A few weeks ago my husband, Andy, and I escaped the hustle and bustle of city life to visit The American Club in Kohler, Wisconsin. Located only one hour north of Milwaukee, this charming community feels like worlds away. The American Club is one of the premier resort hotels in the Midwest and it is known for its service, amenities and outstanding hospitality.

While we were there, my husband and I enjoyed a weekend in one of The American Club’s luxurious Immersion Suites in The Carriage House. The Carriage House is adjacent to the club’s main lodging and has 55 guest rooms. It is home to the renowned Kohler Waters Spa, which offers saunas, numerous treatments and a rooftop deck with a whirlpool.

The idyllic Village of Kohler may once have been an immigrant community of workers at the Kohler factory, but it has evolved into a world-class destination. The American Club experience offers phenomenal dining choices, excellent spa services and numerous shops and activities.

On our first night, we dined at Cucina, which is an Italian restaurant located in The Shops at Woodlake, approximately five minutes from the hotel. The restaurant was celebrating its 20th anniversary and offered an August 1989 throwback menu featuring dishes from the original menu. The food and service at Cucina were excellent. The menu offered many different entrees and an extensive wine list. We tried the pesto chicken pasta and grilled salmon.

On Saturday morning, we enjoyed the complimentary continental breakfast at The Carriage House. There were many different choices and it was quite good.

In addition to the various restaurants located in and around The American Club, there is also the Woodlake Market, which offers gourmet foods and wine.

Later Saturday night, we dined at the Immigrant Restaurant, an exceptional-rated establishment. The Immigrant Restaurant is known to be Kohler’s most elegant dining experience and it certainly did not disappoint. My husband and I enjoyed a cheese flight for appetizers, sea bass and filet for entrees and shared lemon crème brulee for dessert.

During our weekend, we also enjoyed lunches at both of Kohler’s world-class golf courses, Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run. Clearly, we left our weekend in Kohler very well fed.

At The American Club, we also experienced the beautiful Kohler Waters Spa. As previously mentioned, we stayed in The Carriage House, which is attached to the spa facilities. Kohler Waters Spa focuses on the therapeutic elements of water. It offers an extensive menu of services including facials, massages, water treatments, manicures and pedicures.

After a little coaxing, (must be a guy thing) my husband joined me for a couples massage. Our masseuses were excellent and we both felt very relaxed after our 50-minute Swedish massages.

I then enjoyed a wonderful Chardonnay Pedicure with a foot massage. Another nice perk is that clients are given the bottle of nail polish to keep with all nail treatments. That definitely comes in handy when the paint begins to chip!

After my pedicure, I met my husband up on the rooftop deck. The rooftop spa has many inviting couches with a fireplace and a hot tub. It is the perfect place to relax with a book or cup of tea. The rooftop deck is available complimentary to all guests of The Carriage House and Kohler Water Spa.

In addition to dining and “spa-ing,” we also visited the Shops at Woodlake. There are over 20 boutiques and specialty stores that offer everything from gourmet foods to home furnishings.

The Craverie, also located in the Shops at Woodlake, is home to the Kohler Original Recipe Chocolates. At this café/chocolate shop, you can sit and enjoy coffee and desserts while taking in the view of Wood Lake. The Kohler Original Chocolates are very tasty, Oprah Winfrey even featured them in her February 2009 issue of “O” The Oprah Magazine.

Being a responsible journalist, I taste-tested a few of these popular candies and can report my favorite is the Hazelnut Coffee.

Besides the restaurants, spas and shops, many people make Kohler their destination of choice because of the outstanding golf courses. Whistling Straits is one of the premier golf courses in the U.S and it will be hosting the 92nd PGA Championship in August 2010. The golf course boasts beautiful views of Lake Michigan and is modeled after the famous courses in the British Isles.

The other world-renowned golf course in Kohler is Blackwolf Run. While touring Blackwolf Run, we learned that much of the course was then closed for maintenance in preparation to hosting the 2012 U.S. Women’s Open.

Kohler is truly a golfer’s dream with two great venues within fifteen minutes of each other. Much to my husband’s disappointment, he was unable to golf because he was on crutches from a recent ankle surgery. He hopes to make it back to Kohler sometime soon and golf one of the great courses. I, on the other hand, will stick with the spa!

The American Club in Kohler, Wisconsin offers great dining choices, relaxing spa treatments, unique shops and world-class golf. There is much to do and see – a perfect weekend retreat that features outstanding amenities, wonderful service and exceptional hospitality.