Central New York offers a lot of family fun. But this weekend, why not take some adult time that’s just for mom?

La Tourelle Resort and Spa, a certified Green Hotel near Ithaca and the beautiful Cayuga Lake, is the perfect destination for moms looking for a quiet weekend, home-grown cuisine, and convenient access to one of the Finger Lakes’ best spas. So bring yourself and a good book, or make a weekend out of the trip and rent a room with friends. Either way, you’re sure to love this quiet stay in the heart of New York’s wine region.

La Tourelle Resort: Ithaca, New York’s Country Elegance

With only 55 rooms, La Tourelle Resort is a peaceful getaway in Upstate New York’s wine country. Here, guests are invited to relax and enjoy the 70 acres of rolling hills owned by La Tourelle. 

Traveling by yourself or with friends? La Tourelle gives guests the choice between beautifully decorated single and double room options, priced accordingly. On top of standard amenities (mini-fridges, coffee service, WiFi, etc.), any room you book will also come with complementary access to the August Moon Spa facilities. Even if you’re not booking a treatment, your stay is sure to be relaxing. Be sure to take advantage of this and pop down to the steam room or sauna before going to bed.

La Tourelle Luxury Suites for Special Occasions

But this weekend is for mom. So why not pamper yourself? For a more luxurious stay, spend a night in La Tourelle’s Fireplace Executive King’s Paris suite or St. Tropez suite. Like the Deluxe Fireplace King Rooms, each of these suites comes with a gas fireplace, mini-fridge, and a flatscreen TV. However, in these suites, bathrooms include a jacuzzi style bathtub.

For the best La Tourelle has to offer, book the Yellow Barn Suite. Located right next to the main hotel, the Yellow Barn Suite three bedrooms (two with king-sized beds and one with a queen), a three-story atrium living room with enough room to comfortably seat 10, a gas fireplace, a private bar, a small kitchenette, two full bathrooms, and one half-bath.

Eating Well at Ithaca Area Restaurants

So what does staying at a Green Hotel actually mean? At La Tourelle Resort and Spa, the goal has always been peace and relaxation. Consequently, the hotel and spa operate on the belief that what you put in and on your body is just as important as the amenities in your room. 

So, to give guests the “freshest” stay possible, La Tourelle and their in-house restaurant, the Simply Red Bistro, serve a wide verity of locally grown foods. Fresh vegetables and grass fed, free-range meats are a standard here, ensuring that guests are only given the local best. 

Per their use of seasonal ingredients, the menu served at the Simply Red Bistro changes every month. Along with your locally-sourced meal, local wine is offered at the bistro and restaurant. If you love the selection, be sure to ask which vineyard the bottle comes from so you can stop in on your wine tour. 

The John Thomas Steak House, located just in front of La Tourelle, is also an excellent and close by option. Here, Upstate character and an excellent menu combine to form a unique experience. And while the atmosphere is good, the food is even better. “Dry aged” to perfection, each cut of meat is always a world-class meal.

The August Moon Spa: A Day of Rest and Relaxation

Self-described as a sanctuary where East meets West, the August Moon Spa at La Tourelle offers Asia-inspired treatments infused with local ingredients. Indulge your mind and revitalize your spirit with selections from August Moon’s extensive menu. 

A trip to the August Moon Spa is truly a full-day escape. Guests visiting the spa are encouraged not to rush the experience. And why would you, especially after you’ve tasted the spa’s five-star treatment? So bring a book or bring a friend, and plan a day for yourself. 

Upon arrival, the spa’s guests are given a Japanese style yukata robe, slippers, and a locker to keep their personal belongings in. From there, visitors are invited to make use of the spa’s sauna, steam room, and two tranquility rooms before and after their treatment. 

Typically, each treatment lasts 50 or 90 minutes. Selections include skin care procedures, massage therapy, therapeutic water soaks, body treatments, waterfall treatments, manicures and pedicures, and other great add-ons. 

When booking your treatment, therapists recommend that guests plan to show up 45 minutes to an hour early, giving them plenty of time to unwind before their massage. Plan on spending a couple of minutes in the sauna and the steam room to relax your muscles, and then enjoy at least 15 minutes of quiet in one of the tranquility rooms with your feet up. 

Here, in both the fireplace and waterfall rooms, tea and water are available while you wait for your treatment, as well as a menu for the Simply Red Bistro for guests wishing to order lunch for after their massage. Guests should, however, note that the Bistro closes at 2 pm.  Arriving after 2? Not a problem. August Moon will pre-order your meal while the bistro is still open and keep it ready for you for when you get out of your treatment. 

At August Moon, each experience is about much more than a massage. Friendly and knowledgable, your therapists are happy to talk you through ever step of your treatment, offering personalized tips to help keep your mind and your body in the best possible shape. 

Be sure to ask about the scrubs, oils, and aromatherapy used at August Moon. Hand crafted by one of the spa’s managers, many of the products used at August Moon contain locally grown and, often, organic ingredients. After your treatment, be sure to check out the gift shop in the spa lobby. Here, all of the products used in your massage are available for purchase, allowing guests to take a piece of relaxation home. 

A special menu is also available for gentlemen, making La Tourelle and the August Moon Spa the perfect romantic getaway.

Mother Daughter Treatments at the Spa

For a great mother-daughter getaway, be sure to check out August Moon’s teen treatment menu filled with experiences tailor-made for young adults. Priced a little less than the average 50 minute massage, the teen treatments typically last 35 minutes, leaving plenty of time for a manicure or a pedicure while your daughter waits for mom. 

Prices at the August Moon Spa are reasonable, especially when combined with a stay at the hotel. A 20% discount is also available for any 50-minute treatment with an appointment made during the Tranquility Hour (Tuesdays to Thursdays, 4pm-7pm). Packages are also offered, giving you lots of incentive to book a stay that includes more than one massage. 

For more information on summer packages offered by La Tourelle, please see “Girls Getaway Spa Package in New York’s Finger Lakes with $100 Credit.”

Remember, moms, this is your vacation, so treat yourself. 

Photo courtesy of La Tourelle Resort.