|
The Nemacolin Woodlands Resort is nestled in the rolling Laurel Highlands of Western Pennsylvania, just three-and-a-half hours from Cleveland. This resort combines a high end, award-winning spa with old-style recreation such as horseback riding, sport clay shooting and off-road Hummer® tours. Half of the resort is reminiscent of The Ritz Paris – complete with chandeliers and ornate French furniture – and the other half, including the new Falling Rock hotel, echoes Frank Lloyd Wright's organic architectural style. Owners Joseph Hardy and Maggie Hardy Magerko believe that art should be accessible to the public rather than encased behind glass walls. With a collection of original artwork and historical artifacts, each area of this fine resort offers a unique pampering and cultural experience.
My husband and I stayed at the stunning Falling Rock Hotel, designed by architect David Merritt. Having toured Fallingwater, Frank Lloyd Wright's most famous architectural creation, only hours before our arrival at the hotel, we noticed the similarities in design – two cascading waterfalls greet guests and repeating triangular patterns echo Wright's belief that everything in nature comes from a geometric shape or form. In fact, items all over the hotel – from the lights to the swimming pool to the sticky notes – are triangular in design. Rates for rooms in this hotel begin at $450. Our luxurious accommodations included our own butler who urged us to select from a list of 18 types of pillows, drew our bubble baths and otherwise catered to our every whim.
Treatments at the resort's Woodlands Spa partner genuinely holistic treatments with five-star luxuries. The menu boasts massages, wraps, Ayurvedic experiences, body scrubs and hydrotherapy treatments. Over the course of two days, I opted for the deep-cleansing Moor Mud Wrap, the invigorating Water Path Ritual, the unique Kila Massage and the educational couples' Guided Massage.
 |
The Moor Mud Wrap, a 50-minute treatment, is a mineral-rich mud wrap designed to detoxify the body, rejuvenate tissues, reduce inflammation, soothe tired muscles and invigorate dull skin. I learned that Moor Mud, a therapeutic quality peat, is one of the most potent natural healing substances on earth. An organic mixture of bio-minerals, its molecular form is easy for tissue to absorb. The therapist applies the mud over my entire body and wrapped me in plastic with another thermal wrapping on top. After my skin absorbed the nutrients and blissful warmth, the therapist guided me to shower. Following this, she expertly applied a re-mineralizing moisturizer all over me. I felt relaxed and absolutely restored after this wrap.
They also offer the Natural Spirulina Wrap, which is loaded with anti-oxidant vitamins, minerals and amino acids. According to the spa, this wrap is very effective when used as part of a diet and exercise program. Their Contouring Seaweed Mask improves the appearance of skin and muscle tone and releases excess fluid from the body. The prices for the wraps range from $120 to $170.
 |
I next tried their Water Path Ritual, a signature hydrotherapy treatment at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort that costs $50. It uses water to revitalize, maintain and restore health. Fifty-five degree cold water is used to stimulate and cause superficial blood vessels to constrict. One hundred and five degree hot water is then used to relax, dilate blood vessels and help remove wastes from body tissues. The Water Path is a specially designed rectangular pool partitioned in the middle. It is about 18 feet long and about a foot deep. The bottom of the pool is filled with small pebbles. I walked through the length of the warm side first, and then stepped into the cold side. After walking through the cold water, I continued back into the warm side of the pool to repeat the process. The therapist explained that water treatments improve circulation and immune function, and the drastic change of temperature improves blood and lymph flow. She also noted that the rocks under my feet stimulate the reflex points, thereby affecting the rest of the body. The meditative aspect of the water path was powerful. Walking around the water path in a ritualistic manner triggered a restful, peaceful state of mind.
After the path, I was escorted to a Swiss warm shower followed by a relaxing soak in a mineral spa, which was filled with therapeutic salts from the Sarvar Spring of Hungary. Finally, the therapy ended with a cool, invigorating Swiss shower rinse.
