Nemacolin Woodlands Resort: Part 3
Read Part 1 here.
Read Part 2 here.
Ahhhh Woodlands Spa
Like most things at Nemacolin, the Spa is bigger and grander than expected.
Nemacolin Woodlands' Spa lounge (photo J.Kubin) Click to enlarge
Inside the spa, creative use of color and texture evokes the organic and rustic environs of the woods and countryside.
The spa incorporates the principles of Feng Shui, offering a menu of services to pamper and revitalize your mind, body and soul. Walking up to the Spa, a river element and Japanese wood-bridge physically brings you from the outside world to the serenity of the spa experience.
In addition to standard facial and body spa services, guests can partake in the Spa Ritual Experience that includes access to an indoor heated spa pool, whirlpool, steam and sauna areas as well as the fitness center and classes.
Unique to Woodlands are their hydrotherapy treatments that include wellness and thermal mineral baths. Though not able to participate on this visit, the Water Path Ritual beckons my return.
Sarver Springs bath at Woodlands' Spa (photo J.Kubin) Click to enlarge
Walking around the path, water temperatures alternate from cool to warm improving blood and lymphatic flow while smooth pebbles beneath your feet stimulate circulations and improve immune functions.
Following the path, guests relax in the mineral spa filled with salts from the Sarvar Springs of Hungary, finishing the treatment with a cool Swiss shower rinse.
Near the Woodlands Spa guests will find an outdoor pool with slide, waterfall and swim-up bar in addition to a kids’ indoor pool and PJ’s Ice Cream Shop.
The Château Lafayette
Across from the Woodlands Spa is the Lodge and the Château Lafayette that fashioned after the Ritz Paris of France. This lodging is filled with gold, gilt and sparkling chandeliers worthy of the finest European grand hotels.
Lautrec Restaurant at Nemacolin Woodlands
(Photo/J.JKubin) Click to enlarge
Lautrec, one of only twenty restaurants in the world to have been simultaneously awarded the Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond award, offers European style cuisine built around the finest locally sourced ingredients available.
Autumn, as mentioned earlier, features regional cuisine, supporting local farms to source produce, dairy and proteins. While dining, note the “food miles” on the menu highlight how “far” the food has traveled to your plate.
Château rooms are expansive and richly appointed, featuring Palladian windows that allow for reflective moments luxuriating on overstuffed chintz chairs while enjoying the views of the surrounding countryside. Large bathrooms featuring double bowled sinks, marble floors and tiled surrounds while the deep, oversized, Jacuzzi tubs add that little something extra.
Within the Château, guests will find The Académie du Vin overseen by Carl Etcheverry, wine and spirits manager for the resort.
Visiting the resort’s extensive wine cellar with Carl Etcheverry was a journey through history. He shared the joy of wine, from white to red to Champagne, and the mystery and history of the bottle labels.
"Ace of Spades" by Armand de Brignac heldby Carl Etcheverry (Photo/J.Kubin)
Click to enlarge
Monsieur Etcheverry oversees a museum-quality collection of 26,000 bottles including a few rare bottles. The sought-after 1845 Madeira, for example, is a wine that holds up exceedingly well to time. Similarly, the 1947 Cheval Blanc is a Bordeaux wine that is considered to be “one of the most celebrated wines of the 20th century.”
Etcheverry takes guests on wine-tasting tours “around the world” through wine education programs. One recent program he offered was “The Spirit of Bordeaux – A Comprehensive Tour of the World’s Most Famous Wine Region.”
Fridays at 4:00pm guests enjoy a Wine Tasting at the Académie du Vin. On Saturdays, guests can enjoy the Special Reserve Wine Tasting that features exclusive international, premium wines (reservations are required).
On Sundays, epicureans are encouraged to attend the “Art of Wine Pairing” seminar wherein participants experience the chemistry of food and wine while learning how to make wine pairings to marry with the Lautrec Sunday Brunch.
Art and Nemacolin
While journeying through Nemacolin one cannot help but notice the wide variety of collectibles and art. Next to the resort’s 3,900 foot “fair-weather landings” aircraft strip (yes, there seems to be everything here) is the Airplane Hangar and the Auto Toy Store featuring antique museum quality airplanes and automobiles that Mr. Joseph A. Hardy, III founder of Nemacolin personally owned and operated over the years.
One vehicle to be seen on the property is the wood-paneled 1956 Ford Country Squire wagon like the one Joseph Hardy began his 84 Lumber Company out of – selling 2x4’s to contractor out of his back.
