Sybaris Inn

Elite '08

5

153

Ann Y.

Chicago, IL

I know what you are thinking...porn hotel. I will admit I thought that at first too, until we went. This is my husbands favorite hotel which therefore makes it my favorite hotel if you know what I mean (wink, wink).  At first I wasnt sure what to think. I thought this is going to be cheezy and forced, but we took a tour of the place and were impressed. It was immaculately clean, and we loved it. It also has a sharper image massage chair, a microwave and a mini-fridge. We opted for the paradise pool suite- and would not reccomend anything other than a pool suite. To have your own private pool is wonderful. It was really hard for us to leave the next day as we were both so relaxed. I highly, highly reccomend it! Also, once you go- they send you a ton of discounts- always a plus. And check out the last minute deals.

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77

109

Koizumi Y.

Winnetka, IL

A colleague continually sang the praises of this place as a retreat with her beau. No matter how she described it, my mind kept thinking "cheese". Images of mirrored ceilings, spinning heart-shaped beds, velvet paintings on the walls, and fake fur comforters assailed my senses.

"Bloody hell it isn't like that!" she'd say. Still, the caricature of a "Love, American Style" shack persisted.

One day, my (then) fiance and I decided to drive over to have a look. We'd rented a chalet for a night and day and thought the worst that could happen is we'd swim in the pool and partake in the steam room. As we drove into the property, I silently groaned. How could any place right off the main drag truly contain the Taj Mahal? Inside the lobby, there were flavoured body oils, sexual "aids" and spicy movies for rent. Lovely that...could one perhaps rent a pimp's outfit as well? The person behind the counter didn't seem to appreciate my humour on that score. C'est la vie.

And then an odd thing happened. As we made our rounds through the little campus, it began to actually feel like this might be fun. We located our room and pulled into the one car garage. As soon as the door closed, an overwhelming sense of quiet and "goodbye cruel world" sunk in. We opened the door into the unit and smiled.

Yeah baby, who's getting nekkid first! Heh.

There was a nice sized pool with a slide and waterfall, and a separate smaller section attached with warmer waters and jets. Up above was a loft with a bedroom, an enclosed steam room, a large double-sided fireplace, and an oversized tub in the bathroom which kept sucking us under the bubbles we'd added. The bed was large, and yes --- there were mirrored ceilings which actually turned out to be fun, and well...ahem..educational.

There were no phones, no windows...and no rush. We had a smashing time, and would highly recommend it. We even discussed buying the architectural plans from the Knudsons to re-create this at home, but decided it was best to keep things like this as a special treat away. Instead, we have lasting memories and a lovely gold rose to remind us of this haven only a few miles away.

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Elite '08

120

79

Kathleen P.

Arlington Heights, IL

This is truly a romantic escape.  After you close the door to your cottage, you feel like you've entered another dimension.  Private pool with a waterful cascading down from it, sauna, fireplace, huge couple sized shower.  Mini fridge and ice bucket so you can bring your beverage of choice.  Large bed and if you check the closet, they even have one of those kinky baskets that you hang from the ceiling.  I have to warn you though- being crunched up naked in the basket is not a flattering look for anyone ;)

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306

1003

Nancy K.

Chicago, IL

This is a great escape place for couples.  It's been a couple of years since we have been here but, really enjoyed.
*New* Sharper Image Massage Chair
Standard amenities include: TV, VCR or DVD, stereo CD player, refrigerator with ice, microwave, coffee maker, hair dryers, toiletries, and cuddly robes.
Cozy Fireplace
5' x 7' whirlpool tub
Private 22 ft. swimming pool with a cascading waterfall and whirlpool jets
2nd floor bedroom loft with water slide
Attached garage with remote opener
Misting Steam room

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36

87

Eve A.

Barrington, IL

Disclaimer: My visit here was a few years ago.

Pros: We had a very nice private cabin, clean to the naked eye, with what Steve Martin termed that impersonal hotel-room quality that makes you want to take off your clothes and start effing. I rather enjoyed the placement of mirrors (above bed and around deep, spacious jacuzzi), the bidet, the enormous steam/shower room, and the corny "massage" VHS tape set above the television. The room decor was soft and inviting, the lighting most forgiving to my admittedly unforgivable complexion and physique.

Cons: Bad "champagne", hokey chocolate rose, bizarrely over-hard bed with standard hotel-room sheets. I'm not a thread-count snob, but one would think a "romance resort" could invest more in bedclothes.

Overall: Is it worth a few hundo to feel a bit like a porn star? I thought so - but then, it wasn't my few hundo. Perhaps best for bachelor/ette parties.

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