This Iconic 2,200-acre Resort in Pennsylvania's Allegheny Mountains Just Transformed Its Very First Lodge Into a Modern, Luxurious Stay

Luxury resort Nemacolin transformed its lodge into a contemporary all-suite escape.

Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands has been hiding a secret: it's home to a magical retreat that feels like a playground for adults. (And yes, kids too.) Set amid the Allegheny Mountains, Nemacolin is a luxury resort on a 2,200-acre property. Its first lodge opened in 1968. Now, some 55 years later, the owners have transformed that very same lodge into a contemporary stay called The Grand Lodge.

"The original Nemacolin lodge was a wonderful accommodation and a great representation of the historic property my father and I fell in love with and began to build together," Maggie Hardy, the owner and CEO of Nemacolin, told Travel + Leisure. "The Grand Lodge marks an evolution in Nemacolin’s history, rooted in the Laurel Highlands region but inspired by the travels that continue to make the property what it is today."

The 110,000-square-foot lodge offers six types of suites from the Junior King Suite to the Grand Lodge Penthouse Suite. From a design and aesthetic standpoint, the suites continue to build on the resort's whimsical and woodsy feel. (Some of the suites will even have a walk-out balcony with views of the Nemacolin grounds.)

Each of the 56 suites comes with butler service, which Hardy said "is a testament to Nemacolin’s service and commitment to excellence." While Hardy noted that all the accommodations at Nemacolin "offer the highest level of service and luxury," she said The Grand Lodge "offers even more enhanced and personalized service."

As for dining, The Grand Lodge has a farm-to-table American steakhouse called Fawn & Fable. Hardy said the fine-dining restaurant will offer "regional delicacies elevated with our signature Nemacolin flair." Think steak accompaniments like mushrooms with garlic aioli, baby carrots with feta and chili-infused honey, mac and cheese, and sea salt potato puree.

Helmed by chef Christine Hazel, who is a former winner of Chopped, the restaurant sources ingredients from Nemacolin's on-site greenhouse and other local vendors. "Fawn & Fable ties together our Laurel Highlands roots with The Grand Lodge’s established history here in Pennsylvania," Hardy said. "It is the only dining venue on the property specifically curated to spotlight the regional purveyors we enjoy working so closely with."

The Grand Lodge also has two mocktail and cocktail venues: Circle Bar and The Study. The former is a place to socialize while the latter is a quieter, more private space. Both, said Hardy, "invite guests to experience a lavish beverage prepared by expert mixologists."

Additionally, the lodge is home to Patisserie, a grab-and-go market with curated treats. And, of course, the property at large has other dining establishments. (Lautrec, for example, is a French restaurant in The Chateau that just underwent an upgrade and offers a six-course tasting menu.)

Hardy told T+L that she hopes visitors feel empowered to be themselves when they visit The Grand Lodge and Nemacolin. "I always want guests to leave Nemacolin with a little more magic in their life. We aim to reawaken a belief in magic from the minute guests arrive at the property," she said. "We want guests to remember their visit fondly and with the pervasive thought that they must return, whether to experience a different suite style or try a different seasonal menu at Fawn & Fable. A visit to Nemacolin is to be welcomed into our family and an invitation to return whenever one needs."

Nightly rates start at $2,000. To learn more and to book, visit nemacolin.com.

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