We had the chance to speak to Sanali McFadden, director of wellness and spa at INNESS Spa and Taavo Somer, co-owner and co-designer of INNESS, to get an inside look at this luxury country retreat in Accord, NY.
Can you tell me a little bit about the spa’s design?
TS: I worked closely with Post Company on the spa at Inness, which we always envisioned as a key element of our initial master plan, included from the very beginning in Phase One. However, during construction, an adjacent property became available near the main parking area. Recognizing its potential, we pivoted and relocated the spa to its current site—a move that allowed for improved access while also capturing spectacular mountain views to the east.
Despite the change in location, the spa remains deeply connected to the overall architectural language of Inness. It shares a cohesive design vocabulary with the restaurant and cabins, particularly in its materiality and spatial organization. Like the restaurant, the spa building follows a linear layout—forming what we refer to as a modern “longhouse.” Visitors enter at the center, arriving in a reception and retail space that acts as the heart of the building. To the right lie the fitness center and yoga room; to the left, the bathhouse, outdoor pool, and treatment rooms.
The exterior is clad in the same material palette as the cabins: black-stained wood siding and a black corrugated metal roof. Inside, we continued the use of limewash across walls and ceilings, creating a monolithic yet richly textured surface with subtle color variation. The primary flooring throughout is the exposed concrete slab—simply polished and sealed—maintaining a raw but refined finish. In the yoga room, we introduced Dinesen wide-plank flooring, as used in the restaurant, to bring warmth and tactility to the space.
What makes the spa unique and sets it apart from other spas in the area?
TS: One of the spa’s key distinctions is its increased ceiling height. By raising the side walls by two feet, we achieved 11-foot ceilings throughout, enhancing the sense of openness. Combined with wide, flat ceiling planes and integrated light coves, this additional height fosters a profound sense of calm and tranquility—hallmarks of the spa experience.
How would you describe your typical clientele?
SM: Our typical guests are people who enjoy countryside tranquility and rustic charm, blended with urban sophistication. They are seeking to relax, connect with nature, self, and others, while enjoying modern design and services.
Where do most of your guests hail from?
SM: Many of our guests are New York City residents or persons from the nearby metropolitan areas, members (Inness operates as a member's club, as well as a resort hotel), as well as groups and families not just from New York state, but also from the surrounding states.
Are you offering any sort of specials/promotions to entice them to try out the spa?
SM: The Bathhouse, which is a unique feature of the spa, is available for hotel guests to use at no cost. There are also Spa/Hotel room packages offered during certain times of the year.
Can you tell me a little bit about the creation of the menu?
SM: The menu was crafted with our philosophy of blending elevated design, holistic wellness, and community-oriented social experiences, in mind.
How were you able to make your menu items distinctive?
SM: I was able to make it distinctive by connecting with local artisans, my network of wellness experts, as well as product experts from classic and new indie spa/beauty brands.
Do you have any menu items that are inspired by your location?
SM: The creation of the treatments was inspired by the natural environment surrounding the property. It was important for these treatments to reflect the healing energy, textures, and the feeling of tranquility, which exists in every nook and cranny of Inness. "Quench" and "Recover" are two of my favorite treatments that combine ingredients, such as hydrating clays and CBD, both connected to the calming and grounding effects of the landscape. "Quench" is an exfoliation and hydration therapy immersed in fine mineral salts and shea butter followed by a full-body envelopment with lavish honey and avocado mask. "Recover" is a restorative treatment featuring CBD-infused therapeutic massage and a thermogenic full-body envelopment to soothe and relax sore muscles.
Did you take any green initiatives when creating the spa/creating the menu/selecting the spa products?
SM: Inness is powered by geothermal energy. All cooling, heating, and lighting systems are dependent on this source. The landscaping of the entire front garden of the spa consists of apple trees rescued from a land clearing operation nearby, all guest amenities such as dental kits, combs, deodorant wipes, and shower caps are biodegradable. Shampoos, soaps, and lotions are organic, paraben-free, and all products used in treatments are natural, organic, and chemical preservative-free.
What are most spa-goers looking for when they visit your spa?
SM: They mostly look for holistic wellness experiences that blend rejuvenation, relaxation, mindfulness, as well as modern therapies that address longevity.
What treatments do most spa-goers gravitate toward?
SM: Customized massages that address therapeutic needs are the most popular, hyper-customized advanced facials follow closely behind.
What treatments are a harder sell? How do you promote them?
SM: Treatments that are not mainstream, such as Acupuncture, cupping, Reiki, and sound therapy to name a few, are not as easy to sell as the typical massages, facials, or body treatments. We promote them by offering them to our guests as "teasers" (shortened length) at a discounted price or complimentary with another service and frequently as member or hotel guest "specials".
Can you tell me a little bit about your staff's experience?
SM: We have approximately 30 staff (full- and part-time combined). We have a very diverse and talented team; some veterans with a couple of decades of industry experience under their belts and some who are relatively young in the field. Some of these individuals were in other fields of employment, such as sales and marketing, food and beverage, airline industry, and teaching, before they chose to be in wellness and spa. Their experience enhances the experiences we create for our guests.
What do you find your biggest challenge to be, and how do you meet that challenge?
SM: The biggest challenge is creating a spa that feels luxurious without breaking the spell of simplicity and quiet that defines Inness. We meet the challenge by being extremely intentional with our design, product partners, staff, and even in the way we welcome guests to the spa.
What plans do you have for the future?
SM: We are planning to introduce a cold plunge and barrel sauna to complement the existing bathhouse facility. Also, plans are underway to roll out curated retreats focusing on holistic wellness, fitness, and longevity throughout the year.