I then experienced the Guided Massage, which I loved the most. This 110-minute treatment teaches couples an array of Swedish-massage techniques. First, the therapist guided me as we both massaged my husband for 50 minutes. Then we switched places and my partner returned the favor. I learned long, flowing strokes, as well as focused techniques. The therapist also showed me how to massage the muscles of the face using Ayurvedic techniques to work the pressure points. He taught me a pressure point below the nose to stop a bloody nose and one around the temples to alleviate headaches. I thoroughly enjoyed learning while giving my husband a massage. When it was my turn, the two pairs of massaging hands created a blissful experience. This treatment costs $250 per couple.
 |
The Kila Massage, developed by one of the massage therapists at the Woodlands Spa, is a powerful massage utilizing joint mobilization, Russian, Swedish and Eastern (Tai nu) bodywork. The therapist also uses acupressure and Pranatherapy, a form of therapy in which the hands do not touch the skin. Rapid move-ments characterize the Russian techniques with a lot of friction along the hands and arms. As noted above, the Swedish techniques were characterized by long, flowing strokes. The therapist also incorporated injury massage, deep-tissue and energy work, as well as Shiatsu, cranial sacral and reflexology. The treatment is designed to achieve an overall therapeutic benefit in the long term, rather than a “feel good” massage. At the end of the treatment, the deep bodywork paid off. I felt relaxed all over and I noticeably moved with much greater ease. The Kila Massage runs $290 for 110 minutes.
For something different, one can try a Mud & Massage. This 50-minute traditional Swedish massage is given while a self-heating mudpack is applied to an isolated tension area. Another option is the Woodland Hot Stone Shirodhara massage, a combination of hot-stone massage, Ayurveda and Reiki. The massages range in price from $70 to $290.
I highly recommend Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and the Woodlands Spa for an incredibly decadent escape. The elegant, cozy accommodations combined with a world-renowned spa will satisfy anyone. The wide variety of treatments can heal your mind, body and soul and create a truly unique and satisfying experience. The spa's brochure lyrically sums up the feeling one gets upon walking through its grounds: “In my dream, I walked through an enchanted forest and stumbled upon a majestic castle.”
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort is located at 1001 LaFayette Dr, Farmington, Pennsylvania 15437. To plan your vacation, visit www.nemacolin.com or call (866) 399-6957.
Photos by Bob Perkoski, www.Perkoski.com.
Owner Joseph Hardy displays his impressive art collection around Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. He believes that art should be accessible to the public rather than encased behind glass walls. In an interview in Leaders magazine Joseph Hardy noted, “…you get the most enjoyment out of things by seeing others enjoy them. That's the essence of life…that's why I choose to show the art to the public – so others can come to the resort and say, 'Look at this!' You have to share life with somebody to get the full experience.” In the lobby he showcases two Versace chairs, which were, incidentally, purchased for $18,000 each two months before designer Gianni Versace was killed. The hallway leading to the spa holds a visual feast – candelabras with gold-filled balls, the original death notice of George Washington, three original Audubon books and a sculpture of some of the jazz greats. The grounds are graced by the presence of an enormous bronze sculpture of Sacagawea as well as an actual section of the Berlin Wall.
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort hosts an impressive gamut of events, from the yearly PGA golf tour called the 84 Lumber Classic to tasting events and parties that benefit various charities. Its renowned Savoir Affair gives Clevelanders an excuse to escape for a few days and partake in a four-day celebration of food, art, music, wine and spirits. Last year planners brought in Tony Bennett and Sara Moulton, the executive chef of Gourmet Magazine. The silent auction brought in $80,000 which benefited a children's cancer center.
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort is also a family-oriented resort. It has a downhill ski slope, horseback riding, rock climbing, swimming, tennis and golf instruction. An area called the Kidz Klub provides parents a safe place to leave their kids for a day of adventure. A Kidz Club favorite is Dino Discoveries, a prehistoric program that allows them to touch real dinosaur bones, learn about fossils and create their own replica of a Megalodon Shark tooth or Velociraptor claw.
