Kohler, WI. American Club?

[Tinkrbell]

Has anyone ever been to Kohler on (or off off) points? Any tips, pointers, advice on the resort anyone could offer? Is it kid friendly, or leave the kids home, kind of place?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Tess W]

I have stayed at the American Club in Kohler half a dozen times for business in the last ten years. It is an absolutely lovely, serene environment. The service is exceptional. Very tasteful and high quality-oriented. It is owned by Kohler (of bathroom fixture fame). There are several categories of rooms which get progressively more elaborate as far as the space/and yes, the bathrooms go. Spring for something in a higher category than the "base" if possible. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing bad about the lowest category of rooms, it is a very nice room. (European comforters are standard, etc.) I have two children (ages 6 and 2) and would not bring the kids. There isn't that much of a kid focus. Plus, the environment is more refined than it is stimulating. They offer exceptional golf, a comprehensive sports core/spa, horseback riding, etc. Oh, I almost forgot: The Design Center will make you want to remodel your bathrooms and kitchen at home! People schedule visits for the sole purpose of spending time at the Design Center when building or remodeling. What time of year are you planning to go?

(My former company used to host a get-away there. They tried to move it to a different location one year, but guest feedback strongly urged them to move it back to the American Club. That is just one indication of how nice it is).

Have fun!

 

[drusba]

It is one of if not the best golf resort in the US. The courses there are fantastic. And ditto to the above, you may want to get a higher than standard room. The one thing about the rooms is that being Kohler they go all out in the design and elaborateness of the bathrooms (you could almost just stay in it). Agree with above that it is not very kid oriented unless the kids are like mine--teens who play golf.

 

[Doctor P]

One of the final selling points for me of buying into DVC was that the American Club was on the Concierege List at the time we purchased and offered a reasonably close option for us to use our points if we couldn't go to Disney sometime. I have always wanted to stay and play golf at the American Club.

 

[Tinkrbell]

Thanks alot for the advice, we were thinking of going in the late summer or early fall. Maybe we will make it mid-late fall based on the feedback. I have a 4 1/2 and 2 year old and it definitly does not sound like they should join us.

DH has been dying to go there ever since he saw the listing in the CC.

Tess- Is there a restaurant that is a must do, or are they all good?

Thanks

 

[Jimbo]

Their main restaurant is the Immigrant Room, and it was pretty good, but very expensive. We had lunch at the clubhouse at Blackwolf Run, one of the golf courses, and it was very good too. For snacks and such they have a cool gazebo in the courtyard part of the resort. It's an ice cream parlor that doubles as a coffee shop.

There's also an upscale shopping mall in Kohler, and we had a couple good meals there. There was a real good Italian restaurant as I recall.

But the best meal I had was in their nature preserve. This area isn't open to the public, but resort guests can buy a one day pass ($10 or so). We did some hiking through the reserve (there were deer all around us), to a lodge that's somewhere in there. We had a terrific lunch in a great setting. Highly recommended.

 

[Tess W]

Late summer and/or early fall will be fabulous. The air is crisp and the scenery is spectacular. Yes, if you can arrange it, leave the little ones with Grandma and Grandpa. Plan on an adults-only, pampered get-away. The Immigrant Room is very high-end. Excellent food and service and the price to match. I would go there for a "special occasion" dinner -- Anniversary, etc. The Shops at Woodlake have a restaurant or too that are quite good. Enjoy!

 

[BCV23]

Like Doctor P, being able to use our points at the American Club was a factor for DH in our decision to buy DVC. It is a wonderful resort with perfect, perfect service...accomodating,prompt,friendly without being familiar. Each room has a whirlpool and the bathrooms are beautiful. One of the golf courses, Blackwolf Run (or something like) is along the shores of Lake Michigan. My DH and sons love it. My DH thinks that it is more beautiful than Pebble Beach.

 

[Jimbo]

The course along Lake Michigan is called Whistling Straits. It's designed to look like a Scottish links course, with pot bunkers and the lake subbing for the sea. The theme is carried over to the clubhouse, too. I haven't played it, but my brother has and just raved about the experience.

 

[BCV23]

Whoops, Jimbo's right. Whistling Straits has two courses, The Straits (by the lake) and the Irish Course. Blackwolf Run is composed of the Meadows and the River Course.