Once we arrive to September each year, our lives seem to move into fast-forward. This year was no exception and with a family wedding and a big {milestone} birthday coming up in October, a getaway sounded fabulous! A few weeks ago, I headed south with my friend, Sarah, from Toddling Around Chicagoland. We jumped on I-57 and approximately 90 minutes south of Chicago, we landed in Gilman at the Heartland Spa: Weight Loss and Fitness Resort.
Heartland Spa is your Home Away from Home is located just 90 miles south of Chicago Illinois and nestled on 32-acres of picturesque pastures and woods. The Heartland Spa and Fitness Resort is the Midwest’s premier health and fitness spa vacation. Once a busy dairy farm this award-winning destination spa stays true to its roots by providing a welcoming, unpretentious, and nurturing environment for guests to relax, unplug and focuson their individual lifestyle goals.
From luxurious spa treatments to tasty, healthy cuisine to health and wellness programming, the Heartland Spa is the perfect getaway. While there, the other guests included people from Boston, busy Chicago life, married couples, best friends, mothers/daughters, and those flying solo. This is the perfect location to relax, get away and unwind.
I spent a significant amount of time at the indoor pool and relaxing at the whirlpool.
Another favorite area was the spa – complete relaxation. We received a primer at the beginning of our stay and the mere explanation of the massages caused me to have deep regret about not choosing one of them! However, the pedicure from Anna and the facial from Dot were amazing. (Might I add this was my first facial and I felt completely spoiled! I don’t know that I’ll ever do a spa day without one!)
You can choose from a 2, 3 or 5 night package. All meals and snacks are included and at each level you receive a certain amount of spa credit. With just two nights, you are able to snag a manicure and pedicure (in peace!) After chatting with some of the guests, I highly recommend staying more than one night – you get the full, relaxing experience. However, if your time is for some reason abbreviated (or your budget is), consider a day package at Heartland. With full use of the facilities, a healthy, portion-controlled lunch, and spa services, even use one day here won’t disappoint you. Here’s the Heartland from my view:
In 2011, Spas of America ranked The Heartland as the #1 spa in Illinois and #9 globally out of 800 spas. The Heartland was also where Oprah received the call from Steven Spielberg that she snagged the role of Sofia in The Color Purple. You can read more of their decorated history here.
The Heartland provides the perfect getaway for a chance to relax and recharge and I would definitely love to go again (and stay longer this time!) I have a few points of note for your visit:
It is a health spa which means that while the meals are delicious and well-thought out, they are designed perfectly for portion control and calorie count. Do not expect to be stuffed to the brim. Instead, consider this a chance to cleanse and learn how healthy food CAN taste delicious!
Bring comfy shoes. From early morning walks to bicycle rides to uptempo fitness classes, there is plenty to do and see. You’ll need your walking shoes!
Don’t be afraid to try something new. Consider heading out on a bicycle to enjoy the local farm area (the Fall colors were GORGEOUS!)
Come ready to relax. With limited wi-fi service, The Heartland is a chance to escape the pressures of home (and technology). Leave the laptop at home and turn the smart phone off – enjoy all that The Heartland has to offer.
I hope you get the chance to experience true relaxation without heading too far from home!
The Heartland is frequently featured on Groupon and Living Social so keep your eye out for fantastic deals.
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