The Spa at Mohonk House

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Oct 11th 2005 at 4:01PM

The Spa at Mohonk Mountain House is a new spa that opened Labor Day weekend at the secluded retreat in New Paltz, NY that is one of America's oldest resorts. The Spa at Mohonk Mountain House is designed to be an eco-friendly facility and is a 30,000 square foot area designed to fit in with the classic look of the historic buildings on site. The spa wing uses as a geothermal heating and cooling system and there is a green sod roof on one section of the building that can be used in warmer months for relaxation, mediation, and yoga. The spa includes an indoor pool, fitness center, outdoor mineral pool, as well as 16 treatment rooms. Spa Index has a review of the new spa and the writer Kevin McClain says that the 80 minute Mohonk Red Massage, which includes breathing techniques, acupressure, Swedish massage and Thai stretches is "a demonstration of the very definition of wellness, at the hands of an expert."

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Beckman Dec 18th 2005 6:02PM

My wife and I went to Mohonk one winter. We were 29 at the time. The food was not nearly as good as they purport (we've had some really really nice dinners, such as Tru in Chicago -- most amazing 12 course meal of my life). The staff was made up of high schoolers and teenagers for the most part. They didn't serve from the left and clear from the right, nor did they provide you with clean silverware (the waitstaff was also mostly teenagers, and had not been taught how to serve at the most basic level -- one evening the waitress took my fork off my plate and put it down again so I could use it for dessert!!!). The grounds were pretty nice, though it was winter, so we didn't see the gardens in all their glory. We went cross country skiing (nice), tubing at a hill (fun), went to a "Couples Yoga" event (scary), went to a rendition of Jeopardy (Cheesy), the floors were creaky and strange, the walls of your room were fairly thin (we enjoyed a couple's arguements next door), the bed was a bit uncomfortable, and generally Mohonk didn't live up to our expectations for the weekend, especially for the cost. I think they overcharged us too, then argued with us about it. They seemed to nickel and dime you about stupid stuff; we were charged $8 for a plastic wine opener. When you're paying $350 a night, come on... Most of the visitors were older, between 40-70, and they seemed to enjoy the strange cheesy creepy scary weekend.

On the plus side, there was a working fireplace with wood in the room. And the view was pretty cool.

Kate Dec 18th 2005 6:02PM

Well, back when I was 29, I was unimpressed by alot of inns and resorts as well, but it sounds as if you're describing what Mohonk was at the time, and not what it is now. They have upgraded extensively and its a marvel, really. My sisters and I find the older couples who still come here a quaint feature, but it's far from your "Poconos Parade" that it may have seemed at the time. Give it another try, you'll be surprised. Times change, and so did Mohonk.

Kate Dec 18th 2005 6:02PM

One thing about the food, though. It has improved, but still is a bit spotty, or hit and miss. This writer McClain sounds like he had a hit and miss night as well, so yes, I've had better meals at resorts, but I've also had FAR, FAR worse. This place is great for families, where pleasing a variety of palattes is more important than one or two "foodies."

Emily Keller Dec 18th 2005 6:02PM

I recently stayed at Mohonk this Spring and was absolutely amazed and impressed. I had never been to a place like this inside of the continental U.S. It made me feel as though I had stumbled upon a secret castle in the woods-I really enjoyed the solitude and serenity of it all. As for the food, I thoroughly enjoyed my meals- especially my desert. I hope to get up there to sample the Spa this winter. I saw it in it's early stages and can't wait to see the finished product!