SOCIAL MEDIA

Monday, August 27, 2018

Enjoy A Relaxing Stay At The Gorgeous Emerson Resort and Spa

There's nothing that I enjoy more than going on trips with my family.  Whether we go on a quick weekend trip or spend an extended period of time visiting a destination, I can guarantee we'll always have a good time.  It's exciting to me to find new places to fall in love with while making memories with my family.  There's so much of the world I'd like to see, I hope I can travel for many decades to come.



The Emerson Resort and Spa is a hidden treasure located just two hours from NYC in the Catskill mountains.  The 20 acre establishment reopened in 2016 as a full-service 6,193 square-feet destination luxury spa.  The opening of the spa also marked the unveiling of the Emerson's new spa menu, featuring a variety of signature lines, treatments, and experiences.  There are 53 total rooms including 26 suites/rooms in the contemporary Inn and 27 suites/rooms in the Adirondack-style Lodge.

If you're looking for rest and relaxation, you've certainly come to the right place.  The beautiful grounds offer stunning views of Esopus Creek and Mt. Tremper that will make for wonderful photos. People use the resort for special events like weddings and ceremonies due to the idyllic location.  The resort offers on-site activities for the whole family including a pool, a children's playground, Emerson Park (which has volleyball, corn hole, horseshoe, and frisbee), complimentary bike rentals, Bean Bag Movie Theater, the Family room which offers games, and much more! You can choose to reserve special packages for your stay which include a variety of options.  The Emerson Resort is open to the public for the amenities, not just hotel guests.


Bring your pet along as pets are welcome at Emerson Resort and Spa.  There's a special dog park for your furry friend, and you can even have a fun Emerson upgrade gift for your pet waiting in your room.

If you'd like to make the ultimate day for yourself, why not have breakfast at Woodnotes Grille and then spend the morning having a facial or massage at the spa?  If the pool is open during your stay, go for a quick swim and then check out the walking trails of the grounds.  You can cap off the day by visiting the World's Largest Kaleidoscope and buying something interesting at the Emerson Country Store.  There's plenty to do on-site, but if you did want to leave the resort you can find activities in neighboring towns like Phonecia and Woodstock.


There are two restaurants in Emerson Resort and Spa, Woodnotes Grille and Ralph's Cafe, both are open 7 days a week.  Woodnotes Grille is the property's signature restaurant, which serves handcrafted cocktails and Catskill-themed menu items with ingredients sourced from the local Hudson Valley area.  The menu changes seasonally and focuses on the bounty of the region.  This restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner on a daily basis.  

Ralph's Cafe at the Country Store services freshly prepared soups, salads and sandwiches if you're looking for a quick bite to eat.  Don't forget a sweet treat like cookies or ice cream.

Even though I've lived in the tri-state area for 12 years now, somehow I've only been to the Catskills once previously!  I welcomed this opportunity to visit Emerson Resort and Spa and have a wonderful trip.

From the moment my family and I pulled up to the Emerson, I was in awe of how beautiful it was.  I didn't know where to look first from the gorgeous grounds featuring brightly colored flowers, to the water fountain in the mini fish pond and the pretty establishment itself! Once you walk inside the lobby, you instantly feel warmly welcomed.  The lobby has ample seating for relaxing with a cup of coffee or tea while taking in the nice view outside.

We arrived before our room was ready, so we had some time to check everything out before heading to the room.  The inside decor is stunning and matches the theme of the establishment itself-relaxation. You can't help but fall in love with the huge windows with picturesque views and unusual artwork.

All of the shops and eateries connect with the main lobby of the Inn section of the hotel.  If you're staying in the Inn section of the Emerson, you're in luck because you're centrally located to everything.  If by chance you're staying in the lodge, you're just a 5 minute walk over.  There are different shops for what you may be looking for, including a toy store, housewares, and clothing stores.  Scarlett was very enthusiastic about the toy store and didn't want to leave! We then checked out the World's Largest Kaleidoscope which is a 10 minute show that you can view in a special converted silo.  It was beautiful and surely not to be missed.  The other amenities of the main building feature a library, great room, the spa, and a fitness room.


Since we brought our dog Lynnie, she loved the chance to be off leash in the dog park and go for a stroll on the trails.  Scarlett was ecstatic with the children's playground to get some energy out.  I loved the area by the Esopus Creek where chairs are set up for relaxing by the creek and mountain view!

Honestly, wherever you looked you saw something to capture your interest.  I was thrilled that there's truly something for everyone, which is what Emerson Resort strives to provide.

Once our room was ready, we went there to unwind.  The size of the suite was very large and I could have easily moved right in permanently.  Is that an option? From the plush queen size beds and the large screen TV to the massive bathroom, there's not much more anyone could want! The shower provided a rainfall shower head with body jets and a gigantic soaking tub.  I was in heaven!

Lynnie enjoyed hanging out on the private patio where she could watch people walk by.  She spent most of her time there.

For dinner, we dined at Woodnotes where my husband Jay had coffee rubbed ribs and Scarlett and I shared a rigatoni and peas pasta dish.  For an appetizer, we all shared calamari.  Everything was delicious and very fresh.  We chose to eat outside and very much enjoyed the scenic mountain view.  The server was very accommodating and friendly.


In the morning, we had breakfast again at Woodnotes and I had the best chocolate chip pancakes of my life.  I thought I had good pancakes previously, but I was mistaken.  These pancakes were so thick and fluffy and beyond my expectations.  They were almost the size of a frisbee! Once you took your first bite you were hit with warm and melty chocolate goodness combined with pure maple syrup.  It was perfection at its finest.

I asked the server how these were made and reiterated to her how incredible they were.  I made sure that she told the chef that they were outstanding.  Scarlett had a fruit bowl, 1 child's pancake and turkey sausage.  She's not usually a pancake lover, but of course loved these soft pillows of heaven.  Jay had the Woodnotes skillet and raved over that as well.

We all enjoyed breakfast thoroughly and left with happy stomachs! Jay enjoyed using the sauna before we checked out and always loves to partake in sauna use anytime we go on a trip.

I am truly in love with the Emerson Resort and Spa and really hope to come back one day.  I'm sure in the fall it's breathtaking when all the leaves on the trees change colors.  If you're looking to book a wonderful trip to the Catskills in the coming months, please check out their Fall packages. Your family will have a trip that they'll never forget.  The Emerson Resort and Spa is a fabulous place to reconnect with family and nature in a memorable way.

*DISCLOSURE* Thank you to the Emerson Resort and Spa for providing accommodations and breakfast.  All thoughts are strictly my own.






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