My wife and I have been to Sundara 4 times (12 nights) and enjoy our stay each time. We have stayed in pretty much all of the rooms, including our most recent stay where we tried out their villas. All four times we have enjoyed our stay, we just think that for the prices that they charge and the "awards" they have won they do not do enough to go that extra mile that other calibar spa's and small luxury hotels do. We always book their specials and print out the special from their website as all four times we have had a problem at check out with the bill.

Sundara is a great place to get away from the stresses of everyday life but still does not give it that wow factor due to several issues that have been consistent over the years. The spa tends to gravitate to day users which equates to overcrowding, noise and an overall feel of too much going on. The summer months do provide a nice retreat poolside, but still gives off the impression that you are just at a nice upscale hotel and not an exclusive getaway.

We have only gotten spa treatments two of the four stays (because we booked a package) and have always been disappointed in the quality of the treatments, which culminated on our last trip were 3 of our 4 treatments were 5-10 minutes short, completely unacceptable at these prices.

The highlight of the trips has always been the rooms, wonderful beds, outstanding showers, baths, etc... Room service has always been wonderful and prices are very reasonable. We have noticed that housekeeping simply goes through the motions which includes evening turndown, where once again Sundara does not go that extra step to make it really special. There are two types of villas, their lifestyle villas (larger) and their villa suites, both of which are wonderful and provide a nice sanctuary away from the hotel.

Food as mentioned above is great, but I can see how the breakfast buffett in the morning would be somewhat cramped, which is why we brought ours poolside all 4 days.

Some misc. opinions. Town car service is VERY spotty and I would recommend driving yourself or allowing plenty of time before and after your reservation. Customer service is pretty much no existent and management is awful. The new nearby golf course is wonderful and provides a nice value.

All in all Sundara is a great retreat from the city and if you can get one of there deals, it just simply lacks the finer points to make it great getaway and after seeing no progress in 4 years we will think twice about going back.

The Sundara Inn and Spa is a picturesque property. My Husband and I stayed there this last weekend, sadly, during a series of tornado warnings. I disclose this to be fair and hope I have done so below.

Positives: The grounds are beautiful and it is likely the only desintation spa in the midwest, except perhaps the Kohler spa in Kohler Wisconsin. The setting is wooded and we stayed in the hotel, not an adjacent villa (which I have not viewed). We didn't do any "hiking" so I can't comment on the outdoor activities available. There appear to be very few rooms on the two floors reserved for guests (maybe 30 in all.) Check-in was orderly and informative and our bags were whisked away as were we. The spa itself is lovely with all the amenites you would expect including private showers, lockers, great robes, bath products, etc.. The purifying bath ritual we enjoyed before our first treatment was well explained and we were properly cared for by staff, who were, overall, the most pleasant persons I've met in hotels in some time. The room was beautiful and the bed lovely with great linens.The positives also extend to a great infinity pool.
We went in the summer, but I bet this place is great for snuggling up and doing nothing in the winter. I'd like to come back, possibly. See below:

The Mediocre:
Dining: There is no true "dining" experience. The "rotunda" is a small room where breakfast is served buffet style (the usual eggs, juice, muffins, granola, yogurt, etc...: all very good), but there is no true resturant for dinner just the same room service style menu which is served anywhere on the property you like (the pool, your room, etc.). We ate dinner off the menu and it was fine. Look for fine dining through the concierge off the property if you want something more special.

Exercise: There are no yoga or other community exercies sessions. If you want them they must be scheduled, which I thought was a bit odd.

Housekeeping: Our turn down service was spotty and bath products were not replaced when used.

Spa Servies: The facial I received (their standard Sundara facial) left me smelling like a fruit parfait. I didn't think the products used in this treatment were the most advanced and my anesthetist was just fair. The massage I received however, was quite good and performed by a clearly experienced massuse. As for the prices, expect to pay 20-25% above prices for similar services at day spas in major metro areas; you're really paying to be at this destination.

Room/Spa Packages: These are not always the best value. Decide what you want and price everything out before you decide.

Ongong construction: we experienced a power outage for over an hour related only to ongoing nearby construction and I understand from staff that it was the second in a month

The negatives which need improvement:

Checkout: The billing system is a complete disaster by any standard. Your bill is not presented to you on a per-charge per day basis. It does not outline the credits you receive with your package, as that calcualtion is performed by the computer, internally. Your statement will not be itemized unless you request it. Be prepared not to understand your itemized statement. Carefullly keep track of and add all spa and food/drink/spa product charges and then credit yourself the spa and food credits that are part of your package. You will be left with your eye-opening room rate. Bring a calculator if price is important to you because you will need it and every other person checking out when I did (three of us) were going over our bills carefully.

