I’ve always believed that more is more.

More beautiful rooms. More fabulous restaurants. More attention to the little things that nobody technically needs but everyone secretly loves. And if there’s a spa involved, well, I certainly don’t believe in moderation there, either.

Fortunately, neither does Nemacolin.

Spread across 2,200 acres of Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands and named for Chief Nemacolin, the Lenape trailblazer who helped forge a path through these mountains centuries ago, Nemacolin is what happens when someone asks, “But what if we did more?” and nobody in the room can think of a reason to say no.

PK and I spent three nights there in September, during which we managed to dine, drink, shoot, shop, indulge in a seriously fabulous spa, admire an extraordinary art collection, and somehow find time for me to paint a little haunted house.

And we STILL didn’t come close to experiencing everything.

But here’s what surprised me. For all its glorious excess, Nemacolin isn’t simply a resort throwing everything imaginable at its guests. There’s genuine thought behind the extravagance, from the almost ridiculous attention to detail in the accommodations to the people who seem determined to make every experience feel personal.

And those people? They’re a big part of why I can’t wait to send our clients here.

It All Started With a Fishing Trip. Sort Of.

To understand Nemacolin, you really have to understand the family behind it.

In 1987, Joseph Hardy III, the founder of 84 Lumber, set out to purchase a few acres near a lake or stream for his daughter Maggie, who loved fishing. A perfectly reasonable fatherly gesture, although what happened next was considerably less conventional.

Instead of a little fishing property, he purchased what would become one of America’s most extraordinary luxury resorts. Apparently, the Hardy family’s interpretation of a little something has always been rather generous.

Maggie Hardy assumed ownership in 2002 and continued expanding her father’s vision. Today, she and her son, PJ Magerko Liquorice, carry that legacy forward, reimagining accommodations, introducing new experiences, and ensuring that Nemacolin remains a property with absolutely no shortage of ambition.

Once you understand that history, the resort’s personality begins to make perfect sense. This isn’t luxury by committee. It’s a family vision that has evolved over decades, shaped by people who clearly enjoy imagining what’s possible and then figuring out how to make it happen.

The result is part grand European hotel, part country estate, part adventure playground, part art museum, and part rather fabulous fantasy.

And somehow, it all works.

Three Hotels, Three Very Different Personalities

Nemacolin doesn’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to luxury, and with three distinctly different hotels on the estate, why should it?

The Grand Lodge offers a recently renovated yet still traditional interpretation of luxury, with residential-style accommodations and a level of attention to detail that borders on obsessive.

The Chateau is unapologetically grand, with European-inspired architecture and elaborate interiors modeled after the Ritz Paris. And as a girl who appreciates a good Lobby Bar, I can more than vouch for the one here.

Falling Rock brings another personality entirely, with a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired intimate atmosphere and particular appeal for golf enthusiasts who casually meet for drinks in the lobby which happens to house the Hardys’ impressive Tiffany lamp collection.

Choosing among them isn’t simply a matter of deciding which building is the prettiest. It’s about understanding the reason for the stay and the experience you want to have.

And Then There’s the Matter of Having Your Own House

As if three distinctly different luxury hotels weren’t enough, Nemacolin has another rather tempting proposition: What if you brought the whole family, gathered your favorite friends, and simply moved into a house?

Because you can.

Beyond the hotels, Nemacolin offers private townhomes and expansive estate homes that introduce an entirely different way to experience the resort.

Think multiple bedrooms, generous living spaces, kitchens, and room for everyone to spread out. The children can have their own space, the adults can enjoy a little privacy, and everyone can gather for cocktails, dinner, or a wonderfully unhurried morning together.

And here’s the particularly appealing part: You can enjoy the privacy and space of a beautiful private home while still having Nemacolin’s restaurants, spa, golf, and extraordinary collection of experiences within reach.

For multigenerational families, couples traveling together, milestone birthdays, or a gathering of friends, I find this especially compelling. Everyone can enjoy the resort on their own terms, then return to a beautiful private home at the end of the day.

It’s the sort of arrangement that makes traveling together considerably more enjoyable.

And frankly, if you’re going to gather your favorite people under one roof, having an entire luxury resort just beyond the front door seems like a very good idea.

Attention to Detail…and then some.

But here’s where Nemacolin really won me over.

