Any setting that inspired author Ralph Waldo Emerson to pen beautiful prose has to be beyond breathtaking.
Enter New York’s Hudson Valley, which the famed writer rhapsodized about in his 1836 essay, “Nature.” That work led to the creation of the Catskill Forest Preserve, and today, those scenic 600 square miles serve as the backdrop for the Emerson Resort and Spa, a destination where tranquility is paramount, opulent amenities are the norm and intimate moments seem to wait around every corner.
The Eastern-themed resort greets couples with rich shades of Imperial violet, gold and crimson, as well as the motto, “inner peace is imminent.” With 25 luxurious suites that overlook the majestic peaks of Mt. Tremper, some boasting features such as 21-foot vaulted ceilings, Perego Italian linens and in-room wine refrigerators stocked with 18 bottles, serenity and sophistication can easily be found within the confines of the guest quarters.
But Emerson’s spa always proves an attractive lure. The state’s only Mobil Four-Star spa outside Manhattan, its focus on Ayurvedic treatments — an Indian word that roughly translates to the “science of life” — means guests’ physical, mental and spiritual harmony is a top priority. Whether it’s a ginseng-and-pearl-powder facial, Bindi herbal body treatments or a “hydro soak” with coconut milk, the spa is a relaxing haven built for two. (No wonder Emerson is located just 10 minutes from Woodstock, birthplace of the “love” generation.)