A water paradise might not be something you’d expect to find in the middle of a downtown shopping strip, but that would be because you haven’t been to Burr Ridge, Illinois.

Kohler Waters Spa—Burr Ridge, which recently underwent an expansion and renovation, extends all the wonders that water can offer with an atmosphere that beckons you to unwind and tend to your emotions and spirit. The new renovation added a relaxation room and a café where spa food is served.

Spa Profile: Kohler Waters Spa—Burr Ridge

They are a spa where water is central to almost every service. In addition to facials, massages, nail services and body treatments, you can book a bath (either a mineral, an aroma bath or a VibraAcoustic bath) or hydrotherapy treatments. They have a menu just for men. They offer makeup and eyelash treatments. They’ve recently added vibrational sound treatments and Himalayan salt stone massage.

Spa Profile: Kohler Waters Spa at Destination Kohler

Here’s what you’ll love about Kohler Waters Spa at Burr Ridge: 

• The Vichy Shower is an absolute must. Custom-designed for Kohler Waters Spa, it is the result of communications between engineers and spa therapists, and medical research that tracks how the body responds to treatments.

• The Circle of Tranquility is a dimly lit room where you can immerse yourself in a hot tub, stand under a cascading waterfall, plunge into icy water or exhale deeply in a sauna or steam room. Surrounding the room are cushioned loungers that the staff encourages people to rest in or to bring a journal and engage in a time of mindfulness. It is open to anyone booking a service and there are no time limits to how long you can stay and enjoy it.

• There are two relaxation rooms, each with their own vibe. One features aromatherapy, salt rocks and a fireplace—a Zen meditation room. The other has comfortable couches, chairs and a counter laden with healthy snacks, water, tea and coffee.

• The showers are the best that their parent company, Kohler Plumbing, has to offer. You can program exactly what you want when it comes to temperature, water pressure and the length of the shower.

My mother and I arrived for two separate treatments. We were greeted by a pair of hospitable spa receptionists who were welcoming and warm. One of them gave us a tour of the spa, telling us all the different ways that we could enjoy the facilities and where to find the various amenities.

There was paperwork to sign and I found it encouraging that they spell out exactly what sort of behavior is considered harassing and that there is zero tolerance for it. I don’t ever want to receive a service that is at the expense of the well-being of the person delivering it—and, the more safe the service providers are, the more safe a person is as a customer.

I was also pleased that I was given a robe of an appropriate size for my large body—and it was a delightful robe with a soft inner lining and outer terry cloth. Changing into a swimsuit, I started my spa visit by dwelling in the Circle of Tranquility.

There is something about immersing your body fully in water that opens a pathway to a mental journey, to a trip toward wellness and good health. As I began my self-guided water journey in the 25-foot figure 8 whirlpool, the transition began in which the outside world faded away and there existed only that moment in time, a moment where self-care was allowed and there was time to connect deeply with oneself.

Closing my eyes, I stepped under the cascading waterfall, the sound of rushing water enveloping me as the jets of water massaged my neck and shoulders. It transported me to a place where time did not matter, only peace and tranquility.

Eventually, though, I did move to the cold plunge. It was wonderfully bracing and refreshing, the cold making my body laugh with joy. It was also perfect prep for the steam room where I sat and breathed in the steam. I’m always hard pressed to put into words what it is that makes a steam room so very comforting and rejuvenating—especially since I’m someone who normally has a low tolerance for heat and prefers the cold. Perhaps it’s the way the air embraces me or how my pores open to welcome in the heat and moisture. It’s almost like a warm bath for the senses.

I’d arrived early enough that I had time to stretch out on one of the loungers and rest, preparing myself for my service.

When my esthetician came to get me, I very much had my spa head on. She told me that the spa had been there for 13 years and she had been with them for 10 of those years. She started as a spa attendant and worked her way up through receptionist, front desk manager, and now an esthetician.

I was experiencing one of their signature treatments that day—Lavender Rain. Described on their website as “lavender and eucalyptus exfoliation awakens the body, and a warm rinse under our Kohler Custom Vichy shower soothes it. This signature treatment includes a full-body moisturizer and warm-stone treatment on the back and feet.”

