Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

Located in Southwestern Pennsylvania in the Laurel Highlands of the Allegheny Mountains, the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort features 6 accommodation options, 2 championship golf courses and a host of other activities and attractions on its 3,000 mountain acres. Nemacolin has been awarded the AAA Five Diamond status for one of its fine dining options, Lautrec, a French-themed restaurant, and for its Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired luxurious accommodation option in Falling Rock.

The Nemacolin Woodlands Resort’s namesake, Chief Nemacolin, trailblazed the area and in 1740 plotted the East to West route that was later used by Colonel George Washington and eventually established as the first national highway (Route 40). That same trailblazing spirit can be seen throughout the resort as luxury accommodations and world-class amenities have continuously been added over the years.

The resort has 2 golf courses which include the Links Course and the more recent Mystic Rock Golf Course, a Pete Dye design and former home to a PGA tournament, the 84 Lumber Classic whose winners included Vijay Singh, Jason Gore and Ben Curtis. Mystic Rock Golf Course, with 5 sets of tees, measures over 7,550 yards from the tips and takes players over rolling and wooded terrain. Lush wide fairways and perfectly smooth greens create great conditions for an enjoyable round. Forecaddies are provided to each group to assist golfers locate shots, provide local advice and maintain a fair pace of play. Caddies are also available to carry your bag if you prefer to enjoy your round on foot.

Complimenting the Mystic Rock Golf Course are the world-class golf shop and locker rooms which are located in Falling Rock and thus are fashioned in the same Frank Lloyd Wright style. The spacious golf shop, which overlooks the pool and the Mystic Rock Golf Course, is well appointed with a very large selection of apparel and equipment. Both men’s and women’s apparel are fairly represented. The locker rooms are also spacious and complete with every luxury one associates with fine properties. Both men’s and women’s locker rooms were some of the best I have ever seen. After your round stay for a drink at the Amber Lounge located in the lobby of Falling Rock. Sit inside and admire the architecture or sit outside on the Sunset Terrace which overlooks Mystic Rock Golf Course and the forests of the Laurel Highlands.

The Links Course is a traditional Scottish design where rocks and water come into play on several holes. A par 70 course, the Links Course tests even serious golfers yet provides either a warm up for, or a repreival from, your round on Mystic Rock Golf Course.

The Links Course golf shop is a certified Nike Golf Shop which features extensive Nike apparel and equipment. The David Leadbetter Golf Academy is located here and includes a 3,000 square foot facility comprised of 4 hitting bays, a classroom, an indoor short game area complete with putting greens, chipping areas and green-side bunker. Individual and group lessons are available and include complete video and swing analysis.

The John Daly Practice Center serves golfers from both courses and has over 6,000 square feet of grass tees, 27,000 square feet of putting and chipping greens, 3 practice bunkers and 7 target greens.
Corporate memberships (a foursome each day for the entire year) are available on an annual basis and are a great way to entertain clients.

The resort features 3 main lodging options in addition to private luxury homes and townhouses which are both excellent options for extended family or group vacations. The Lodge, which is the original hotel, is English Tudor in style and resembles an English countryside inn. The lobby and ground floor areas are comprised of warm sitting areas, retail shops, conference areas and ballrooms. Autumn, an Italian-themed restaurant, is also located within The Lodge. Extending out from The Lodge are the entertainment areas on one side and the Chateau Lafayette on the other. The entertainment areas include retail shops, P.J’s Pizza and Ice Cream Parlor, Kidz Klub and Activities Center for kids of all ages, an 8,500 gallon saltwater aquarium and the Tavern, a traditional English style pub. Continuing on in this direction will lead to the Caribbean style pool and the Woodlands Spa.

On the other side of The Lodge is Chateau Lafayette, modeled after the Ritz in Paris, which pays tribute to the grand hotels in Europe. Chateau Lafayette features crystal chandeliers, crown moldings, vaulted ceilings and other prestigious architectural elements. Tours of the resort’s $45 million art collection start each day at 3:00pm from the Chateau Lafayette lobby. Wine tastings and culinary classes from award winning chefs also take place in the Chateau Lafayette. The resort’s Chateau Cigar Bar and finest dining option, Lautrec, are located here. For a fine dining extravaganza, try either the 7 or 12-course tasting menus which are paired with some of the 1,600 different wines stored in Pennsylvania’s largest private wine cellar, currently estimated at 25,000 bottles.

