Family Weekend Away – Woodloch Resort by Robin Gorman Newman

I have long wanted to visit this resort — having heard great things over the years — and we had the opportunity this past weekend to vacation there.  It did not disappoint!  There is a reason…or many reasons…. Woodloch in Hawley, PA, has been in business since 1958 and that countless people vacation there regularly.

Woodloch Pines Lobby

Owned by the Kiesendahl family, it has a warmth and energy that is immediately welcoming.   We stayed at the woodsy family resort….Woodloch Pines, but there is also Woodloch Lodge — an award-winning, luxury destination spa, and Woodloch Springs — a golf course/country club and residential community.  Woodloch also offers time shares.

To get from one property to the next, should you decide to venture around, you can either drive or take one of the frequent shuttles conveniently provided by Woodloch.  Most of our time was spent at Woodloch Pines, itself, where we stayed, though I did experience the elegant Woodloch Lodge and would have welcomed more time there.  Since it’s adults-only, as many walk around in robes, we weren’t able to stay this trip, but I’d love a gals weekend away.  You could easily spend a pampering, relaxing, full day, if you don’t stay overnight, getting treatments, eating gourmet meals, relaxing in one of the serene common spaces, enjoying the pool and wet and dry saunas, working out in the fitness center or in a class, experiencing the indoor and outdoor whirlpools and

Woodloch Lodge Lobby

HydroMassage WaterWalls, and just taking in the scenie views.   I had the Sole Soother service, focusing on the feet, and it was a total feel good 50 minute treat.

The go-to activity at Woodloch Pines for Seth, 12, was the Viper Go-Carts.  He just could not get enough….and this is included in the price of the stay.  There are some activities that cost extra including the zip line, paintball games, shooting barn, batting cages and Segway tours, but we didn’t pursue them.  He also enjoyed the Bumper Cars and Bumper Boats, and the indoor arcade.  We would have done more outside, and I would have loved to lounge by the lake, but it was a chilly weekend, so we opted to spend time at the indoor pool, which was nice and not over-crowded.  Woodloch offers more varied activities (too many to name here) than I have ever seen at a resort, but kids and adults will never be bored.  I, personally, wanted to do the jewelry-making, but will have to get there on a future trip.

Evening show

Seth – Viper Go-Cart

In the evening, two movies are shown, including a family-friendly selection, and there are games such as Jackpot Bingo and Horse Racing, and shows.  I enjoyed, on Saturday night in the night club, the Broadway-style show that was lively and well done….and there was dancing before with a DJ and a live comic after.

Food was very good, though breakfast for a non-morning person was on the early side, 8:30 – 9;30am — but you can arrange the night before for a to-go box if someone can pick it up for you. We ate in the rustic, homey main dining room, with waiter service.  Shrimp fans, like me, will particularly love the meals, as shrimp was offered frequently!  There’s a kids menu with plenty of choices, and a large dessert list.  Sunday lunch buffet was ample and satisfying.  During certain meals, characters made appearances including Sponge Bob, Simba and others….and they were happy to pose for photos.

Parking was easy, and all staffers were extremely friendly and helpful.  The beds were comfortable, and we had a roomy suite, so Seth was pleased to have his own space and a pullout sofa.  There is a refrigerator in the room and a coffee maker.  And, we had a view of the lake, plus outdoor seating, if it were warm enough to read outside and relax.

We look forward to returning one day!

FURTHER BACKGROUND

The full Woodloch Resort consists of over 1,200 acres and can accommodate over 1,000 guests.  Woodloch Pines features 160 guest rooms in 4 different room categories.  Woodloch Resort offers activities for all ages including:

• Daily planned activities by the social staff
• Nightly entertainment from comedians to live music, featuring a Broadway-style theme show that runs twice a week and changes annually.
• Indoor activities such as indoor pools, Woodloch Forest Playground, gymnasium, toddler room, arts & crafts room, Wii Center, Arcade Center and more
• Outdoor activities such as nature trails for hiking and biking, lake activities such as boating, water-skiing, kayaking and lake-side sunning; pool and lake swimming, go-carts, bumper cars & boats, tennis, miniature golf, climbing wall, petting zoo, seasonal snow-tubing, new zip-line course, batting cages, Segway excursions and more.
• Event, group and meeting services and facilities
• Team-building activities
• Three meals per day served in either the Woodloch Pines Main Lodge or the Inn at Woodloch.  Additional resort food and beverage options include The Country Store and Deli at The Inn, The North Lodge bar and The Beach bar for burgers and snack items

Visit WoodLoch.com.

Note: Thanks to Woodloch for hosting our stay and providing the spa discount.  Our opinions are our own.

Tags: family resort, travel, travel mom blogger, vacation with kids, woodlich pines, woodloch lodge