Scott recently took us on an adventure to a woodlands resort in Pennsylvania known is Nemacolin. This two thousand acre resort is also home to it’s owner, Maggie Hardy, daughter of Joseph Hardy, of 84 Lumber, whom had originally purchased it in 1987. Real quick history lesson: the Rockwell family (whom were Pittsburgh industrialists and extremely wealthy) purchased 60 acres in the 1930’s for their family to have a “retreat” for hunting and fishing. Through the years they continued to purchase more land and eventually built a lodge. Then Joseph Hardy bought the property in an auction but he was in the lumber business and knew nothing of the hotel industry. He had visited the Ritz Carlton in Paris and apparently fell in love with it’s ambiance and decided to build a chateau adjacent to the existing lodge. So now in present day, you have Nemacolin Woodlands Resort! Now let’s get to what we did and what we ate!
First of all, I will say that Scott and I have never visited a place where everyone was so kind and accommodating. We seriously didn’t feel like we deserved to be there and felt beyond blessed we were able to experience this place. We were never told no. I had a snot nose kid running around touching everything and everyone that worked there would smile and offer him a milk. The main hotel was full of art. $55 million dollars worth to be exact. It’s probably a good thing we were only there one night because it was hard to control my kid from rubbing his grimy hands all over a statue worth $32,000.
We were supposed to have the town houses for all three nights but the first night they weren’t available so they put us up in the chateau. If you are just traveling with your significant other, the chateau is perfect. It’s beautiful and luxurious. Very romantic. They provide booze. If you have a one year old, the main hotel might not be the best option. Grady was up much of the night because he could hear doors opening and closing and people talking. He was also up super early because he could see us and hear us.
This is the original lodge. I never got to see the inside, but I’m sure it’s amazing.
The entire resort was decorated with MacKenzie Childs. I know this because I had too many glasses of wine one night and actually turned one of these pumpkins over to see the brand on the bottom.
After the first night at the chateau, they moved us to the townhouses which were further down the property. They were two story with two bedrooms on the second floor so Grady was able to have his own room. Oddly enough, he slept really well at the townhouses and he seemed to enjoy them more. They weren’t as luxurious but were just as comfortable.
We were supposed to have a horseback riding excursion but it ended up getting rained out. We were lucky to have the rain stop long enough for us to have a safari excursion. The resort actually has a zoo on-site and a tour guide takes you around to see all the animals. It’s pretty incredible how close you can get to many of them. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and patient with the fact that we had a one year old.
If you’re a golfer, the resort also has stay and play resort packages. My husband has done the stay and play while entertaining customers and he says the course is beautiful.
Even the coffee was delicious! I ended up getting several a day from The Pantry – and one for the road home!
I was able to escape to the spa while Scott went to the shooting range. Grady went to the kids club provided by the resort. I was actually able to relax knowing the staff at the kids club were all certified in CPR, first aid, etc. I got a facial and a manicure and a pedicure. The spa was three stories. The top floor had a stunning fireplace with chaise lounges surrounding it. I was able to sit with a glass of wine between my appointments. It was perfect because the weather outside was mighty chilly!
The resort was also home to this restaurant, Lautrec. They flat out told us that there was a dress code and specially said that the dinner menu wouldn’t satisfy a child’s palate. I’ve always considered fine dining to be an experience, rather than pretentious. Maybe we’ll come back and try this place out one day. The group we were with also had young children so we thought it best not to eat here this trip.
We ended up getting a babysitter through the resort and ate at Rockwell’s. It was delicious. A friend and I shared the lobster bisque. Whoever said nothing tastes as good as skinny feels, has never had the lobster bisque from Rockwell’s. I ended up getting the 6oz filet with the béarnaise sauce. The sides were all family style so we tried the brussels sprouts, the wild mushrooms, the whipped potatoes and the garlic spinach. The brussels sprouts were actually my favorite. The boys also had the mac and cheese and they said it was phenomenal. I’ve never had an expensive bottle of wine in my life. As a matter of fact, I’ve always said that a $20 bottle of wine tastes just as good as a $200 bottle of wine. I said that right up until I actually got to taste a $200 bottle of wine. I have never tasted anything like it. It was the most delicious wine I have ever experienced. That’s not to say I’m going to go around buying expensive wine from here on out, but it was definitely an experience.
After dinner we were able to relax by the fire pit. The Pantry provides little tins with all your s’more fixins’ for dessert. The tin also makes a great little keepsake.
So there you have it! Our little trip to Nemacolin! There was still so much to do at the resort that we weren’t able to do in just a few days. Maybe this will help you plan your next vacation!
~Ashley