Treat for the Senses Nemacolin Offers Washingtonians New Boutique Hotel, Special Events by Anna Gawel Sometimes, a hotel is merely an afterthought, a temporary place to unwind on your way to your true destination. Other times, the hotel is a destination unto itself, an experience to be savored much like a glass of fine wine. Among Washingtonís many upscale, historic and even offbeat hotels, there is certainly no shortage of lodging options to satisfy all tastes and attitudes. But true Washingtonian hotel connoisseurs should venture outside of the city to nearby Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa in Farmington, Pa., for a distinctive hotel experience at the resortís recently opened Falling Rock property, a visually stunning bastion of chic elegance and architectural delight. Nemacolinís latest attraction can best be summed up as a treat for the senses, which is very much in keeping with the overall theme at Nemacolin, where guests can pamper themselves in an award-winning spa, savor a range of cuisine, and partake in an exhaustive list of activities. Above all, the Nemacolin experience is enhanced by the resortís spectacular sights, including its 2,800 acres of lush surroundings in the Laurel Highlands Mou ntains and an extensive $50 million art collection that ranges from paintings and sculpture to photography and historical artifactsócreating a visual ambience unlike any other. Falling Rock takes this visual ambience to the next level. The 42-room boutique hotel and clubhouse is a study in the beauty of architectural design. Inspired by the work of renowned American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Falling Rock incorporates Wrightís principles of organic architecture, highlighting his devotion to nature and penchant for geometric form. Overlooking the 18th green of Mystic Rock, a Pete Dye-designed PGA Tour golf course, Falling Rock will appeal to golf and architecture enthusiasts alike. Two cascading waterfalls greet guests as they enter the propertyóreminiscent of Wrightís famed Fallingwater house in Pennsylvania. From there, a visually striking pattern of sharp angles and shapes contrast and complement one another, drawing the eye in and creating an air of cool sophistication. Billed as a blend of ìhipî and ìluxury,î Falling Rock does not disappoint in either department. Natural elements such as rock, water and fire are fused with a rich palette of browns, mahoganies, taupes and other earthy hues that reinforce Wrightís organic philosophy. The designers have clearly paid homage to every architectural nuance, but not at the expense of overlooking the high-tech extras that todayís savvy hotel guests demand. All of the rooms for instance feature plasma-screen televisions, 18 types of pillows, including the ìmemory plus pillowî and ìmediflow water pillow,î as well as state-of-the-art light dimmers. Although the gadgetry is abundant (with the exception of an unusually slow elevator) and the dÈcor is decidedly bold and dramatic, Falling Rock maintains the intimacy of a private residence. Guests have at their disposal individual butler service and a gracious but unobtrusive staff that can help with every request, whether itís drawing a hot bath or steaming and pressing your evening wear. And unlike the larger and more opulent Chateaux property, Falling Rock still has the cozy allure of a boutique hotel, although cozy may be too commonplace a description for these stylish digs. In addition, balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows in the Amber lobby lounge and Aqueous restaurant offer guests expansive vistas of the Mystic Rock course, which during the winter transforms into a beautiful snowy landscape. Each guest room also integrates eye-catching accents such as fossil-rock sculptures hanging over the bath and mirrors that cleverly exploit the already spacious interior. All of this is punctuated by the hotelís signature ìtriangleî design, an intriguing touch evident in everything from the ottomans down to the sticky notes. This triangle pattern was chosen by architect David Merritt to represent Wrightís adherence to organic architecture. ìFrank Lloyd Wright believed everything in nature came from a geometric shape or a geometric form. If you look closely at the intricate patterns of a leaf, for example, youíll see that this is very true,î Merritt said. ìUsing that principle, I chose a triangle to represent the rock and by doing so, we have created the repetition of triangles that you see throughout Falling Rock, which symbolize the literal falling rocks.î This meticulous attention to detail is a larger reflection of Nemacolinís ongoing mission to imbue each of its hotels with a refreshing sense of individuality. But regardless of whether youíre rooming at the swanky Falling Rock or any of Nemacolinís numerous other properties, the resort offers a whirlwind of activities and distractions to keep you more than busy during your stay, many of which were profiled in The Washington Diplomatís June 2004 Summer Getaways insert. Among the more popular excursions are championship golf, a top-rated spa, the Off-Road Driving Academy (still my personal favorite), sporting clays at the Shooting Academy, an equestrian center and skiing. In addition, however, the resort regularly organizes special events that give Washingtonians the perfect excuse to escape for a few days and indulge in a refined world of cuisine, wine, art, music and celebrity, all while taking in the resortís one-of-a-kind accommodations. To that end, Nemacolin introduced its inaugural Savoir Affair in March, a decadent four-day weekend that featured wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, art exhibitions and musical entertainment. The concept originated from the annual Hardy Family Art Gala, with Nemacolin deciding to build on the art theme by combining it with cuisine, wine and music to create their version of ìHeaven to the Fourth Power.î Savoir Affair participants learned about things such as Italyís stringent wine laws and the different chardonnays produced by Californiaís wine growers all while sampling an eclectic array of wines (including vintages from the Joseph Phelps Vineyards) and discussing the many intricacies involved in distinguishing a good wine from a great one. Master cake designer Nhora de la Pava demonstrated her imitable talent for creating life-like ìsugar art,î while La Aurora S.A. Cigar Co. revealed the delicate art of cigar rolling. In addition, Food Network personality and executive chef of Gourmet magazine Sara Moulton, who presided over the Savoir Affair, joined Nemacolinís award-winning chefs to share some useful culinary tricks for novice and advanced cooks. And on the art front, the event showcased the works Howard Behrens, Paul Chojnowski and pop art guru Burton Morris, among others, along with opportunities to meet each artist. To cap off the intoxicating lessons, guests were treated to dinner and dancing, including a performance by the irrepressible Tony Bennett, who, at 84, showed that age canít keep a good crooner down. Celebrity auctioneer Kathleen Guzman then led the warmed-up crowd to open up their wallets for a good cause by bidding on items to benefit the University of Pittsburgh Medical Centerís Hillman Cancer Center. And if attendees spent a bit too much during the auction, they could always soothe their nerves by heading over to the Cigar Bar for a bourbon or whiskey tasting. If youíd rather not wait another year for the next Savoir Affair, thereís no need to worry. The event was somewhat of a prelude to Nemacolinís bigger blockbuster weekend, the Royal Reception, which takes place June 24 to 26. Master of ceremonies Robin Leach takes guests on a ìJourney to Camelot,î along with famous faces Robin Williams, George Lopez, Lionel Richie, and Huey Lewis and the Newsóall in an effort to raise funds for CureSearch, a leader in childhood cancer research. Now in its 15th year, the popular gala is an ideal opportunity for Washingtonians who are tired of D.C.ís staid political scene to experience a bit of Hollywood excitement and glamour. And with Nemacolin only being a three-hour car ride away from Washingtonóa short jaunt by Beltway traffic standardsóthereís no excuse not to treat yourself to a weekend away. Anna Gawel is the managing editor of The Washington Diplomat.