American Appeal
When The American Club opened in 1918, no one could have seen the magnificent future it had in store. Originally a dormitory for single men working at the new Kohler factory in Kohler, Wisconsin, it provided comfortable and affordable housing for the immigrants and included such amenities as a bowling alley, pub and barbershop.
Also ensuring that workers had three meals a day, as well as lessons in American citizenship and the English language, it was an ambitious and visionary project. The dormitory served its purpose for several years, but a few decades later — when immigrants no longer needed the housing and it had fallen into disrepair — many thought it had outlived its purpose.
Instead, it found a second life in 1981 when it reopened as a world-class hotel destination. And it relied upon that same visionary approach to transform itself into an iconic Forbes five-star and AAA five-diamond hotel with an experience unlike any other in the U.S.
Today, visitors to Destination Kohler and The American Club can choose exactly what kind of getaway they want. Regardless of what you come for — an active vacation, a quiet retreat, indulgent and unique dining experiences, or a little bit of everything — the resort is designed to provide all those and more.
Since every room and suite at The American Club is uniquely designed, no two stays here will be the same. Select high-end furnishings complemented with rich fabrics and materials provide a luxurious sense of space behind every door. While the rooms feel largely traditional, with dark woods and rich tile, the Carriage House Immersion Suites provide a fresh spa feeling with light wood, a modern open concept room, and an oversized Kohler whirlpool bath, as well as a Technogym Wellness Rack with free weights within the suite.
In the Presidential Suite, you’ll find a distinctive overnight experience that includes a spacious bedroom with a separate living room and dining room designed for entertaining. The large bathroom includes a steam shower, and a gas fireplace in the living room, making this the perfect place to relax after a day in the great outdoors.
GOING OUT TO PLAY?
At Whistling Straits, a pair of championship golf courses designed by legendary American golf course designer Pete Dye offer distinctly different golf experiences for guests.
The Straits, its flagship course, is a walking-only course that runs along two miles of the Lake Michigan shoreline. Capitalizing on the naturally rugged terrain, it provides an open playing experience that replicates the seaside links of Ireland and the U.K. Its coastal setting means you won’t find many trees or woods on the course, but there are stone bridges, rolling greens, deep bunkers, and plenty of wind to add an extra bit of challenge to the game.
Since being built in 1998, it has played host to multiple PGA championships and the 2021 Ryder Cup. With more than 1,000 bunkers, it is both intimidating and breathtaking but is, above all, a must-play.
Going inland, you’ll find the Irish Course, a grass-and-dune layout built in 2000. With man-made lakes and large sanding areas, it has no shortage of hazards, but it makes excellent use of those hazards and also offers generous fairways and many players find it more visually interesting than its older sibling. Since it’s slightly less demanding than the Straits Course, it can be an excellent starting point for your stay.
But your golfing adventure doesn’t have to end there; Dye also designed two more championship courses at Destination Kohler’s Blackwolf Run complex. The River is a fun, highly rated course that ranks 18th on Golf Digest’s list of Best Public Courses. With water or gorges on 14 of its 18 holes and large undulating greens, it serves up a playing experience that is both scenic and challenging. The unique design of the course has spurred many discussions over whether the Straits or the River is the best of the four courses, but you’ll have to play it for yourself to make that determination.
Last but not least, the Meadow Valley course is a great starting point for a golfing getaway; it is less demanding and doesn’t have the abundance of water hazards found at the River course. It allows you to ease into your game in the front nine, but don’t let yourself get too comfortable: The back nine requires you to step it up with more challenging holes and terrain.
INSPIRED DINING
Whether you want to start your day with a hearty meal or end it with a fine dining experience, Destination Kohler has you covered. Restaurants such as The Immigrant Restaurant & Winery and The Wisconsin Room give a nod to its roots; The Wisconsin Room was the original dining hall for Kohler workers and today it serves up farm-fresh cuisine in an elegantly relaxed environment.
At the award-winning, four-star Immigrant Restaurant & Winery, you’ll find six unique rooms that pay homage to the style of early Wisconsin settlers (French, Dutch, German, Normandy, Danish, and English), and each dish combines contemporary American cuisine with modern influences from these regions. Or, enjoy a golf course view with your meal at the Blackwolf Run American grill.
If you’re looking to keep it simple, there’s The Greenhouse garden café, the Awakening juice and coffee bar, and the contemporary casual Taverne on Woodlake.
The American Club, 419 Highland Drive, Kohler, WI (800) 344-2838, destinationkohler.com