Courtesy Spa at Mohonk Mountain House
Checking into a spa resort for the weekend offers the best of all possibilities for bank directors. Members will not only be pampered and relaxed, but they’ll also be offered activity options that allow them to choose what they want to do, when they want to do it.
There will be no herding of baby boomers during those 48 hours; you’ll have to check out the golf course, the tennis court, the walking trail, the massage area, the swimming pool and even the casino if you want to round everyone up.
Meanwhile, you can indulge in one of the many dining options each resort offers. The steaks are sizzling, the pastries are divine, and the margaritas are legendary.
Spa at Mohonk
Mountain House
New Paltz, New York
Imagine swimming in an indoor, heated swimming pool with underwater surround sound and 40,000 acres of natural bliss as the scenic backdrop. This is just one way you might want to spend an afternoon at the spa that is part of the Mohonk Mountain House, a 259-room Victorian castle that sits amidst the cliffs of the Shawangunk Mountain Range.
“As you drive up the two-and-a-half-mile drive to our house, signage requests that you be quiet, breath and enjoy,” said Nina Smiley, director of marketing.
The Smiley family has owned and operated this venue since 1869. “Our mission, to provide opportunities for recreation and renewal of body, mind and spirit in a natural setting, hasn’t changed in over 140 years,” said Smiley.
The spa offers a full menu of services as well as a comprehensive fitness center and Pilates, Qigong, aerobics and water classes. The Hudson Valley meditation classes are guaranteed to alleviate stress, lower blood pressure and promote well-being.
The resort is world renowned for rock climbing and also offers guided nature walks, tennis, golf, horseback riding and musical entertainment. Overnight guests are treated to the all-inclusive gourmet meals that can include vegan, gluten-free or kosher dishes.
Although groups may want to enjoy one of the house’s themed visits — from culinary decadence to a nature adventure — don’t miss an evening outdoor campfire where the sights, sounds and s’mores are among the best.
845-256-2755
www.mohonk.com
Rancho Las Palmas Resort and Spa
Rancho Mirage, California
Boasting a great location in the desert, the 444-guest-room Rancho Las Palmas Resort and Spa sits amidst 240 acres of landscaped grounds dotted with palm trees and lakes. It is also directly across the street from the River, a development renowned throughout the region for restaurants, shops and entertainment.
At 20,000 square feet, the Spa Las Palmas has 26 treatment rooms offering massage treatments, body therapies and facials. A spa courtyard features a heated sanctuary pool and mountain views. Visitors are also welcomed at the resort’s fitness center, home to top-of-the-line equipment.
More than 1,500 palm trees line the fairways at the Rancho Las Palmas Country Club, a Ted Robinson-designed, 27-hole golf course. The resort also features one of the desert’s largest tennis centers, with 25 courts.
Splashtopia, a one-acre water playground, offers two 100-foot water slides, a sandy beach and a swimming pool. Besides the spa pool, other swimming options include an adults-only pool.
For avid walkers or joggers, fitness trails wind through the resort’s grounds.
Relaxation and exercise typically lead guests to one of the resort’s many dining options, with choices from upscale California cuisine to casual poolside fare. The Spa Cafe offers wholesome versions of international specialties; the R Bar allows guests to eat and play pool and shuffleboard, all amidst classic Rat Pack decor; the Palms Cafe, an Internet cafe, features Starbucks coffee and brick-oven pizza; and bluEmber, the resort’s signature restaurant, showcases fresh California offerings amidst fire pits, open dining areas and carved wood tables.
760-568-2727
www.rancholaspalmas.com
Grand Geneva Resort and Spa
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Built in the 1970s as a Playboy resort, the 355-room, AAA Four-Diamond Grand Geneva Resort and Spa received a multimillion-dollar restoration in 2010.
The Well Spa and Salon features not only a wide range of services devoted to syncing the mind and body, but also a fitness center with offerings such as cycling, yoga, basketball, tennis and a lap pool.
“Our spa is renowned for specialty foot treatments. And many, from novices to experts, come to enjoy our 35-foot-tall rock climbing wall,” said spokesperson Ana Espinoza.
The Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired resort in historic Lake Geneva features a variety of recreational activities, including two championship golf courses, an indoor/outdoor water park and a skiing and snowboarding park. Year-round trail guides are available for those who love horseback riding. For the less adventurous, a horse-drawn carriage ride amidst the 1,300-acre riverside resort is a crowd-pleaser.
Depending on the season, guests can also choose to kayak, hike or bike, or enjoy a hayride or sleigh ride.
Three diverse restaurants are on campus: An Italian fine-dining option offers specialized ingredients flown in from Italy; a steakhouse with seafood options prides itself in local ingredients and top-rated cuts of beef; and an outside lounge with a fire pit offers casual fare with a great view.
800-558-3417
www.grandgeneva.com
