“Wait, where are you going again?”
“Nemacolin.”
Oh, and where is that?
About an hour and a half outside Pittsburgh on the border of West Virginia.”
“And it’s supposed to be nice?
“Very.”
“Oh, ok. Have fun!”
I had some version of this conversation about half a dozen times before my recent trip to Nemacolin Resort.
It turns out, that if you’re from the West Coast? Most people simply aren’t familiar with Nemacolin…yet.
I’ve had a few reviews this past year that have been something along the lines of “the best resort you’ve never heard of.”
Sensei Porcupine Creek and Santa Lucia Preserve come to mind.
I really wanted to use that title here, because I simply wasn’t prepared for just how good Nemacolin was going to be.
Until a few months ago, I’ll be honest, I hadn’t really heard much about it.
But now that I’ve been? I’m an evangelist. It’s shocking to me that a resort of this size and caliber flies so under-the-radar outside of the region it’s in.
Today, I’m going to give you the full rundown of everything. We’re going to look at the two golf courses, the accommodations, dining, and activities – and help you decide if this is a place that you should consider visiting.
So, if you’ve never heard of Nemacolin? You’re in for a treat. And if you’ve visited before? Then you have a good idea of exactly what’s to come.
What is Nemacolin Resort?
So if you’re like me, or any of my friends who live on the West Coast, you may be saying “What is Nemacolin?”
Nemacolin is a sprawling luxury golf resort set across 2200 acres outside of Pittsburgh on the border of Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
It opened in 1987 and was built by Joseph Hardy, the billionaire Founder of 84 Lumber.
And when I say luxury, I mean it. Rooms routinely go for upwards of $1,000 a night, the food is among the best I’ve ever had at a golf resort, and guests even get their own personal butler for the duration of their stay.
Despite the unfortunate passing of Mr. Hardy in 2023, his daughter Maggie is overseeing the resort, and her presence is felt throughout.
It’s pretty wild just how many updates they’ve done over the past 3 years, and they’re showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
First Impressions: Ok, I was NOT Expecting This
Pulling into Nemacolin (pronounced nemma-cole-in), I was immediately taken aback by the grandeur of the Chateau.
Despite opening only opening in 1997 to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the resort, the Cheateau looks like it belongs in 19th century France.
It’s big, imposing, and opulent.
Walking through the front doors, you’re immediately met with an overwhelming sense of luxury that permeates all of your senses.
I focused a bit more on video for this trip, so be sure to watch the full video for more details of the property.
The first thing I noticed was the smell. As with many luxury hotels, there’s a signature scent at the Chateau, that just puts you at ease, and tells you that you’re someplace special.
I can’t imagine what the flower bill is for Nemacolin as there are beautiful bouquets everywhere.
Service was phenomenal from the moment I got on the property.
Everyone seemed genuinely happy to help with whatever I needed, and having a butler at your beck and call is something I’ve only experienced at a handful of high-end properties in Asia.
Not something I expected in rural Pennsylvania.
You also quickly realize just how big Nemacolin is – and how much there is to do.
Fortunately, the shuttle service works just as well as at places like Bandon Dunes.
Once you’re on property, you’ll never need to touch your car, and never have to wait more than a few minutes for a shuttle to take you wherever you want to go.
But before we go too far into what the resort has to offer, let’s talk about the thing you’re likely most interested in: the golf.
Golfing at Nemacolin: Two Wildly Different Golf Experiences
Earlier in this review I mentioned Nemacolin being a “golf resort.”
But, despite the very high quality of the courses, it’s probably more apt to call it a “Resort with Golf” rather than a “Golf Resort.”
Why?
Because, to my surprise, most of the people who visit never step foot on either course.
For such a large resort, the two courses only get about 12,000 a year…combined.
Those are numbers you’d typically only see at a small exclusive private club.
But what that means for you, is that you’ll be treated to an excellent and personalized golf experience.
There are two courses at Nemacolin: Mystic Rock and Shepherds Rock.
And the two courses couldn’t be more different from one another.
