A travel writer finds tranquility and renewal at a Chicagoland day spa

Eaglewood Resort & Spa is a bucolic Midwestern destination that promises romantic getaways, family fun, top-flight golf, and sanctuary from city clamor. Sprawling over 106 gently rolling acres in Itasca, the resort was designed in concert with its natural surroundings. Sleek horizontal lines call to mind the work of Prairie Style architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

When I was invited as a travel writer to experience The Spa at Eaglewood, I was thrilled to accept. The resort is located 25 miles northwest of downtown Chicago and only a few miles from my suburban home.

The spa is in a separate, private building just a short jaunt from the main hotel building. From the cheerful reception area, I was escorted to the locker room, where I changed into a cozy robe and sandals. I was early for my appointment, so I headed for the lounge to bask in its softly lit aura and sip a spot of herbal tea. Blooming orchid flowers were placed strategically about.

The Spa at Eaglewood has eight luxurious treatment rooms (two are doubles), steam room, sauna, hot tub, and an upscale retail boutique.

On the menu is an extensive selection of massages, scrubs, wraps and facials, along with manicures, pedicures and hair and makeup salon services. Targeted treatments are available for golfers and moms-to-be, although all can be tailored to individual needs and sensitivities. The spa’s product lines are a blend of cosmeceuticals and botanicals.

My treatment was the 60-minute Miracle Mask. It’s a soothing multi-step facial that included a deep pore cleaning, a tingling glycolic mask to lift and firm my skin, and a moisturizing finish. My scalp was massaged, and my hands were softened with paraffin. Ethereal music played faintly in the background.  Absolutely blissful.

“Taking care of our skin isn’t a vanity thing or a luxury–it’s a need,” my therapist said. “Our skin is the largest organ we have. I look at it as we are trying to help this organ work the best way it can. We wear clothes to protect the skin on the rest of our body, but our face is basically ignored.”

I couldn’t agree more.

Eaglewood Resort & Spa has 295 guestrooms and suites with oversized balconies, three dining venues, 18-hole championship golf course, indoor swimming pool with outdoor pool deck, state-of-the-art fitness center and six-lane bowling alley.

(Many thanks to the Spa at Eaglewood for hosting my rejuvenating, relaxing facial!)