At Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, a luxury destination in the Laurel Highlands of southwestern Pennsylvania, the focus is on making the 2,000-acre property better than ever. In support of that plan, the resort recently completed a long list of renovations—and its owner, management team and associates did it all without missing a beat or affecting the guest experience in a negative way.
Earlier this year Nemacolin unveiled a redesigned entrance that provides a dramatic sense of arrival for guests and sets the tone for their stay at the property, which is located about an hour east of Pittsburgh. That project was completed in a record 80 days … during winter in the Pennsylvania mountains, which is no easy feat.
“With so many ‘wow’ factors at the resort, I often wondered: ‘How can we make the most memorable first impression?’” owner Maggie Hardy Magerko said. “So I challenged our team to transform the entrance, and the product they delivered is nothing short of spectacular.”
Overseeing the project was one of the first orders of business for the resort’s new managing director, Monte Hansen, who arrived last December from Keswick Hall and Golf Club near Charlottesville, Virginia. In addition to ensuring that these major projects are completed efficiently, Hansen has also spent the past eight months assembling a luxury resort “dream team” of sorts, bringing in executives from some of the United States’ most notable hotels (Canyon Ranch in Tucson, Arizona; The Umstead Hotel & Spa in Cary, North Carolina; and the Kapalua Resort on Maui, Hawaii) to help Nemacolin up its game.
Speaking of games, earlier this month the resort revealed its revamped tennis complex, and its second Pete Dye golf course is currently under construction. Nemacolin also renovated one of its existing family pools and in May introduced a new adults-only pool (for guests 21 years and older) with a bar area and 32-person hot tub.
This year’s building projects expanded well past the grand entrance and recreation offerings. All roads throughout the resort have been resurfaced, with landscaping improvements and new floral designs all along the way.
These positive changes build on a first phase of renovation that was completed in March 2015, during which 263 of the resort’s 320 guest rooms were upgraded and renovated. This year each guest room got a little more attention, with such final touches as new pillows and pillow-top mattresses being added to all the rooms.
Besides offering three different hotel properties, Nemacolin also boasts two-bedroom townhomes and luxury vacation homes. The largest of these, Arden Estates, was completely renovated earlier this year, just in time to play a role on ABC’s The Bachelorette television show.
Over the past 18 months, changes at the resort have totaled about $50 million.
Though most of these changes directly affect guests, one was aimed at improving the work experience for the resort’s 1,200 associates. In March Nemacolin introduced its employees to a fully renovated associate break room and dining hall designed to make their down time more relaxing and enjoyable. The philosophy is that a happier associate is one who delivers an even higher level of guest service—and that formula seems to be working.
“We’ve truly elevated things, including our level of guest service. Now it’s even better than it was before—and it’s always been amazing,” Hansen says. “Our goal is to be the best. All of these changes are aimed at providing our guests with the very best resort experience in the country.”
Nemacolin is one of North America’s premier luxury resort destinations. Situated on nearly 2,000 acres in Farmington, Pennsylvania, Nemacolin features 320 luxurious guestrooms, suites, townhouses and private upscale homes. The resort offers championship golf as well as an internationally acclaimed spa collection. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the Shooting Academy; Wildlife Academy that features everything from safari tours to dog sledding; Adventure Center, complete with zip lines and climbing wall; and Jeep Off-Road Driving Academy.
Nemacolin boasts 15 restaurants and lounges, including Lautrec, a Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond restaurant experience. For meetings and events, Nemacolin’s 32,000 square feet of conference space includes three ballrooms, a lecture hall and 25 meeting rooms.
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort is located at 1001 Lafayette Dr. in Farmington, Pa.; phone: (866) 344-6957.
- Photos: Adam Milliron/Milliron Studio
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