Meet Eva

In 1996, Eva Kerschbaumer sold all of her grandmother's jewelry and bought a plane ticket from Hungary to New York City. She arrived in June of that year with literally nothing more than $50 and the clothes on her back, no relatives and no understanding of or ability to speak English.

Eva opened the original ESSpa Kozmetika Organic Skincare in Pittsburgh on 02/02/02 with the specific intent of creating a spa like those in Budapest where her mother took Eva and her younger brother every week from the time they were 5 years-old. According to Eva, in the 1970s and 80s (under communism) there were no drugstores, no pharmacies, no "quick fixes" (the supermarkets only had a few bananas to sell on one or two days a month). But there were little spas everywhere.
And mothers (and fathers) would take their girls and boys with them for facials, massages and other spa treatments all the time. Going to spa for Eva and her brother was part of their personal grooming habits - having a facial was almost like brushing your teeth - it was normal and expected.

When Eva came to America, she was disheartened to see that in the USA, the idea of visiting a spa was perceived as something reserved for well-heeled executives or "ladies who lunch" or a luxurious indulgence that was only to be enjoyed while on vacation - and in most cases, children were verboten. She built her spa not only to look like a little Hungarian village (each room is a little house complete with rafters, windows, cedar shingles, porch lights, etc.) but to also provide the same, healthy, effective face and body treatments to every visitor regardless of age or gender.

Opened on August 10th, 2011 - the new ESSpa Kozmetika at The Carnegie Inn encompasses over 3,000 square feet of space and includes 7 treatment rooms; 1 wet treatment room completely tiled in Italian marble; 3 unique pedicure areas with 8 pedicure stations; 3 manicure stations (made out of antique writing desks inlaid with historic leather maps); beautifully appointed women's and men's locker areas complete with steam rooms and chromatic monsoon showers; and a large relaxation area filled with leather couches, antique chairs and other period pieces - overlooking the 17th green of the prestigious Toftrees Golf Course.

The most unique thing about the layout of ESSpa Kozmetika at The Carnegie Inn and Spa is that all the treatment rooms were built utilizing pocket doors to create a totally modular space allowing for the immediate creation of couples suites and party rooms for large groups to enjoy their treatments together - as is typical of a traditional Hungarian spa experience.

The core offering of ESSpa Kozmetika at The Carnegie Inn and Spa is a select menu of overnight programs designed for specific lifestyles. Weekend, Midweek and 7 night Retreats will include a foundation of frequent Traditional Hungarian Spa Treatments and will also offer choices for guided instruction in spa cuisine, yoga, beading, a variety of sports activities and instruction, experiential activities such as caving, farming, ice-creaming, ballooning - and other unique programs. All Retreats will be led by the most professional instructors in their respective fields. And all Retreats will include overnight accommodations in newly remodeled luxury suites at The Carnegie Inn and Spa. Our Signature Retreat will be our "Writers Block" Retreat. Building on Andrew Carnegie's idea that a Library is perhaps the most important thing in the world (the existence of which he dedicated his considerable fortune to building) ESSpa Kozmetika at The Carnegie Inn and Spa will bring well-known writers and literary luminaries to lead our Writers Bock Retreats for budding novelists, rabid bookworms or just interested academics (and the spouses of all) who might desire to blend their writing with a healthy dose of superlative and healthy spa treatments.

Spa guests can reserve overnight accommodations in any of the 20 newly remodeled deluxe rooms and suites, each averaging more than 500 square feet in size.

Guests can also enjoy the finest of gourmet cuisine cooked-to-order by our Executive Chef. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner menus are available 7 days per week.

Guests wearing thick, Turkish robes can often be found on our Wisteria-covered Patio overlooking the golf course, enjoying a variety of spa treatments, handmade cocktails as well as healthy dining options.

ESSpa Kozmetika at The Carnegie Inn and Spa is opened from 10am until 6pm, 7 days per week. The Spa and restaurant are opened to the public as well as guests of the Inn.

ESSpa Kozmetika at The Carnegie Inn and Spa is the second spa opened by former model and Hungarian Skin Care expert, Eva Sztupka Kerschbaumer. She opened the original ESSpa Kozmetika in Pittsburgh, PA 11 years ago which has been recognized as "The 3rd Best Spa in America" by The Industry Source Magazine and has won numerous international and national "Best Of" awards.

Eva and her husband Scott Kerschbaumer, are both members of the Editorial Board of DAYSPA Magazine and are one of the 12 founding members of the Green Spa Network - the premier association of environmentally responsible spas and affiliated businesses in North America.
More Information about ESSpa Kozmetika at The Carnegie Inn and Spa can be found at www.esspa.us

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