Hotels Near Of MeWisconsinSheboygan CountyKohlerHighland Drive
419 Highland Dr, Kohler, WI 53044, USA
World class, great hospitality, attention to detail and commitment across the board from all levels. The variety of food, amenities and comfortable rooms really elevated the experience.
The American Club: An Insider’s Look at Wisconsin’s Crown Jewel of Hospitality
For those of us who call Wisconsin home, The American Club in Kohler is more than just a resort hotel; it's a legendary institution. Known globally for its unmatched luxury and impeccable service, this is a place that fills us with local pride. Originally built as a dormitory for immigrant workers of the Kohler Company, it has been meticulously transformed into a Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond resort, a testament to its commitment to excellence. This article is written from a local's perspective, designed to give you a clear, engaging, and in-depth understanding of what makes this resort so special. We'll explore its rich history, its stunning location within the village of Kohler, and the world-class amenities that make it a truly unforgettable destination. Whether you're considering a grand staycation, a special occasion getaway, or a weekend of pampering and golf, this guide will provide you with all the information you need to appreciate what a truly unique and incredible place we have right in our own state.
The sentiment from guests who have stayed at The American Club is nothing short of extraordinary. Reviews consistently use words like "world class," "hands-down the best luxury resort I’ve ever experienced," and "luxury perfection, American-style." Guests are wowed by the "attention to detail and commitment across the board from all levels," praising everything from the design of the rooms to the quality of the food. The resort is described as a place that is steeped in history yet offers a level of modern luxury that is "unmatched, possibly the best on the planet." This level of consistent, glowing feedback speaks volumes about the quality of the experience provided here. It's a place where every element—from the "gorgeous furniture" to the "jaw-dropping bathrooms with those Kohler fixtures"—has been carefully considered to create a sense of refined elegance. For a local, knowing that a place of this caliber exists in our own state makes it an even more appealing and accessible option for a truly special getaway.
Location and Accessibility
The American Club is located at 419 Highland Dr, Kohler, WI 53044, USA. This address places it in the heart of the picturesque, planned village of Kohler. The resort is an integral part of the Destination Kohler experience, which spans across a beautiful 500-acre property. The location is a perfect blend of historic charm and natural beauty, situated near the Sheboygan River and surrounded by meticulously maintained grounds. The resort is a destination in itself, but it also offers easy access to a variety of other Kohler-owned properties and amenities. For locals, this means you can enjoy a sense of being far away from the everyday hustle without a long, complicated journey. It's easily accessible from major population centers like Milwaukee and Madison, making it a perfect spot for a weekend retreat without the need for a plane ticket.
Accessibility is a key part of the resort's seamless experience. While The American Club is the flagship hotel, guests have access to the entire Destination Kohler network, which includes other lodging options, world-class golf courses, and various restaurants and shops. The resort offers a complimentary on-demand shuttle service that transports guests throughout the village, so you don't have to worry about driving from one spot to the next. For those who enjoy the outdoors, the resort is set amidst "500 acres of pure beauty" with "18 miles of scenic woodland trails" and the Sheboygan River meandering through the property, offering opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. The resort’s location combines a sense of exclusive seclusion with the convenience of being part of a larger, well-serviced community, a unique combination that makes it highly suitable for locals looking for a comprehensive getaway experience.
Services Offered
Kohler Waters Spa: This is a major highlight, with one guest describing the massages as "unreal" and the overall vibe as "next-level relaxation." The spa offers an array of hydrotherapy services and innovative treatments, all utilizing the famous Kohler plumbing fixtures for a truly unique and indulgent experience.
Complimentary On-Demand Shuttle: The resort provides a free shuttle service that transports guests throughout the village of Kohler, to various restaurants, the spa, and the championship golf courses. This service makes it incredibly easy and stress-free to get around the sprawling property.
World-Class Golf Courses: The American Club is the lodging component of the world-renowned golf courses of Blackwolf Run and Whistling Straits. These courses have hosted major championships, including the Ryder Cup, and are a massive draw for golf enthusiasts from around the globe.
