the sprawling Lodge, made of indigenous stone, camouflaged timber beams, and giant windowed spaces, suits its mostly undisturbed rural surroundings: white pine forest, natural lakefront, and various, rambling native undergrowth.
As promised, two valets rush toward our approaching automobile. They greet us with smiles and inquiries about our trip. One swiftly collects the automobile and our baggage. The second escort us inside. The natural light-weight pouring into the foyer from the mammoth windows and skylights lends credence to the distinctive green-and-taupe hues so prevalent throughout the region. The glorious outdoor surroundings of the northern Pocono Mountains have been extended indoors and enhanced with climate controls.
We tend to are introduced to the receptionist, who has clearly been expecting us. She presents us with customized activity packets. Everyone includes an itinerary, category schedule, and a guide that details Woodloch’s programs and spa services. Unexpectedly, she abandons the reception desk to escort us to our room via a private tour of the Lodge.
Woodloch’s owners and developers, Ginny and John Lopis, were consultants to high destination spa resorts around the country, as well as Canyon Ranch, before masterminding their own place. They deem Woodloch “the new generation” in destination spas. One innovation is their reservation process, which assists guests in pre-booking their treatments and categories so that they will jump right into the theme upon arrival.
We tend to spot guests everywhere, donning nothing additional than workout clothing or a spa gown, even in the dining room. Someone has even sprawled out on a sofa reading a book. Soon we tend to are in our area, where our bags are waiting. Though the quarters are lovely—a king bed with Egyptian cotton linens, a marble shower with a rain-head spigot, flat-screen TV, and a patio overlooking the lake—we tend to don’t need to lose one moment from our activities. First on my itinerary is aqua toning (water aerobics), and my husband is scheduled for bicycling. We walk to the spa together, and with 30 minutes to spare, we tend to agree to fulfill up within the co-ed aqua garden.
The Spa
The Woodloch spa is that the resort’s nucleus, the site for most categories and coverings. Arguably, its most spectacular spot is that the aqua garden. It homes a heated pool for laps, volleyball, and water aerobics during a glassed-domed gazebo space. There’s also an of doors horizon-edge whirlpool with a radiant-heat deck inviting year-spherical use. However, I actually have my eye on the bi-level soaking pools with hydro-massaging waterfalls. I stand below the falls and nod at my husband. He presses the switch and races to join me. Waves of pulsating ecstasy cascade over our heads, shoulders, and backs. Heaven.
Limbered up, we tend to part in our individual locker rooms for juice before our classes and plan to meet for lunch. The men’s and ladies’ areas each have saunas, steam rooms, indoor and outside hot tubs, and fire lounges with tea bars. The floor below has 27 treatment rooms, fourteen massage rooms, and 6 facial rooms. Upstairs are mind/body studios for yoga, aerobics, and mat categories, an obsessive Pilates training area, and a fully equipped cardio-weight studio.
That afternoon, I scheduled Woodloch’s signature “Awakening the Senses Body Treatment.” It concerned selecting a scent (lilac) and a light filter (yellow for sunshine, however, it didn’t matter, my eyes were coated with a mask). Then, I was buffed with ocean salt and masked twice (the second time wrapped in cellophane), and showered before a final lotion application. While I was definitely “awakened,” I found the multistep method too distracting to relax, plus the sea-salt body rub was rough on my skin. Next time, I’d go for a simpler massage or an herbal facial.
There are a lot of resort activities: On-premise selections embody kayaking, row boating, fishing, and hiking. Championship golf and tennis can be organized at a non-public club across the street. Excursions for hikes, tubing, and rafting are accessible at a further price. Woodloch has its own art studio providing drawing and painting classes. Often within the evening, there are speakers, a fireplace circle for storytelling, and a drum circle.
The Lopises’ approach to cuisine is progressive-minded. Diverging from traditional “calorie counting,” they specialize in a connoisseur dining expertise that is healthful and organic. Accentuated is moderation in portion size, though guests may request further servings. Superfoods—like berries, melons, squashes, salmon, and soy—are incorporated inside meals that embody red meats, chicken, fish, and vegetarian decisions. There’s even a world organic fine wine and beer list.
Breakfast and lunch embrace a variety of choices from a menu, or, for dinner, from a tapas bar. Our lunch entrées included chicken with raisin curry, tomato eggplant and mozzarella, salmon with coconut lime sauce, and turkey sesame wasabi wraps. Desserts and natural sodas are offered. Every afternoon, there’s high tea with, yes, healthy cookies. In the evening, there are bedside chocolates at turndown.
If you go: Take Interstate eighty-three north to 81N to 380S to 84E to Exit thirty, Blooming Grove. Make a left onto Route 402N and follow to the top. Make a left onto Route 6W, then a right on Route 590E; follow half-dozen. five miles to the doorway of The Lodge at Woodloch, eighty-six half-dozen-953-8500, thelodgeatwoodloch.com.
Digs: Packages include area, three meals each day, gym access, classes, and a $a hundred and fifteen daily spa allowance for $450 to $one,085 per person per night. Additional spa treatments are available a la carte.
