We Are Upstate With Linda Dubilier of Woodstock Spa

As we bid farewell to 2023 and welcome 2024 with open arms, we begin to think about the future. For many, our thoughts veer towards a “new year, new you” vibe. And what better way to start the new year than with a day of luxurious pampering? With that said, Woodstock Spa is the place to go whenever you want to treat yourself to a respite from your everyday routine.  And, let’s not forget, a Spa Gift certificate is one of the most welcomed gifts for friends, family and business gifting! 

We met with Linda Dubilier to discuss her business- Woodstock Spa, a luxury day spa in the heart of the Catskills. Here, you’ll find five-star amenities, various massage and aesthetics services, a fitness center with personal trainers, a mix of wellness services, and curated art and local organic products. Located on three wooded acres, Woodstock Spa takes you out of the fast-paced day-to-day and lets you simply enjoy the moment. With her staff of well-trained therapists, Linda shares how she got her start, what its like running a family-owned business, and what’s in store at this Woodstock sanctuary. Let’s learn more about Woodstock Spa and the person behind the magic, Linda Dubilier. 

INSIDE+OUT Upstater NY: Where are you originally from, and how did you wind up in the Hudson Valley?

Linda Peckman-Dubilier: I’m originally from the Hudson Valley, Poughkeepsie, to be exact. My father was an IBM’er, and my mother was a homemaker. Both of them were transplants from New York City in the 60’s. We spent a brief time in my teens living in California due to a work transfer of my fathers. My parents were big on traveling and introducing my sister and me to new places and experiences. After being in California for two years, we returned to New York, where we moved back into our home in Poughkeepsie. I then attended college at FIT, majoring in Photography and Advertising Design. Right out of college, I had the opportunity to take a job in photography, which then led to me having a successful Event Photography career with some of the top names in fashion at the time, including Elle, W Magazine, WWD, Harpers Bizarre and eventually landing at Vogue as a Staff Photographer. After meeting my husband, we chose to return to the Hudson Valley, this time ending up in Woodstock, and have been here full-time raising our children since 2003.

What inspired the concept for Woodstock Spa, and what was your journey to get here?

In 2017, my husband and I made a real estate investment and bought the River Rock Health Spa. As a landlord and Spa owner, we loved the idea of supporting this community holistically, and Woodstock Spa was born. So many people are struggling these days and don’t take the time for self-care.

What does wellness mean to you?

As the mother of two children who struggled to care for myself, I decided that the example I was setting for my children was not good. Therefore, we embarked on this spa endeavor and learned much about the business, people and the best wellness practices. Teaching my kids about these practices has set the bar for their self-exploration and how they, too, can contribute to society and help in their own way.

Tell us about your services, especially the new services that have emerged this year.

As we are becoming more of a Spa and Wellness Center, the team of practitioners at our facility has made it a priority to spend time developing a positive practice. When our clients come to the spa, we want them to be cared for and feel the positive energy we put out. The community vibe and effort you feel walking through the door speaks volumes to our clients and keeps them coming back. Not only that, our team of master practitioners are great at what they do, which sets us apart from most day spas. I like to call our spa the “Curated Spa” as we have taken the time to carefully choose what we sell and put out into the universe. It’s not just about our spa services, the gym and our exceptional trainers or the products we carry–it’s about all the wonderful elements that make it the extraordinary experience it is.

Now that we are going into more of a wellness approach at the spa, including Somatic Support and Family Constellation Therapy, Reiki, Reflexology, Cranial Sacral and Counterstrain Therapies, it enables the public to receive more of a alternative therapeutic model that perhaps Western medicine is unable to help address alone. Most people in our area understand and seek these types of services. And, practioners of these healing arts  welcome a serene space to connect them with our community, elevating the experience for everyone. I would like to consider ourselves a funnel into our community of amazing wellness practitioners, giving our own community and visitors the ability to easily reach out and experience them in a beautiful and creative space with 5-star amenities.

Tell us more about your Personal Training Program.

We have been working hard on our fitness rollout and have become more of a private functional training facility as we move forward, building strength in our clients so they can function and be fit to support their lifestyle choices. We have many plans for the upcoming year and a wonderful group of master trainers you’ll need to meet.

Are there any other new services you’d like to tell us about?

Yes, we’re adding a nutritional consultant and will be offering more events in the interest of bringing our community together, especially in the winter when we all tend to hibernate. We’re very excited about Celia, our somatic healer, who is featured on WDST for Wellness Wednesday at 7:20am with Greg Gatine, where she talks about Woodstock Spa and her practice. Be sure to tune in!

What is one question you’re constantly asked or the biggest misconception about your business?

Nothing out of the ordinary, but there are still locals who have no idea we are here and how special it is! We are dong our best to get the word out.

We’re thrilled that Woodstock Spa is a member of INSIDE+OUT!. How else. do you market the spa and how do your clients find you?

We advertise on our local radio station, 101.1 WDST and we promote Woodstock Spa on Facebook and Instagram @woodstockspa.ny. We also work with a lot of the many wonderful local hotels and inns in the area. That way, their guests have the best experience they can when visiting Woodstock. We like to help each other out, we are constantly recommending places for our clients to go as well.

How does Woodstock Spa stand apart from other Hudson Valley Spas?

I would say Woodstock Spa is a nurturing wellness experience where our clients feel taken care of. We want our clients to feel they are in a kind, relaxing environment. Besides that, we are a passionate family-owned business, not a large corporation, and somehow, that makes all the difference. We rely on people coming back to support us and truly want them to leave happy.

What is it about the Hudson Valley that makes it unique to live + work here?

I love how creative it is. Everywhere you turn, there is art, music and film. I feel so fortunate to be in the country and to have so much culture around me.

What impact does your business strive to have on your community?

We see our business a part of our community and my staff and I want to help people to feel their best. There is no greater feeling than helping people. When someone comes into our spa and walks out on “cloud nine,” feeling 100 times better – there’s nothing better than that!

What is missing in the area that you wish we had?

An outdoor sculpture garden. I always wanted to build one in the field behind the spa. It’s an amazing parcel of land with gorgeous views. Having outdoor sculptures would just add to its beauty and be part of the experience. Stay tuned…

Who or what inspires you personally?

I get inspired by art, design, travel and the people. All can bring such joy, be captivating, and make you want to do better. I always ask my kids, “What are you going to do to make the world a more beautiful place?” This leads me to think about who inspires me, and I would have to say, my children. They challenge me and make me a better person every day.

Tell us something about yourself that people might be surprised to know.

One thing most people don’t know is that I am blind in one eye. I was born with a congenital cataract and always saw the world in more of a two-dimensional space.

What would a fun day off for you? What would you do?

I would be to start the day with a hike with my family, a picnic lunch from Bistro-to-Go, followed by a visit to Kingston Consignments and Your Mom & the Swan with a personal tour of Lite Brite Neon Studio, dinner at Silvia ending with a show at the Colony. There are so many amazing business owners, artists and musicians with big hearts in our surrounding area and I feel so grateful to know many of them. It is constantly inspiring.

Are there any new developments or upcoming events you’d like to share?

Stay tuned for some exciting New Year’s deals for 2024!

What is your current state of mind?

My current state of mind is happiness. It takes courage to put oneself in a better place, but sometimes, we all have to take a few steps back to take a leap forward. I am so very grateful for all my friends and family. Going through life practicing kindness and strength and leading by example is my mantra. We need to show our children how to work hard to get what you want, and that this can be done by being good citizens.

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