Preamble
Sometimes, it's a good thing to dump your current life, pick up your spouse, and go somewhere where no one can find you. Now obviously, I need to keep some degree of responsibility going on (leave my child with a responsible care taker, leave a number where I can be reached, etc...). But when I want to get away, I want to GET AWAY from not only a six year old, but my lap top, my cell phone, and just people in general.

About three years ago, my husband and I discovered THE perfect place where we could get away and just be together without all of these other distractions. For our anniversary, we take a trip across town to a luxurious hideaway called the Sybaris.

The History
Long ago, in a far away land, a wealthy man named Ken Knudson had a luxurious bedroom custom designed for his beloved wife, Char. Their friends loved it and remarked how nice it would be to have their own love nest but away from kids, in-laws, and every other distraction that prevents them from just being together.

Based upon this feedback, the Knudson's opened up their first Sybaris in Downers Grove, Illinois in December of 1974. Over time, they increased amenities from just a fireplace to the addition of whirlpools, swimming pools, and steam rooms.

In 1998, Sybaris came to Indianapolis and did another first. They created modular luxury suites. This means that literally, you are in your own house with no windows, no neighbors, and most importantly, no distractions.

Membership Required
Sybaris operates as a private club. In English? This means that if you want to play, ya gotta pay. Using this membership approach allows them to better ensure an atmosphere that isn't mistaken for say a brothel :).

There are three different kinds of membership plans.

Annual Membership
The bare bones membership fee is $30.00 per year. This plan allows members to make reservations at any Sybaris location and throughout the year, they send you special discount opportunities.

VIP Membership
For $110.00 per year, you can bump yourself up to the VIP plan. The VIP plan provides all of the benefits of the Annual Membership plus you have the opportunity to check in early or stay passed check out time, up to an additional four hours.

Presidential Membership
For $155 per year, you can be in the Presidential Membership. This means that you get everything that is listed in the VIP Membership plus a 30% discount on overnight stays Monday through Thursday and a 20% discount on stays Friday through Sunday. In other words, if you plan on taking your spouse or significant other here lots of times throughout the year, it is in your best interest to invest in this particular membership.

No matter what membership you purchase, you are presented up front with a list of "rules"

1. Valid identification, such as a driver's license, a current membership card and the license plate number of the vehicle that will be on our private property must be presented at check in.

2. Couples only. No guests, no children, no pets.

3. You must be at least 21 years of age or older. If you are married and under 21, if you show proof, they will override this rule and make you an exception. Of course if you are under 21, married, and need to get away from it all, ya got serious issues! ;)

4. Management reserves the right to revoke your Sybaris Club Membership for violation of any of the membership rules.

Locations
Besides Indianapolis, they currently have suites in Downers Grove, IL; Northbrook, IL; Frankfort, IL; and Megnon, WI.

Your Choice of Suites
In almost every location, you have your choice of five different suites.

Original Whirlpool Suite
The bare bones suite features a whirlpool tub built for two, a gas fireplace, a 19 inch TV, stereo, alarm clock, hair dryers, complimentary toiletries and fluffy robes for use during your stay. Each suite also has a convenience area stocked with ice and an ice bucket, glasses, corkscrew bottle opener, microwave, refrigerator and freezer, coffee maker, coffee and tea. There are no windows. There is a telephone however, no one can call you (only the front desk and they don't unless an emergency), and you can dial out only to the front desk. Yes, you can have them order your to go food for you :).
Prices: Afternoons (12:30 - 4:30) $ 90.00; Overnight Sunday - Thursday (6:00 - 11:00) $165.00; Overnight Friday - Saturday $220.00

Deluxe Whirlpool Suite
What I said about the Original Whirlpool Suite plus throw in a steam room and a 7 ft. whirlpool tub.
Prices: Afternoons (12:30 - 4:30) $ 110.00; Overnight Sunday - Thursday (6:00 - 11:00) $195.00; Overnight Friday - Saturday $250.00

Original Swimming Pool Suite
You get everything that was in the Deluxe Whirlpool Suite plus a glass enclosed bedroom overlooking the steam room and clear, blue 16 ft. private swimming pool with whirlpool jets and sparkling waterfall cascading into the pool.
Prices: Afternoons (12:30 - 4:30) $ 140.00; Overnight Sunday - Thursday (6:00 - 11:00) $265.00; Overnight Friday - Saturday $350.00

