Situated on the shores of Cayuga Lake in New York’s famous Finger Lakes region, the Village of Aurora provides plenty of offerings to attract guests from far and wide. Known for being New York’s largest wine-producing area, the picturesque Finger Lakes is the perfect place for pairing a healthy and active lifestyle with nature, wildlife, art, culture, education, and history. One of the region’s biggest draws is The Inns of Aurora (NY), a luxurious lakeside boutique resort. It boasts beautiful accommodations that encompass five historic properties, a farm-to-table restaurant, a demonstration kitchen, a village market, an abundance of indoor and outdoor activities, and The Spa at The Inns of Aurora, a new wellness retreat set on 350 acres of farmland in a trio of connected barns. The services are delivered by Rasa Spa and are designed to promote healing and harmony from within.
The spa’s expansive views of Cayuga Lake and its surrounding vistas filled with alfalfa and lavender fields, serene ponds, and scenic nature trails provide the perfect backdrop for this beautiful new property. According to Rachel Hogancamp, founder and managing partner of Rasa Spa, the spa is The Inns of Aurora’s first new build, as all the other properties within the resort have had historic restorations. New York City- and San Francisco-based design fi rm Hart Howerton led the planning, architecture, and interior design of the spa. “The fi rm had a mission to honor the site’s farming origins by creating a composition of three barn-like agricultural structures that also feature beautiful views of the surrounding fields,” says Hogancamp. “Almost every room has floor-to-ceiling windows with spectacular views of the surrounding scenery, including rolling farmland, woods, ponds, and Cayuga Lake.”
The spa’s serene natural environment was also top of mind in the building and designing of the spa. “The spa was respectively integrated into the surrounding acreage, and we made sure that the surrounding nature and wildlife were uninterrupted,” says Hogancamp. “Our landscape designers utilized native plant species around the property to control water runoff. Like most other properties at The Inns of Aurora, the spa is heated and cooled through an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly geothermal system with more than 40 wells, and down-facing exterior lighting ensures that the spa produces next to no light pollution at night.”
The spa boasts 10 treatment rooms, four with warming fireplaces; four outdoor co-ed hydrotherapy circuit spa pools; a co-ed indoor hot spa pool and cold plunge; single-gender indoor saunas, steam rooms, and changing areas, as well as a 20-person gender-neutral outdoor sauna pavilion and changing area; and an indoor/outdoor tranquility lounge with expansive views of the lake. “With 15,000 square feet of guest space, the spa was designed to never feel crowded or overly busy,” says Hogancamp. “Natural light in nearly every space invites the outdoors in, transforming the spa experience with every season.” According to Hogancamp, the spa’s interior features modern art hand-selected by Pleasant Rowland, founder of The Inns of Aurora, from her personal collection. “The art complements the contemporary architectural interpretation of traditional farm structures,” says Hogancamp.
In addition, the spa features eight fireplaces and an outdoor firepit with comfortable heated seating options; a salon and manicure/pedicure room that can accommodate individuals and larger groups; and a spa café only accessible to spa guests that offers complimentary seasonally inspired food and beverage offerings as well as espresso, local kombucha, beer, and wine for additional purchase. What’s more, the spa’s retail boutique offers a wide range of items. Guests can shop for skincare and haircare products, as well as goods made by local artisans, such as pottery made by Jasmine Crowe, stationery that has been letterpress-printed by hand by Robert LoMascolo, and handcrafted fine jewelry by Lainey Papageorge. “These are just a few of the items in the boutique that can only be found at our location and are designed to remind guests of their treasured time in Aurora,” says Hogancamp.
The spa’s Ayurveda-inspired treatment menu was designed by Rasa Spa, and will change seasonally. The spa offers a wide selection of body treatments, massages, facials, and energy work services. “Inspired by our Ayurvedic focus, we designed our extensive menu to support each individual on their wellness journey with healing that begins from within,” says Hogancamp. Standout treatments include the Rasa Signature Massage (starting at $150, 50 minutes; $255, 80 minutes); the Rasa Signature Facial (starting at $170, 50 minutes; $275, 80 minutes); The Ananda (starting at $170, 50 minutes; $275, 80 minutes), which is a hot oil scalp treatment; the Red Flower Hammam Ritual (starting at $350, 1 hour 40 minutes); the Abhyanga Massage (starting at $165, 50 minutes; $270, 80 minutes); and the Oxygen Treatment (starting at $300, 80 minutes). The spa also features several services designed specifically for the property, including the Vitality Body Treatment (starting at $350, 1 hour 40 minutes), which is a full-body herbal exfoliating treatment that detoxifies and beautifies the skin using hand-blended salt and botanical scrubs. “Upon entry to the spa, guests receives a treatment card—small enough to fi t in the pocket of their robe—with a suggested itinerary for their spa visit,” says Hogancamp. “Hydrotherapy circuits are recommended at both the start and end of treatment to maximize the benefits of each service.”
The spa also offers multi-day retreats including the Metta Retreat (starting at $1,610), which is a three-day meditation program that includes techniques and treatments each day to help the guest release their physical and emotional toxins and leave them feeling invigorated and transformed. Additionally, spa packages are available and specifically curated to meet each guest at different life stages, milestones, and seasons. These services, retreats, and packages enhance The Inns of Aurora’s already-established wellness offerings, including private yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda consultations. “As our wellness philosophy is inspired by Ayurveda, which places an emphasis on meeting each guest’s individual needs, we fi nd that spa-goers are looking to embark on all-encompassing and transformative wellness journeys that remain long after they depart the property,” says Hogancamp.
Given The Spa at the Inns of Aurora’s close proximity to several major cities, including New York City, Philadelphia, and Boston, the spa has seen a large percentage of its guests visiting from these surrounding locations. Moreover, the spa also welcomes guests from local areas, including Ithaca, Auburn, Skaneateles, Rochester, and Syracuse year-round. “We hope the spa will support The Inns of Aurora by creating more reasons to visit Aurora in the colder months,” says Hogancamp. “We also look forward to offering new treatments every season, inspired by every season, and continuing to offer guests a fully transformational experience, whether through a single treatment like a full-body massage followed by hydrotherapy, or a multi-day retreat including indoor and outdoor treatments for the mind, body, and soul.”
For more on The Spa at The Inns of Aurora, check out the July/August issue of American Spa.