Travel – Nemacolin
HISTORY
Just south of Pittsburgh, nestled among sprawling Allegheny Mountain ridges, sits a property where dreams become reality. Despite being less than 40-years old, Nemacolin offers a remarkable combination of luxury accommodations, activities and experiences that are second to none.
The history of Nemacolin is as unique as its amenities. In 1987, Joseph A. Hardy III, the founder of 84 Lumber Company, wanted to secure a few acres of land, allowing his daughter, Maggie, to enjoy one of her favorite hobbies, fishing. After becoming infatuated with the area, Hardy purchased a larger portion of land around the established Nemacolin Trails Hunting Reserve. With land secured, what began as a gift for Maggie, eventually spawned an ever-evolving resort and lifetime project for the duo to share. With the passing of Mr. Hardy in 2023 at age 100, Maggie now collaborates with her son, PJ, to continue their vision for projects on property, which is constantly evolving to stay on the cutting edge of hospitality.
The first thing you will notice as you arrive on property at Nemacolin is the abundance of gorgeous landscaping. Just making your way to the gate to enter the property offers views of beautiful flora that explode with color surrounding the sign at the turn off US-40. As you enter The Chateau, where I would spend the majority of my stay, you are again greeted with fresh flowers surrounding a gorgeous harp, which is played regularly during special events on property, such as their Summer Solstice Celebration, which is available to VIP overnight guests and members and, in 2024, featured performers like Lady Gaga and Michael Bublé. The Solstice Celebration is highfalutin, but you won’t find a more prestigious party at any resort in the world.
Over the last handful of years, Hardy has renovated or improved almost every corner of the property. From the hotels, dining, golf, spa and even casino, the half-billion-dollar project was meticulous in its attention to detail, making this one of the most complete and opulent destinations anywhere in the United States.
ACCOMODATIONS
Renovations on two of the three hotel options at Nemacolin were a large part of the $500 million invested. The aforementioned Chateau, which re-opened over Memorial Day weekend, was updated with new amenities in each of the 124 rooms. The palpable European elegance includes chandeliers in abundance throughout the property, gorgeous tapestries and marble bathrooms. Speaking of those bathrooms, I must admit, this was the single nicest bathroom I have ever seen in any resort room. There is a nicely sized tub, should you want to enjoy a soak, and the shower features both rain function and wand for a super relaxing rinse after a day of travel or before you head out for an evening of fine dining. Normally, the toilet in the room wouldn’t be something to think twice about, but the ones at Nemacolin are top of the food chain when it comes to comfort and technology. The seat automatically detects motion and opens hands-free; the seat is also heated and there are bidet and drying fan options you can select from a touchscreen display.
There are also touchscreen displays that control lighting and curtains, which make it simple to draw the shades for lights out or open them up to achieve maximum light during the daylight hours. A personal tablet on the desk can order room service, turn on your do-not-disturb feature or call for a personal butler to assist with anything you might need during your stay.
As you make your way around The Chateau, be sure to pay attention to all the magnificent art. There is an entire hallway specifically dedicated to Andy Warhol, who grew up just north of the resort in Pittsburgh, which features several of his contemporary pop culture works. In the same hall, you will find Punch, a six-foot, pinewood carved cigar peddler made by Jersey Jim Campbell in the late 1800s, which once belonged to Warhol. All told, artwork across Nemacolin is valued somewhere in the neighborhood of $45 million. You could spend an entire day just looking in awe at the art and sculptures on the property.
The second hotel that just underwent major renovation is The Grand Lodge. This charming, warm design is the epitome of luxury and comfort. Upscale layouts provide maximum modification, allowing multiple suites to be connected through common doors, should your party need a larger space to accommodate multiple families or larger friend groups. Should you be in the market for the ultimate in lavish accommodations, then you might want to check out The Grand Lodge penthouse suite, which offers a primary bedroom with a king bed, a second bedroom with a pair of queen beds, two bathrooms and a Juliet balcony.
In addition to The Grand Lodge and The Chateau, there is another option for your stay. Falling Rock was inspired by the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright and serves as not only a hotel, but also as the epicenter of the golf experience at Nemacolin. The pro shop is right downstairs, so if you are looking for somewhere to stay that will offer a quick trip to the golf cart staging areas for your morning tee time, then Falling Rock should be a consideration. Falling Rock features double-occupancy rooms and king suites to accommodate you and your party comfortably.