Deluxe Swimming Pool Suite
You get everything that was in the Original Swimming Pool Suite plus an expanded glass enclosed bedroom with 7 ft. whirlpool tub overlooking the steam room, 22 ft. private swimming pool with whirlpool jets and waterfall cascading into the pool.
Prices: Afternoons (12:30 - 4:30) $ 160.00; Overnight Sunday - Thursday (6:00 - 11:00) $315.00; Overnight Friday - Saturday $420.00

Chalet Suite
This is the KING of all rooms. You get a three leveled suite, featuring a 22 ft. private swimming pool with whirlpool jets and overhead waterfall on the second floor. Your bedroom is located on the third floor and includes your 7 ft. whirlpool, bath and bar area, balcony overlooking the pool with a large four-sided fireplace (open to bedroom and balcony), steam room and water slide into the pool below. The entry on ground level includes a heated garage.
Prices: Afternoons (12:30 - 4:30) $ 190.00; Overnight Sunday - Thursday (6:00 - 11:00) $395.00; Overnight Friday - Saturday $520.00

The Suite We Took and Our Experiences
Despite its price and despite how tempting the KING looks, year after year, we take the Deluxe Swimming Pool Suite. I have this thing about swimming pools. I love them. They're a great way to work off any tension plus it's a great way to spend time with your uh significant other ;).

If you want a panoramic view of the room we stayed in, here it is:

http://www.sybaris.com/tour/dsps.htm

Let me start with the most important requirement of mine when I shell out a ton of money for stay in a place other than my house. I'm a stickler for cleanliness. I mean, if you think about it, it's sort of disgusting to share a bed with a bazillion people so when I sleep on that bed, it better feel and smell like it is brand new. Also, since there are people doing things in the pool that I probably want to do, it better be the cleanest water that ever existed.

With every visit, I have never been disappointed. The pool contains some sort of chemicals that make you extremely buoyant and at the same time, sanitizes the heck out of it. The chemicals in the water are non irritating and don't have that smell like chlorine does. It is SO relaxing to be able to just float - it's like being in a sensory deprivation tub (or how I imagined it would be). Being extremely buoyant also helps you in other situations of which I will leave to your imagination :).

The king sized bed feels brand new and is very comfortable. King sized means lots of room which I love, love, love. The sheets are very clean and all of the linens are without any particular smell. The bedspread is a little different - it's terry cloth in material which makes it really soft and relaxing.

The Sybaris has received many awards from national travel places on its cleanliness. It deserves all of them.

The television comes with a full fledged satellite cable system + a VCR. The main office has video tapes you can take back to your room (uh huh - including those kinds of tapes). This time around, we opted to bring our own.

The stereo system is so cool, once I figured out to operate it. You can choose to have the music playing in your bedroom area and/or in the pool area. This is extremely helpful should one of you get up early and want to use the pool without disturbing the other.

My husband is a BIG fan of the steam room. I have issues with it. I can be in there for all of two minutes before I have this overwhelming feeling that I can't breathe. He'll stay in there for 20 minutes at a time.

One of the things you might struggle with is the food thing. Last time we visited, we went out to eat a lot. This time around, we got smart and brought our own food in. Sure, we ate a lot of crap, but some of that was hot crap via the microwave ;).

The bathroom was VERY large and the shower, built for two had nice hot water.

The only thing I couldn't give you an opinion on is the whirlpool. We just never seem to make it over to that amenity :).

The Service
Except with the reservation process and the check-in/check-out process, you have very little interaction with the staff. When making reservations, I have found the individuals on the phone to be very helpful, without being obnoxious. The checking in/out process is much the same. When checking in, they make a point of telling you that at any time of your stay, if you have any issues, to please call them right away. At checkout, after asking how you are, they ask about your stay. I like that kind of customer service. They also give you a survey to fill out and mail back in to their founders.

Merchandising
Having products available for people to buy as reminders and/or advertisements is a good thing however, the management of Sybaris really missed the boat. There's not one thing that I would purchase from their offerings. For example, for $25.00 you can have a Sybaris Teddy Bear. Woo Hoo! Hello, I'm 34 years old and I have no desire for a furry reminder of my romantic weekend. Another one that appalled me was the Sybaris 24kt gold rose. It's a 9 inch rose bud (real), preserved in 24kt gold with an accompanying vase. Ick!

The End
Though not something you could/should do very often due to the wallet, I highly recommend that you find a Sybaris near you and visit for a day or two. You'll be surprised at how much you'll enjoy the amenities and how much closer you and your significant other will feel after being secluded without those every day distractions.

Recommended: Yes