Booking: The personal touch is always great for guests with quetsions, but if a guest (like me) knows what they want and wants to book online, why not invest in the tech and offer it? It is true that, at present, a prospective guest may only book by telephone. You will not receive an email confirmation because they "can't do it." Having said that, don't expect to book your spa appointments online either which I now do in my own metro area as that is becoming the standard at, for example, the Red Door Spas. Sundara leaves a bad impression from the start when a guest can't just quickly decide and book themselves if they want. As a business person, I just can't understand that.

Room ameninites: as mentioned, the beds and bedding were great, but at $400 per night, how about a decent ( and now inexpensive) flat screen TV? Our room had a 17-19"analog TV which, frankly, is a bit offensive at this high price point and where the rooms are simply beautiful in every other way.

Weather related issues: We were out of our rooms during daylight hours for more than four hours this weekend because of truly severe weather (tornados were sighted nearby). For at least two of those hours we were without power literally huddled in an interior hallway used by employees only. You would think management would understand that this circumstance warrants an offer of a 10-15% discount on rooms, which would have been quite fair, considering. This is a business and should be operated with customer satisfaction in mind. When I mentioned this to the staff checking me out she was stricken mute and appeared panicked.

Summary: Be prepared to pay for a lovely property which is truly quiet and relaxing ( weather permitting,) but be sure to carefully check pricing on everything if this is only a rare treat. My total package for two nights, (3) 50 minute treatments (1) 80 minute treatment and $120 in food charges totaled almost $1,500.00, so this is not cheap. I would consider coming again at the right price and would like to see this place in the winter, if the price is right.

This was me and my partners 5th trip to Sundara, and once again we were extremely delighted with everything.

We did not have a reservation because we weren't sure if we were going to go into Chicago or not. Upon stopping at Sundara to check their availiablilty, we were offered an incredible rate for two nights, so we jumped on it. Check in is in the afternoon, but they let us check into our room...an noon!

As all ways, the room was amazing. It's the smallest we've stayed in at Sundara, but it was still beautiful and relaxing.

The bath ritual is still amazing, and truly melts away any stress you have.

We've all ways gone to Sundara in the winter, so we made full use of the outdoor pool and drink station outside....and abslutely loved it.

On Thursday, something happened with the power in the dells, and we lost power for about an hour. During this time, the staff was more then helpful and accomadating.

On Friday, we had a very weird experience. At about 1pm a tonado warning was issued for our area. The front desk called up to our room and instructed us on where to go for shelter. While we were kind of cramped in an uncomfortable hallway, the staff again continued to be incredible. They were bringing water and yogurt around, and until the power went out, were taking food orders as well. After the storm passed everything went fine...until around 7pm when we were again under a tornado warning. Again, the staff was courteous and wonderful.

Overall, this trip was absolutely amazing, with the only exception being the whether which I'm sure isn't Sundara's fault. Reading the negative comments on the staff is so weird to me. After spending 5 seperate occasions at Sundara, we have never had any problems...not one.

I Love, Love, Love Sundara!

We stayed at Sundara without knowing anyone who had ever been there and after reading reviews, was not sure what to expect. The reviews were at each end of the spectrum: excellent experience or terrible place. I found it to be overall a great experience and would go back again. I also had a few problems that I would not expect at a spa of this calibur. It is a small adults only hotel set in a beautiful area. We were not informed that there is a huge amount of construction to local roads and a confusing detour to arrive there. Local road construction is expected to be completed by the end of summer 2008. There is a very small compliment of staff who are friendly and eager to help. Our room was a private suite/villa not attached to the hotel. Upon seeing our room we requested a change related to it seemed to have a dirty comforter and the kitchen floor area was full of crumbs. Our new room had a view of the golf course and was (clean) and stunning. The locker rooms and ritual bath were wonderful. The infinity pool, fire and hot tub are relaxing and inviting. My massage was one of the best I've ever had. My husband's massage appointment was cancelled without informing us due to staffing issues. They offered to reschedule (at their convience, not ours) and offered no compensation. Trying to order food is confusing, espically pool side. There are no phones and you have to go into the lobby to find one to order. Once it came it was great. It was hit or miss for towel clean up by the pool. At times every chair was left with wet towels, on another day someone diligently cleaned up often. The buffet breakfast is nice. The provided robes are soft and worn throughout the spa by all. I was suprised to find no pay-per-view in room. We did not make use of the town car but did see others using it. Overall, I did have a very relaxing and enjoyable trip. We were able to get a great rate and would go back again. This place is soooo close to being out of this world, it would be nice to see it get there.