The food was disappointing. I was expecting some approximation of "farm to table" but instead we got cheap cafeteria food that lacked any flavor.
The guided hikes were nice and moderately challenging in the gorgeous scenery of Vermont. The guides were very nice and knowledgeable. The hard working staff are the only reason I gave the rating 2 stars, not 1.
They let you sign up for "spa" services like massages only once a day - at 8:30am, with a lady who sits at a table and writes our name into the "spa chart" that hangs on the wall. If you miss that 8:30am window you have to wait till the next day to schedule. This leaves the person on a short stay at a disadvantage, options wise, of scheduling his/her choices in "spa" services.
Great staff and great program. The facilities can use an upgrade, overall a very good experience. We plan to return.
We found cigarette butts outside our rooms, and even one butt was INSIDE our room, it appeared on our 3rd day. We surmised it was the cleaning crew...we reported it to the front desk and they were oddly nonplussed, and basically said "oh wow ok, must be the staff...we'll look into it."
This "spa" is co-located in The Cortina Inn, which is located on a secondary highway in Mendon, VT. The Inn itself seems to do its main business in the ski season during the wintertime. It's not built or maintained for warm weather relaxation and enjoyment. Read and look at pictures for "The Cortina Inn" to see where you're actually going...the "New Life" website is somewhat misleading, showing basically one interior room and then outdoors shots of mountain trails. They also show close-ups of The Cortina Inn, which makes it appear like it's in nestled in the mountains, but in reality you're on a highway and there's literally no place to walk freely outside without being by high speed traffic.
The spa is currently housed at the Cortina Inn after the ski season closes. While the Inn is older the rooms are comfortable. I love the eclectic mix at the Inn. It includes an indoor swimming pool and spa along with downstairs weight room and yoga studio. Massage services are offered upstairs. Again, they are unpretentious but very restorative.
The yoga room was in the basement and dimly lit and smelled musty. They use Clorox wipes to wipe stuff down. It feels dirty, if you're going to be lying on mats and on the floor, I'd expect a spa experience to be clean, well lit, fresh. That was *not* my experience at all.
The rooms honestly smelled dusty and dank. I actually was a bit disappointed every time I had to go back into my room, because it smelled. After a few minutes the smell dissipated and I got used to it. I took pictures of the bathroom ceiling - stains galore almost like stuff is leaking from above.
When I went to pick up the phone to dial the front desk, the receiver was literally disconnected from the phone base. I plugged it in, but no dial tone. When I alerted the front desk, they said it likely wouldn't get fixed due to some complications...I zoned out on the actual explanation. I had my cell phone and at least the room had power outlets. It was a battle I didn't care to fight but c'mon...non working phone's?!?
Some of the reviews I read commented on modest accommodations. That is generous at best. Not only was the facility very dated, the "newly refurbished" pool had mold in the grout.
The air conditioner units were VERY LOUD
The atmosphere at the spa is very casual and comfortable. Many of the guides teach other classes, prepare meals and do body work as well. It's a great bunch of people!
I made the horrible mistake of signing up for the "cranial" something or other which consisted of "gentle touching" ... i was expecting a scalp massage. Instead, it was a guy literally putting his fingertips on my head for 2-minute stretches...no pressure, just laying-on-of-hands. It was so creepy. When i asked the practitioner "is there science to this?", he said he didn't know and literally said it was "like voodoo." I got the sense he'd been trained in how to go through the motions of whatever this was, but had no idea about any physiology or anatomy underlying the practice...I sense this might be an actual practice in Eastern medicine (giving benefit of doubt here) but the person who did it had zero training in eastern medicine. . I left halfway through.
Lovely vacation! New Life Hiking Spa was recommended to me by a friend who has been many times. She gave me all the details on what it was AND what it was not. I was prepared and I had a great time. This is not a "spa" like you would think of in a fancy hotel. It is a hiking vacation with massages in the afternoon. But, it was what I needed. It was such a reasonable price and the place was lovely. Many repeat guests. I did find that most people either completely love this place or hate it. If you come with an open mind and let yourself really relax, you will enjoy it. It is not stuffy and most people are there for weight loss or trying to get healthy. Food is provided and very tasty, but you do not pick off a menu. All in all, it was a wonderful experience and I will return. It is a unique vacation, but it is lovely. The hiking guides are so wonderful and the hikes are beautiful. There is no other vacation out there that delivers this amount of service for this price.
This is a nice unpretentious destination spa. There are two to three levels of guided hikes offered each morning. In the afternoon there are a number of classes of and activities offered. There is also some sort of evening activity. You pick and choose what you'd like to do.
Also - post script since I've been reviewing this place online. Check out the responses to all the reviews you see online with this place. It gives insight into who manages this place, that they allow their review process to be managed in such a way. Read the reviews and related responses to see what I mean...I'll leave it at that.
This place was really disappointing. With all the glowing reviews from Spa Finder, Travel & Leisure, etc, I was expecting a true "spa" experience complete with clean, freshly lit facilities. But there is a big disconnect between the marketing, the online hype, and the reality.
Three healthy meals a day are served in a common dining room which allows you to get to know the other hikers.
NOT WHAT THE AWARDS/WEBSITE SUGGEST
What was most disappointing was the food. The website discussed a weight loss program, however implies that this is a track. Everyone is placed on the same RESTRICTED diet of
I found this resort by searching for a hiking vacation. Based on the Travel and Leisure award as well as many of the other awards and reviews, we booked a 4 night/5 day stay at New Life. My husband and I are fit active people in our 30s looking for great hiking.
New Life Hiking Spa Wellness Retreats is a US Spa based in Killington, New Hampshire. New Life Hiking Spa Wellness Retreats is located at 103 US-4, Killington, VT 05751, USA.
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