Turning Stone's Ska:na: Spa Celebrates 10 Years of World-Class Guest Service and Honoring Oneida and American Indian Cultural Traditions

At a time when many Upstate New York businesses were closing or relocating, the Oneida Nation opened Ska:na: spa, which is now recognized as one of the leading resort spas in the country. To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Ska:na: is giving guests special gifts, ranging from product to complimentary services and also introducing a new commemorative spa package.

Ska:na:, Turning Stone’s award-winning spa located in The Lodge, is celebrating its 10th anniversary throughout the month of December. For 10 incredible years, Ska:na: has offered guests world-class amenities and treatments, while honoring Oneida and Native American cultural traditions. The high level of guest service, expert recommendations and luxurious amenities has made Ska:na: an integral part of The Lodge experience, a Forbes Four Star and AAA Four Diamond resort within a resort experience, which features all-suite accommodations, as well as Wildflowers, one of Turning Stone’s renowned signature restaurants.

Differentiating itself by honoring Oneida and American Indian culture, Ska:na: has held its own among top U.S. and international resort spas, as evidenced by the spa’s numerous awards, including being ranked the #3 spa in the world by Spas of America and receiving a designation as a top spa for adventure seekers from SELF Magazine. Ska:na: pays homage to Oneida and American Indian cultural themes through décor, ambiance, treatments and gracious hospitality.

“As the first American Indian themed spa in the Northeast, Ska:na: has played an integral role of transforming Turning Stone into the world-class destination resort it is today,” said Oneida Nation Representative and Nation Enterprises CEO Ray Halbritter. “With cultural touch points delicately woven into elements throughout the spa, treatments deeply-rooted in Oneida traditions, exemplary guest service and a truly customized spa experience, Ska:na: will continue to be an industry leader for many years to come.”

To celebrate the milestone, from December 5 – 11, Ska:na: guests will receive a special anniversary gift, ranging from Ska:na: product to complimentary services. Guests who receive treatments during Ska:na:’s anniversary week will also be eligible to win a grand prize of an overnight stay at The Lodge, Turning Stone’s Forbes Four Star property, and a rejuvenating Ska:na: spa day.

Ska:na: is also introducing, for a limited time, the new Oneida Turquoise Package, a commemorative spa package with treatments that honor the Oneida culture: Sage and White Pine Hot Towel Massage, a Strawberry Sugar Scrub and the Ska:na: Signature Facial. Sage has been used by the Oneidas for centuries to promote clarity and deep relaxation; White Pine is culturally respected as the Great Tree of Peace; the Oneidas consider strawberries an important leader in plant medicine with the annual ripening indicating the official start of summer.

First opening on December 6, 2006, Ska:na: offered guests an luxury experience typically reserved for spas found in major cities. At opening, Ska:na: also created jobs at a critical time when many businesses were closing or relocating out of Central New York. An unsteady economy and challenging landscape for luxury services didn’t prove to be an issue for Ska:na:, which in its first year created 100 new jobs and established itself as a celebrated Central New York tourism influence, receiving praise and accolades from national magazines including Condé Nast Traveler and Spa Magazine.