Falling Rock, located about ½ mile from Chateau Lafayette and The Lodge, is the Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired accommodations which compliment the Mystic Rock Golf Course. The Frank Lloyd Wright style is very angular using squares, rectangles, and especially triangles as well as natural light and colors to create structures that blend in with the natural surroundings. With only 42 rooms, half of which have balconies and overlook the golf course, Falling Rock is an intimate setting where service is unparalleled. The 24-hour butler service attends to every need. The Aqueous restaurant located within Falling Rock is a AAA Four Diamond restaurant that features locally raised beef, lamb, pork and chicken. To heighten your dining experience, reserve the Chef’s Experience table for up to 6 people located in a private dining area with views of the dining room, kitchen and wooded Laurel Highlands. Note that Falling Rock and Aqueous are only open during the golf season (May through October) but large group outings may be accommodated if requests are made in advance.

Not to be outdone by the accommodations, dining or golf, the Woodlands Spa offers almost 100 different treatments in 40 separate treatment rooms including 3 couples rooms. The Woodlands Spa features a heated indoor lap pool and wet areas for men and women. Warm natural colors, stone and flowing waters are used to create a peaceful and relaxing environment in which to receive any of the extensive treatments.

The Woodlands Spa also houses the 2,400 square foot fitness center which is open to all guests. The fitness center contains Cybex equipment, treadmills, other top-of-the-line cardio equipment and free weights. Fitness classes, including yoga, aerobics and Pilates are taught daily. Special fitness classes for golfers and runners and for self-defense are also available in which instructors develop a “take home fitness” program for each guest.

For the business or event traveler, 31,000 square feet of conference and banquet space are available. There are 4 ballrooms, a 200-seat lecture hall, 25 meeting rooms and a full-service business center. The resort’s in-house ThemeWorks department can create a theme or décor for any group function from weddings to annual corporate meetings. Larger event space is located in The Lodge and Horizon Point, the 17,200 square foot Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired conference center that is located next to Falling Rock. Smaller and outdoor meeting space is located throughout the resort.

What I liked about this resort – I like that this resort is completely “over the top” with activities and amenities. The golf, clubhouse and locker room facilities were also exceptional. There are fine dining and accommodation options that rival any in the world and there also are casual settings such an English pub and an ice cream parlor.

There are simply too many activities to discuss but to give you an idea of what’s available the resort had the following: (1) Adventure course, with rope courses of 2 different heights, rock climbing wall and zip line; (2) Off-Road driving course featuring Hummer H1’s and H2’s as well as Toyota FJ Crusiers; (3) Gymnastics Academy; (4) Wildlife Academy and habitats featuring white lions, leopards, buffalo, hyenas and a host of other animals; (5) Lighted miniature golf course; (6) Shooting Academy featuring skeet shooting; (7) Lake with boat rentals and fishing available; and (8) Excellent white water rafting and kayaking in Ohiopyle State Park, just 15 minutes away.

The accommodations at Falling Rock are simply incredible. The attention to detail in the Frank Lloyd Wright style structure is almost overwhelming. Furniture for Falling Rock was custom made in the Frank Lloyd Wright style so even the coffee tables are triangular in shape. Even if you do not stay for the night, visit the hotel and have dinner or a drink at the bar. Note that guests staying at any of the accommodations can use the amenities anywhere on property so try to use the infinity-edge pool at Falling Rock, which is very angular of course and looks over the 18th green of Mystic Rock Golf Course.

I also liked that at 2,500 feet of elevation, it was relatively cool up on the mountain. Whether you’re looking to escape the summer heat, looking for a place to watch the leaves turn colors in the fall, or just looking for a great place for a golf, spa or family getaway, check out the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort website or give them a call.

Nemacolin is only a 1 hour drive from Pittsburgh and a 3 hour drive from the D.C., Baltimore and Cleveland areas. The resort also has an airstrip if you care to fly your own plane. For the rest of us flyers, Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is serviced by major airlines making Nemacolin a convenient vacation destination.

I would like to thank the staff at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort for their hospitality and particularly Chris Plummer for guiding me around the resort.

Chris

Check out the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort at www.Nemacolin.com

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort
1001 Lafayette Drive
Farmington, PA 15437
724-329-8555
For Reservations call 866-344-6957

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