Let’s first look at the more well-known of the two:
Mystic Rock: A Championship Course with PGA Pedigree
Mystic Rock is generally regarded as the “better” of the two Nemacolin golf courses. It was originally built in 1995 and designed by Pete Dye.
It’s also routinely found itself listed among the top 100 public courses in the country, and is currently #80 on the Golf Digest list.
At first glance, you might mistake the course for being an old-school Raynor design due to the rectangular bunkering you see on the newly remodeled 18th hole, and the dramatic green site on the drivable opening hole.
But as you work your way through you’ll find the course to be similar to a lot of Dye’s earlier work with massive bunkers and greens that are less over the top than some of his newer courses.
Mystic Rock was home to the 84 Lumber Invitational, a PGA Tour event from 2003-2006.
It’s a championship course with some great shot values, and it places a premium on hitting fairways and greens.
And as with many Dye courses, there was a significant amount of blasting and “creating” the golf course to be what it is today. You’ll find reminders of this throughout ther property in the way of boulder piles and stacked stone used as a motif around the course.
Speaking of which, the course is beautiful The waterfall behind the John Daly statue on the 4th hole is particularly memorable.
The winding par 5 11th is another memorable one that forces you to be thoughtful with each shot.
This is followed up by the over-water par 3, 12th which has two different green sites.
We played 4 of the last 5 holes directly into a stout wind, which definitely amped up the difficulty of the course – but it certainly didn’t make it any less enjoyable.
Shepherds Rock: This is True Adventure Golf
Built-in 2017, Shepherd’s Rock has the distinction of being the last course Pete Dye designed before he passed away in January of 2020.
Mystic Rock is the more well-known of the two courses, in part due to the PGA pedigree and the fact it’s been around longer.
But Shepherd’s Rock provides a completely different golf experience, it’s the type of course I call “adventure golf.”
Where the routing takes you on a journey that feels like an expedition.
With Shepherd’s, you’ll find greens that are far more undulating and severe than over at Mystic – which is the primary defense of the course.
That’s not to say there aren’t tricky holes.
The par 4, 619 yard 4th hole is nicknamed “Beast” for a reason.
You’ll need to pick your spot carefully off the tee to avoid the centerline bunkers. And even a well-struck drive will then have to contend with an uphill green that has the potential to kick any balls left short 80 yards back down the hill.
For me, I think Shepherd’s is the most scenic of the two courses, and honestly, has some of the more memorable holes.
The short par 4 10th was among my favorites on the property.
Built into a giant hillside, you can hit just about any club you want, depending on how aggressive you want to be. From the fairway, the green looks much smaller than it is, forcing you to pick your approach club well and commit.
Some of these memorable and scenic holes aren’t necessarily the most strategic, however. The 17th for instance has a fairway that’s so severely sloped that any ball hitting the left side of the fairway is destined roll to the right side – limiting your shot options.
I think objectively Mystic is the better golf course, but I found myself enamored with the fun, adventurous and at times over the top nature of Shepherd’s Rock.
I love the fact there are two distinctly different and unique courses, that will each appeal to golfers for different reasons.
The Golf Academy
Along with so many of the amenities that have received significant upgrades in the last 3 years, The Golf Academy was one of the first overhauls, receiving a $3 million renovation in 2021.
The result is pretty spectacular.
The space has four specialized Trackman bays, with two of those allowing you to hit out onto the connected driving range.
Technology is at the forefront here, as on top of the full Trackman setup, there’s also SwingCatyalyst sensors with Dual Force Plates.
No matter what level of golfer you are, there’s a way to improve your game here.
I also love this, as it keeps the golf season going through the Winter as well.
Caddy Shack Mini Golf
The 18 hole mini golf course at Nemacolin is excellent as well. It’s been recently renovated with fun holes and water features everywhere.
I Wasn’t Prepared for Just How Unique the Nemacolin Accommodations Would Be
I suppose I should have been more prepared for it, considering the resort is spread across over 2k acres and has so much to offer.
But Nemacolin is really more like 4 resorts in one, because where you stay will significantly alter what your experience is like at Nemacolin.
