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Visiting a new outpost of well-being in Central New York.
As the largest resort, sports and entertainment complex in the Northeast, Turning Stone Resort & Casino, an enterprise of the Oneida Indian Nation, is bold and beautiful with its 21-story hotel, all-suites lodge, five golf courses, world-class tennis center, international cuisine and 5,000-seat venue drawing the likes of Tony Bennett, Toby Keith, Mariah Carey, Josh Groban, Randy Travis, Stevie Nicks and Larry, The Cable Guy. Bolstered by AAA’s four-diamond rating and a place on the PGA Tour, Turning Stone’s sprawling, boisterous casino gaming simply adds sizzle to visits, vacations or weekend getaways. There is something for everybody at Turning Stone Resort.
Behind the action, however, is a mecca for rejuvenation and quiet reflection, a place where one can turn down the volume like no other. Inspired by the Oneida Indian Nation’s welcoming ways, Skaná, the Spa at Turning Stone blends new levels of luxury, sophistication and the healthy living amenities of a destination spa with Native American healing traditions.
Opened in December, 2006 after two years of design collaboration with architects, artisans and aestheticians, Skaná has become an American original, soaring onto Spa Magazine’s Hot 100 and Condé Nast Traveler’s 2007 Hot List of destination spas. “The power of healing herbs provided to us by Mother Earth is an integral part of the spa experience,” says Ray Halbritter, Oneida Nation Representative and Turning Stone CEO. “Skaná is an opportunity to share elements of our heritage.”
The 33,000-square-foot Skaná (the Oneida word for peace) Spa nestles intimately with gardens surrounding the 95-suite Lodge at Turning Stone, recently named U.S. and Canada’s Most Excellent Resort by Condé Naqt Johansens. Set apart from the Tower hotel, the Lodge features built-in wooden furnishings and recessed lighting that immerse building materials with nature itself. Suites have twin-head shower and bath and come with L’Occitane bath amenities. Museum-quality art enhances interiors adorned by hand-hewn glass, Native American crafts and photography by American naturalists.
Warmed by an indoor fire pit, Skaná’s spa salon offers men and women hair care by Kerastase and natural nail treatments by Plantogen. Guests seeking privacy can slip into a 3,500-square-foot VIP/Couples Suite complete with massage tables, private sauna and steam room, shower and twin hydrotherapy tubs. The “Dance of the Songbirds”—an Oneida traditional calling for the sun to shine upon your heart—is an 80-minute ritual for two.
Elements of nature blend with herbal healing traditions and sophisticated skincare and body work that feature products by Kerstin Florian and Naturopathica. Conceived by Spa Manager Karen Watson, the Sage and White Pine Hot Towel Massage warms muscles and lifts spirits. The Oneida Harmony Facial combines skincare with stimulating stone therapy. Most spa treatments last an ample 80 minutes.
© SPA MANAGEMENT JOURNAL - JULY/AUGUST 2007
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