All pictures Kim Carroll
One silver lining to the pandemic has been a surge in journey to America’s Nationwide Parks, lots of which logged document crowds final 12 months. With its wide-open areas permitting for a basic and socially distanced back-to-nature escape, if a visit to Yosemite sounds tempting (or has been on the bucket record for some time), the spa getaway bundle at Rush Creek Lodge might function the motivation wanted for a number of days of R&R within the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Tucked discreetly right into a hillside amid 20 acres of forest, the woodsy stylish Rush Creek Lodge is situated lower than a mile from Yosemite’s West/Large Oak Flat entrance seven miles from Freeway 120. Its proximity to the park makes an ideal base from which to discover year-round, however the resort packs a lot in for visitors too. Highlights embrace the heated saltwater swimming pool, sizzling tubs, and hearth pits with complimentary s’mores kits out there every night.
Nature-Impressed
On-property mountain climbing trails, in some areas accessible by e-mountain bike and snowshoe, relying on the season, supply the prospect to identify wildlife. There’s additionally an out of doors yoga deck and outsized video games like chess and Join 4, plus zip strains for youthful visitors.
House to 143 rooms, suites and villas, lodging are situated in the principle lodge with a alternative of forest or sundown and swimming pool views, whereas the massively common one and two-bedroom hillside villas afford a little bit extra privateness and supply ample area for households. Décor all through offers a thought-about nod towards the panorama, wildlife, and historical past of Yosemite. Outfitted with mod cons like Keurig espresso machines in lieu of televisions, rooms include board video games, books and Alexa good audio system. Extra video games – together with classic shuffleboard and pinball – may be discovered within the recreation room.
The Common Retailer carries a spread of snacks, souvenirs and sundries, together with wine and beer, however the onsite Tavern serves meals all through the day. At the moment, QR codes may be scanned in-room and orders referred to as forward for decide up, or visitors can order in particular person and tuck into meals on the wraparound deck or beside considered one of many outside hearth pits. Having fun with golden hour with a cocktail in hand is kind of one thing right here.
In terms of actions, the lodge can prepare any variety of outside adventures from snowshoe excursions of the close by Tuolumne Grove of large sequoias to guided hikes and stargazing. For anybody not skilled navigating mountain roads, particularly throughout winter when chains are sometimes required, there’s a YARTS (Yosemite Space Regional Transport System) cease on web site with service by spring and fall, though Rush Creek’s professionally guided excursions are a snug various to driving.
A Feast for the Senses
Whereas the lodge formally opened in 2016 (the primary new resort within the space for 1 / 4 of a century), its newest glowing addition is Rush Creek Spa. The beautiful 5,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor area attracts inspiration from the pure marvel of Yosemite’s waterfalls and granite monoliths. Its heated outside rest space includes a granite waterfall sizzling tub, suspended daybed, and close to wraparound forest views – the latter of which being fairly pretty to take a seat again and absorb with a complimentary mocktail or mimosa.
In terms of the nice and cozy river rock immersion beds, spa supervisor Gigi Richardson says there’s an choice to simply bury ft or make it a full-body expertise, relying on private consolation ranges. Inside, a hydrotherapy meets sensory circuit of kinds awaits and encourages visitors to maneuver from heat waterfall coves and an aromatherapy steam room by a Himalayan salt sauna to chill mist showers. The heated zero gravity loungers are additionally extremely enjoyable.
There are 5 therapy rooms and a concise menu of massages, facials, and foot soaks. With a multi-sensory strategy to its wellness choices, every spa service begins and concludes with Tibetan Singing Bowl sound remedy. As a consequence of present COVID restrictions, the spa can solely be accessed as a personal buyout for {couples} and teams of as much as 15 folks, making the Spa Exclusive Getaway Package a improbable technique to expertise the area and really feel like an actual VIP within the course of. Accessible by April 11, nightly charges are priced from $416 to $698 and embrace a two-night keep in a deluxe Lodge King Room, two 50-minute massages, and personal use of the spa for 90-minutes. Go to rushcreeklodge.com for extra particulars.
Trent Erwin
