Sundara Inn & Spa is located in the Wisconsin Dells, which is definitely a “spa-peculiar” location. Those familiar with this area know that the “Dells” is the Midwest’s most popular vacation destination, and has been a mainstay of family vacationing for nearly one hundred years. Aside from its tourist popularity, the area is also known for its beautiful tall-pine forests and awesome rock bluffs, which ancient glaciers “designed”, giving the landscape its rugged terrain.

Well off the beaten tourist path, the Sundara Inn & Spa is situated on 26 acres of an incredibly gorgeous tall-pined forest near Lake Delton. Although this destination spa has only twenty-six luxury suites, it is already planning its expansion. Some of its beautiful suites are multi-level, easily accommodating a number of guests at a time. Considering the "newness" of this spa, I was impressed to meet people who had traveled from Las Vegas and Palm Springs specifically to experience it; as I was checking in, a family from Philadelphia was checking out. People from the contiguous states are also drawn to the unique Ayurvedic-themed programs and philosophies, which also feature the area’s best organic cuisine. Sundara Inn & Spa is an “adults-only” (no one under eighteen), and is a no smoking, no pagers, no cell phones, no boisterous or bellow kind of place”. It’s just what spa enthusiasts prefer when wanting to get away from it all and concentrate on healing, wellness and rejuvenation.

Spending time with the spa’s owner and innovator, Kelli Trumble, one immediately is impressed with her exuberance, love and dedication to the spa’s concepts. The detail and passion that went into designing the beautiful suites, the Zen-like serpentine corridors, the small detailing of the room’s signage, and gurgling waterfalls on each floor, is a calming and thoughtful touch.
Each luxury suite is named after a Sanskrit characteristic, like Maya (magical power, mystery), Amoda (gladdening, joy), Prajna (deep sleep, pure bliss) and Niva (renew, revive), for example. And, just as everyone’s dosha and personality are different, no two suites are designed or accessorized alike.

Each luxury suite offers an impressive and variant design. The color palettes are done in soft and calming earth tones, with curved and linear-limited right angles. Suites are equipped with different combinations of high-end Kohler water amenities, including Riverbath™ whirlpools (66” and 75”), elaborate shower towers, s_k™ tubs, and high-tech facial basins, that look like works of art. These high-end amenities definitely make for an in-room personal spa experience. King-sized beds with luxurious feather pillows and bedding, plush linens and toweling, Kashmere™ brand robes, add tactile extravagance to each suite. Luxury suites have writing areas (including an in-room journal for each guest to share their thoughts with for the next guest who turns its page), a wet bar and fridge area, and a gas fireplace, complete with a comfy coverlet for those bitingly cold Wisconsin evenings. And, all suites come with their own incredible view of the stately pines that one can appreciate from inside, or from their enclosed veranda. No streetlights here, just the night’s massive embracing darkness, and the quietness of nature’s solitude, very Zen-like.

Aside from its tourist popularity, the area is also known for its beautiful tall-pine forests and awesome rock bluffs, which ancient glaciers “designed”, giving the landscape its rugged terrain.

The spa’s twenty-four highly trained staff help maximize delivering quality service, while assuring that each guest feels like they’re the only one there at any given moment. There are fourteen treatment rooms, including two Vichy rooms and two “Spa Together” rooms. The primary treatment preparatory area includes the spa’s signature co-ed Purifying Bath Ritual, which is comprised of an enormous hot soak whirlpool, plunge pool, eucalyptus steam room, and hot and cold rainfall shower areas. Outdoors, guests can enjoy year round the heated infinity-edge pool, and hot soak bath; the serpentine designed decks add another Zen element to its design and functionality. Here is where guests also come during the evening to enjoy a bit of water and fire magic that rekindles the spirit of the ancients.

Treatments are segmented into the Chakra series and the Sundara series. The Chakra series includes body treatments and massages, based on Ayurveda’s 5,000 year-old history of long-term health and wellness through principles and dictates of its healing sciences. The Sundara series includes facials, body treatments and massages that use organic-based products, or those indigenous to the area, like peppermint or ginger.

One of the Sundara series treatments, the Sundara Sandstone Polish, utilizes ultra-fine sandstone, which was discovered during the spa’s excavation. After lab analysis, it was determined that this sandstone had been formed during the Cambrian/Paleozoic age; geologically, the sandstone is only found in three locations worldwide, and the Wisconsin Dells is the only North American location containing it (perhaps the ancients used this as an exfoliant, although, to date, there’s no recorded documentation supporting that petrified loofah mitts have been unearthed!). Other treatments or packages offered include hair and nail (separate area away from the main treatment area, minimizing potentially noxious odors), a “Just for Him” series (a package of non-intimidating, male-friendly treatments), and a “Spa Together” series for cue some-twosomes. Special and customized day or overnight packages are also available.

All guests are encouraged to experience the Purifying Bath Ritual at least thirty to sixty minutes before their treatment. Part of the ritual is for the guest to focus all of their time on self, expending their energy in becoming totally immersed in the revitalization and relaxation process. The guest begins with an exfoliation using the spa’s signature Sandstone Polish. Guests then take a brisk rinse under a cold rainfall shower and immediately proceed to the steam room (guests can either mist themselves with either a lavender or rosemary spray before or after the steam room, or both); this is followed by going into the 104°F hot soak whirlpool for at least ten minutes (recommended), then immediately going into a 71°F plunge pool for three minutes (recommended); the hot and cold sequence, to open and close pores, is repeated three times (recommended). After this purification process, guests head for the Relaxation Lounge and rest a bit before being greeting by their treatment specialist. The purification ritual is an energizing component to all spa treatments and highly recommended for all guests.

© SPA MANAGEMENT JOURNAL - MARCH 2004