Fine Dining and Room Service: The resort offers a variety of dining experiences, from the elegant Wisconsin Room to the more casual Horse & Plow. One guest specifically noted that the "food is out of this world," including room service, highlighting the culinary excellence that permeates the entire resort.
Fitness and Wellness Amenities: Guests have access to a state-of-the-art health and racquet club, which includes tennis courts and fitness facilities. The resort also offers classes like yoga and indoor cycling, ensuring a variety of wellness options are available.
Business and Event Services: The American Club has extensive meeting and event space, making it a popular choice for weddings, corporate retreats, and other special gatherings. They offer a range of services to accommodate any event, from small meetings to large conferences.
Features / Highlights
AAA Five-Diamond and Forbes Five-Star Rating: The American Club is the only hotel in Wisconsin to hold this prestigious dual rating. This designation speaks to the exceptional quality, service, and amenities that guests can expect at every turn.
Unmatched Room Design and Bathrooms: Customer reviews consistently praise the "design of the rooms" as being "unmatched." The bathrooms are a particular highlight, featuring "jaw-dropping" Kohler fixtures, including high-tech showers and soaking tubs, creating a private spa-like experience in every room.
Historic and Architectural Beauty: The building itself is a masterpiece of Tudor Revival-style architecture. Originally a dormitory for immigrant workers, it's on the National Register of Historic Places, blending a rich, patriotic history with modern luxury. The common areas are described as "stunning," adding to the overall grandeur of the resort.
Exceptional Service and Hospitality: The reviews emphasize the "pure class" and "top-notch service" from every staff member. This commitment to genuine hospitality and attention to detail is a defining feature of The American Club experience.
Nature and Outdoor Activities: The resort is set on over 500 acres of "pure beauty." This includes miles of scenic trails, a private wilderness preserve, and the Sheboygan River, offering a variety of outdoor activities and a true escape into nature.
Contact Information
To learn more or to book a reservation at The American Club, you can use the following contact details:
Address: 419 Highland Dr, Kohler, WI 53044, USA
Phone: (844) 247-9140
Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals
For Wisconsinites, The American Club is more than just a resort; it's a destination that allows you to experience world-class luxury and hospitality right in your own backyard. It is the perfect place for a truly special occasion—an anniversary, a birthday, or simply a well-deserved escape. This resort is suitable for locals because it offers a comprehensive and deeply enriching getaway experience without the need for a long, arduous journey. You can enjoy everything from unparalleled spa treatments to championship golf, all within a short drive. The seamless integration of a historic building with stunning natural surroundings and modern, luxurious amenities creates a unique atmosphere that is both grand and welcoming. The genuine, top-notch service from the staff makes every guest feel like a VIP, a quality that resonates deeply with our state’s friendly spirit. The American Club is a testament to the fact that you don’t have to travel far to find one of the best luxury experiences in the world, making it a source of local pride and an ideal choice for a memorable and luxurious Wisconsin retreat.
419 Highland Dr, Kohler, WI 53044, USA
World class, great hospitality, attention to detail and commitment across the board from all levels. The variety of food, amenities and comfortable rooms really elevated the experience.
