The Spa at Mohonk Mountain House

When one thinks of visiting a family owned resort, what first comes to mind is an intimate, cozy weekend escape with personalized touches and time-honored traditions.

Mohonk Mountain House in upstate New York, a National Historic Landmark owned and operated by the aptly named Smiley family for over 140 years, still somehow manages to evoke this warm familial feeling despite its impressive size, history and extensive offerings, including 1200 acres of natural beauty, 266 guest rooms, golf, tennis, boating, skiing, stables, gardens, even a museum. The sprawling Victorian castle resort literally takes your breath away as you approach.   Nestled within the magnificent Shawangunk Mountains overlooking Lake Mohonk, it is hard to believe you are just 90 miles north of Manhattan.

The entire property is truly an escape back in time; it carefully combines the castle’s original 19^th century charm with updated 21^st century amenities, honoring founder Albert Smiley’s mission to respect the original resort and protect the surrounding environment.  The Smileys were eco-friendly before it was trendy, receiving an award from the United Nations Environment Programme on their 125^th anniversary for their environmental stewardship.

When the award winning Spa at Mohonk Mountain House was added in 2005, it was designed with these values in mind.  Carved into a natural glacier-formed stone bluff overlooking Lake Mohonk, the Spa literally “brings the outside in,” using recycled stone excavated from the site for its walls and fireplaces, local timber for its beams, cedar shingles and 200 windows to show off the majestic surroundings.  It also seamlessly fits in with the rest of the property, as if it had been there for 100 years.
Mother Nature was truly the master builder here, and the Spa takes full advantage … one feels enveloped by the lush foliage.  The indoor heated pool, with an underwater sound system, is surrounded by full windowed walls framed by natural wood beams.  The 80 foot glass enclosed verandas connect to a solarium with a natural stone fireplace, all providing drop dead views of the beauty outside, no matter the season.

One of the highlights of the spa is the 2,000 square foot “green roof” garden terrace and outdoor heated mineral pool, where you’ll truly feel at one with nature, as the shaded plants allow birds and butterflies to join you in contemplation and relaxation. The spa’s Signature Elements of Nature spa treatments are inspired by the natural surroundings as well, integrating indigenous botanicals and materials into many of the spa experiences.
The “Shawangunk Grit” Mineral Body Treatment starts with a relaxing hydro-tub soak, and then uses fine quartz grains quarried from the surrounding cliffs to gently exfoliate, followed by warmed botanical cream and a soothing cocoon wrap that will transform you into a beautiful butterfly.

The Signature “Mohonk Red” Massage honors the Mohonk Red Witch Hazel grown naturally on the grounds.  Inhale the warmed signature oil inspired by the surrounding forest as it’s massaged into your skin, while the face and feet are wrapped in towels infused with pure witch hazel.  A heavenly combination of Acupressure, Swedish massage, Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage and traditional Thai stretches de-stress and re-balance the body.  The “Mohonk Red” theme can also be experienced in facial, manicure and pedicure offerings.

For a deeper, more powerful experience, The Indigo Herbal Poultice Massage will soothe and heal you.  Inspired by the Indigo plant that grows naturally on the property, this therapeutic deep heat massage features a steamed Indigo Herbal Poultice (muslin pouch) filled with wild herbs and spices that will loosen sore muscles, ease tension and increase circulation.  Heat combined with Thai stretches, aromatherapy, acupressure and massage techniques help detoxify and heal the body from the stresses of modern day living.

Spa guests must go outside to experience the surroundings first-hand on the 85 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, cross country skiing and rock climbing.  You can also stroll through the beautiful Victorian gardens, take culinary classes and gardening workshops, attend nature programs or boat, fish and swim on the half-mile-long, glacial-formed Lake Mohonk.

Better yet, kick back on one of the rocking chairs on the porch facing these spectacular, unspoiled surroundings and allow yourself to be transported to a simpler time when a blackberry and an apple were just fruit to nibble on and the only tweeting was the sound of the birds.