Mohonk Mountain House
New Paltz, New York
800.772.6646; www.mohonk.com

For over a century, Mohonk Mountain House has been a haven of timeless luxury for guests seeking to enjoy the natural wonders of the 6,400 Mohonk Preserve. Built by the Smiley family in 1869 and still under their beneficent ownership, this grand 266-room Victorian castle-resort keeps improving with age.

Set on 2,200 woodland acres and only 90 miles north of New York City, Mohonk offers the perfect escape for those looking for that delightful combination of Old World charm and modern day comforts. Beautifully-carved woodwork, period furnishings and countless fireplaces recreate the atmosphere of a 19th-century great estate. The 266 guest rooms, many with balconies and fireplaces, feature a mix of Victorian, Edwardian, and Craftsman decor. Rates for all rooms include three meals daily in one of three Victorian dining rooms, as well as afternoon tea and cookies.

The resort’s new 30,000-square-foot world-class spa was designed to capture the ambiance of its stunning natural surroundings and to integrate with the architectural heritage of the resort. Local timber and cedar shingles were used to help blend the spa wing into the mountaintop. This natural theme is carried throughout the spa’s interior with the use of stained ash wainscoting, moldings and pine floors. Furthermore, the building has over 200 windows overlooking the magnificent grounds. The spa features 16 treatment rooms, a solarium, steam rooms and saunas, an outdoor heated mineral pool, and an indoor heated swimming pool with an underwater sound system. The state-of-the art fitness center and yoga/motion center offer classes in Yoga, Qi Gong, meditation, breathing, and relaxation, and Ai Chi.

Complementing the spa’s menu of more than 50 therapeutic services are Signature Treatments which use indigenous botanicals and materials. The “Shawangunk Grit“ Mineral Body Treatment ($160, 80 minutes) uses fine quartz grains quarried from the surrounding cliffs and is guaranteed to leave your skin and your soul renewed. “Mohonk Red” witch hazel is the magic ingredient added to the “Mohonk Red “Massage ($170, 80 minutes), which combines acupressure, Swedish massage, Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage, and traditional Thai stretches to de-stress and re-balance the entire body. Teens are in for a fragrant treat when they experience the soothing Lavender Massage ($60, 25 minutes). Facials for both normal and problematic skin ($60, 25 minutes), as well as manicures and pedicures round out the menu.

Sports enthusiasts will delight in the countless recreational opportunities. In addition to 85 miles of hiking trails, the resort offers a 9-hole Scottish-design golf course and two putting greens, tennis facilities, including two red clay and four Har-Tru courts, horseback riding and basketball courts. The half-mile-long Lake Mohonk is ideal for boating, fishing and swimming. This year, the resort added a new rock climbing program for those who want to scale the awe-inspiring Shawangunk Mountain Ridge. For those who are not the active type, Mohonk also offers three acres of beautiful gardens, horse-drawn carriage rides and over 40 theme programs throughout the year, including culinary classes, gardening workshops, music festivals, and nature programs.