FARMINGTON, Pa., March 20, 2015 — Nemacolin Woodlands Resort is celebrating the completion of its highly-anticipated, 15-month long, $30 million renovation. The property-wide transformation is the largest project of its kind in the resort’s 28-year history and features dramatic floor-to-ceiling upgrades spread across three phases, including four of the resort’s six lodging options, the 32,000 square foot Executive Conference Center and public spaces. The 2,000 acre luxury resort located southeast of Pittsburgh also opened a Holistic Healing Center, Holistic Garden and a 3,000′ long dueling zip line at the resort’s Adventure Center.
“Our resort-wide improvements and additions are the direct result of our owner, Maggie Hardy Magerko, and her commitment to provide our guests with a one-of-a-kind, world-class resort,” explains Chris Plummer, resort General Manager. “Maggie was very hands-on throughout every phase of the project, from selecting the color of the guestroom drapery to approving the materials used to refinish our hotel exteriors. Now that the renovations are complete, the overall transformation of the resort is truly stunning.”
Accommodations: Transformation of 263 of the resort’s 318 guest rooms began in December of 2013. The spacious and elegant Chateau Lafayette guest rooms feature vaulted ceilings, dramatic chandeliers, architectural detailing and marble fixtures. Each of the 124 Chateau rooms received new windows, carpeting, furnishings and luxurious drapery and linens, and adopted a new, warmer color scheme of spearmint, salmon and celadon. The Chateau Lafayette corridors are equally impressive with custom-made wall sconces to mimic the carpeting and wall covering design. Appointed with warm, nature-inspired furnishings and decor, Nemacolin’s Original Lodge and Lodge Annex accommodations underwent extensive remodeling, including refurbished patios, window and door replacements, new carpeting, furnishings, drapery and linens.
The resort’s Presidential Suite which is located on the Club Floor of the Chateau Lafayette was designed to be distinctly unlike any other accommodation on property. A world of its own, the Presidential cost $1 million alone to upgrade and features grand furnishings, lavish bedding, private balcony access and vanishing television displays built into the bathroom mirrors. The Presidential Suite is available for guests to book at $3,300 per night during peak season.
Guest service upgrades included a state-of-the-art phone integration solution featuring colored touch screen applications, state-of-the-art Smart Card room entry technology and complimentary wake-up service coffee stations were designed on each floor of the Lodge.
Meeting Spaces: Work on the resort’s 32,000 square foot Conference Center began in the fall of 2014. Baccarat Chandeliers, retractable wall systems, wood refurbishing, velvet drapery and lux wool carpeting imported from Great Britain have transformed the resort’s 4,080 square foot Grand Ballroom space, which is one of the resort’s most popular corporate and wedding venues. The renovation also included a new landscape transformation of the room’s attached patio which added an additional 2,200 square feet.
“Corporate events make up 52% of our business; therefore, improving our meeting space options and event amenities for our guests were important factors during the renovation project,” said Plummer.
The resort’s 200-seat Lecture Hall is the most impressive upgrade as the space was gutted and rebuilt. “Essentially, everything you see in that space is new. From the carpeting and chairs to the wall coverings and audio and visual system upgrades, which include a new projection screen, dedicated lighting, wall-mounted speaker system and touch screen audio controls.”
The Nemacolin and Sequoia spaces which each feature six breakaway meeting rooms, Club Room, Hardy Boardroom and Joseph’s, all received new decor upgrades, while outdoor spaces such as the Lafayette Gardens and Plaza Deck were enhanced with hardscaping, outdoor furniture and landscape features. New banquet menus and furniture promise a superior presentation and culinary experience.
Public Spaces: “Prior to the renovations, our public spaces had a ‘museum’ atmosphere. Our new design welcomes guests to lounge versus merely walking through,” added Plummer. The Chateau Lafayette Lobby and Tea Room are the most dramatic upgrades featuring timeless design elements including new furniture, painted ceilings, carpet and drapery. From the Nemacolin Galleries to the Hardy Library, to the resort’s Sundry Shop and the new “speakeasy” themed Cigar Bar, nearly every corridor on the main floor of the resort underwent an aspect of remodeling.
Digital television kiosks were added throughout the property to enhance the guest experience. Property maps, group functions, daily events and hours of operations for the resort’s 70 amenities are now featured 24/7.
New Amenities: Over the past year, the resort also invested in added amenities including a four-room Holistic Healing Center with services ranging from acupuncture to healing meditation under the direction of qualified therapists, educators, fitness trainers and medical professionals.
The Holistic Garden opened in July of 2014 as an extension of the resort’s wellness efforts. Featuring over 50 produce and herb varieties, and the beginnings of a vineyard, the garden is open for guests to walk through and is utilized heavily by the resort’s culinary team. The resort also opened the 3,000-foot Fatbird SuperFlyer dueling zip lines at the Adventure Center and added the Nemacolin Experience Department, a full-service concierge team.
“The completion of our $30 million renovation has provided us with a product we are proud of.” Plummer added, “One that matches our level of customer service which has always excelled and truly showcases our brand’s standards.”
Nemacolin continues to invest back into the property with an announcement of a new 9-hole Pete Dye designed golf course extension of the PGA Tour-tested Mystic Rock. Excavating and course layout has begun with a spring 2017 opening date predicted. The resort has also signed an agreement with Michael Graves Architecture & Design to oversee the property’s master plan and real estate development. MGA&D has worked with clients such as Target, Alessi, Stryker and The Walt Disney Co. Real estate sales are anticipated for 2016.
