A SPA AWAKENING

The Lodge at Woodloch “the first destination spa to open in the U.S. in more than a decade “introduced guests for the first time to its serene escape in northeastern Pennsylvania this past spring. Nestled amongst seventy-five wooded acres, the Lodge was created by spa visionaries John and Ginny Lopis, who have spent more than twenty-five years in the spa industry. The couple has played an integral role in creating, building, and opening some of the best spas the world has seen, including Canyon Ranch in Tucson and the Bacara in Santa Barbara “all the while taking notes for their own dream venture.

Hawley, Pennsylvania, the sleepy mountain town that the Lopis’s chose for their spa, is just a two and a half-hour drive from New York City. And while they’re expecting most of their guests to be arriving by car (from NYC, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, etc.), my husband, Steven, and I visited the Lodge this past fall by flying into Scranton/Wilkes-Barre International Airport and driving the last hour to the Lodge. Winding through blink-of-an-eye towns, and passing numerous signs highlighting the area’s delicious cider and pumpkins, I wondered how the Lodge would ever fit into such a setting.

However, the Lopis’s designed the Lodge to feel secluded, and it is. After driving through Hawley, you’ll wander another few miles, before finally coming upon a rather understated sign for the Lodge. But that’s where the understatement ends. The Lodge is grand by all accounts, from the size and structure to the lofted ceilings, warm woods, and natural elements. The use of stone, deep rich colors, and south-facing windows on the entire lakeside of the property, add to the Lodge’s cozy feel, and help bring the outdoors in. It’s true, whether you’re in the spa or in the gym, at the restaurant or in a cooking class, you’re never far away from nature. In fact, in the spa, you’ll find the only steam and sauna rooms I’ve ever seen with windows “letting in natural light.

The guest rooms are modestly adorned, and the bathrooms, decorated with marble and granite, are very glamorous compared to the standard lodge experience. Having grown up in Montana, I’ve seen my fair share of lodges “rustic, lots of wood “but the Lodge at Woodloch blends the warmth and coziness of a lodge with the amenities of a five-star resort.

When the Lopis’s decided on a slogan for the resort, they wanted to truly identify the destination spa experience; one that awakens the senses “all five of them “not just the sense of touch and taste, which are typically over-emphasized in the spa. Through their cuisine, setting, and spa, guests will find that each of their senses has been stimulated and nurtured.

Taste

All meals at the Lodge’s restaurant, Tree, are included with your stay, and include beginnings , mains , and your sides or opportunities. I love their use of the word, opportunity, as the sides are opportunities. With sautƒ©ed spinach and roasted cauliflower as options, these sides truly are opportunities to add even more nutritional value to your meal.

As opposed to American’s standard portion sizes, the cuisine at Tree is designed to be both fulfilling and filling without being heavy. And Tree doesn’t abide by the 1,200-calorie plan that many other spas espouse (which often leave guests constantly thinking about and yearning for food). The dishes generally contain a maximum of 25 “30 percent fat, and a good percentage of these fats come from nut oils, fish, and other healthy monounsaturated sources. Dishes highlight locally grown and organic ingredients, utilizing fresh herbs and delicate sauces to add flavor.

Executive Chef Lyle Bolyard emphasizes organic and local food, as well as principles of the Slow Food movement. His dishes are designed to enliven the senses, while also educating the guests through experience about healthy and sustainable dining. Creativity abounds throughout the property and it certainly doesn’t end in the kitchen. For a unique and healthful crouton, in fact, Chef Bolyard utilizes cashews that literally melt in your mouth.

For dinner our first night, I sampled Chef Bolyard’s delicate Black Cod with Bok Choy and Ginger Potatoes. I enjoyed an opportunity of spinach and didn’t hesitate to order the Sweet Potato Mousse for dessert. After dinner, we were lured to the bar (yes, alcohol and beer aren’t forbidden), where many of the guests were singing along to the evening’s live music “it was if we just joined our friends at the bar, watching the other guests as well as our gracious hosts, belting out the lyrics to Sweet Caroline.

The property takes the camaraderie one step further through their unique cooking classes offered twice a week in the high-tech culinary space adjacent to the main dining room. Designed to accommodate up to twelve participants, Chef Bolyard teaches classes on such topics as tapas and ethnic cuisine. While he’s artfully demonstrating technique, guests can watch from the bar or on the flat screen TV mounted above the cooking station. Complete with a Viking stove and forest views, Chef Bolyard’s classes provide guests with some of the secrets of his flavorful cuisine. For instance, the creaminess in the Butternut Squash soup comes from rice and soy milk, instead of the standard artery-clogging cream.

Sound

Throughout the property, you’ll discover original works of art as well as a variety of pieces from local artists. The grand dame of their gallery, however, is their chakra bowl sculpture “three crystal bowls, perched on top of a spiral, wooden pedestal “which greets you in the entryway. Next to the bowls, you’ll find three mallets. By lightly striking each bowl, then running the mallet around the outside of each bowl, a rich sound emanates, and in unison, you’ll feel as if you just joined stage with the Mormon Tabernacle choir. The acoustics in the room allow the sound to pulsate through the space, vibrating and ultimately, awakening your chakras.