GOLF
Golf at Nemacolin is sublime. A pair of Pete Dye designs await those who not only value great architectural elements, but overall fantastic course conditions. Mystic Rock is the first of the two layouts on property and was once home to the PGA TOUR’s 84 Lumber Classic. Mystic’s par-72 layout can be stretched to over 7,500 yards and, with a course rating of 77.0 from the tips, serves up one of the most intense challenges in the country. Four additional tees provide relief for those amateurs just looking for fun resort-style golf with some playful twists and turns along the way.
Some of the highlights of the layout include the slight dogleg right par-4 second hole, which requires a tee shot that partially carries a pond and must navigate a pair of bunkers on the right and the left. More cavernous bunkers guard the putting surface and will collect balls that come up short and right. This can be a tricky green to hit, and no up-and-down attempt is simple. Par is a great score.
Fast forward to No. 5, which is the signature hole at Mystic. Tee shots that avoid the large bunker on the left will trundle downhill, leaving a manageable layup shot or even the opportunity to make a play for the green in two. A majestic waterfall-adorned pond to the left of the green boasts a statue of John Daly and his signature elongated backswing, greeting players as they prepare to read their upcoming putts. There is an additional green that can be used off toward the cart path, but both days we saw Mystic, the left green was in use.
As you make your way through the inward nine, more beauty and challenge awaits. The par-5 11th offers a risk/reward based on how aggressive you choose to be off the tee. Tall wiry grass on the right of the landing area is as far right as you can go off the tee, as over the hill awaits a pond that will swallow balls straying in that direction. A thin sliver of fairway left of that target line must be found if players want to try going for the green in two. Some longer players might even consider a long iron off the tee to play this as a three-shot hole, but be aggressive and a mid-iron might be enough to reach the putting surface for an eagle attempt. There are many ways to skin this cat, but be aware that wayward tee balls can lead to a potentially big number.
Should you successfully navigate No. 11, the par-3 12th awaits next. As with No. 5, there are two greens that can be used here, and when the one on the left is chosen, this hole takes on the nickname “Jaws.” Playing 185 yards from the tips, this mid- or long-iron must carry water all the way to the front edge of the green. Playing too deep into the putting surface can leave a testy, quick putt, so club selection here is paramount.
The final three holes on Mystic Rock are as gorgeous as they are challenging. As you climb the steps to the teeing area on No. 16, you are greeted by a massive bronze statue of Chief Nemacolin. The Native American namesake of the property was instrumental in helping Colonel Thomas Cresap, an English-born settler, carve a trading route through the Allegheny Mountains to the Ohio River Valley. Mystic Rock has several statues on the course, including the aforementioned Daly piece, as well as statues of Vijay Singh and Gene Sarazen. But the Chief has to be the most impressive and a great photo opportunity for you and your group as you prepare to send a tee shot down the fairway. This par 5 has a generous landing area, aside from a large fairway bunker that guards the right side. From there, a decision to go for the green will depend largely on pin location, as water plays all down the left from the landing zone and runs behind the green. A layup is the ideal play, leaving a wedge in and little chance of a big number.
No. 17 is the final par 3 on Mystic and plays over the same water feature you just navigated around on No. 16. When the wind blows, this can be a bear, as anything short will find a watery grave. A small and shallow pot bunker behind the green is a good target line, but find it and you will be left with a slick, downhill bunker attempt that can be daunting with the water serving as a backdrop. A par here is a great score as you move to the final hole.
The 18th is a spectacular finish to the day. A slight dogleg right par 4, the tee shot plays slightly uphill, and there is a little more room to miss left than it may appear on the tee box. A large bunker on the right side of the fairway can make for a difficult approach, but the main trouble on this hole lies just right of the green in a deep-faced bunker that must be avoided at all costs. A good miss on the approach is left of the green, as the closely mown area is simple to pitch, or even putt from. Don’t forget to capture one final photo of your group with the large Nemacolin scoreboard in the background, which sits just to the left of the green and collection area.
From opening tee shot to final putt, Mystic Rock is a wild ride. The emerald-green fairways lie waiting like a warm blanket among the Laurel Highlands, each hole embracing the natural topography and welcoming golfers to a majestic experience that annually ranks among the top courses you can play in Pennsylvania by multiple national and regional publications. Although a stay at Nemacolin can be pricey, once on property, the golf rates are actually very fair, given the fantastic course conditions and overall playability.
The second 18-hole offering at Nemacolin is Shepherd’s Rock. This is another Dye design with more interesting and dynamic green complexes to accompany its spectacular rolling vistas and jaw-dropping course conditions. Debuting in 2017, from the onset, you can see more late Pete Dye in the course routing and design elements.
