This month’s Spa of the Month:

Good for What Ails You

The Abbey Resort and Avani Spa, Fontana, WI

by Terry Herman

A relaxing country drive to the well-known resort and spa destination, The Abbey Resort and Avani Spa, is the best medicine anyone can take. As the driving scenery changes, the soft glacial hills may not be as majestic as the Rockies, but the views are comforting and part of nature’s lullaby. Traveling to the area feels like going home after too long of an absence.
History reveals that as the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 scorched Chicago’s good earth, its industry titans and “do-wells” sought refuge from these horrors and hunkered down in the prime real estate on the banks of Lake Geneva in Fontana, WI. During the years in which Chicago recovered and rebuilt from the devastating fire and the industries grew stronger and more predominant in the Midwest, a new haven for vacationers was also being created in Fontana. Donned the Hampton’s of the Midwest, the Lake Geneva area, including Fontana’s namesake resort property, would become the preferred destination for the do-wells and even the “nots” to do an overnight, weekend, week or even a summer residency.

Well-rounded resort

A few years ago, the entire property of The Abbey Resort and Avani Spa was renovated, and individuals were able to purchase one of the units as an investment property—a growing trend in the resort industry. My room, although a bit small, was lovely and comfortable, as it overlooked Lake Geneva and the resort’s beautiful grounds.
My dining experiences took place at the Fontana Grill, where the menu appeals to all palates and pocketbooks. I especially enjoyed the heart-healthy selections, which were all delicious. Whether an egg-white veggie omelet for breakfast, a grilled chicken Caesar salad for lunch or even a perfectly poached sea bass with seasonal veggies for dinner, the talents of the chefs made dining a pleasure. I was very impressed that I was given the opportunity to discuss the inspirations behind menu planning and the culinary wizardry of the restaurant’s chefs. The executive chef and all of the sous chefs were ready to prepare or modify any of their tantalizing creations, whether to accomodate dietary needs or eco-friendly preferences.
The resort is also a popular destination for romantic getaways, weddings and other special occasions, including corporate meeting events. Shopping and sightseeing in the general area are huge draws for guests as well. During the summer, the resort has its own boat cruiser that takes guests for picnic cruises on beautiful Lake Geneva several times each day. Its private marina is home to many summer residents, and the indoor and outdoor pools provide yet another great way for individuals and families to enjoy their stay.

Sporty, ecologically aware

Whatever the season and outdoor weather, guests always have plenty of fun activities to keep them occupied, including boating, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, tubing, golf, horseback riding, hot-air ballooning, bicycling, snow-mobiling, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, hiking and more. The Abbey Resort is a year-round facility, and guests and locals maximize the offerings. The level of activity one engages in is up to the guest. Do plenty, or do nothing. To keep up to date on the resort’s offerings, all guests have to do is check the resort’s “activities” sheet and they will not miss out on anything.

When the spa first opened in 1989, it was the Midwest’s largest full-service European-style spa facility at 35,000 square feet.

Abbey Resort is committed to ecofriendly practices and greening concepts, and was awarded a prestigious honor from Alliant Energy, which recognizes resorts and hotels for promoting energy conservancy through heating, cooling and laundering. Guest cooperation is a fundamental part of the concept as well, and more and more guests are showing a preference for vacationing at properties that are part of the growing green trend. In accordance with the movement, the emphasis for guest dining is on fresh, local and organic ingredients.