There are three primary hotel options at the resort, as well as the option to stay in private houses on property.
The Chateau at Nemacolin
For my trip, I stayed in a Chateau King Room, which just finished a massive remodel that re-opened over Memorial Day 2024.
And the result? Absolutely stunning.
I mentioned the experience of walking into the lobby for the first time, but walking into my room caught me even more off guard.
My flight was delayed, getting to the resort about 4 hours later than I’d planned. So I had my butler take my bags to the room, while I ran over to catch the tail end of dinner at The Peak and to play a little after-hours mini golf.
When I finally stepped into my room for the first time after 11pm, I was totally shocked.
This is what a luxury hotel room should look like.
First off, it was massive for a standard room at over 500 square feet.
But it had all kinds of little touches that significantly elevated it over most of the nicest hotel rooms I’ve stayed in.
The most obvious here is technology.
There are 4 touch screens that control everything from your lights, to your music, to the shades.
Technology can begin to feel dated fast. Even some of the most luxurious hotel rooms I’ve been in have started to feel a little tired.
But having just finished their remodel, this is entirely 21st century.
The Kohler Japanese-style toilet with a heated, massaging seat and touch screen was next level.
The room is also the first room I’ve ever stayed in to have an entire set of cocktail tools – which, the cocktail afficianado in me really appreciated. Even if 99% of guests will just head down to one of the excellent bars for their cocktail needs.
The espresso maker with steaming functon is also the nicest I’ve ever had in a hotel room before.
At an average rate eclipsing $1,000 a night in the peak season, you’re paying a price for this level of luxury.
That said, I’ve stayed in many similarly priced hotel rooms that did not feel worthy of the price tag. The experience of staying at the Chateau feels every bit worth the money.
The Grand Lodge: The Suite Life
The more I dig into just how much has been done to Nemacolin in the past 3 years, the more remarkable it seems.
The Grand Lodge got a huge overhaul that opened up in November 2023. The hotel now features 56 different suites, that range from a massive penthouse, to still huge King Suites.
One thing that’s kind of cool about this property is that the Chateau and Grand Lodge are connected. They seamlessly flow into one another, so when you’re inside the only giveaway that you’ve ventured from one property to the next is how the vibe and decor slowly morph from one classic motif to the next.
I can’t comment on the rooms, since I didn’t stay in one – but based on my experience in the Chateau, you won’t be disappointed.
The dining options here are also phenomenal, but we’ll get to those in a minute.
Falling Rock: An Art-Deco Adults Only Oasis
Falling Rock, not to be confused with the nearby famous Frank Lloyd Wright design Falling Water – is a bit different than the other two hotels at Nemacolin.
Falling Rock opened in 2004, and was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright protege David Merritt.
The fact they refer to it as “Nemacolin’s most sophisticated hotel” is kind of mind-boggling to me, considering I’m not sure what could feel more sophisticated than the Chateau.
It’s been rated 5 stars (or diamond) by both Forbes and AAA and it feels every part of it.
It’s located right at the golf courses, so if you’re looking for the shortest commute possible to the course – this is where you want to be.
Dining at Nemacolin: There’s Something for Everyone
Whether you’re looking for an over-the-top Michelin quality meal, a good steak, or something more casual and family-friendly – Nemcolin’s got you covered.
The food options here are fantastic, and honestly, full of surprises.
Lautrec: Fine-Dining at It’s Finest
Perhaps the biggest surprise in terms of food, comes in the way of Lautrec.
I mean, you don’t exactly expect to find a world-class, tasting menu only, French restaurant in the middle of rural Pennsylvania.
Yet I suppose you wouldn’t expect to find any of what Nemacolin offers in rural Pennsylvania.
I didn’t eat here, but each time I walked by the restaurant and looked inside, I was taken aback by just how beautiful and ornate the space looked
Aqueous: Serious Seafood
Again, you don’t expect to find world-class seafood in a place like this – but our meal at Aqueous was one of the highlights of the trip.