One spa treatment per day of your stay is included in the Lodge’s prices. Catering to nearly an equal male-to-female guest ratio, the spa offers a variety of services for all, including several couples’ experiences. Encompassing 40,000-square-feet, and twenty-seven treatment rooms, as well as both wet and dry options, the spa is built with a spa-savvy audience in mind, and privacy prevails. The locker rooms feature individual changing/shower areas with river rock shower floors, a private lounge area and fireplace, as well as a sauna, steam room, hot tub, and outdoor relaxation area (with radiant heat flooring for those cold winter days).

As I was very interested in the whole senses experience, I booked the Awakening the Senses from Head to Toe, followed by the Awakening the Senses facial. I was escorted to my room, where I chose from a selection of gemstones and oils to help direct both the sight (color) portion of my experience as well as the scent. I chose red to warm my heart, and energize my body. The therapist then covered the light, creating a vibrant, red glow to the room. The treatment included a White Oak scrub, followed by a warm citrus and seaweed wrap. As I was seduced into relaxation, she gave me a thorough head and neck massage “my favorite aspect of any spa experience. After my wrap, she applied a generous application of lotion and handed me a sweet treat “a chocolate-covered strawberry “the last of my five senses needing attention. The soft music is individually controlled as is the heat, which helps create an individualized experience for the guest. Not once during my visit did I feel like I was on a spa conveyer belt, being shuttled or rushed.

Touch

The Awakening the Senses Facial followed a similar protocol for the body treatment (chromatherapy, aromatherapy, etc.) However, unlike most facials, this one is designed to be 100 percent soothing, so extractions are not utilized (finally!). Featuring the skincare line Astara, the therapist proceeded to mask, scrub, and massage every last inch of tension from my face. Finally, as per my earlier treatment, she escorted me to the Whisper Lounge, handing me another treat to delight my taste buds.

After treatments, guests are led to the Whisper Lounge, an indoor space on the lower floor, with a private fireplace, a covered outdoor lounge area, and sweeping views of the forest beyond. My husband and I settled into our chaise lounges, enjoying the Mighty Leaf tea offered, only sharing the expansive space with one other couple.

The following day, Steven and I enjoyed the water amenities at the spa, including their signature hydromassage waterfalls, positioned at four and eight-feet intervals to offer varied intensities. Set amongst local boulders and rocks excavated from the building site, the waterfalls, which boast picturesque views of the forest, are a fabulous way to relax before or after a treatment. The spa also features an indoor pool as well as an outdoor infinity-edge Jacuzzi, creating a feeling of privacy, despite the proximity to the other public spaces.

After our spa waterfall journey, we enjoyed a Couple’s Native Sage Stone massage in one of their couple’s suites, replete with soaking tubs and showers, for longer experiences. Here, the basalt stones are soaked in sage oil, and then incorporated into a Swedish style massage; the stones and the penetrating heat allow for a deeper opening of the body.

Sight

From the floor-to-ceiling windows and the ever-present natural glow, it’s hard not to feel like you’re at one with nature while visiting the Lodge. During the summer months, guests can borrow the property’s kayak and paddle around the lake, while in the cooler months, they’re more apt to be found nestled around the fire pit, just steps from the Lodge. Every morning, guided walks around the property are available and several times a week more advanced hikes, that require prior registration, are scheduled, maximizing the Lodge’s location. Golfers are equally satiated, as they have access to Woodloch Pines Springs Country Club course across the street, where they might end up bumping elbows with the Lopis’s, both of whom are avid golfers.

Scent

For anyone who grew up in the mountains, clean mountain air has a familiar essence, one that too many of us have forgotten in our lives in the city. With its secluded location, the Lodge has a distinct advantage over many other resorts; it doesn’t have to create a false scent with candles. A fresh, natural feel exists throughout the property. During mealtime, of course, you’ll find yourself seduced back to Tree, to discover which scents Chef Bolyard will use to enliven your taste buds.

As veterans in the spa industry, the Lopis’s are familiar with some of the downfalls of spa resorts. Frequently guests feel fragmented or separate from the larger picture, or as I mentioned earlier, feel as if they’re moving on a spa conveyer belt. Not so at the Lodge at Woodloch; from my spinning class with fitness director, Antonio Grajo, where I saw a married couple high-five themselves after a grueling workout, to the sing-alongs at the bar, the Lodge has married five-star amenities and seclusion with comfort and casualness, ultimately creating a true spa community.

In the end, after several days of treatments, healthy fare, and fresh air, were my senses awakened? Sure, but I think a more accurate assesment would be to say that they were seduced.

Address book:

(866) 953-8500, www.lodgeatwoodloch.com