Eucalyptus shower spray. Dyson hair tools. Beautiful bath amenities. Toilets that have apparently received more consideration than some entire hotel rooms I’ve visited.

The details are almost comically indulgent, and the best part is that this attention isn’t reserved exclusively for the most expensive suites. Even the more accessible accommodations benefit from the same philosophy of thoughtful excess.

Anyone can fill a spectacular suite with expensive things. The more interesting question is whether that consideration extends throughout the property.

At Nemacolin, it does.

And as someone who named her house Maison Fowler and then proceeded to monogram the dining chairs, I can hardly criticize a little enthusiasm for the details. I suspect Maggie Hardy and I would have quite a lot to discuss.

Cocktails, Dinner, and the Very Difficult Business of Choosing

One of the advantages of staying at a destination resort is being able to enjoy a wonderful evening without worrying about transportation. At Nemacolin, the problem is entirely different: deciding which fabulous evening you’d like to have.

During our stay, PK and I had three completely fabulous dinners at Fawn & Fable, Aqueous, and Gusto, three distinct dining experiences that gave us a taste of the property’s culinary range. Add the bars and lounges scattered across the resort, and there’s no shortage of opportunities to extend an evening beyond the dinner reservation.

Some nights call for a proper dinner and a very good glass of wine; others call for another cocktail and absolutely no interest in consulting the clock. A resort that understands both is speaking my language.

We didn’t manage to experience everything, and there’s one restaurant I’m especially eager to try on our next visit: Lautrec, Nemacolin’s celebrated fine-dining experience at The Chateau.

I appreciate a resort that gives you a legitimate excuse to plan another visit before you’ve even finished the first.

From Shooting to Spa Robes

I enjoy a beautiful hotel spa as much as anyone, but I also appreciate a property that understands luxury travelers aren’t necessarily interested in spending an entire vacation doing the same thing.

Which explains how shooting and a hot stone massage both found their way onto my Nemacolin itinerary.

The shooting experience at Nemacolin’s Rod & Range Club was a particularly entertaining departure from more traditional resort activities, and I loved how naturally it fit into our stay. You can spend part of the day outdoors trying something adventurous and still return in plenty of time for an entirely different sort of afternoon.

And speaking of the spa, Nemacolin’s Woodlands Spa deserves considerably more than a passing mention.

The Spa at Nemacolin is a destination in its own right, with extensive treatment spaces and wellness facilities designed to encourage guests to stay awhile. I’ve experienced some extraordinary spas over the years, and I take this particular category of luxury rather seriously.

My hot stone massage was one of the highlights of our visit, and I’ll go so far as to say, possibly one of the best massages I’ve ever had, but what impressed me just as much was the opportunity to make wellness an experience in itself rather than another appointment on an already crowded schedule.

My advice? Give the spa a generous portion of your day. Schedule the treatment, enjoy the facilities, and resist the temptation to rush off to the next activity simply because another experience is waiting.

There will always be something else to do at Nemacolin. That’s rather the point.

Art, Creativity, and One Haunted House

Nemacolin’s extraordinary art collection is another reason the resort feels so different from a conventional luxury hotel. Art is woven throughout the property, inviting guests to explore and discover pieces as they move between accommodations, restaurants, and public spaces.

I love a hotel that has a genuine point of view about design. Art gives a property personality, creates conversation, and occasionally makes you stop in your tracks to appreciate something you weren’t expecting. From framed Hermes scarves, to million dollar mobile installations, Nemacolin has a little bit of everything for art lovers. There’s even a piece of the Berlin wall on display,

But Nemacolin doesn’t limit its artistic ambitions to the works on display. Guests can also get involved in creative experiences of their own, which is how, while PK was off fly-fishing, I found myself in an arts-and-crafts class painting a haunted house.

Yes, a haunted house.

Somewhere between the shooting, dining, spa treatments, and general exploration of the property, I apparently decided that what my vacation needed was a little Halloween crafting.

And I thoroughly enjoyed it.

There’s something wonderfully refreshing about a luxury resort that doesn’t take itself so seriously that it forgets how to have fun. Nemacolin manages to make room for both extraordinary art and the considerably less formal artistic contributions of its guests.

Mine just happened to involve a haunted house.

Retail Therapy, With a Personal Touch

As though the accommodations, restaurants, spa, art, and activities weren’t enough, Nemacolin also offers another of my favorite vacation pursuits: shopping.