The opening hole is a lengthy par 5 that meanders from right to left and slightly uphill. A vast drop-off left of the fairway gives way to seven cavernous bunkers that, if found, will lead to an automatic layup. The green is guarded by a half-dozen more sand traps, so be aware when you are hitting your approach to take enough club.
No. 2 at Shepherd’s Rock is your first real taste of how comical some of these greens can be. This is a rudimentary par 4 that plays a little tight off the box, but as straight as an arrow from tee to green. The second shot must favor the right side of the green complex, as everything funnels from right to left toward Hawes Road, which runs alongside the hole. Shots that miss left can also kick back toward the middle of the punchbowl green, making this an easy hole to get one close to the hole, but a missed green here can leave some interesting chip shots.
The par-5 fourth hole is undoubtedly the most talked about and debated hole on either of the two courses. There were some in our group that had been on property before who warned those of us who hadn’t to be aware of how diabolical this green can be. First and foremost, you need to get to the putting surface, which can be anything but a cakewalk. An elevated tee box offers spectacular views of the split fairway below. A large bunker in the middle splits a lower and an upper half of the landing area. Land in the left half of the fairway, and the second shot will be completely blind. Challenge the upper section, and two more bunkers come into play, but you will be able to see your target on approach. The real challenge, as mentioned, is the green. Shots that come up just a foot or two short will roll some 45 yards back into the fairway, and when the pin is cut in the front of the green, you better find that front section with any approach, as shots that are too long will be next to impossible to keep on the green. One member of our group had a 35-foot putt for birdie. He proceeded to roll it past the hole, back off the green, and had to make the shameful walk some 50 yards back into the fairway for his fifth shot. It’s truly DYE-abolical.
As you weave your way through the opening nine, you are continually met with wildlife and rolling terrain. While at Shepherd’s, we encountered sheep, deer and plenty of native birds and other wildlife. It’s honestly tough to stay focused on the golf with the copious beauty that surrounds you.
As you finish up the opening nine, you are met with a nice par 3 that nestles up next to Reflections, which is a wonderful space that hosts events and also serves as a sort of museum for the resort. There are multiple fun artworks, as well as other items like a unique Penny Farthing bike and the actual football from Pittsburgh Steelers great Franco Harris’ “Immaculate Reception” in the 1972 AFC Divisional playoff game. Every football fan should take a minute to pop in and look at this piece of sports history.
No. 10 at Shepherd’s is one of the most interesting holes on property. A short par 4 that requires a pinpoint iron or hybrid shot off the tee where players can choose to go left or right of an “L” shaped collection of native grasses in the middle of the fairway. The approach has a severe left to right slope near the green, which will send shots favoring that side down toward the putting surface.
The par-5 13th is undoubtedly one of the most subtle holes on this Dye layout, but also one of the prettiest. It features a rolling green fairway that works uphill around a bunker-laden drop-off to the left. Favor the right center of this wide fairway for maximum chance to reach the green in two. There is a bunker about 25 yards short and right of the green that needs to be avoided to assure the third shot is more manageable. There is also a tournament tee on No. 13 that sits across a walking bridge in the middle of a pond that adds an additional 50 yards. If you are tough enough, take this hole on from the back tee for maximum challenge and views you won’t believe. It’s picture perfect.
The 16th is a true risk-reward hole that is a real architectural delight. Playing just 302 from the Resort tees (two in), this hole crests a hill and then works back down to the green. A ripping low cut can run down the slope and potentially chase onto the green. It’s a great chance at a birdie as you enter the home stretch.
The final hole on Shepherd’s is a great par 4. An elevated tee overlooks the fairway below with a trio of bunkers on the left and a bird’s-eye view of the water feature you will need to navigate on your approach. Finding the fairway makes this a much easier hole and will only leave a short iron approach to a green that slopes toward the pond guarding the green on the right. It’s a simple finisher by Pete Dye standards but can also produce some big numbers, should you hit a wayward shot off the tee or into the green.
In addition to the pair of courses, Nemacolin also boasts a world-class golf academy. With four specialized bays loaded with the latest tech, like Trackman, Swing Catalyst, Foresight, Director of Instruction Mike LaBella and his team can improve your game and offer other on-course instruction and package golf schools. The Golf Academy also focuses on goal-planning programs, golf wellness packages in collaboration with the spa and clinics like its “Operation 36” program for juniors, which prioritizes short game first before eventually working back to the tee. You simply won’t find a better group of instructors and facilities for game improvement in the country. An expansive driving range sits out back, and the individual bays have doors that open up to the range, or simulators to work indoors or to host corporate or private functions. It is a great example of the attention to detail at Nemacolin.
