A Spa weekend near Woodstock

Get up early and enjoy a quiet breakfast on the porch overlooking giant maples while listening to the relaxing fountain and beautiful music. Stroll down to the spa for an afternoon of pampering and then enjoy afternoon tea in the sitting room.

Drive to Woodstock for an afternoon of shopping in the ecclectic stores before coming back to the Inn for a first class dinner.

Quick Tips:

Bring some smart casual attire for dinner at the Inn. Everything about this place is elegant and while it's not formal you'll feel more comfortable dressing nice. Leave the cell phone at home. It won't come in once you hit the Catskills and you'll be too relaxed to care.

Best Way To Get Around:

A car is a must to get here but once you're at the Emerson you can walk or bike to several attractions.

The Emerson is in a class all it's own. From the moment you walk in the door you feel welcomed and special. Not only are you addressed by name but the entire staff goes out of their way to fulfill your every need. They are all specialists in their field and have been brought in from all over the world--France, England, Romania, Scotland, Belgium, Germany, South Africa, Romania, Switzerland. The Emerson's staff makes a weekend in the Catskills an international experience.

Each of the 24 rooms at The Emerson has it's own unique personality that is themed after individual countries such as the West Indies, Asia and Africa. The attention to detail is incredible! From the fresh fruit in the room to the homemade gourmet chocolates on your turned-down bed to the Hermes toiletries in the bath, everything they do at The Emerson makes you feel special.

Have you ever slept on a cloud? You will here! The feather mattress pads and comforters on the beds will make you linger in the morning. The larger rooms have large whirlpool baths big enough for two along with CD players and relaxing CD's to complete a relaxing or romantic evening. If you're a booklover, this is the place for you. Bookscases line the walls and the private sitting area in our room was the perfect place to curl up and read.

If you're looking to escape from the noise and fast pace of civiliation you will love it here! With only 24 rooms you can be assured of the utmost in privacy and service.

Be prepared to spend a couple of hours at dinner...and enjoy every minute of it! The chef always provides a surprise or two in the form of a complimentary appetizer not on the menu, a sample of a special wine or some sampling from the kitchen. The appetizers are a fantastic way to start the meal (I particularly enjoyed the Lobster and the shrimp appetizers). For an entree, all of the fish dishes are fantastic (as a vegetarian I can't vouch for the meat dishes). But make sure you save room for the desserts. Over the course of three nights we tried them all with the Banana Tart and Chocolate Soufflé being my favorites.

Breakfast was equally enjoyable (try the oatmeal and fruit). I never thought an oatmeal dish could be so wonderful. Ask to sit on the deck and enjoy the solitude.

The name sums it up - Heaven is delicious. The owner is a well known caterer in the area, Oliver Kita. Check out the amazing photos of his events on the walls as you walk in.

Heaven is part bakery, part coffee/tea house and part gourmet cafe. The blend of open-air kitchen with hard wood floors is charming.

The smell of fresh baked cookies and pastries and brewing coffee envelop you as you walk through the door making it impossible not to sit down and enjoy your surroundings.

The juice bar features fresh vegetable and fruit drinks that make up for any sweets you may indulge in.

I tried the Grilled Portabella and Fresh Mozzarella and Tomato Wrap along with a Cucumber Cooler with fresh squeezed cucumber, celery and apple juice. Both were amazing! This place is worth the drive to Woodstock.

Wander past the collection of jams, sauces and books on your way out and take something home to try to recreate your experience.

These are just a few more photos from our trip that I wanted to share. We had a relaxing time and these pictures convey our stress-free experience.

We had a tour of several of the rooms at the Emerson, but the Asia Room was definitely one of our favorites.

With very tasteful Asian accents throughout, this room could not have been designed any better. The bed was perhaps the most comfortable bed I had ever slept on. The double whirlpool tub was dwarfed in the huge bathroom. The separate sitting room area provided plenty of space for just chilling out.

At the end of the day, you won't find a more restful place to sleep or hang out.

We had the pleasure of a tour of the Emerson. I was amazed at the attention to detail throughout. The entire resort spa was designed as if a world traveler from Teddy Roosevelt's day had decorated. As you move from room to room, you will appreciate the individual pieces from around the world. Things like a Steinway from the 1870's, an elaborate bird cage from the Orient, paintings from different parts of the world, and many more delights that are better left to be discovered.

Just when you think you can't possibly be more relaxed head over to the Spa at The Emerson.

As you open the doors the tranquil sounds of the fountain and music immediately relax you.

You'll start your sessions off in the Relaxation Lounge where you meet your therapist and can enjoy a cup of tea before entering one of the eight treatment rooms.

Each staff member is highly trained in all the spa services The Emerson has to offer, so you won't be handed off from person to person in between treatments.

The range of services offered here was immense and I had a hard time deciding what to indulge in. I finally settled on a aromatherapy facial and swedish massage which made for a blissful afternoon and convinced me that I needed to come back soon to try the other services offered.

The Emerson Spa offers a sauna and steam room, work out facility and an amazing resistance pool that is much harder than it looks!

This Spa isn't just for the ladies, they offer everything from a Hydrotherapy bath to an Indian Head Massage, along with a full line of services just for the gentlemen.

To make the most of the Spa, I recommend their Ultimate Escape package which includes Skin Brushing & Sea Salt Exfoliation, Restorative Mud Wrap, Shaitsu Massage, Luxury Facial and a Mini Hand & Foot Treatment.

Call them at 845-688-7900 for their Spa Portfolio, it's not just a brochure but an 18 page book on all the services!

Whether you enjoy mountain biking, fly-fishing, horseback riding, or hiking you are within minutes of whatever you prefer. I went for several runs through the countryside and used the mountain bikes available at the Emerson to exlpore the backroads and trails. I didn't have time for the horseback riding, but several stables were within a couple of miles.

In the afternoons, the Emerson has a wonderful afternoon tea in the main sitting room. You will enjoy your choice of teas along with a variety of pastries and finger snacks that are absolutely delightful.

These are a few more photos from our spa trip. Here's another look at the beautiful scenery that made our trip memorable.