I spent a couple of beautiful Fall days at the Emerson Inn & Spa, the first small luxury hotel in the Catskill Forest Preserve. The inn itself is a pleasing mix of the exotic and the refined and I thoroughly enjoyed my stay there. 

The highlight of any trip for me, of course, is a visit to the spa. The Emerson Spa is in a separate building from The Emerson Inn but just a short walk away. The spa was designed by a feng shui expert who specializes in the ancient belief that proper arrangement of furniture and objects promotes a harmonious life. An Oriental theme is woven throughout - Tibetan Thanka paintings, bamboo screening, bamboo floors, Oriental objects d'art, etc. 

The spa facilities include:

• A workout area where fitness classes such as Yoga, Tai-chi, Stretch and Tone, and Body Sculpting are taught.

• A fitness room that has treadmills, stationary bikes, and steppers. This is also where the resistance pool and whirlpool are located. This is a co-ed area, so don't forget to bring your bathing suit. 

• Two wet treatment rooms - one with a Vichy shower and one with a hydrotub. 

• A manicure/pedicure room.

• Five treatment rooms with private showers.

• Separate men's and women's locker rooms with vanity area, lockers, showers, sauna, and steam room.

The staff is European. Each has a minimum of a three-year degree in beauty which includes training in bodywork such as massage and body wraps, aesthetics such as facials, and fitness. What this means is that each staff member can perform each treatment and teach each class. Spa Manager, Dawn Chinchan, explained the spa's philosophy concerning facials. They do not believe in taking anything away from the skin. They feel peels and abrasions, while having a temporary pink-glow effect, will cause damage in the long run. Removing any layer of skin will reduce its protective qualities and expose the face to long-term damage by sun and pollution. Instead, they believe in additive facials that nourish the skin.

I tried two treatments on two different days on this visit, the Indian Head Massage (45 minutes) and the Vichy Waterfall Experience (45 minutes). I arrived about a half hour before each treatment. My therapist, Louise, greeted me, gave me a robe and slippers, and showed me to the changing room. There I enjoyed the sauna and steam. Unfortunately, I did not bring a bathing suit, so I could not use the whirlpool in the more public Fitness Room. I put on the robe and waited in the Relaxation Room which offered a number of teas, juices, and fruit. The room also offered a selection of tea-related reading while you wait - books on the Japanese Tea Ceremony, reading tea leaves, etc. 

On the first day, Louise escorted me to a treatment room for the Indian Head Massage and had me sit in a chair keeping my robe on and my feet flat on the floor. The purpose of the Indian Head massage is to harmonize the body's natural balance and to promote physical and psychological well-being through ayurvedic techniques that reduce muscular and nervous tension and improve circulation. Louise explained that people often feel energized on the day following the treatment. Louise massaged my upper arms, back from shoulder blades up,  neck, and scalp. I found the techniques similar to those I have had with a full body massage. Personally, I find it more comfortable to be lying down. It was a bit difficult to fully relax in a seated position.

The following day, Louise escorted me to the Vichy shower room for the Vichy Waterfall Experience. She offered me disposable panties and a shower cap and asked me to get on the table under the large towel. While I was doing that, she changed into a swimsuit. Laying on the table under the Vichy shower nozzles is somewhat intimidating. It doesn't take too much imagination to think they could be used as some form of torture or bizarre medical procedure. My biggest concern was that cold water would be coming out of the nozzles. Louise started the treatment with a dry brush exfoliation - a brief scrub of the entire body with a pretty stiff brush. This was followed by a whole-body salt scrub - a somewhat intense experience. Then the fun began. Louise turned on the water. It was, thankfully, warm. The water jets hit my body from legs to shoulders at a comfortable, firm pressure. As the water was flowing, Louise gave me a massage from neck to toe using massage oil. As Louise worked, she only uncovered the part of the body she was working on. "Private" areas were never uncovered. It was wonderfully relaxing. There were times, though, when I felt like giggling. I haven't caused such a mess since I was a little girl. It was great. There was water everywhere! No wonder the rooms are tiled.  I will add this treatment to my growing list of favorites.

As with any spa visit, it is wise to make appointments for spa treatments at the same time as reservations for the inn. The sooner they are made, the more likely it is to get the time and treatment you want.

The Emerson Inn & Spa offers a number of residential spa packages from 2-5 days which include 4-7 spa treatments, use of the spa facilities, exercise classes, and specially prepared spa cuisine meals. Half and full day packages are also available.