A few weeks ago I went, with four friends for the day, to Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz New York. We live in Westchester county, and it was about an hour and 20 minute easy drive.
We took advantage of an amazing weekday special where for $170, you have access to the grounds and facilities, you have lunch in one of the two property restaurants and you get a 50 minute spa treatment. All taxes and gratuities are included in that $170 price tag. The special is available Monday-Friday.
We got to the hotel at about 10 am and started our day with a hike to the Skytop Tower. We did the easy trail and not the Labyrinth/Lemon Squeeze (which I had done the year prior with my kids) because my friends weren’t up for it. 🙂 We had a beautiful day and the views from the top were spectacular.
After the hike, we sat outside for lunch at the Carriage Lounge. (We opted not to do the buffet lunch in the main dining room). We had great salads and sandwiches and relaxed on the deck overlooking the Catskill Mountains. It was so nice.
With full stomachs, we headed to the spa. Most of us got Swedish massages. I had a man. I can’t remember his name, but my massage was amazing. It was one of the best I ever had. Before our treatment, we rested in the “relaxation veranda”. After our treatments, we were led back to the veranda with a plate of green grapes. I loved that touch.
We shopped around in the hotel shops and took one last look at the lake and mountains before heading back home. I used my Chase Sapphire Preferred card to pay my $170 flat fee at the hotel because I earn 2x Chase Ultimate Rewards points on travel. The charge from the hotel constitutes travel even though I didn’t technically sleep there.
If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend this day trip or even a stay at Mohonk. But make sure you do the Lemon Squeeze!
