For golfers, teeing off on the links at Whistling Straits, with its rugged terrain and panoramic Lake Michigan views, is a legendary moment. Similarly, the courses at Blackwolf Run, trace the magical Sheboygan River Valley, and brings a mystical quality to any golfer’s game. Tucked away near Sheboygan, Wisconsin, the four iconic courses have made the destination of Kohler famous when it comes to impressive golf experiences. Host of six majors and the 43rd Ryder Cup, the Pete Dye-designed courses are not only captivating in their beauty, but they are also the world-renowned home of champions.
While championship golf might have put Kohler on the map, making it one of North America’s most premier sporting destinations, its allure extends far beyond the game itself. From immersive wellness rituals to field-to-fork dining, outdoor escapades to design experiences, Kohler is more akin to a sprawling luxury resort. Here, visitors can tap into its rich heritage, nature, and culture, not to mention a line-up of activities that span all interests.
Kohler’s roots stretch back to the early 1900s, when it was built by the Olmsted brothers as a factory town and garden community for the Kohler Company, a brand known for its groundbreaking kitchen and bathroom design. As one of the USA’s first planned communities, it has a fascinating history and, today, visitors can have a deep dive into the past by booking a tour at the Kohler Factory or staying at The American Club hotel. Built as housing for factory employees, the latter was reimagined as a five-star hotel in the 1980s (guests can check out the Kohler products found throughout).
The Kohler Company rose to become a brand known for its innovation and craftsmanship and a visit to the Kohler Design Centre celebrates this legacy, with the three-story building showcasing the trailblazing product design that has shaped the company for generations.
For outdoor adventures, however, a visit to Kohler also places you in the midst of nature. River Wildlife is Kohler’s private, members-only recreational and dining club, giving guests access to 500 acres of protected wilderness, including seven miles of the Sheboygan river and more than 18 miles of meandering woodland trails. Hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and cross-country skiing are just a few of the exhilarating outdoor experiences to be enjoyed under never-ending Midwestern skies.
Whether it’s the adrenalin rush after a demanding round of golf or the thrill of being lost in bucolic nature, wellbeing is threaded through every Kohler experience. A visit to the celebrated Kohler Waters Spa, however, offers a true immersion into personalized wellness experiences that are attuned to your own needs. As Wisconsin’s only Forbes five-star spa, treatments are inspired by the healing powers of water, with hydrotherapy, nourishing rituals, and thermal facilities at the heart of the offering. A must is the Lavender Rain signature treatment, which includes a special lavender and eucalyptus exfoliating ritual followed by a Vichy shower, custom made by Kohler, of course. It goes without saying that there’s a bulging menu of therapies to choose from, including the Ammortal Chamber, which offers the latest in resorative tech treatments, such as red light and vibroacoustic therapies. Hydrotherapy rooms, steam rooms ,and quiet spaces, meanwhile,offer water-inspired treatments that draw on the Kohler’s long-standing expertise in innovation.
Dining at Kohler, Wisconsin could be called a destination in itself, with restaurants across the resort offering up culinary experiences that have been thoughtfully crafted. Whether you’re after a Sunday brunch or fresh-baked treats, the line-up of eateries caters to every taste. For fine-dining, head to The Immigrant Restaurant, inspired by Wisconsin’s early settlers and driven by local, sustainable ingredients, with techniques and flavors shaped by generations of culinary influence. Meanwhile, for something classic, The Wisconsin Room, found in the American Club’s original dining room, is a modern steakhouse serving crowd-pleasing cuts – from filet mignon to wagyu beef.
For those in search of unsurpassed golf experiences, there’s no doubt that Kohler delivers. Yet, visitors will also discover a destination where fairways coexist with a breadth of immersive luxury experiences long after the last shot has been hit.
For more information on what’s on offer at Kohler, Wisconsin, visit here.