Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, the expansive, award-winning destination resort located in Farmington, Pennsylvania is a perfect example of a hospitality facility that appeals to multi-generations.
Over the past decade I have visited twice and both times have left with the feeling that this resort – including accommodations, restaurants and activities – offers something for every age and every interest.
Of course, facilities include a spa – actually two spas. As a complement to the Woodlands Spa, in 2009 management opened Spa Voyage Kidz Spa in a space located away from the adult facility. We give them top marks for keeping the two completely separate.
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Woodlands Spa at Nemacolin Resort & Spa
A large, modern, three-storey facility designed around the principles of Feng Shui, the spa incorporates 40 treatment rooms, a wet area, a co-ed lounge with a four-sided fireplace, a luxury gym, an all-day café and an indoor, co-ed, lap pool. A full service salon and adjacent mani/pedi area overlooking a landscaped herb garden are also available. And all around – nature.
A large bolder at the entrance to the Woodlands Spa is symbolic of leaving the negative thoughts and emotions behind as one walks over the bridge past a reflecting pool and into the spa. It’s “a gradual journey into the ‘arms’ of the spa where you are nurtured,” says spa director Lori Shubert.
With over 100 treatments, the spa menu is extensive, and signature treatments include those that honour Native American traditions. Nemacolin is, after all, the name of a former Native American chief whose tribe once resided in the region. A Sacred White Buffalo now grazes on the property.
I tried the 105-minute Dream Catcher, a signature treatment incorporating the traditional burning of sage, native music, cranial sacral work and a massage using the wave-like Lomi Lomi technique. The intention is relaxation, nurturing and a spiritual rebirth.
Another treatment – The Harvest Awakening – includes a scrub made with corn meal, a clay wrap and a muscle soak with cedar and frankincense. The menu also includes a handful of the latest anti-aging treatments – LED light and micro-current therapies, for instance – plus a wide array of massage and body work options.
While Woodlands Spa is certainly contemporary, the décor incorporates touches that give a country feel: lots of wood accents, branches fashioned into works of art, twig and leaf motifs on carpets, a piece of driftwood styled into a chair, a polished tree trunk acting as an end table and wooden bowls filled with pumpkin seeds.
One of the spa’s more unique features – is the Walking Path – an indoor water path lined with pebbles and based on reflexology principals. I was a tad disappointed to discover that unlike the other wet area options – sauna, steam, pool – the path is booked as a 25- minute therapist guided Water Path Ritual.
In addition to a fitness studio with free daily classes, the spa building also houses a first class gym that is one of the most luxurious resort spa gyms I’ve come across.
Adjacent to the gym, there’s a café/bar area serving fresh fruit juices and smoothies, plus light meals such as salads, wraps and snacks such as roasted garlic hummus served with whole wheat pita. Just like the resort itself, the Spa at Nemacolin offers a little something for everyone.
Spa Voyage Kidz Spa
In 2009, Nemacolin introduced Spa Voyage Kidz Spa, totally separated from the Woodlands Spa adult facility. Conveniently located next to the Kidz Club (with half and full-day programs), Spa Voyage caters to ages 5 to 15 with a trip-around-the-world theme. For instance, there’s a Moroccan pedicure area with miniature custom built chairs.
Along with fun, the main focus of the spa is education – for instance, teaching teens about skin care. They carry product lines especially formulated for young skin.
There are also activities as well as treatments. For instance, kids can make their own scrubs plus there are toys, a trunk of clothes for dress up and pictures taking.
Overall Spa Voyage has a fun, colourful, whimsical feel with positive messages such as “Just Be Yourself” posted on the walls. We also like their sense of humour: a well positioned sign reads – “Unattended Children will be given Expresso and a free kitten.”