What is most impressive however, if you take the time to slow down and look carefully, is The Hardy Family Art Collection that features fine and decorative art, artifacts, antiques and collectibles.
Walking through Château LaFayette, I first notice the remarkable oil paintings. Stopping to read the placards the artists are L.Mannet, Kluge (1912-2003) and Pennsylvania artist James Sulkowski.
"Lone Bull" original Calder (Photo J.Kubin) Click to enlarge
But it was not until visiting the wine cellar that the extensive collection became apparent as I espied first “La Lune et Les Fesses” (1976) an Alexander Calder mobile hanging over the stair. Then I saw Calder’s “Lone Bull” (gouache on paper-1971) hanging in a walkway.
Then a Botera bronze, Head of Girl was followed by an incredible piece of glasswork, one of only two in the entire world, Emile Galle’s Elephant Vase.
And speaking of Botero, his Roman Soldier can also be found on the grounds.
It is then you realize the Tiffany Lamps are real Tiffany and that you are in the midst of a museum quality art collection.
Step into namesake Lautrec’s restaurant and yes, those are Henri de Toulous Lautrec, Mucha and Cheret lithographs.
Visit the tavern and be awed by the circa 1880-1885 pool tables as well as collection of original photographs of an early 1960s Beatles.
A future visit will include plenty of hours in which to find Marilyn Monroe’s dress, Elvis’ shirt, and the collection of impressionist, modern, abstract, bronze cast, indoor and outdoor bronze, terra cotta, and stone sculptures and, oh wait, the Fat Bird, the whimsical bird that graces all things Nemacolin. Again, Botero.
It is truly an eclectic and enjoyable collection of art just waiting for you to turn any corner of the resort and enjoy.
Planning your visit
One of the most impressive aspects of Nemacolin as a summer or fall destination is the ability to tailor a vacation, from accommodations to dining that will fit every member of your tribe.
Including your pooch. Nemacolin Wooflands offers an on-site kennel for pup and kitty care and guests are encouraged to bring the family’s friendly four legged members to run, romp and enjoy the resort.
The resort offers activities for owners and their pets together and there are special “pet friendly spaces” including a pool, spa, grooming center, gourmet dining, themed rooms for relaxing and “doggy day care” for when they want to get away from you and romp with their “own.” Prices are reasonable beginning at $15 per night for overnight boarding and $15 per day for doggy day care!
Bentley, Nemacolin Woodland's Canine Ambassador (Photo/J.Kubin) click to enlarge
There is even the Woodlands Animal Care Center, a full service veterinary office and hospital that includes hydrotherapy physical therapy, dental care, radiology department and full general treatment care.
The family vacation planner should visit the Nemacolin website to find a variety of packages designed to entice a decision to visit Nemacolin including packages built around family, golf, spa, dining and holidays that include a variety of options.
For example, a five-night family package is priced, based on accommodation choice, from approximately $2,700 to $3,500 dollars, includes a $1,500 resort amenity that you can tailor to your family’s activity and dining choices. A spa package includes, per person/per night, dinner, breakfast, Spa Boutique credits and 300 spa points ($300) per person, making this a perfect romantic choice when you don’t want to think about the “small stuff” and instead just want to luxuriate and enjoy.
Read Jacquie's review of Aqueous Restaurant here.
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort
1001 LAFAYETTE DRIVE
FARMINGTON, PA 15437
TEL. 724.329.8555
RES. 866.344.6957
Before you go, visit the web site and review the resort’s packages. Visit http://www.nemacolin.com/specials-packages or call 800.422.2736 for more details our 2010 Summer Packages.
While you are there, if you can tear yourself away from the resort visit:
Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob: Fallingwater may be Frank Lloyd Wrights most well known installation, however Kentuck Knob is equally impressive and worth a visit
Fallingwater
1491 Mill Run Road
Mill Run, PA 15464
724-329-8501
fallingwater@paconserve.org
Kentuck Knob
723 Kentuck Road
Chalk Hill, PA 15421
Telephone 724-329-1901
information@kentuckknob.com
Ohiopyle State Park’s Youghiogheny River
Laurel Caverns Geological Park
Fort Necessity National Battlefield
Jacquie Kubin is a 15-year, award-winning veteran of travel and culinary writing. Today, Jacquie edits and directs a staff of writers for Donne Tempo Magazine, where you can read more of her entertainment, travel and culinary reviews. Jacquie is always looking for new talents who want to expand their horizons.
E-mail Jacquie with ideas, questions or to share your writing dreams. Follow Donne Tempo on Twitter and Facebook.
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