Located in Falling Rock, Aqueous is the seafood restaurant at the resort, and also home to the more casual Amber Bar as well.
The raw tower was full of some of the freshest-tasting seafood I’ve ever had. The salmon and scallops I had were equally delicious, and there wasn’t a bad thing on the menu.
I ordered a Manhattan from Amber Bar, which was also very much on point.
Fawn & Fable: A Whimsical Steakhouse
Fawn & Fable has undergone a bit of a renovation recently. What was once more of a traditional steakhouse is now full of whimsy, and includes a fable about a fawn that tells the story of the food.
It’s a very large space, but it never felt overly crowded. The service was excellent, and the food was wonderful as well.
My filet was cooked to a perfect medium-rare
The Peak: Everything a Family Could Want
The very first thing I did after checking in at Nemacolin was head to The Peak to meet my group for dinner.
I wasn’t prepared for exactly what this would be, essentially, the ultimate family playground.
It had a spectacular pool with views for days. Bowling, a ropes course, paintballing, and even a ski lift for the Winters.
Not to mention spots inside, outside, poolside, and fireside to eat.
This is definitely the more casual, family-friendly spot at the resort. But it’s also an equally solid option for buddies just looking for a good burger and beer after a day of golf.
Nightcap: I Wasn’t Expecting This
Ok, I take it back. Lautrec wasn’t the biggest dining surprise at the resort: Nightcap was.
What was once a casual sports bar has been completely transformed to a jazz and cocktail club.
We’d met a few people the night before who said they had just come from Nightcap and that there was a wonderful jazz band.
They told us, “It doesn’t really get going until Thursday when they do the full show on the weekends. I can’t imagine what that would be, as the show we saw was wonderful.”
The next night we had the pleasure of experiencing the “full show,” and I legitimately still don’t believe what I saw (watch my video above to see more about this.)
It was kind of a moulin rouge-esque stage show that featured spectacular singing, a surprisingly cohesive story, and no less than a dozen costume changes from the 10 or so performers.
Creating a show like that, in a place like this, is a bold – risky move. 9 times out of 10 I’d imagine it would come across as cheesy and amateur.
This was not. It was excellent, and something I would have thoroughly enjoyed had I watched it in any cosmopolitan city.
Throw in some delicious and unique cocktails, and I think this is a must-visit when at Nemacolin.
The Hardy Room
Off the lobby of the Chateau is a somewhat hidden room that features a wonderful cigar lounge. The humidor is huge and will please even the most discerning smoker.
Food and drinks can also be ordered here.
We showed up late one night before closing, and the staff went above and beyond by allowing us to stay. And even when all the kitchens were closed, they found some snacks and brought them to us “on the house.”
Pools and Spas at Nemacolin
There’s no shortage of places for kids to play and adults to relax while at the resort.
The Peak Pool
The Peak pool I mentioned above is the ultimate family playground with a lazy river, waterfalls, and even a swim-up bar for parents to enjoy a beverage.
This is also open and heated year-round, so if you want to take a dip after Winter activities – you can do so here.
Paradise Pool
The Paradise Pool is a slightly more intimate family pool experience that has a waterslide, food options, and available cabanas.
It’s located right next to the Woodlands Spa which is across the street from the Grand Lodge or a short walk from The Chateau.
You’ll also find a delightful adults-only pool with a separate bar here as well.
The Pool at Falling Rock
This art-deco inspired trianangle infinity pool overlooks the golf course and is available exclusively for guests of the Falling Rock property.
They’d originally talked about making this entire property adults only, but as of Summer 2024, it seems that is no longer the case.
The Spa and Spa Pool
Along with all the pools mentioned (and a few others I haven’t), there’s a 4 lane indoor pool as part of the Woodlands Spa facility.
The Spa is massive, and while I didn’t get a treatment there, I did help myself to a sauna and steam in the men’s locker room – which also features a large whirlpool.
Holistic Healing Center
Along with all of the traditional massage and spa treatments available at the Woodlands Spa, the Holistic Wellness Center is a more unique wellness experience.
