The Lodge at Woodloch in a Nutshell:
A romantic stay at a spa is an oxymoron to some, particularly those who think of spas as fussy places where there isn’t enough to eat. Well, think again. The Lodge at Woodloch brings together romance and healthy living in one resort. Located in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains, only a few hours' drive from New York or Philadelphia, The Lodge is a destination for lovers who want beauty and quiet, health and enjoyment. It's set among 75 acres of woods and borders a cranberry bog-ringed lake. This makes for a serene location in all seasons.
Guest Rooms at The Lodge at Woodloch:
There are 58 rooms at The Lodge, all with terraces and views. Lakeside rooms overlook stands of oak, maple and linden ending at the lake; on the other side is a view of a landscaped rock garden and waterfall. (When the leaves are off the trees, you can see the parking lot from the south.) All rooms at The Lodge are similarly furnished—comfortable and pleasant. There are flatscreen TVs on the wall and every room has wi-fi. Only the junior and one-bedroom suites have bathtubs. Marble showers are spacious enough for a couple.
Dining at The Lodge at Woodloch:
Dining is a treat at Tree, The Lodge’s restaurant, where there is live music every evening. And it is not the typical spa menu, with calorie counts and fat grams numbers in your face. Tree offers a lively menu that features fresh ingredients (organic when possible), beautifully presented. Portion sizes are on the smallish side (but not small) and there are offerings for meat lovers as well as aficionados of good desserts. Tree’s scrumptious breads are home-baked, as are its pastries. For those who want to make Tree’s healthy cuisine at home, there are entertaining cooking demonstrations.
Spa at The Lodge at Woodloch:
The spa is large and comfortable, offering many different treatments. Even couples who eschew hands-on treatments are likely to appreciate the setting. The sauna has a windowed wall that looks out into the forest. The day one of us used it, a deer leaned against the glass to warm itself. The glass-enclosed pool has two waterfalls that provide a massage for those sitting under them. Outdoors, there’s a heated whirlpool just outside the pool that can be used in any weather. We soaked one morning, steam rising around us, looking at the snow cover and listening to the only sound—a downy woodpecker in a nearby tree.
Weddings at The Lodge at Woodloch:
The resort doesn’t typically hold weddings, but that shouldn’t deter anyone interested. Several places are available to hold a ceremony at The Lodge. There is a large carpeted meeting room with a fireplace on the first floor. And on the lakeside there is a patio built around a fire pit.
Honeymoons and Romantic Getaways at The Lodge at Woodloch:
“Sweet Surrender” is what The Lodge at Woodloch calls its couples package, which is suitable for achy middle-agers as well as young lovebirds. It includes a couple’s massage, champagne, and all meals. The restaurant has a large wine and beer selection, but these are not included in the package.
The numerous fireplaces, combination of interior building stone, floor-to-ceiling windows, nooks and crannies throughout make The Lodge at Woodloch a quality getaway for a romantic couple. And because all guests must be at least 18 years old, other peoples’ children cannot annoy you here.
What to Do at The Lodge at Woodloch:
There is a full schedule of free activities available to guests. Exercise classes range from high-energy dance fusion to morning stretch. There are miles of hiking trails on the property and guests can play at Woodloch Springs Country Club’s 18-hole golf course. It’s a ten-minute drive to Big Bear ski slope. Less active but very satisfying are the watercolor painting and photography classes. There is a Wednesday night Broadway-style show at nearby Woodloch Resort that is included in a stay. However, the nearby village of Hawley is hardly worth a visit.
What Could Be Better at The Lodge at Woodloch:
The signage needs to be improved. There is much confusion between The Lodge at Woodloch, Woodloch Pines, Woodloch Springs and Woodloch Resort. The logos are similar, as well. This creates difficulty in sorting out what is what on the Web sute. Road signs on Highway 6 take you to the Resort, not The Lodge at Woodloch.
At Tree, a greater range of desserts for the lactose-intolerant would be a boon. Most restaurants think that having sorbet and fresh fruit is sufficient, but that gets tired, especially when everyone else is enjoying puddings and cakes.
Is The Lodge at Woodloch Right for You?:
Couples seeking beauty and comfort, quiet and intimacy will find that The Lodge at Woodloch makes for a good getaway. The owners have applied their experience at Canyon Ranch and Topnotch. And they’ve transformed the spa experience from an approach that emphasizes wellness, healing and New Age spirituality into a celebration of living. The Lodge is spacious and therefore provides many opportunities for privacy. But the resort also offers opportunities to socialize. So you can soak together in a hot tub or sit with others around the outdoor fire pit that crackles and glows each night.
The Lodge at Woodloch Info and Reservations:
The Lodge at Woodloch
109 River Birch Lane
Hawley, Pennsylvania 18428
Phone: 866-953-8500
Official Web Site
109 River Birch Lane
Hawley, Pennsylvania 18428
Phone: 866-953-8500
Official Web Site
Search for a Flight to Wilkes Barre/Scranton International, 55 minutes away.
As is common in the travel industry, the writers were provided with complimentary accommodation and meals for the purpose of reviewing those services. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.
