7 Luxurious Winter Retreats

Are you in the mood for a weekend getaway with plenty of luxury? Check out a few places in our region that’ll help you live like royalty this winter.

Just because it’s cold and snowy this time of year doesn’t mean you have to go into hibernation. If you’re going to while away those cold winter days indoors, why not really, truly get away? Within a short drive of home, you’ll find luxurious getaways that combine cozy and unique settings, stunning views, fine dining, romantic retreats and individualized pampering that’s hard to find anywhere else.

And, it may be just the sort of thing your valentine is looking for.

Whether you want to spend your winter retreat dining in style, relaxing in style, or enjoying some powder in style, these are a few of the region’s top places to live like royalty this winter.

Heidel House Resort & Spa

Green Lake, Wis.

Set along the shores of Wisconsin’s deepest inland lake, this year-round resort destination takes full advantage of the winter season.

Heidel House’s Evensong Spa shares the scents of winter as it provides aromatherapy, skin benefits, body treatments, facial therapy, massage therapy and nail treatments – all with a focus on re-energizing your mind, body and spirit.

Ladies who enjoy a jaunt in the cold can try the Drill Divas Ice Fishing Package, which combines the experience of ice fishing with all the spoils of a winter hideout. The package includes overnight accommodations at Heidel House and three hours of ice fishing, followed by a 50-minute heated stone massage and access to the Evensong Spa, where you’ll enjoy a waterfall whirlpool, eucalyptus steam room and relaxation room.

Hotel Goodwin

Beloit, Wis.

The newest addition to bustling downtown Beloit offers a highly modern, chic setting that’s classic hotel. Set in a fully renovated historical building, this escape is a breathtaking mixture of history and modern luxury.

Each room bears its own personality with eye-catching art, rainfall glass showers and fun accents such as turntables – with unique record collections, to boot.

At street level is Velvet Buffalo Café, a wine bar that bills itself as sultry, witty and refined. The wine bar provides a carefully curated selection of wines by the glass, along with an extensive bottle list from all parts of the world.

Complementing the wine bar’s 120 labels is a select menu of small plates and stone-fired pizzas made to pair with whatever bottle you choose.

Potawatomi Hotel & Casino

Milwaukee

Spend your winter retreat in high style and play like a high roller at this deluxe hotel and casino.

You know you’ve truly made it when you stay in the crown jewel of Potawatomi’s 19-story hotel, the presidential suite. Situated on the top floor, this 3,000-square-foot escape offers 180-degree views of Milwaukee’s skyline, from Miller Park to Lake Michigan and everything in between.

Step out on the 800-square-foot private balcony, or cozy up to the spa-like master bath with Jacuzzi, an additional powder room, two Beautyrest beds and two 60-inch televisions.

Don’t forget the gaming and other entertainment happening downstairs. With more than 150,000 square feet of gaming space, the casino covers a wide range of selections including slots, table games and off-track betting. Dine at any of the eight classy restaurants on-site or grab a seat in the Northern Lights Theater to see world-class performers.

The American Club

Kohler, Wis.

The Midwest’s only Forbes five-star and AAA Five Diamond resort hotel provides an idyllic, all-encompassing winter escape in the quaint village of Kohler, Wis.

From the Midwestern fare at the swank Wisconsin Room to the elevated tasting menus at the resort’s crown jewel, The Immigrant Restaurant, this lavish resort caters to many palates. Even the more relaxed settings, such as the taproom and the greenhouse, are still fanciful affairs.

Prepare to be pampered at the newly expanded Kohler Waters Spa, where it’s encouraged to luxuriate while enjoying therapeutic water treatments. This winter, the spa offers the Comfort & Mint Massage and the Comfort & Joy Mint Body Treatment, both of which use peppermint and eucalyptus – scents that awaken the senses and soothe dry, cracked skin.

Emerge from your temporary hibernation and take a short drive to The Shops at Woodlake, home to Kohler Original Recipe Chocolates – a sensuous specialist in seasonal gourmet chocolates.

Grand Geneva Resort & Spa

Lake Geneva

Picture yourself being far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, hiding away on 1,300 acres of serene woodlands near Lake Geneva.

Guests at this popular getaway – which at one time was known as Playboy Club – can enjoy a wide range of winter fun.

The Mountain Top at Grand Geneva hosts downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and ice skating, among other outdoor activities.

When you’re ready to warm up, head to the always-classy Ristorante Brissago and an evening luxury spa treatment.

Ease the aches and pains that come along with a hard day of play and treat yourself to a warm spa treatment at the resort’s WELL Spa + Salon, and enjoy a hot stone massage or a hot, relaxing lava shell massage.

Treat your dry, chapped skin with a skin-enhancing facial or body treatment, or try one of the spa’s special anti-aging manicures and pedicures.

Chestnut Mountain Resort

Galena

The beautiful ridges overlooking the Mississippi River near Galena are some of the best ski slopes you’ll find around this part of the Midwest.

Chestnut Mountain’s 475-foot drop meanders 3,500 feet through 19 runs, entertaining skiers of all abilities. Enjoy the Driftless Area scenery as you ride two quad chairs, four triple chairs, two conveyor lifts and one surface lift back to the top of the hill.

Professional instructors help you hone your skiing and snowboarding skills, and help you to test your mettle on the slopes.

Snowboarders can play around Chestnut Mountain’s terrain park, one of the largest in the Midwest, with more than 25 rails served by a triple chair lift and surface lift.

Stay overnight at the slopeside lodge and spend your evening soaking in the pool or warming up in the Jacuzzi tub and sauna.

Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa

Galena

Located among the Galena Territory’s 6,800 rolling acres of woodlands and open countryside, this resort offers “country elegant” hotel accommodations, rental homes and villas just minutes from Galena’s best shopping and dining.

Start your day with a visit to the Nordic Center, which can guide you on twilight snowshoe hikes and escapes to local distilleries and wineries – of which there are many around Galena.

Take a break at Stonedrift Spa’s tranquil climate, offering a peaceful setting that’ll rejuvenate your mind, body and soul.

This spa’s 10 rooms treat guests to such pleasures as massages, facials and body exfoliation. The spa also features a semi-private nail suite, top-of-the-line steam rooms and a spa boutique.

Brides who are preparing for their wedding day can take advantage of an elaborate bridal package, which includes hair and makeup services.