The Lodge at Woodloch offers a luxurious mid-winter respite worth investing in, just a short hop away.
The Aqua Garden features a co-ed soaking pool with heated Hydromassage WaterWalls.
Up until the late aughts, the Poconos were viewed as a destination decidedly more suited for outdoorsy weekend warrior excursions than luxurious high-end getaways. A weekend trip was filled with some skiing, boat rides on the lake or maybe a fantastic mountain trek. But a decadent high-end spa? It simply wasn’t an option.
When Hawley’s The Lodge at Woodloch (thelodgeatwoodloch.com) opened its doors, it markedly shifted everyone’s perception and redefined what a truly luxe spa weekend in the Poconos could look like. Replete with elegantly appointed rooms, tranquil treatment facilities, sumptuous cuisine and picturesque grounds, the Lodge epitomizes the elements of a perfect luxury getaway. And it promises an always-evolving experience that’s far more than just a decadent weekend jaunt—it’s an investment in your well-being.
The accommodations are designed to be sanctuaries of peace. Immaculately furnished, the rooms effortlessly combine elegance with comfort. Thoughtfully designed interiors, with features like marble bathrooms and private verandas overlooking a tranquil lake, provide a blissful end to an eventful day full of healthy pursuits. Each room is also technologically equipped, ensuring complete convenience to an often tech-dependent clientele (although it’ll be hard to be tethered to your laptop while the siren song of a massaging waterfall hot tub beckons).
A Spa Concierge can help personalize your spa experience, ranging from purifying facials to pampering massages and healing bodywork.
The grounds are also a spectacle unto themselves. The 400 acres of woodland scenery are interspersed with serene nature trails, tranquil ponds, a private 15-acre lake and beautifully manicured gardens. It offers a welcome respite from the urban hustle and the ideal backdrop for meditation, yoga, outdoor fitness classes or simply a calming stroll. It’s nature’s therapy at its finest.
But it’s the Spa that’s the real draw. With a focus on the cutting edge of wellness innovation—and 27 treatment spaces devoted to pampering the mind and body through customized therapies—the Spa delivers an experience focused wholly on the individual. Guests meet with caring wellness guides to craft unique itineraries aligned with personal needs and wishes, whether the desire is to boost energy, dissolve tension or savor some much-needed quiet time. Besides the usual high-end selection of expert body treatments, massages, facials and salon services, the Spa also goes well beyond the expected.
Choose either a silent or social luxe post-treatment relaxation room.
Case in point—the brand-new, proprietary Gharieni RLX Satori therapy that takes the notion of innovative self-help to new levels. Launching this month, this therapy is comprised of a touchless wellness lounger that combines vibrational and sound techniques to promote rest, relaxation and stress relief for enhanced well-being. The lounger utilizes frequencies, binaural sounds and music to direct brainwaves into restful alpha and theta states, where the subconscious mind can receive guided meditation. The goal is to create lasting behavioral changes, promoting deep sleep, mental focus and emotional wellness.
And if your body’s calling for more hands-on therapy, there’s plenty to choose from. The Lavender Garden Dream treatment uses the calming benefits of wild lavender to exfoliate during an energizing salt scrub, followed by a tranquil Swedish massage. For a more physical treatment, the Restorative Herbal Massage is a modern spin on the centuries-old flaistyle massage, using stretching techniques and warm herbal poultices to restore harmony and stimulate blood flow and energy. The Lodge also offers much to do for those seeking activity as much as serenity. Three exercise studios host classes in yoga, aerobics and more to balance exertion and restoration.
There’s a variety of group classes and one-on-one training offered at the award-winning fitness health spa.
Be sure to try out 2024’s brand-new classes, including Humming Meditation, Ping Pong Pickelball or Tsunami, where you can make waves in an incredibly fast-paced pool workout. The spa’s panoramic Aqua Garden invites repose as well, through heated massage waterfalls in soaking pools accented by twinkling lights, while the adjacent indoor pool provides sleek minimalist style in the shadow of massive floor-to-ceiling windows. And nothing beats the outdoor, infinity-edge hot tub, where you can get toasty under the stars while surrounded by February’s latest snowfall.
Of course, no luxury getaway would be complete without a decadent culinary experience and the Lodge’s all-inclusive signature restaurant, TREE, offers up just that. Whipping up dishes that seamlessly blend healthy gourmet cuisine with fine dining, the talented chefs use locally sourced and organic ingredients to craft a variety of inspired dishes. The result is a dynamic, farm-to-table dining experience.
The Snow Room, the first of its kind in the U.S., offers a soothing alternative to the age-old Tyrolean tradition of the cold bucket shower.
Ultimately, choosing The Lodge at Woodloch for a weekend retreat isn’t just about localizing luxury—it’s about consciously investing in your physical, emotional and mental well-being.
If you want to wander off the grounds, here’s a curated list of nearby Pocono region must-tries:
SKI THE PEAKS AT BIG BOULDER
Just a short drive from The Lodge, Big Boulder boasts slopes perfect for carving your way down the mountain. And while terrain parks and features dot the mountainside, keeping the more expert skiers and snowboarders challenged, the slopes are suitable for all skill levels. bigboulderskiarea.com
EXPERIENCE THE SERENITY OF LAKE WALLENPAUPACK
In any season, the crystalline waters of Lake Wallenpaupack are a sight to behold. Try out some mid-winter ice fishing or sip some hot cocoa along its peaceful shores. A mere 15-minute drive away, it’s an idyllic spot for soulful reflection or gentle recreation. poconomountains.com
WANDER THROUGH THE DORFLINGER GLASS MUSEUM
Immerse yourself in the sparkling world of glass artistry just outside Woodloch’s gates. The Dorflinger Glass Museum showcases stunning pieces that chronicle America’s rich history of glass making. dorflinger.org
EAGLE WATCH WITH THE DELAWARE HIGHLAND CONSERVANCY
Usually only held in January and February, the non-profit offers heated tours to the region’s most popular viewing areas, all in hopes of catching a coveted glimpse of our nation’s iconic natural treasure. delawarehighlands.org
ADVENTURE WITH POCONO OUTDOOR ADVENTURE TOURS
Elevate your stay with a guided UTV tour through the snowy landscapes of the Poconos. Suitable for all adrenaline levels, these excursions offer a new perspective of the natural beauty. poconooutdooradventuretours.com
Photography by: PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE BRAND