Naturally, we made time for that, too.

One of my favorite memories came courtesy of the associates who opened the outlet store for us. What might have been a simple shopping excursion turned into one of those lovely, spontaneous interactions that remind me why hospitality is ultimately a people business.

We went from browsing merchandise to making fast friends, and the experience stayed with me long after we left the shop.

Beautiful spaces and extravagant amenities certainly make an impression, but genuine warmth and the willingness to make someone feel welcome are much harder to manufacture.

The Real Luxury Is Knowing the People

Which brings me to the best part. For all its grandeur, Nemacolin’s greatest asset may be the people who bring the entire experience together.

Our visit gave us the opportunity to spend some real quality time with members of the sales team, particularly Laura and Elizabeth, who went above and beyond throughout our stay. Their attention, enthusiasm, and willingness to share their passion for the property with us made an impression that no amount of beautiful architecture could have accomplished on its own.

And those relationships are especially important to me.

At Filling the Nest, we spend considerable time getting to know the people behind the hotels and resorts we recommend. The general managers, sales directors, guest relations teams, and hospitality professionals who become trusted partners—and often genuine friends—are an essential part of how we design travel.

It’s one thing to know that Nemacolin offers several accommodation experiences, an extensive collection of activities, and an impressive dining program. It’s another to know the people who can help determine which experiences will be most meaningful for a particular client.

Our relationships allow us to have those conversations directly, coordinate special requests, identify experiences worth reserving in advance, and help the resort understand the people we’re sending before they arrive.

Having experienced the generosity and personal attention of Nemacolin’s team ourselves, we know the sort of care our clients can expect when we make those introductions.

That’s what I want people to understand about working with a luxury travel designer. Our relationships aren’t simply a way to arrange additional amenities or secure a room upgrade. They’re a connection between the people traveling and the people responsible for making their experience extraordinary.

And at a resort with this much to offer, that connection can make all the difference.

THE NEMACOLIN EDIT | Five Things to Know Before You Go

• Three nights is a good starting point. There’s simply too much to experience in a rushed weekend. I’d allow at least three nights, but preferably four to five, particularly if you want to balance activities with a little well-deserved indulgence.

• Choose your accommodations carefully. The Chateau, The Grand Lodge, Falling Rock and the Private Homes each offer a different personality. Whether you’re drawn to traditional grandeur, contemporary luxury, or a more intimate experience, the right choice makes a difference.

• Make the important reservations early. Spa treatments, special dinners, and signature experiences deserve advance attention. I’d prioritize those, then leave enough unscheduled time to enjoy the unexpected.

• Don’t overlook the seasons. Autumn is glorious, but Nemacolin also lends itself to festive celebrations, winter escapes, and summer family gatherings. The experience can change considerably depending on when you visit.

• And one last thing: Don’t attempt to do everything. Nemacolin makes a compelling case for more being more, but that doesn’t mean you need an itinerary for every waking moment.

The FTN Take

Nemacolin is grand, extravagant, ambitious, and occasionally gloriously over the top. It has embraced the idea that luxury can be playful, indulgent, adventurous, artistic, and wonderfully excessive, sometimes all in the same afternoon.

But what impressed me most wasn’t simply the scale of the property or the extraordinary number of experiences available. It was the thoughtfulness behind the details and the people who made those experiences feel personal.

The eucalyptus shower spray and Dyson hair tools may have caught my attention, and the spa certainly made a lasting impression. I loved the dining, shooting, art, and even my unexpected afternoon painting a haunted house.

But I’ll remember the people just as fondly, from the associates who opened the outlet store for us to Laura and the sales team who made our visit so special.

Those are the relationships we’re delighted to share with our clients, and they’re a large part of why I feel so confident recommending Nemacolin.

I’ve always believed that more is more, but there’s a difference between excess for its own sake and doing absolutely everything exceptionally well.

Nemacolin makes a rather persuasive argument that restraint is sometimes overrated.

And frankly, I couldn’t agree more.

Imagine Your Story

Considering Nemacolin? Let Filling the Nest introduce you to our friends at the resort, help select the accommodations that best suit your stay, and arrange the experiences that deserve a place on your calendar.

Because extraordinary places are wonderful. Knowing the people who make them extraordinary is even better.

Imagine Your Story –>