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What's Cooler than Kohler?
Wednesday Jun 25, 2008.
By Danielle Braff
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 My flight back to Chicago from New York was delayed by two hours, my luggage was lost and my apartment was filled with dirty laundry following my blissful vacation. I could've gotten super-stressed and panicky, but I didn't. Instead, I ditched my South Loop abode and headed 25 minutes out of the city to Burr Ridge.
Burr Ridge isn't a major suburb by any means, boasting only about 6.5 square miles and around 10,500 people. But they manage to pack it all in here, thanks to a brand new Village Center. The center is located just off the highway, about two blocks from the I-55 exit, so even if your GPS navigator is of no help (mine had no idea it existed), you should be able to find it.
I booked a prenatal massage at Kohler Waters Spa (the only Kohler "experience" in Illinois) and arrived in time to change into slippers and a robe, and to sit in the sleek relaxation room complete with complimentary teas, coffee, walnuts and yogurt-covered raisins. While my massage hit the spot, Kohler is best known for its water treatments, which range from aromatherapy and light-therapy baths to showers inside a treatment room outfitted specifically for water. Whether you get massaged under a jet stream of warm water or spend some solo time in the tub, you're bound to leave relaxed.
Whatever you do, you won't go away dry. Use of the gigantic swimming pool-sized Jacuzzi, the sauna, steam room and multi-jet showers is gratis for anyone booking an appointment at Kohler. Just remember to bring a bathing suit. The water areas (with the exception of the changing room) are coed, and unless you're totally comfortable in your birthday suit, you may want to cover up before relaxing. On the day I visited, a group of women were playing hooky from work in order to get spa treatments before meeting in the water room to chill for the rest of the day.
Ever curious about the uber-expensive but incredibly beautiful Kohler bathroom products? Try them out for free in the changing rooms, where you can spend as long as you want under the showers. If your wallet's up for it, you can then head next door to the Kohler showroom, where everything you tried in the spa is available for purchase. Don't spend all your money there, however, as there are loads of other options in Burr Ridge.
The Village Center has nearly every moderate-priced clothing option you could want, and you won't have to fight with other shoppers for the fitting room. When I checked them out on a Monday morning, I was the only person in each shop. Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Yankee Candle, Starbucks, Coldwater Creek and White House Black Market were some of the stores I spotted as I wandered around the center, which looks a lot like an outdoor mall—sans the crowds.
After spa-ing and shopping, it was time for some noshing, and again, there were plenty of options, including Falco's Pizza, Max & Erma's Restaurant, Inc. and Tassos Porterhouse Restaurant.
At a time when gas prices are hovering near the price of rent payments, Burr Ridge makes for a low-mileage vacation from urban life (it's so condensed, you can even walk your way through the suburb). You might even forget you have a pile of dirty laundry waiting at home.
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