Perspectives, planning, performance, profits and people … the COVID-19 pandemic was a catalyst for conversations covering a copious number of next steps for business and industry across the commonwealth, including Nemacolin.

Nemacolin is the award-winning, private resort located in the Allegheny Mountains, famously known for whimsical and fun adventures that surprise and delight guests with Real Life Magic. Like many businesses in Pennsylvania, Nemacolin’s conversations about temporary closures, re-openings and a commitment to the health and safety of associates, guests and the surrounding communities have been a focus over the last 16 months.

Nemacolin became a model receiving worldwide safety accolades in the hospitality industry as it reopened in a limited capacity in May 2020. Prior to re-opening, Nemacolin hired an epidemiologist and public health professional from Penn State University to evaluate and offer training guidance while the staff navigated the early days of the pandemic.

In September 2020, the resort initiated enhanced protocols to further manage the Coronavirus surge; and in December 2020, Nemacolin made daily testing available to overnight guests while instituting weekly, random testing of 25 percent of its 900+ associates. Through May 2021, Nemacolin was still testing 10 percent of the associate population, conducting temperature checks for guests, employees and vendors arriving to the property, and exceeding CDC and Commonwealth guidelines for safety.

The latter part of 2020 also brought the production team behind ABC’s hit show, “The Bachelor,” back to Nemacolin. The resort played host to “The Bachelorette” in parts of two episodes in 2016, and with sports teams creating safety bubbles to protect their players from COVID-19, Nemacolin, NKZ Productions, Inc., and Warner Bros. created an all-star team of their own to produce the 25th season of “The Bachelor” at the resort during the fall of 2020.

The surging occupancy and international press interest has provided Nemacolin with promising projections and favorable revenue forecasts. Curating one-of-a-kind itineraries, elevated experiences and luxe stays for guests, members and travelers has contributed to Nemacolin’s reputation as a top destination in southwestern PA and the eastern United States. As a result, Nemacolin is on the path to having the best year in its 34-year history.

“Nothing Is Impossible” is the mindset of Nemacolin founder Joseph A. Hardy, and Nemacolin’s president, Maggie Hardy Knox, has made the taglines “Expect the Unexpected” and “Real Life Magic” part of her intentional and ever-expanding business model.

The newest hub of experiences welcoming visitors at Nemacolin is The Peak — a luxury collection of year-round pools, adventures, entertainment and dining. The Peak is also home to a performance stage for live concerts, shows and ceremonies providing unparalleled offerings and fun-filled getaways for guests, members and groups.

Offering year-round swimming and cabanas, heated decks and sidewalks for the winter, a swim-up bar, rock grotto, float pool, and extras like fire pits, hot tubs and poolside spa services, The Peak’s newest amenities add to the bowling, axe throwing, zip-lining, off-roading, skiing, snowboarding and tubing experiences that adventuring families and groups have come to expect.

“We could not be more excited to offer even more year-round adventures to our guests here at Nemacolin with the opening of The Peak,” said Maggie Hardy Knox. “There is truly something for everyone, and there are no limits when it comes to the activities to partake in during spring, summer, fall, or winter!”

Hardy Knox’s investments in the offerings at Nemacolin go well beyond The Peak, as 2021 has seen evident gains in golf at Nemacolin with bunker renovations and a revitalized golf academy that offer some of the most advanced technology in the industry. It’s a worthy addition to the resorts’ two idyllic courses — Mystic Rock and Shepherd’s Rock — which have garnered 2021’s No. 1 and five “Best Courses You Can Play: Pennsylvania” accolades from Golfweek magazine.

There’s something for almost everyone at Nemacolin. The accommodations on property include the award-winning, Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond Falling Rock, The Chateau, The Lodge, The Homes, and The Estates. Show-stopping dining and shopping, spa and wellness escapes, a private airstrip and an art collection containing more than 900 pieces are not to be missed at this Pennsylvania playground.

Rounding out the resort’s offerings are 35 well-appointed meeting spaces spanning 35,000 square feet of indoor space, more than 49,000 square feet of outdoor area to house conferences and special events, an in-house event design team and a staff that can customize team-building initiatives, making the resort the ideal choice for everything from weddings to board meetings to corporate retreats.

Nemacolin says that “adventure awaits.” It truly seems that it does.