DINING & DRINK
One thing every luxury resort must have is a great food and beverage program. You will find both at Nemacolin. There are multiple dining experiences, from their in-room service to finer options, and even some more casual family type spots that need to be mentioned.
Everyone loves a great breakfast. If you are in Falling Rock for your stay or getting geared up for a round of golf, then check out Aqueous, which for breakfast has rib-sticking options like cinnamon swirl French toast or savory pancakes with bacon, cheddar, runny egg and Sriracha maple syrup. If you need some early swing lubricant, go for the sharable tableside mimosas or a Transfusion.
In the evenings, Aqueous transforms to a great seafood dinner spot, with offerings like a seafood tower that comes fully equipped with lobster, oysters, ahi tuna, king crab, crab claws and sashimi. You don’t want to miss this, and I guarantee you and your group will love it. As an entrée, I recommend the charcoal-roasted red snapper or the spectacular pan-seared scallops. Either will provide your seafood fix. The vanilla bean cheesecake will satisfy your sweet tooth at the end of the meal, as it comes served with pineapple jelly, graham cracker streusel and a creamy chai masala ice cream.
As you finish up your night at Aqueous, be sure to shuttle back to The Chateau and check out the Hardy Room, which is a full bar and cigar lounge that bustles with late-evening activity and sweet aroma of those puffing a quality stick and revisiting their shots from the afternoon’s round of golf.
Circle Bar & The Study is another wonderful spot for a quick bite or a quality cocktail. The Circle Bar & The Study effectively connect The Chateau and The Grand Lodge in a top-notch bar that slings any number of great drinks, like a smoked old fashioned or a light and refreshing burnt orange Paloma.
Fawn & Fable is another of the new dining experiences that came with the resort renovation. This farm-to-table concept offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, should you want to check it out at any time of the day. We popped in for dinner and were treated to a true culinary delight from start to finish. I decided, rather than one of the many wines Fawn & Fable offers, I would begin my meal with a signature cocktail. The “Sailing the Keys” was a refreshing combination of vodka, lime, vanilla and egg whites blended together to create one of the best summertime cocktails that has ever passed over my lips. The flavor was that of a Key lime pie and, while subtle, really took me on a quick beach vacation before the meal ever began.
As far as unique goes, the kimchi cauliflower should be on your radar when perusing the appetizer choices. I know what you may be thinking … cauliflower? Really? But when I tell you these tasted just like little fried chicken bites, I am being completely truthful. Nice crunch, nice flavor and a great sesame ranch sauce for dipping. I was hesitant but would absolutely order them again.
For the main event, I chose the petit filet, which was loaded with flavor and so tender it really didn’t even require a knife to cut. It came served with some buttery, garlicy potato puree, some Bearnaise sauce, and a little sweet pepper for a color pop and some added acidity. It is meat and potatoes at their absolute best, and I highly recommend it.
If you aren’t a beef person or are looking for something a little lighter, then Fawn & Fable also has roasted Sea Bass, a Kurobuta pork chop, Ora king salmon or a signature half chicken. Any of those options are a little more waistline friendly and will leave plenty of room for dessert, should that be how you want to divvy up those extra calories.
While at Fawn & Fable, be sure to check out the inside of the menu, which features a fun little fairy tale about a fawn that finds herself alone, hungry and cold, only to have nature provide a welcome respite in the form of a tree that sprouts from her fallen tear and grows into an enchanted castle that is warm and full of sustenance. It’s not only an allegory for your visit to Fawn & Fable, but your entire adventure at Nemacolin.
After your dinner at Fawn & Fable, be sure to make your way over to Nightcap, one of the newest late-night spots at the resort. This lounge has a jazz club feel, and several nights a week features a glamourous cabaret show that offers a mischievous vibe and some of the most talented and entertaining performers you will find off Broadway. Frankie and Stella are your hosts for the evening, and they are both fun and interactive with the crowd as they tell their story through a series of songs and dance routines that include other players like Remi and Claire. Claire performed a version of “Fever,” the Little Willie John song that was popularized by Peggy Lee in the 1950s. Claire’s version had every man in the room drooling and eating straight from the palm of her hand throughout the entire performance, so much so that not a single phone went in that air for photos or video. Everyone just sat, mouths agape, tongues on the floor, soaking in her beauty and seductive rendition.
There is a great cocktail menu at Nightcap. Offerings include the “Hotline Bling,” which is a color-changing drink made with lavender vodka, butterfly pea syrup, maraschino and fresh lemon juice. Or, for a late-night bite, try some oysters on the half shell which, paired with Claire’s performance, offer the ultimate aphrodisiac.
