Nemacolin Resort

Nemacolin sits on more than 2,200 acres near Farmington. Willard F. Rockwell bought the first 60 acres in 1949, and a hunting reserve was established on the land in 1968. Joseph A. Hardy III purchased a large portion in 1987, and Maggie Hardy has been president and owner since 2002. Over the decades the resort has added the Woodlands Spa and golf academy, a second golf course, several hotels, a pet resort and a year-round hub for entertainment and recreation.

The property is gated and open mainly to overnight guests and members. The casino, the outlet, Wooflands Pet Resort and Spa, and the Wooflands Veterinary Center are open to the public. Guests can arrange private transportation and airport transfers with 24 hours' notice, and overnight guests and members can land at the private airfield with a reservation.

Accommodation ranges from The Chateau and The Grand Lodge, where butler service is available in some rooms and suites, to Falling Rock, a hotel designed by David Merritt and inspired by Fallingwater. Private homes such as The Estates, which sleeps up to 16, are also available. The resort states that three of its accommodations hold AAA Five Diamond designation and that it has 27 Forbes Stars across the property.

The Woodlands Spa has 24 treatment rooms and thermal pools, with restorative treatments, seasonal specialties and salon services. The resort states the spa holds Forbes Four-Star status. Its wet facilities are coed, guests must wear a swimsuit, and those aged 14 to 17 must be accompanied by an adult. The Holistic Healing Center builds custom wellness plans around each guest's needs by appointment, and the Fitness Center offers group classes, private sessions and an open gym.

Check-in is at 4pm and check-out is at 11am, and late check-out must be arranged in advance through the Front Desk. A $49 resort fee per unit per night applies and includes valet parking, shuttle service, fitness center and pool access. A 6% Pennsylvania State Tax and a 5% County Hotel Tax are added to the nightly room rate, and the state tax also applies to golf, food and beverage, and activities. Room cancellations need 7 days' notice, dining and activity cancellations need 24 hours' notice, and services, dining, golf, spa and retail purchases are charged to a room or membership account.

Holistic care is built into the spa side, with wellness plans shaped around each guest's needs rather than a fixed menu.

A large gated estate in the Laurel Highlands, with lodges, golf courses and a mix of hotel rooms and private homes.