Serenity Outside of New York City
Just a short, two-hour ride from New York City, nestled back in a beautiful tree-surrounded lake view setting, the harried New Yorker seeking escape can find refuge at The Lodge at Woodloch—a destination spa.
My three-night getaway at Woodloch exceeded my expectations, and the whole experience was extremely impressive. I was with two others, my mom and a client. We arrived and were greeted by an incredibly friendly staff. This tastefully decorated resort has 58 beautiful rooms while the lodge itself has a warm vibe, with dark woods, fabrics, and beautiful artwork.
We were given a list of the daily activities offered by the Lodge in addition to the spa treatment menu. There was definitely something for everyone—from Classic Yoga to Guided Hikes, Qi Gong, Kick Boxing, Breathing for Relaxation, to Painting Class, Kayaking, even a Cooking Demo with the Resort’s chef.
On two of the three days I went on two very different guided hikes. The scenery was postcard beautiful and the guides personable and knowledgeable, pointing out the flora and fauna we came across and sharing interesting facts about the surroundings.
The meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Simply stated, they were creative and delicious with something for every taste!
The dining room is decorated with rich dark colors and huge chandeliers. Floor-to-ceiling windows look out onto a large fire pit and patio, encircled with the woods and you can catch a glimpse of the lake in the background.
The dress is always very casual. Guests are encouraged to come to breakfast in their robes, which we did! No children are allowed at the Lodge, adding to the calm, quiet setting.
Each night, a musician played right outside the dining area, volume set for perfect background dining music. We happened to fall in love with the voice and music choices of the guitar player. After dinner you could continue to enjoy listening by sitting in the relaxing lounge area.
Back to the meals: We were three foodies; we agreed that each meal offered something for everyone, the pickiest of eaters to the more adventurous. Breakfasts and lunches offered choices from the lavish buffets as well as a la carte, off the menu dining. This spa cuisine offered health conscious breakfast drinks like the pear-carrot-apple smoothie I had, to the whole grain breads and salads at lunch time. I particularly enjoyed sampling the quinoa, couscous, and bulghur wheat salads that were changed each day.
All of the servings were the perfect portion-size, and each night the dinner began with a surprise, sample-sized taste of something the chef had whipped up like an English sweet pea soup or a corn and jalapeno chowder, in a miniature serving.
I cannot leave out mentioning the incredible dessert offering of a savory goat cheese cheesecake. This dessert had us asking for seconds.
We could not have asked for any more personalized attention during our dining experiences. The staff was so attentive to all of our needs and the actual serving style was well-rehearsed.
We each had two spa treatments during our stay. I had a timeless facial and a Swedish aromatherapy massage. All of us gave the treatments two thumbs up. For the massage, blended, herbal oils were offered with names like harmony and energy. Your choice supposedly reflecting what you were looking for in the massage. Following the treatment you’re ushered into the whispering room where lounges awaited in a subdued light environment with a beautiful view of the outdoor wooded scene. Talk about relaxing!
The spa itself lacked for nothing. Based upon my experiences I was very happy with my stay, as was my mom and client. If anyone is looking for an escape, and a truly serene experience, The Lodge at Woodloch is highly recommended.
***Call by August 15th and mention Jetset Extra and you’ll receive a $50 spa credit.***
The Lodge at Woodloch
109 River Birch Lane
Hawley, PA 18428
1-570-685-8500