I was curious about how they were able to offer the service as this was a period where Cook County still had mask mandates and I had been told by a manager at another spa that Vichy treatments had been suspended because it was too hard for therapists to wear a mask in the wet environment.  

My esthetician told me that Kohler had special masks custom made from the same material used to make bathing suits. She spoke highly of how easy they were to wear even when they got wet.

As we talked, she explained how the service would work and asked me what my preferences were for both temperature and water pressure. I undressed after she left and slid under the covers. When she returned, she proceeded to make me more comfortable, propping up my feet and adjusting the neck pillow.

I started out face down so she could exfoliate my back. She began with a calming ritual, wafting the aromas under my face. She then scrubbed the exfoliant into my skin, a lovely sensation akin to a really great back scratch. But by far the most enjoyable part of the service was the Vichy shower.

The esthetician programs the shower with adjustable temperatures and water pressure and it moves in a pattern up and down your body, washing off the exfoliant and providing a hydrotherapy massage.

When it was over—and it would have been impossible for the shower to last too long—the esthetician began drying me with towels and applied a moisturizer over my entire body. She really was an expert at draping, especially as she had me roll over more than once to make sure I got the full treatment on both sides.

She then used warm rocks to massage my feet and back. If I hadn’t already felt like I was lingering in paradise, that part of the service would have done it. It’s easy to see why Lavender Rain is a signature treatment, because it truly was a memorable service that refreshed the mind, body and soul. 

After the service, I retreated to the deep relaxation and meditation lounge. I stretched out, closing my eyes and focusing on the aroma of jasmine, the crackling of the fireplace and the soft spa music playing in the background. It gave me the chance to let the benefits of the service I’d just received soak in and become more lasting.

Meanwhile, my mother was having an Anti-Aging Hydration Wrap. The website describes the service as “a buff-off pumice scrub, followed by an age-defying seawater concentrate, that remineralizes, strengthens skin and helps prevent cellular fatigue from environmental damage. An ultra-nourishing cream will seal in the marine benefits of the wrap to promote cell vitality and leave long-lasting hydration results.”

My mom said it was a tranquil service, one where she felt deeply relaxed and her service provider carefully explained what she was using and how they would benefit my mom’s skin.

“When I was done, my skin was so clean,” my mom said, adding that if we lived closer, she’d probably get the service done twice a year. She also said it was the type of spa that she’d love to have a membership to because of the amenities, the cleanliness and superior service offered.

While I’m not normally a shopper, I was seduced by the offerings they had in their retail area. I ended up making several purchases including a salt scrub with their signature hollyhock scent. Not only were there facial and makeup offerings, but there were neck pillows, facial steamers, eye masks and CBD patches.

It was dark by the time we left to head across town to see Joseph Zettelmaier’s “Jigsaw Bride” at First Folio. As we both stepped into our Uber, we remarked how we felt transformed—deeply relaxed and having had a wonderful afternoon.

It is definitely a place to which I would gladly return.

Cost: Anti-Aging Hydration Wrap (50 minutes, $167, weekends and holidays $187); Lavender Rain (50 minutes, $170, weekends and holidays, $190)

Insider Tip: If you’re in the market for a pedicure, book their Virtual Reality Pedicure. While you’re getting your toes tended, you’ll put on a Kohler customized virtual reality headset and be led through a guided meditation.

Hours: Monday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Address: 775 Village Center Drive, Burr Ridge, IL 60527

Phone: 630-323-7674

For more information and to book a service, visit the website. Follow on Instagram: @kohlerswatersspa_burrridge

[Images by Bridgette Redman]

Bridgette Redman, who is a second-generation journalist, fell in love with spas and travel while working as a writer and editor for 16 years at the Educational Institute of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. As a freelancer for the International SPA Association, she co-wrote two textbooks, nine workbooks and numerous case studies on spas. Her freelance career began in the 80s and she has written for publications in Michigan, Arizona, California, and Texas along with several regional and national publications. She is a committed storyteller who loves sharing narratives which improve people's quality of life and build community. Born and raised in Michigan, she currently lives in Lansing with her husband and son. See more of her writing at www.bridgetteredman.com