Back in time

When the spa first opened in 1989, it was the Midwest’s largest full-service European-style spa facility at 35,000 square feet, and was one of the first such spa facilities to offer thalassotherapy treatments and other traditional spa therapies including herbal wraps, salt glows, mud wraps, Scot’s Hose/Swiss Shower and private whirlpool treatments, as well as massage and facial services. There was also a full-service salon and spa retail area.
The overall design blends well with the region and is reminiscent of Midwest über architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s prairie style. The spa’s gender segregated areas include huge and powerful whirlpools, an inhalation therapy room and dry sauna and steam areas.
Additionally, the spa has its own indoor pool that overlooks a calming forested area. The pool is regularly used for daily water aerobic classes, and the area surrounding it is a popular place to enjoy a healthy spa lunch or libation from the juice and tea bar. Other fitness classes include step aerobics, mat Pilates, yoga and power walks. The spa also has a fitness center complete with the latest equipment. Certified trainers are available to work one-on-one with guests, or to make suggestions to guests on how to improve their exercise routines.
Since it first opened in 1989 until very recently, the Fontana Spa had never really been renovated to any extent, and given the relatively substantial resort renovation a few years back, it was long overdue. More than a year ago, I learned of a scheduled renovation from the Abbey Resort’s spa director, Cherie Lininger. The timing was just right, given the continuing decline in the economy. In addition to the renovation, the spa was going to be renamed “Avani,” which in Sanskrit means “of the earth.” The Avani Spa opened under its new name in the spring of 2008.

Spa updates and stats

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the renovated spa and noticed a few structural changes. The most significant architectural change was a complete opening up of the former entry area with plans to have a side entrance, separate parking and an entryway exclusively for spa guests. The entire main entry area is now more open, airy and spacious. A light color palette of off-white and sand pebble—both soft colors—add a fresh earthy crispness throughout, making it light refractive and bright. The spacious entry also includes a wonderful retail area stocked with all of the organic and earth friendly products used in the treatment process, including essential oils, scrubs, skin care and body care formulations, mineral makeup, healthy teas and nutrient and antioxidant rich decadent dark chocolates.
There are currently 57 staff members and 17 treatment rooms. The separate women’s and men’s relaxation areas are large, comfortable and complete with a fireplace. Each area used to have its own whirlpool in addition to its own eucalyptus steam room and dry sauna. But the renovation adapted the whirlpool in the men’s area into a spacious spa sanctuary suite, large enough to accommodate up to ten people. The new spa sanctuary suite also has its own private patio. The suite is available as an upgrade from one hour to an entire day.
The women’s relaxation area is beautiful, complete with a fireplace and overstuffed lounge chairs. The enormous whirlpool is one of the best ones I have experienced. The steam and inhalation therapy rooms are also enjoyable, as is the sauna area. The spa pool, with its impressive wood beamed domed ceiling that is at least 30 feet high, is the coed heart of the spa area. Juice, coffee and tea are available for guests to self-serve. Water aerobics classes are conducted in the spa pool, and guests are encouraged to enjoy the pool for a quick lap or two. Another whirlpool is part of the pool set-up. Lunch and dinner is available in the spa pool for guests who prefer to lounge around and savor the spectacular view of the outdoor wooded area. There is a separate indoor and outdoor pool for resort guests.

The experience

The new spa menu has been expanded to include more bundled treatment packages. It also offers a four-handed massage, coffee wrap, body peel, coffee trio ritual—exfoliation, wrap and bath—and a hot stone upgrade to a mani or pedi. During my visit, I experienced the Aromatherapy Retreat Wrap and the Avani Relaxation Massage.
The wrap begins with a gentle dry brushing, followed by an application of a wonderfully aromatic organic grapefruit infused essential oil. With my skin primed and hydrated, I was wrapped in herb-infused linens and allowed to rest as my body sweated away accumulated toxins. It had been many years since my last herbal wrap and I had forgotten how wonderful and restorative it could be. In the final stages of the treatment, I received an exhilarating scalp and neck massage. After nearly an hour, I was incredibly relaxed.
Next came my full body massage—my therapist’s technique was put to the test with my rock-hard, stressed-out muscles and tissues. He worked his magic and greatly relieved much of the stiffness and soreness I had before he released his magic on me. He gave me a scalp massage—and I must say, my head really felt like a brand new one after getting two scalp massages in one day. I highly recommend both of these treatments done sequentially, as they work together to maximize restoration and relaxation.
And on that note, without a doubt, I give The Abbey Resort and Avani Spa my five-loofah spa rating!

The Abbey Resort and Avani Spa is about a two-hour’s drive from Chicago, and is in close driving proximity to Chicago O’Hare International Airport, 269 Fontana Blvd., Fontana, WI, www.theabbeyresort.com, 800.772.1000 (resort),
800.772.1000 (spa).