We have stayed in a lot of hotels. A lot. Huge, presidential suites, lovely boutique rooms, charming bed and breakfast locations, ultra-modern and sleek – but we have never experienced anything quite like our room at the Sybaris Pool Suites in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Staying at this unusual, fabulous, luxury hotel was actually just an accident as I was looking for a hotel to work with us during a stay in the city for a travel conference. When I stumbled on the Sybaris site and saw they had pools in their rooms, I was a goner.

Yes, that’s was I said.

Pools in the rooms.

I have been a water baby all my life. My mom was born and raised in Pensacola so the beach was our second home and I’m sure she had us in the water at a few months of age. I love a pool but to have a pool – let me say it again – in your room sounded like the absolute ultimate in luxury.

The closest I have ever come to actually having a pool in my room was at a resort in Mexico where I had my own private plunge pool on the patio but this was so much better. Because (clears throat delicately and in a very lady-like manner) in this pool, clothing would be optional.

The idea of Sybaris came about when the founder, Ken Knudson, realized that couples needed a romantic place to escape to. The ancient Greek City of Sybaris was known for its wealth and luxury, and residents were devoted to sensuous pleasure. The first Sybaris Pool Suites opened in Downers Grove, Illinois in December, 1974 as a magical place with no windows or phones but a perfect location for a romantic getaway. In response to requests for more locations, another Sybaris was opened in 1981 in Northbrook, Illinois. This location is the largest one with 38 private cottages.

The first Sybaris location contained simple whirlpool suites, but the concept soon grew to include swimming pool suites with waterfalls, steam rooms, and fireplaces. In 1987, a three-story chalet became an option complete with a swimming pool, waterfall, steam room, gas fireplace, and a bedroom overlooking the pool – who would ever want to leave??

In 1992, Sybaris opened  a different sort of location in Mequon, WI. Converting a 150-year old farmhouse and motel into Country Whirlpool Suites, they offered another option for a romantic getaway in the form of a country inn with antique reproduction furniture. Other buildings and chalets were eventually added creating a total of 30 suites. A similar location in Frankfort, Illinois was opened in 1993 and in 1998 the Indianapolis location was opened with 22 individual cottages.

Sybaris is truly a unique place to stay in many ways; one being that they are not a typical hotel but rather a club which requires membership.

We honestly didn’t know what to expect when we checked in. We still had the idea that this was a traditional hotel although we wondered how a hotel could have no windows and rooms large enough to contain a 22′ swimming pool! When we pulled into the Indianapolis location, it became a little clearer when we realized the rooms are actually private little cottages.

Private cottages at the Sybaris Pool Suites in Indianapolis.

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