SPA & WELLNESS
As magnificent as the entire property at Nemacolin is, The Woodlands Spa and Salon might be the most impressive experience at the resort. With more than 30 treatment rooms, a full-service salon, holistic healing center, pool, sauna and fitness area, this is a great spot for some much-needed pampering, or a place where you can go deeper with treatments like a full golf wellness package that includes a 90-minute functional mobility assessment, 90-minute medial massage treatment, and a 90-minute golf lesson at the academy.
Should you be in the mood for something more all-inclusive, there are full-day immersions available. Such as the Woodlands Renewal Immersion, which lasts over six hours and comes with a 30-minute fireside chaise lounge reservation, manicure, pedicure, facial, body contouring and massage. Have some bubbly and a quick light lunch in the chaise lounge fireside area before being whisked away for your day of lavish treatments. You won’t regret it.
There are close to 100 different treatments, and with options available to enhance each one, the possibilities are almost limitless to what the Woodlands Spa offers guests. It is one of the finest and most outrageously equipped spas anywhere in the world.
ACTIVITIES
So. Many. Activities. There is simply no debate as to whether Nemacolin is a wonderful place for families. There are an abundance of experiences for parents and their children alike. While dad plays golf, mom can take the kiddos to one of Nemacolin’s pools or to its animal habitats, which feature lions, Bengal tigers and even Alaskan grey wolves. Should mom want to hit the spa, dad can take the youngsters over to the Caddy Shack mini-golf course, which is lighted and weaves its way through rocks and water features. It is one of the most unique mini-golf courses I have ever seen, with holes that have multiple tiers and require a ball holed in one spot, only to spit out down below onto a whole different green. It’s super fun and a can’t-miss for the kids.
Should the whole pack be interested in a day of fun in the sun (or on the slopes during winter), then take a shuttle up to The Peak, which is a beating heart of experiences for those of all ages. A massive resort pool was added to the property during recent renovations, and it features two levels, a swim-up bar, cabanas available to book, and a huge stage that adds an ability to feature live music when the pool is buzzing with bathers enjoying an afternoon of water-filled fun. Behind that same stage is a massive screen that is a great place to take in some NFL or MLB action, should you be at Nemacolin during your favorite sports season. We were able to catch some of the MLB Home Run Derby while taking in evening drinks, and it was super cool to see on the jumbo-screen.
If you are the adventurous type or like a little adrenaline rush with your afternoon of fun, then try out the high ropes challenge course, which rises 50 feet into the air and even features a picnic table on the top deck that visitors can reserve for a post-climb meal. If you are wanting to test out your aim, then paintball may be the way to go, or if you want to discharge the real McCoy, then sign up to shoot some sporting clays. One of my personal favorites is the Jeep offroad experience, which belts visitors into a lifted, decked-out Rubicon Jeep and allows them to drive or ride along a practice course and then on an hour-long offroad tour of the Nemacolin Jeep trails. It’s super fun and something you should try if you make it to the property.
If you are an auto or aviation buff, then be sure to stop by the Woodlands Auto Toy Store, which features some of the Hardy family’s collection of rare and antique vehicles. Or, for those with an affinity for vintage airplanes, check out the Pride & Joy airplane hangar, which sits right next to Nemacolin’s private airstrip and features a 1931 Pitcairn PA-8 that has been fully restored to flying capability and once belonged to iconic actor Steve McQueen.
One more thing I should mention is the newly renovated casino. The casino is a stand-alone building, which Nemacolin recently took ownership of and renovated to bring it up to the standard of the rest of the property. With 26 table games, including blackjack, roulette and three-card poker, you can try your luck on the tables, or sit down at any number of slot machines starting as simple as penny slots, or play like a king in the high-limit parlor. The casino isn’t terribly large, but it is a welcome addition to the incredible number of things you can do while at Nemacolin.
A CAN’T MISS
Nemacolin is simply one of the most all-encompassing and impressive properties in the entire world. Whether you plan to take a family vacation for summer fun or for winter skiing, you won’t find a better experience from top to bottom than Nemacolin. There is so much to do, you might spend a half-decade of summer vacations at this resort and still not get to do and see everything. From the artwork to the golf and spa, there is something for everyone, from adults to teens and kids. It is a no-brainer for a luxury vacation. Everyone on property is committed to extraordinary customer service, from the time you arrive in the roundabout to offload your luggage to the time you climb back in your vehicle to leave after your adventure.
Sure, there are cheaper vacation resorts you can visit but, ultimately, you get what you pay for, and at Nemacolin, they have truly thought of everything to make your stay as comfortable, effortless and stunning as it possibly can be. From check-in to check-out, at Nemacolin, nothing is impossible.