Emerson Inn & Spa Transformed by Fire
The Emerson Inn & Spa reached a pinnacle in 2005; Condé Nast Johansson's named the Mt. Tremper, New York, resort the “Most Outstanding Inn in North Americaâ€. A few months later, disaster struck; a fire destroyed the inn, though the unattached six-treatment-room spa was spared from the flames.
Rather than despair, the resort's owners drew inspiration from the Silk Road to create a luxurious new inn across the way from the original site. Perched on the banks of the Esopus Creek, all twenty-five sumptuous suites, swathed in jewel-tone fabrics, enjoy gracious marble and tile bathrooms plus inspiring mountain and river views.
Seventeenth century Rajasthani palace doors mark the entrance to the new ten-treatment-room spa, which features Ayurvedic, Asian, and Western modalities on its extensive treatment menu. The adjacent Phoenix restaurant also offers Eastern-inspired flavors and Western favorites. There's no sense of deprivation with spa-cuisine selections such as Acorn Squash with Indian Lentil and Vegetable Stew and Housemade Pappadum; between the creative dishes and the opulent décor, diners feel like pampered guests of the Maharaja. The Spa Café features lighter fare and fresh juices.
Guests with pets or kids stay at the twenty-seven-room, Adirondack-style lodge, a few hundred yards down the road. The Emerson truly capitalizes on its stunning riverfront setting in the warm months, with expansive decking, bank-side spa treatment cabanas, and outdoor function facilities. The reborn resort has soared back to its pinnacle; it's the only New York spa outside of Manhattan to earn Mobil Travel Guide's four-star rating. For more information call (877) 688-2828 or visit www.emersonresort.com