Jun 10, 2025 · Jack HolubaThe American Club in Kohler, Wisconsin, is hands-down the best luxury resort I’ve ever experienced—and I’ve been around the world, including Russia! The design of the rooms is simply unmatched, possibly the best on the planet. This is true AMERICAN luxury, done in American style in every sense—gorgeous furniture, perfect lighting, jaw-dropping bathrooms with those Kohler fixtures, stunning common areas, and the building itself is a masterpiece. No place compares. Everything you could want from a luxury getaway is here, wrapped up in incredible nature—500 acres of pure beauty with trails and the Sheboygan River. The food? Out of this world. Including room service. The service everywhere is top-notch—pure class. Then there’s the Kohler Waters Spa—holy cow, the massages are unreal, and the whole vibe is next-level relaxation. I can’t recommend this place enough. It’s luxury perfection, American-style, and nothing else comes close. 🇺🇸
Mar 13, 2025 · L. Asher Corson*This is a wedding review* We held our wedding at Destination Kohler in August 2023, drawn by its reputation for excellence and the stunning venues like the Straits Chapel and The Irish Barn. While the locations themselves and the day-of banquet staff were truly exceptional, our planning experience left much to be desired. Destination Kohler advertises a 5-star, seamless experience for weddings, but unfortunately, the service we received fell far short of that promise. We paid a significant amount for our wedding and yet, we often felt like we had to take on the role of project managers. From correcting frequent errors in documents (including one miscalculation that would have cost us $5,000 if we hadn’t caught it) to reminding our planner multiple times about details discussed in meetings, the process was far more stressful and hands-on than it should have been. We were assigned a very junior planner, hired just days after we signed our contract. At times, we felt like our planning services didn’t receive the same care and expertise we expected, especially compared to other clients who seemed to be prioritized, presumably because of higher budgets. We were also put off by how profit-focused the venue felt throughout the process. Every small request seemed to come with an exorbitant price tag. For example, we were charged hundreds of dollars to have a runner removed from the chapel for our 45 minute ceremony. When my husband asked if he could get a discounted round of golf the day before the wedding, the answer was a flat no. Even small touches like that could have cost the venue next to nothing were instead marked up steeply. It was clear that profits were prioritized over making clients feel special or valued. Some other key issues included: Poor communication: Emails often went unanswered, and weeks would pass before promised documents were sent. Lack of attention to detail: Custom menu items were forgotten at both our rehearsal dinner and the groom's getting-ready suite. Linens were left creased out of the box despite my husband and I providing two steamers (since the venue for some reason doesn’t have them.) Unprofessionalism: On the wedding day, I was approached with a stressful administrative issue regarding payment, which could have waited until after the event. This took us out of the moment completely and was hard to snap out of right before being introduced at the reception. Despite raising these concerns with the weddings team manager during and after the planning process, little was done to address them. We often felt like just another number in a busy wedding season rather than valued clients. That said, after the wedding, we reached out to Kohler’s executive staff and appreciated their prompt response. They offered us a small refund and a free weekend stay at The American Club, which we were able to enjoy. However, and somewhat ironically, during our stay, a pipe burst, forcing us to evacuate at 5:30 in the morning, and our bathroom had a spider infestation. While we can laugh about it now, these issues only reinforced the impression that Kohler has some work to do to catch up to the level of quality it advertises. The venues themselves are breathtaking, and the banquet staff were outstanding. These elements contributed to a beautiful wedding day. However, the planning experience didn’t match the luxury standard that Kohler markets. If you’re considering this venue, I recommend being prepared to advocate for yourself and stay on top of the details.
Dec 29, 2024 · Ali CoatesThey will nickel and dime you! We called to make our reservation and we’re told to get the best prices we could split our 4 night stay into 2 reservations. Then she booked us an extremely expensive package making us think we were getting free spa services. Then when we went to switch rooms, we were told that we could keep the upgraded room we were initially staying in and the 2nd 2 nights would be comped. When we went to check out this was not the case. Josh, at the front desk was very confrontational and even though he admitted they didn’t word things correctly and overcharged our spa services, didn’t make things right. All this to not forget that we couldn’t even use all the spa amenities, the men’s lounge was closed. And this was not communicated. And the food sucks. We tried several of their restaurants and found food off the resort that was 100 times better and much cheaper. And the expensive room we stayed in was not worth it. And housekeeping was mediocre. And there’s not even a microwave in a $1,600 per night room. Do not recommend.
Mar 16, 2024 · A JGood stay, the rooms at the inn are basic but neat & clean. Good 1-2 day getaway, with decent food (don’t expect Chicago level food), scenic spots and a nice quiet time. It is expensive but you there free / included elements to enjoy once you’re there. I don’t golf but all the courses (4 I believe) looked pretty spectacular.
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