Bailey Theysohn
Fairleigh Dickinson University Petrocelli College of Continuing Studies
Aixa Ritz
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The spa at Mohonk Mountain House has taken an innovative approach in constructing their spa as well as developing a method to ensure there are zero emissions resulting from heating/cooling. Furthermore, they have formulated a garden terrace designed to insulate the building as well as reduce energy usage and also participate in a tree planting initative.
For 149 years, the Mohonk Mountain House has been dedicated to preserving the natural environment of Shawangunk Ridge, located in Hudson Valley, New York. The Smiley Family has operated the resort from its opening and continues to do so today. One of their most recent additions to the resort is a 30,000 square foot spa, which combines ecological design measures with their unique history. Within the spa, one can find over 200 windows that overlook 40,000 acres of natural beauty along with timber beams, cedar shingles, and native foliage which achieve their goal of “bringing the outside in”. However, not only is the spa appealing to the eyes, but it is also attractive to the environmentally conscious traveler.
The location of the spa is where, previously, a natural, glacier-formed stone bluff stood, overlooking scenic Lake Mohonk. Although they had to carve into the stone, which one might see as a destruction of environment, six hundred tons of the removed stone found another purpose. This quartz conglomerate stone was utilized to fabricate the stone walls and fireplaces throughout the spa. In addition to the reuse of stone, the spa also introduced a unique heating and cooling system utilizing forty-eight, 480-foot deep wells. This geothermal system, as it is called, relies upon the constant temperature of the Earth in order to heat and cool the spa. Through this measure, they not only created a quiet and comfortable ambiance in the spa, but they eradicated their on-site emissions as well.
As a final sustainable measure, the spa encompasses a “green roof” garden terrace which expands over 2,000 square feet. The green roof contains an eight-inch planting bed which consists of a soil retaining system to ensure proper drainage. Within the garden, they have introduced a specialized soil mixture which promotes the growth of shallow root structure plants that simultaneously are tolerant of shade to increase the attraction of birds and butterflies. This terrace improves the insulation throughout the building, reduces energy use and runoff, in addition to providing the perfect environment for yoga and meditation. For these reasons, it is no surprise this terrace has quickly become one of the spa's most popular areas.
The spa came as an extension to one of the core values the resort aims to instill within guests; wellness. To quote the spa's website, “Wellness has been an essential part of the Mohonk experience since our founding in 1869,” therefore, to increase the number of initiatives they have implemented to promote wellness, the thought of a spa emerged. As a result, a descendent of the Smiley family, Nina Smiley Ph.D. created a mindfulness program in addition to the spa and wellness experiences in order to enhance this objective.
Nina was not the only Smiley descendent to partake in the creation of the spa as did Albert Smiley. The past president and CEO took part in creating the plans for the spa and upon its finish stated, “It embodies all of the qualities we envisioned from the outset, and we are now poised to offer guests a complete restorative experience.” In addition to family members, Saratoga architects participated in the project and took responsibility in incorporating outdoor elements within the spa. The spa is a perfect example of the resort's overall mission as well. Albert Smiley spoke of an original Smiley family member, claiming, “My great-grand-uncle understood the need to provide guests with an opportunity to experience nature directly” which they have achieved through a variety of services provided by the spa.
As mentioned earlier, they have “brought the outside in” by incorporating natural wood and other elements throughout the design, architecture, and even décor of the spa. For example, reincorporating the stone carved away into the construction of the spa as well as utilizing timber and cedar shingles to blend the spa and the mountaintop as one. Furthermore, guests have the ability to step into nature as they enter the garden terrace or even treat themselves to a mineral body treatment which exfoliates the skin with grains of rock extracted from the cliffs surrounding the resort.
The impact of the innovation on society is immensely beneficial. The practices the spa has implemented are atypical of not only spas, but hospitality operations as a whole. For this reason, the spa was recently named the Number One Resort Spa in the United States by Condé Nast Traveler, which is a huge accomplishment that was more than well deserved. Hopefully, overtime, the practices of Mohonk will be noticed by other hospitality operations who will then consider implementing similar measures in their properties to better the environment as well as guest experiences.
The impact the innovation has had on the environment has proven to be positive as well. They have repurposed materials that otherwise would have become waste (such as rock and lumber), they have reduced their emissions through implementing a geothermal system, and lastly, the garden terrace insulates the building, reduces energy use, and provides a home for birds. Through these measures the environment is not only sustained but enriched as well.
The impact the innovation has on the business is very positive. The spa is favored by guests, locals, and even those from New York City because their services are one of a kind. In fact, the spa offers more than 80 services ranging from meditation and yoga to fitness classes and massages. Furthermore, the spa is an additional amenity for guests, therefore, those who are not interested in hiking or kayaking, are not left with nothing to do and in the winter months, when outdoor activity becomes unappealing, the spa offers the perfect solution.
This innovation, not only benefits the community within the Hudson Valley, but the world at large. The geothermal system in addition to the garden terrace are unheard of innovative measures, however, Mohonk has proven their implementation is not only possible, but successful. Therefore, spas as well as hotels and restaurants can discover new methods to achieve sustainability that extend further than light bulbs and low flowing water systems.
On the other hand, the environment benefits because through the demolition necessary to construct the spa, the affected materials were given a second purpose within the spa, reducing waste. Moreover, the spa functions under zero emissions due to their geothermal system, therefore, they are able to significantly reduce their contribution to pollution.
Lastly, the spa sells a line of retail products known as Eminence Organics Skincare within their facility. Eminence produces natural, organic, and Biodynamic products through sustainable farming and green practices, however, they are in constant search of different methods to reduce their carbon footprint. For this reason, Eminence has partnered with Trees for the Future, a global tree planting organization and at the moment, Eminence assists with the planting of trees in 19 developing countries across the globe. Therefore, every time a guest purchases an Eminence product while visiting Mohonk, Eminence along with Trees for the Future will plant a tree in a developing country. As a result, Mohonk has currently contributed to 12, 340 trees being planted thanks to Eminence.
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Emily McNamara, Marketing Manager
Mohonk Mountain House is strategically located in the Catskill Mountains, allowing them to provide unique activities and experiences for travelers and locals alike as they provide guests with the opportunity to embrace nature directly while simultaneously finding peace within themselves.