Perched above a glacial lake and nestled in 40,000 acres of preserved forest, Mohonk Mountain House rises from the Shawangunk Ridge like a vision. The Victorian castle, with its wraparound porches, storybook turrets, and majestic views has captivated visitors in search of rest and rejuvenation since it was founded by Albert Smiley in 1869.
Long before wellness became a buzzword, the Smiley family was refining an approach to hospitality that centered immersion in nature as the key to relaxation. From the resort’s founding, the family’s goal was to provide opportunities for recreation and renewal in the beautiful natural setting of the Hudson Valley. In the 1800s, guests engaged in hiking and carriage rides throughout the resort’s property, enjoying stunning mountaintop vistas and the soul-deep respite that only the quietude of nature can provide.
Today, Mohonk’s award-winning spa, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, is responsible for curating a menu of natural excursions, mindful experiences, and rejuvenating treatments that meet the wellness needs of guests from all walks of life. Whether it’s a yoga hike on the resort’s 85 miles of trails, an outdoor meditation session overlooking Lake Mohonk, or a nature-inspired treatment, every part of the Spa at Mohonk Mountain House is designed to foster deep connection to nature and self.
“As we celebrate 20 years of the Spa at Mohonk Mountain House, we’re proud to continue offering experiences that are rooted in nature, mindfulness, and renewal,” says Olivia Andrews, Spa Director. “Our goal is to create experiences that feel both grounding and uplifting—offering a sense of balance that stays with guests long after they leave.”
The spa’s signature experiences seamlessly integrate the resort’s natural surroundings with a modern approach to wellness that draws on traditions from across the globe and throughout time. The Wellness in the Wild program curates seasonal activities designed to show guests just how deeply nature can nurture. Offerings include activities like guided forest bathing walks inspired by Japanese tradition and the Eagle Cliff Mindfulness Hike, a 1.6-mile loop complete with QR-code-activated mindfulness exercises led by Mohonk’s Director of Mindfulness, Nina Smiley, PhD.
With the Lakeside Immersion Spa Therapy experience, guests engage in Nordic-influenced wellness at its finest: A bracing cold plunge in Lake Mohonk is followed with a warming tea or cider and ginger inhalation therapy, then capped off with a guided yoga session.
Perched on the cliffs overlooking Lake Mohonk, the Lakeview Summerhouse—perhaps the most picturesque of the resort’s iconic rustic outdoor structures—provides a truly unique setting for spa treatments such as couples massages and private mindfulness, yoga, and meditation sessions. With views of the Shawangunk Ridge and Sky Top Tower, these seasonal experiences draw from the surrounding natural environment, bringing the great outdoors into mind and body.
As any great spa should, there’s also a robust menu of treatments, fitness classes, and mindfulness sessions tempting enough to keep guests occupied all day. Guests can book private sessions or attend group classes for everything from yoga to Pilates, Tai Chi, barre, and circuit training, or get grounded with a variety of guided meditations to focus on breathing and reduce stress.
In honor of the 20th anniversary, the spa team has added two new treatments to its robust menu of massages, facials, and more that marry Shawangunk geology with holistic therapeutic practices. The Crystal Serenity Massage and Crystal Radiance Facial are both inspired by the region’s native quartz crystals, and use their energy to ground the body and clear the mind.
For guests looking to dive deep into healthy living, Mohonk also offers seasonal Wellness Weekend retreats. The next one, coming up November 14-16, is curated by Nina Smiley and the spa staff, and features expert-led workshops on mindfulness, stress reduction, nutrition, and movement. Each day also brings farm-to-table dining, meditation sessions, and yoga classes, reinforcing a daily practice of presence and balance.
As trends in wellness come and go, the resort has remained remarkably timeless in its approach to relaxation. True to the Smiley family’s founding vision and commitment to preserving and stewarding its natural surroundings, Mohonk Mountain House has remained one of the Hudson Valley’s most iconic retreats. As Andrews says, “What makes Mohonk so unique is that we don’t chase trends—we stay true to a philosophy of well-being that’s grounded in nature, simplicity, and intention. It’s an approach that honors our surroundings and creates a lasting sense of peace for our guests.”
Mohonk Mountain House
This article appears in August 2025.
