You might not be quick to associate McDonald’s with the luxury and individual attention of a spa, but that’s something that could change if you visit Midtown Spa & Fitness at Hyatt Lodge in Oak Park, Illinois.

Hyatt Lodge is in the building that used to belong to McDonald’s University, the place the corporation would send its executives for training in how to run a restaurant. After they moved downtown, the property became a Hyatt luxury property—one with a decked out fitness center, a large, beautiful pool surrounded by windows, and a serene spa that is a must-visit for any stay.

Here’s what you’ll love about Midtown Spa & Fitness: 

• The therapists are extremely skilled and you’ll leave feeling like a new person.

• There are high-end, excellent fitness facilities with cardio equipment, free weights and studio space. Group classes include yoga, aqua aerobics, and an aqua bootcamp that includes plyometric, strength and cardio training.

• The pool is bathed with natural light coming from a glass ceiling. The pool is big enough to accommodate lap swimming, family play and lounging poolside. Next to it is a soothing whirlpool.

When I spoke with Liz, the spa manager, in February, she said they were still trying to get up and running after the challenges of COVID-19 shutdowns and the rebranding of the property. They’re hiring and expanding their services and will soon be offering nail services.

Right now, the spa portion of Midtown is focused on massage services—accompanied by Aveda products designed to soothe, restore and energize. You can book a massage for 30, 50 or 80 minutes and choose from the Classic Massage, Signature Massage, Mother-to-Be Massage, Soothe the Sole Foot Massage, a Warm Oil Infusion Scalp Treatment or a Hot Stone Massage.

While they are looking to expand, nothing about its current state felt unfinished or unready. It was a delightful spa visit and I would gladly return when in the area.

Before your treatment begins, you are asked to fill out an Aveda elemental nature questionnaire. In addition to asking about your medical history, it focuses in on what you need that day—it asks about your stress levels, your energy levels, the favorite part of your last massage or facial, and your least favorite part of your last massage or facial. It’s a great way to facilitate communication with your therapist and let her or him know what your expectations are.

During my visit, Keisha gave me a classic massage, one that (at my request) focused on my neck and lower back. Keisha has been a massage therapist for 10 years—five years at the Midtown Spa & Fitness. She is skilled, talented, and very welcoming. We discussed my needs and desires for my massage and she offered to customize it based on what my body was asking for that day.

There is a small, quiet relaxation area that is dimly lit with infused waters available for before or after your service. It is from there that I was greeted by Keisha and escorted into the serene treatment room—one with a long table stretched out against one wall, running parallel to the treatment bed and covered in a mosaic of small, lit candles. Soft instrumental music filled the room, helping to set the mood for an escape from the world’s stressors and demands.

The bed was already heated and Keisha invited me to let her know what temperatures would make me comfortable. While it was snowy and icy outside, the room was cozy and hospitable. Keisha began the service by inviting me to inhale the aroma of peppermint oils, an oil she used throughout the service. She pressed warm, wet towels onto my back, helping my muscles to relax and preparing them for her treatment.

Her strong hands went to work on my neck. She expertly found the tight spots that were causing me pain and provided strong pressure, often holding pressure until she achieved a release. While all massages serve purposes of stress relief and escape—and this was no exception, this massage was focused on needed work, on relieving pain and restoring flexibility. It was something Keisha did extremely well. 

After ensuring that my neck and lower back received the attention they needed, she proceeded to massage the rest of my body, even working in a scalp and foot massage was that was absolutely heavenly. By the time the massage was over, I could move more easily again and was grateful for the incredible work that Keisha had done.

I returned to the locker room—Midtown Spa & Fitness serves multiple clientele. There are the spa guests, those who are taking fitness classes or have fitness workout routines, and the families staying at the hotel who are making use of the pool. The locker room serves them all. 

While spa guests have separate lockers filled with such amenities as cozy robes and slippers, they do share the space with children, often children of either gender (it’s very encouraging that small children can stay with the present parent regardless of gender), so you may want to take advantage of the enclosed changing spaces/toilets rather than indulge in the usual nudity that you might at other spas.

Consistent with the fitness room feel, there are flat-screen televisions in the locker-rooms set to sports channels—the Olympics were taking place when I was there. 

Also in the locker room is a sauna and steam room—both large enough to accommodate several people and a great way to spend some time before or after your services. If you’re a guest at the hotel, you can use them any time and I took advantage of the steam room before checking out on my final day. The showers are large and contain the hotel’s amenities of body gel, shampoo and conditioner.

Whether you are looking to escape, swim or work out, Hyatt Lodge’s Midtown Spa and Fitness is a great place to join. And you can’t beat the beauty of the wooded lot that surrounds the property.

Cost: 50-minute Massage ($115), Massage Add-Ons: Foot Massage ($55), Warm Oil Infusion Scalp Treatment ($20), Hot Stones ($30).

Insider Tip: Add enough time to your visit that you can swim and enjoy the whirlpool. Bring your swimsuit!

Hours: Monday through Saturday, 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Address: 2815 Jorie Boulevard, Oak Park, IL 60523

Phone: 630-581-6708

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

[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