New Spa Is Family Business

Diane Wolf and Annatte Wolf Ben-Zvy have a lot in common. They are stepmother and stepdaughter. Both were born and raised in Rockland County, graduated from North Rockland High School and spent a lot of time while growing up at Bear Mountain. They are licensed hair dressers/cosmetologists and now partners in the Spa At Bear Mountain.

Ben-Zvy lives in New City and has two children, a sixth grader at Felix Festa Middle School and a 10th grader at Clarkstown North High School. Wolf lives in New Windsor in Orange County, owns a hair salon and previously owned a spa in New Windsor.

With the Bear Mountain Inn already an important part of their lives, opening the spa seemed natural. Wolf went line dancing at Bear Mountain as a child. Ben-Zvy has been hiking and picnicking there with her children every summer and ice-skating in the winter and both spent time during many winters sitting by the Inn’s Grand Fireplace.

The pair was approached by a member of the historical society about opening the full-service spa, which welcomed its first customers in May. They employ 11 fully licensed hair stylists, manicurists, make-up artists, medical estheticians, and massage therapists from around the world.  Before being hired, employees must perform their services on Wolf and Ben-Zvy so they can ensure their clients will enjoy the treatments.

“We are a destination spa located in the Historical Bear Mountain Inn,” they said. “There are no such spas within a 20 mile radius.  Many of our services are unique to us.”

Another distinctive feature is clients can eat lunch in a private lounge or by the Grand Fireplace.  While many clients use the spa before a wedding or other special occasion, some take advantage of the location in the middle of Harriman State Park and go for a hike or run before relaxing with a runner's Massage or Lavender Garden.

The spa offers revitalizing body treatments featuring organic products to exclusive European facial treatments.

“With our exceptionally talented experienced staff, premium products and cutting-edge spa treatments, we’re creating a transformational spa experience,” said Co-owner Ben-Zvy. “At the Spa at Bear Mountain, we will uphold a strict attention to detail and provide all of our guests with an exemplary level of service.”

The spa has five treatment rooms, including separate rooms for couple’s treatments and wet treatments and services including nails, makeup, massage, hair, hair removal, bridal services, peel, aromatherapy, reflexology, reiki, body treatments, and wraps. It offers customizable experiences utilizing the latest spa therapies designed to stimulate the senses and cleanse the body, mind and soul.  The spa’s exclusive facial treatments include “Bear Mountain Shirodhara Facial,” which uses an element of Ayurvedic treatment or holistic healing to bring both physical and emotional balance by rejuvenating the spirit and preserving health. 

Beyond the traditional spa offerings are “express” facials and messages and male focused treatments such as the “Gentlemen’s Kur,” based on a centuries old European spa practice of head-to-toe treatment. Bowing to today’s time constraints, the two-hour session packs in aromatherapy, exfoliation/body scrub, beer enzyme facial mask, hydrotherapy and massage.

The spa at 55 Hessian Drive in Bear Mountain is open Thursday through Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. More information about its services can found at www.bearmountainspa.com  or  https://www.facebook.com/BearMountainSpa