Emerson Resort & Spa

Jonathan, the manager, greeted us after 4 with a warm smile and a kind, easy manner. The rest of the weekend, staff were courteous and professional, and our massages with skilled therapists were excellent. The spa locker rooms were the weak spot: they were dirty and not cleaned, with underwear left on the sink all afternoon, towels on the floor, and paper trash on the counters. The sauna also felt small and dated, though the treatments made up for the aesthetics. Before arriving, we had booked 4 o’clock massages, the same time as check-in. A front desk employee we spoke to at 9 AM was cold and abrupt when we asked about checking in 30 minutes early, saying the 4 PM policy could not be changed. When I asked if she could check with housekeeping, she refused. We ended up rescheduling our massages.

Jackie made check-in a great start to the visit. She knew the resort inside out, welcomed us, and helped me plan my first ski day at Belleayre Mountain, including when to head over. Jordan and Kristine were just as thoughtful when my wife felt unwell, and manager Jonathan was gracious and welcoming too. We booked at the last minute, but the whole stay came together beautifully. Our Regal King Suite was immaculate, spacious, and comfortable, with a fireplace and balcony. The resort is under 20 minutes from Belleayre Mountain, and it has plenty to do on site: the World’s Largest Kaleidoscope, shops, a great restaurant, and a fun hot tub. It felt like a destination in itself. We’ll be back. It’s a beautiful, relaxing property with convenient access to the mountain. The service and attention to detail made the experience.

Marci made wedding planning remarkably easy. She comes with the wedding package, replied to emails quickly, and helped with everything both before and during the weekend. She took great care of us and our guests, and the useful vendor list and suggestions helped too. Emerson’s staff were caring and attentive, and communication was quick throughout. The in-house catering was delicious and very accommodating of food allergies. We were able to customize the menu for many different allergies. Our wedding suite was enormous, with plenty of room to get ready and spend time with guests between events. The hotel rooms are gorgeous, and the bonfire on both nights was a highlight. We had our wedding at Emerson and would recommend the venue. It’s a woman-owned resort, and the whole weekend felt like a warm hug. Such a lovely upstate New York wedding. Thanks to the Emerson team and Marci! Photos by Aisle Walk Photography

A heads-up from our stay in the black bear lodge: the floors and ceilings are thin, so we could hear everything from the rooms above us. Even so, we had a truly lovely holiday here. The location is beautiful, service was exceptional, and the amenities were good. The Jacuzzi was relaxing and fun, though it fits two small people. There are great mountain trails nearby, and we had a wonderful Christmas meal at the restaurant. Highly recommended.