Dr. Jerry Lin is their in-house Doctor of Chinese Medicine, who curates treatment plans that include acupuncture, holistic integrative therapy, and wellness recommendations to combat stress, pain, sleep disruptions, or other health concerns, based on your individual needs.
I did a 90-minute consultation and acupuncture session, which I’d never done before. He was excellent at answering all of my stupid questions 🙂
On top of this they also have a full suite of advanced recovery tools like Cryotherapy, salt-water float tanks, and NovoTHOR red light therapy beds.
I did the latter, and my 20-minute session felt like being in a tanning bed that’s actually good for you.
There is an Absolutely Ridiculous Amount of Things to Do Here.
I was at the resort for 3 days, and I didn’t even come close to scratching the surface of what you can do there.
I mean this in all seriousness, I’m not sure I’ve ever come across a resort that has more to do than at Nemacolin.
Here are a few of the specific things that I did, knowing this barely scratches the surface of what you can do.
Whitewater Rafting on the Youghiogheny River
I hadn’t been whitewater rafting in over a decade, so when I was asked if I wanted to take a float for a few hours on the Youghiogheny (Yough for short), I couldn’t pass it up.
Being in the middle of Summer, everyone was downplaying how tame the rapids would be. Which I’m sure they were when compared to the peak run in early Spring.
But it still provided a thoroughly exhilarating and enjoyable float during the 7-mile ride down the Lower Yough.
Rod and Range Club
For outdoor enthusiasts, this is one of the coolest parts of Nemacolin.
The rod and range club is set on 160 acres and boasts numerous options for fly fishing as well as one of the top sporting clays facilities in the US.
After experiencing this for the first time at Reynold Lake Oconee a couple years back, I was excited to see the facility here.
But when met with the option to go shooting or fly fishing – I opted for the latter.
Whether you’re going for steelhead on the Yough or finding smaller creeks in the area for bass and trout, there’s some excellent fly fishing in the area.
Through the resort, you even get access to fishing on a creek owned by a private fishing club, that only has about 60 members.
This is where we went, and we were the only ones out there that afternoon.
The Casino at Nemacolin
This was another example of me showing up and having no idea, just how much there was available to do here.
I didn’t know there was a casino.
It has received a recent overhaul, and while not the size of your typical Vegas casino, was plenty big to enjoy some table games, machines, or food and drinks.
I spent about two hours playing craps, and even doubled my money – so I’m a fan.
Other Activities at Nemacolin
None of this tickle your fancy? Here’s just a sampling of some of the other activities Nemacolin offers:
- Fun Zone at Hardy Girls Gym – Fun center featuring bouldering, laser tag, ninja warrior course, lawn games, and more.
- Bowling and Axe Throwing
- Tennis and Pickleball
- Jeep Off-Roading
- Horseback riding
- Art classes
- Cooking classes
- Art museum and property art tours
- Airplane and Car Museum
- Kids Club
- Shopping
- Sand Volleyball
- Wildlife Encounter (with very unexpected wildlife)
- Bike Riding
- Ropes Course and Paintball
- Skiing, snowboarding, tubing
And that’s just a small highlight of everything. Take a look at this list, it’s insane.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Nemacolin
Quite simply, I wasn’t prepared for Nemacolin.
The place is absolutely massive, but it’s not about the sheer size of the property or number of activities.
It’s the fact that it offers all of this, but then has such a spectacularly high level of service, accommodations, and amenities – that you can’t help but wonder how they do it.
The downside is that it’s not inexpensive. This is a luxury resort through and through and you’ll pay for the privilege and experience of visiting.
But for as much as I love oceanfront resorts like Hualalai or Punta Mita, the experience you’ll have at Nemacolin is just as elevated – yet entirely unique and different.
So whether you’re looking for a memorable family vacation, a couples retreat, or even a high-end buddies golf trip – I can’t imagine coming to Nemacolin and not having one of the most memorable vacations of your life.
I can’t wait to go back.
I was a guest of Nemacolin resort and they covered my expenses on this trip. I didn’t receive any cash payments, and all thoughts and opinions of the property are my own.
