities

Guest Services: The American Club

The American Club treats its guests to warm, personalized service from the moment the reservation is placed to the farewell greeting. When I called to make my reservation, the staff member was clearly well informed about the property and offered a detailed, though not tedious, account of the room differences, property features and amenities.

My arrival service was equally well performed. I was greeted immediately upon arrival and while the front desk clerk was somewhat soft spoken, it was in keeping with the hotel’s quiet setting. I felt that my arrival was anticipated, and the staff members I encountered were friendly, yet always professional. The bellman gave me a particularly good orientation of my room, and also provided helpful information about the hotel, including the tea service.

The laundry service was exemplary. Sensing my need for a prompt turn-around time, the operator handled my needs swiftly and accurately. Housekeeping, while perfectly adequate, was the only department that didn’t seem as professional as the rest of the hotel’s staff. The housekeeping staff I encountered seemed somewhat inexperienced for a hotel of this caliber, though I did speak with several highly trained operators when I called housekeeping. In general, I felt very well taken care of while staying at The American Club.

(+) Gracious, professional staff is caring and attentive

Guest Rooms: The American Club

The American Club offers a wide variety of rooms and suites. There are four different room categories including Standard, Deluxe, Superior, and Heritage rooms. Suites are divided between Immersion, Carriage house, Governor, and Presidential categories. Additionally, the rooms and suites are divided between the main hotel and The Carriage House, which is also home to the spa. While the accommodations in The Carriage House are slightly off the beaten path, they are ideal for spa-goers who simply want to don their robes and ride the elevator directly to the Kohler Waters Spa.

The rooms and suites are the very definition of country elegance. Overstuffed couches and chairs, large four-poster or elegant wood beds, and distinctive artwork create a comfortable yet luxurious atmosphere. The rooms and suites feature the latest fixtures from Kohler, as well as furnishings from Baker and McGuire.

My room was extremely attractive and relaxing. The bed was exceptionally comfortable and the linens and fluffy pillows were ideal for long slumbers. The quality of the linens, the sparkling Kohler fittings, and the luxurious spa bath products made up for the room’s somewhat diminutive size. Despite the close quarters, I felt very much at home in this room.

(+) Charming country elegance with plush amenities
(-) Room’s size was smaller than expected, but cozy and exceptionally comfortable

Facilities & Activities: The American Club

There’s never a dull moment at The American Club. This hotel offers something for everyone, though golf and spa are the two leading reasons for staying at this posh property.

Golfers have their choice of four championship courses. Blackwolf Run and Whistling Straits are both home to two courses each, and these beloved links have consistently ranked among the nation’s best each year. Designed by legendary designer Pete Dye, the courses are as challenging as they are rewarding.

Of course, with a leading water company like Kohler behind the brand, it is no wonder that the Kohler Waters Spa is an exceptional facility. Fresh and modern design, complete with a relaxing waterfall, dominates this soothing space, and the treatment menu is comprehensive. In addition to its tempting spa treatments, there is Sports Core, the property’s fitness and racquet club, just two blocks from the spa. Fitness and wellness programs are a highlight of this facility.

There’s more to The American Club than just golf and spa, though. The village of Kohler, one of the oldest planned communities in the United States, also has full-time residents, private clubs, and a shopping area filled with boutiques carrying clothing, accessories, and gifts.

(+) Renowned golf and spa, as well as many other activities

Dining & Lounge: The American Club

Kohler Village is home to nine different restaurants, and five of them are located within The American Club. The hotel is a gourmand’s destination, often hosting wine and food festivals. The restaurants’ atmospheres run from casual to chic at this resort, where diners can indulge their different tastes at a new place each day.

The Winery Bar, a Mobil Three-Star-rated restaurant, is a seductive space featuring an extensive Wisconsin cheese list, as well as 400 wines. Once the tap room for workers who lived at The American Club, The Horse & Plow Restaurant is a perfect place for a beer and a sandwich. Breakfast and dinner are served in the stately Wisconsin Room, where crystal chandeliers and lead glass windows set a regal tone. The restaurant also hosts a Friday night seafood buffet.

Are you in the mood for coffee, pastries, or ice cream? The Greenhouse hits the spot with its fun-filled, casual atmosphere. The American Club’s Immigrant Restaurant beckons guests to celebrate special occasions or simply enjoy an elegant night of wining and dining. This restaurant’s sophisticated setting and inspired cuisine make it a favorite of gourmands.

In addition to the offerings at The American Club, there are two dining options at the golf courses, one café in the sports facility, and an Italian eatery in the shopping village. I was able to take advantage of room service as well as breakfast at The Horse & Plow.

Since my room was rather small, it wasn’t conducive to in-room dining, but I was pleased overall with the quality of the food and the timely, accommodating, and gracious staff. I was less impressed with my experience at The Horse & Plow. On several occasions, I found that service was somewhat slow and not as smooth as I expect.

(+) Wide assortment of restaurants appeals to different tastes and moods
(-) Service at The Horse & Plow wasn’t as smooth and timely as other venues

Business Services: The American Club

The American Club would be a wonderful destination for a corporate event. The hotel has 23 different meeting spaces and ballrooms that, in total, provide more than 20,000-plus square feet of space. Some rooms have stadium seating with padded seats and tables facing a wall screen and podium that can easily be used for lectures or conferences.

After the business is taken care of, the hotel staff that helped with the meeting plans can also plan a variety of indoor and outdoor recreational activities for your group--golf and tennis, spa treatments, shopping village, restaurants, and the fitness facility make Kohler Village a natural choice for group gatherings.

The rooms and suites feature wireless Internet, direct dial phones, and voice mail, making it very convenient for travelers to conduct business while away from the office.

(+) Meeting space and planned activities can add to a corporate meeting or retreat