46-25-118-119-119-p1000875.jpg?width=600


If you were lucky, you went to a terrific summer camp when you were a kid. Well, now you are all grown up, and your luck is holding up – because we have found the adult luxury equivalent of your bygone summers. So come with us and relive those halcyon days of yesteryear at the Lodge at Woodloch in Hawley, Pennsylvania.

A Region of Kids' Camps and Adult Resorts


We found the Lodge at Woodloch during our writing swing through luxurious vacation destinations in the northeast Appalachians, which include the Pocono, Adirondack, Catskill, and Berkshire Mountains. Our travels took us to New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Maine.

33-30-17-62-p1010603.jpg?width=600

We stayed mainly at exclusive B&Bs, so a full-blown woodsy, all-adult resort and health retreat, was a nice change of pace.

30-055-055-055-p1000803.jpg?width=600

Just like our childhood memories of summer camp, the Lodge at Woodloch has hiking and biking trails aplenty, along with camp fires, a lake for fishing and boating – and advanced amenities like delicious wellness-centric meals, vegetable gardens, an orchard, and a first-rate health spa.

A Biofilic Experience

The developers of the Lodge at Woodloch believe that all vacationers who have an interest in the Lodge at Woodloch have a special connection with nature, and an affinity for other life forms. The developers take this belief very seriously, and everything at Woodloch supports their conviction.

12-44-39-179-img_5369.jpg?width=600

Elegant and Exclusive

All the amenities we will mention (and more) are for the pampering of a relatively small number of discerning guests. There are just 57 guestrooms in the entire resort.

16-48-53-193-img_5383.jpg?width=600

This refuge truly defines the height of America’s health-conscious aristocracy.

20-56-196-img_5386.jpg?width=600

The lodge building fits perfectly with the natural environment, and has just the right number of secluded niches for those seeking quiet relaxation.

22-66-206-img_5396.jpg?width=600

The sleeping rooms are well furnished and mindfully decorated to blend with the forest just beyond each guestroom door. We also noted that the spacious quarters elegantly avoid being trendy or thematic.

37-31-23-68-p1010609.jpg?width=600


The Food

We ate all our meals at the TREE restaurant and bar, so named because of the exquisite views from the floor-to-ceiling viewing windows, featuring – what else – trees.

14-47-187-img_5377.jpg?width=600

If you are a devoted foodie, this all-inclusive resort is for you.

17-49-54-194-img_5384.jpg?width=600

There are food-prep demonstrations, cooking classes, wine tasting, and an array of lectures for those interested in learning about the advantages of preparing, cooking, and eating proper foodstuffs.

38-30-75-p1010616.jpg?width=600

The in-house chefs have also one-upped the concept of “farm-to-table” dining, with their “table-to-farm” experience where a delicious meal is prepared and served in one of the resort’s three vast gardens. Really different, and great fun

!

23-06-025-025-025-p1000773.jpg?width=600

The resort’s menu is unique and chock-full of tasty healthy treats; check out this breakfast menu.

40-19-077-078-078-p1000826.jpg?width=600

Here’s a photo of a succulent buffalo burger with mushrooms.

43-22-091-092-092-p1000840.jpg?width=600

The Garden

We were privileged to spend some time in the resort’s gardens, where much of what is used in the kitchen is grown. Chock full of produce goodies, the garden boasts currants, mint, rhubarb, raspberries, blackberries, gooseberries, and a large assortment of plants and herbs.

Since our visit, we have learned that the resort has added an orchard. Two acres and 65 trees will bring a bountiful harvest of apples, pears, peaches, and plums to be enjoyed by the guests.

42-21-084-085-085-p1000833.jpg?width=600

Pollination

 

You have undoubtedly heard about the decline in U.S. bee colonies. Well, the Lodge at Woodloch took steps to insure their 100,000 bee population would continue to grow.

39-33-34-79-p1010620.jpg?width=600

They sought, and obtained, a certification as a Pennsylvania "Pollinator-Friendly Property." These people are serious about natural symbiosis.

36-070-071-071-p1000819.jpg?width=600

The Trails and Lake

The resort’s grounds quickly envelop you in their beauty.

41-20-082-083-083-p1000831.jpg?width=600

Our morning at the Lodge was spent walking some of the nature trails in this pristine 150-acre wilderness.

29-12-046-046-046-p1000794.jpg?width=600

We ended up at the private 15-acre lake and decided to try our hand at fishing.

28-10-034-034-034-p1000782.jpg?width=600

All the equipment we needed was available in the "Lily Pad" lake shed, located just a stone’s throw from the water.

26-28-12-57-p1010598.jpg?width=600

A couple of casts, and voilà – success.

35-15-066-066-066-p1000814.jpg?width=600

We caught several small but spunky bass, which we quickly returned to the water after thanking them for participating in our holiday. 

09-25-165-img_5355.jpg?width=600

The spa

The focal point of the indoor experience at the Lodge at Woodloch is the spa, with its 27 treatment rooms and an extensive array of customized body treatments, massages, and facials.

07-39-15-155-img_5345.jpg?width=600

We could not photograph the occupied treatment rooms, but did manage to get images of the beautifully appointed changing rooms and the Aqua Garden’s hydro massage waterfall.

03-16-35-img_3835.jpg?width=600

What a spectacular way to relax after a massage – and we did just that!

02-56-13-32-img_3832.jpg?width=600

Guests are invited to luxuriate in saunas, steam rooms, and whirlpools, as well as separate male and female fireplace lounges for the ultimate in introspective relaxation.

10-35-175-img_5365.jpg?width=600

This spa and wellness center is a destination in its own right.

32-16-61-p1010602.jpg?width=600


If You Go

The Lodge is nestled in the far northeast corner of the scenic Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania, in what is known as the Lake Region. It is a scant 95 miles from NYC and many major airports.

For more information

This four-diamond resort incorporates an unparalleled level of sophistication in serene luxury. There are so many delightful aspects, that it would be impossible to present them all in this short article. An impressive list  of awards, too – a true standard of excellence achieved by few vacation destinations in America. Whether you go to the Lodge at Woodloch for revitalizing, relaxation, nurturing, detoxing, a taste of good old fashioned nostalgia, or just an outing in the woods, this is the place to be. If you can, give yourself permission to enjoy a special vacation at the Lodge. You will not be sorry.


We suggest you explore the resort’s extensive website www.TheLodgeatWoodloch.com

PS – if you are looking for a family resort, look no further than nearby Woodloch Pines Resort. We did not have time to drop by, but we were told it may be an even better place to reflect on those still remembered summers at kid’s camp – because it has - kids.



"Get out there, but be prepared."

Whenever we travel, we are protected by Allianz Global Assist travel insurance.

You can plan your trips with Google Maps.



The opinions expressed in our articles are the journalists’ alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any entity.


Copyright © 2015 Visit great vacation destinations with Wayne and Judy Bayliff

Photos © 2015 Judy Bayliff

You need to be a member of Tripatini to add comments!

Join Tripatini