The Lodge at Woodloch

Surrounded by 400 acres of private woodland in the Pocono Mountains, The Lodge at Woodloch is considered the area’s premier spa destination with 40,000 square feet of spa facilities that underwent a multimillion dollar renovation in 2017. This is where stressed out New Yorkers come to unwind, de-stress, and bliss out -- so weekends can get especially busy. Athleisure wear and plush white robes comprise the standard Lodge dress code. With high vaulted ceilings, warm-toned wood interiors, and elegantly rustic decor, the Lodge feels worlds away from the urban cacophony many guests come here to escape. Children under 16 are not allowed at the resort, making it a sanctuary where couples are free to recline in big, comfy lounges in front of crackling fires and relaxed decibel levels. Adult mother and daughter duos love it here, too. Outside, guests roam leafy nature trails, manicured gardens, and the labyrinth garden made for meditative timeout. A gravel path leads past hammocks slung between trees to Adirondack chairs along the shore of the 15-acre lake. A small boardwalk extends out over wet brush and shallows to a little pier where watercolor painting classes take place, and kayaks are lined up for guest use. 

The Lodge at Woodloch resides in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains, a region known for its camping, hiking, and numerous ski resorts that mainly attract residents of New York, New Jersey, and Washington D.C. It's about a 12-minute drive from the small town center of Hawley, but far from dining and other area destinations. The Lodge at Woodloch is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from NYC, three-and-a-half hours from New Jersey, and close to five hours from D.C. The location also serves as a base camp for skiing at Big Bear, which is only 15 minutes east by car. Camelback ski area is almost a 90-minute drive south. Wilkes-Barr/Scranton International Airport is about an hour’s drive west. 

Rooms and suites are designed to evoke the feeling of being on an upscale country estate, blending antique-style wood pieces with comfy furnishings and woody accents. Big wooden desks and chairs, along with armchairs and ottomans combine for a cozy effect. All rooms are generously sized and have glass pane doors that open onto spacious covered verandas designed for privacy, with either distant lake or forest views. Rooms are available with king or two double beds. Comfy beds are dressed in down comforters and a choice of feather or hypo-allergenic pillows. All rooms come with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, safes, irons, ironing boards, and free Wi-Fi. One-Bedroom Suites come with separate living rooms and two full bathrooms. The bathrooms are spacious and marble-tiled, with double granite vanities with huge mirrors, private water closets, and generous walk-in showers with rain showerheads. Suites add bathtubs. Toiletries, hairdryers, plush robes, and slippers are provided. Evening turndown service is a luxe touch. 

The spa is the star of the show, with around 30 treatment rooms, separate men's and women's saunas, steam rooms, and whirlpools. Extensive services range from the usual assortment of massages, facials, and body treatments, to the more eccentric energy-based craniosacral therapies and water therapies. A personal concierge will assist guests in designing their spa programs, along with additional activities such art classes, forest bathing, group adventures, wellness workshops, meditation, and aqua fitness. The resort's private lake is at the center of many outdoor activities, with kayaking, archery, and fishing available in the warmer months, or hiking through the surrounding nature trails. Cross-country skiing and snowshoes are available in winter. Guests can rent bikes to explore the area. The modern fitness center spans 3,000-square-feet and holds all manner of classes, from aerobics and Pilates, to yoga, Tai chi, and qigong. There’s a spin room, rowing room, and a yoga/ meditation studio. The beautiful indoor pool, complete with hydro massage waterfalls, is enveloped by soaring floor-to-ceiling windows. Both the indoor and outdoor hot tubs are open year round. There’s also a hair and beauty salon, though services cost extra, and a choice of calm relaxation areas are available to guests. Relaxation rooms, include Whisper: A Silent Sanctuary, and Gather: A Social Suite. The former is for those seeking peace, and the latter is for couples or groups who’d like to chat. The elegant Tree restaurant and bar is the only on-site dining option, with all-inclusive seasonal meals designed around locally raised meats and fish, as well as organic, locally grown vegetables. Guests can partake in cooking demonstrations, and for extra fees, wine tastings and special event dinners hosted by the chef. Room service is also available. In the garden, the labyrinth provides a popular space for healing and reflection. An 18-hole golf course resides at an adjacent sister property, Woodloch Springs Country Club, and a little farther afield, the family-friendly Woodloch Pines Resort offers an extraordinary array of recreational activities. Wi-Fi, morning papers, and a self-service laundry facility are all available free of charge. A choice of meeting rooms and several outdoor event areas are also available.