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| Farmington, PA - USA |
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Extraordanary -
Merit
June - 2008 |
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5 Stars
& 4 Stripes
Overall - 'Hotel & Service' |
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The
Ultimate Award:
Seven Stars and
Stripes® |
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| Nestled in the picturesque and unspoiled Laurel
Highland Mountains of western Pennsylvania and located in what used to be a
fishing and hunting preserve, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa offers the
ultimate vacations for nature lovers, golfers and spa enthusiasts alike. This
was our second visit to Nemacolin Woodland and this time we were here to review
Nemacolin's latest edition, the Falling Rock boutique hotel. We expect to
experience the twenty-four hour private butler service and rediscover its
critically acclaimed Nemacolin Spa. Falling Rock's name refers to Fallingwater,
one of Frank Lloyd Wright's most renowned and widely acclaimed architectural
work, designed in 1936 and easily accessible through Nemacolin's backyard.
Falling Rock hotel offers over forty distinctive luxury suites, a gourmet
restaurant, an awesome 'PGA' locker-room, an infinity edge Wright style pool
and access to all that the Nemacolin resort has to offer. |
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| Falling Rock -
Arrival: Chris Plummer & Thorsten Bührmann |
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| This is a luxurious, intimate hotel within a
successful family resort. Loftus Engineers designed Falling Rock in the Frank
Lloyd Wright style in seven weeks and it was constructed thereafter within nine
months. Loftus Inc. was the proud recipient of the IIDA award for this Frank
Lloyd Wright inspiration. This International Illumination Design Award
recognizes extraordinary lighting designs and indeed the premises stays
'delightful', after dark. Our arrival at Falling Rock was a perfect show, well
rehearsed, impressive and perfectly executed. Check-in was done here the old
fashioned way, but our personal butler service set in from the moment the bell
staff opened our car doors. Impressive water features in the arrival hall set
the tone on relax, offsetting the master's favoritism of stylish sharp angles
with earthy hues meant to emphasize the setting of Mr. Wright's Fallingwaters
house and the waterfall over which it was built. |
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| Falling Rock -
Suite |
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| My corner suite I would consider as stylish rustic and
the views glorious displaying the Mystic Rock golf course, designed by Peter
Dye. Our
Lady
Butler Ms. Neely Conn was delightful, trained by one of the Old World
butlers from one of the good butler schools of Great Britain. I knew that I
would be cared for superbly, but please realize that twenty-four hour butler
service easily becomes a habit. The furnishings of my elegant, well-appointed
domicile were accented in polished classy mahogany and my accommodations
spacious and carefully designed. The bath facilities appear chic and the large
earthy tub was surrounded by candles and ready to be drawn. My bed was plush,
dressed with Egyptian cotton and Chenille duvet covers and hard to resist. My
'around the clock' unobtrusive butler service included the unpacking of my
suitcase, steaming my slightly deformed slacks and Jacket, serving afternoon
and evening snacks and then some. I took advantage of the pillow menu as well
as the shoeshine service, and enjoyed my favorite background music after
turndown. |
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| Falling Rock's guests take
advantage of the Nemacolin Spa that has made this resort so famous, which is
the answer you get when you ask the ladies - while most gentlemen swear it's
the award-winning eighteen-hole challenge. Mystic Rock's links sprawl
majestically throughout Nemacolin's wooded acreage. This 6,832-yard course
promises golfers a challenge like no other. Besides, the overall Nemacolin
experience is also unique through its priceless fifty million dollar art
collection of which the most significant pieces are found at the
Château. |
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| Nemacolin
- Sport - Shooting |
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| The Nemacolin Gallery features the private Hardy
Family Art Collection, which is recognized for many of its museum quality
pieces. The eclectic collection ranges from a 17th century portrait of Queen
Elizabeth, to original vintage posters by Henri de Toulouse Lautrec and
original artwork by LeRoy Neiman and not to forget Nemacolin's adorable mascot,
Fat Bird. Fashionably in style with the Botero sculpture at the resort's
entrance, Fat Bird is a plump little fellow with short legs and has grown close
to the hearts of many returning guests. Fat Bird supposedly loves to swim, ski,
shoot skeet, shop, golf, ride horses and loves to spa. |
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| Nemacolin
SPA: Mary & Thorsten Buehrmann |
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So do we and we were
here to rediscover one of America's most recognized spas. As we enter the spa
facilities we hear and see the relaxing sounds of running or cascading water,
there is the feeling of serenity, and we are surrounded by the aromas of herbs
and clean, contemporary lines as originally designed by Clodagh. |
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“A space cannot be truly beautiful unless it functions in
harmony with who we are...
it’s about pleasure: discovering what
pleases us and creating an environment
that will celebrate those qualities
and sustain us.” ~ Clodagh |
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| We had read that The Woodlands Spa is a cell phone
free environment, and we were delighted that guests seem to follow these
directions. To my surprise we were started off with a classic full body massage
using long, smooth strokes that resulted in an immediate release of tension.
This was followed by a quick Woodlands Body Polish consisting of essential oils
of pine that was mixed with grains of salt to exfoliate the body and leave the
skin vibrant and very smooth. Then we took a spa break for lunch at the
Elements' Café. On the menu was a variety of salads, fruit smoothies and
wraps. After a light, delicious and healthy lunch we went into a session of
Acutonics® which is a 'vibrational massage'. |
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| 2008 -
Award-Hand-Out - Nemacolin SPA - Seven Stars And Stripes |
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| We had been encouraged to wear loose, comfortable
clothing to reach the full effect. Acutonics®, which is said to be similar
to Acupuncture, uses meridian and source points to allow vibrations to travel
through the body. Tuning forks are strategically placed on our acupressure
points. These tools enable one to address ailments, stress, anxiety, headaches,
digestive issues and others. A final classic Woodlands personalized deep
cleansing facial followed that included a heated hand and foot
treatment. |
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| “Is there is anything else I can assist you with
Mr. Buehrmann?” We truly appreciate and compliment the standard of
personalized butler service at Falling Rocks.
Mr.
Brian McAllister and
Miss
Neely Conn understand their professional butler trade expertly. -
General
Manager Trey Matheu oversaw the opening of Falling Rock himself after he
joined Nemacolin Woodlands in '02. Before that he worked in senior positions as
Food and Beverage Manager at the Keystone Resort in Colorado, Resident Manager
at Jackson Lake Lodge and Resident Manager at Snake River Lodge & Spa, both
in Wyoming. This 'Jack of all Hospitality Trades' was able to overcome most
obstacles and it shows that he is not afraid to roll up his sleeves. Under his
hands-on management this resort has potential to reach for the
stars. |
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by
Edmund Buehrmann & Thorsten Buehrmann
Editor: Ingrid
Lemme
Editor-in-Chief: John Lomitola |
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| © 2008 ~ Seven Stars and Stripes, Inc. |
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