The Lodge at Woodloch — Hotel in Honesdale

TL;DR - It’s a really lovely resort that allows you to choose your own type of wellness. The grounds of the property are immaculate. The staff and the classes really make the experience. The spa is great but can also be hit or miss and can get crowded. And there are some things that can be improved (particularly at this price point). ||||A small essay of my greats, goods, mehs, and gripes.||||First Impressions - After a windy journey up some interesting roads, arriving at the resort was an immediate delight. I was greeted by the security gate and directed to the valet, who promptly whisked my car away and took all my luggage. Check-in was quick, and the front desk staff were incredibly friendly, giving us a tour of the building. We were then directed to the spa for a tour, which was very helpful for getting acclimated. We went for a walk to explore while our room was being prepared and were quite impressed. The grounds are impeccably maintained and manicured. There are mostly paved paths directing you around the property, and anything not paved is well-groomed. There are even just arbitrary hammocks for your lounging delight. The grounds are lush, foliage is plentiful, the dock on the lake is perfect, and it’s fairly impossible to get lost since everything loops. Overall, there was lots of “ooo-ing” and “ahh-ing” the entire time! We were also blessed with the most lovely and mild weather. ||||The Room - Our room was ready a short while before check-in time, and we were happy to settle into our 2nd-floor double veranda room facing the gardens. The room was generally nice—spacious, with a large closet, double vanity bathroom, two very comfortable beds, a TV, nice patio, etc. However, it didn’t feel very luxurious or even particularly resort-like, which was a bit of a surprise. It’s just your standard run-of-the-mill nice room, somewhat akin to a Marriott with a bit more cottagey personality. It would have been nice to have at least a teapot in the room. There is tea and coffee available in the garden room until 5 p.m., but after that, you have to ask the restaurant, which can be a chore if you want a cup of sleepy tea before bed.||||The Classes - After settling into our rooms, we immediately dashed off to a jewelry-making class. Be sure to follow their instructions and book classes in advance because it can get busy, and the popular ones do fill up. Our first class was with Jill, who was an absolute gem and had the patience of a saint as we fumbled with our wire to wrap around beads. We ended up taking a few classes with Jill, including a landscape acrylic class, a drawing mushrooms in the moonlight class, an oil pastel water lilies class, and a clay class. Each of these was super fun, appropriate for all skill levels, and well-designed. They also have a nice video and screen teaching setup, so you can follow along. We also took an outdoor watercolor class with Debra, which was lovely, and it was so nice to do art outside. ||||Interlude at Blackmore Farm - My favorite class of the whole week was sun printing in the garden with Sara at Blackmore Farm. She is a fantastic well of knowledge and willing to share everything with you. It’s actually a cyanotype class, which on a sunny day is incredibly satisfying. It’s also a great way to see the farm. You can choose to print pretty much any plant, weed, fern, flower, rock, wood, etc., so it’s also an opportunity for endless and forgiving creativity. Definitely recommend a farm tour! ||We even took a ukulele class with Veronica, which was something I would have never tried had I not had an opportunity like this. It was so fun and approachable. For someone who has never played a musical instrument in my life, I now want to get a ukulele and play "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." Thanks, Veronica! It’s truly a testament to your great teaching.||||We also sampled some fitness classes, including basic vinyasa yoga, foam rolling, kneading classes, and wall yoga. The wall yoga with Alyssa was incredible and something you have to try at least once. Never in my life did I think I’d be comfortable hanging upside down in a harness on a wall I scaled myself, but she made it so easy, approachable, and ensured all of us were safe. One of the coolest classes I’ve done. We also did some hatchet throwing and archery. Ian made me feel like an actual archery pro, making sure to set us up for success, watching our shots, critiquing our stances, and getting us to a place where we consistently improved, and of course, taking excellent photos. I appreciated that you could also bike, birdwatch, fish, kayak, eat s’mores, and play pickleball all day. Many charred marshmallows are still bouncing around in my stomach.||||I can’t say enough good things about the teachers we had. They were all amazing, accommodating, attentive, helpful, and seemed genuinely invested.||||I do wish there were a few more evening classes or activities available, like bedtime or wind-down yoga (even a short stretch session). It was clear some guests were looking for activities at night that were not bingo or karaoke.||||The Gym and Equipment - We also visited the gym on our own to get some lifts in. It’s generally a nice space with solid equipment but is not state-of-the-art and frustratingly lacks racks, bars, or plates for weight lifting. It does have a good array of machines, dumbbells, and benches, which were fine substitutes. It was also a bit silly that the gym isn’t open all the time. I really like a late-night treadmill walk or mini lift, and that just wasn’t feasible. An intensely specific complaint (given we did a lot of yoga) is that the yoga mats are the thinnest I have ever encountered. They could spend a few extra dollars to get some cushier mats, as it was noticeable when every attendee in class was getting blankets for their tushes.||||The Food - The food menus initially impressed me and were certainly one of the highlights, with tasty options and generous portions. They offer choices for vegans, vegetarians, and pescatarians and are fantastic at asking about allergies and accommodating a wide range of restrictions and preferences.||||The menus could get a little tedious and weren’t always executed to perfection. Let me explain: the breakfast and lunch menus stay the same all week (with a special or two for lunch), and the addition of small buffet-style offerings and salad bar at lunch which may have a special or two, and then dinner rotates between an A and B menu for the week (with again a special or two). So if you’re there for more than a few days, you’re going to see some of the same things repeatedly. For dinner, this really wasn’t an issue since the menu is extensive, but for meals like lunch, it got tedious quickly. We started with dinner on our first day, and it was lovely. Our server was attentive and helpful, and we were impressed by the appetizers, salads, entrees, and desserts, except that my steak came out quite overcooked. The server handled this spectacularly—took one look after I made a sad face and whisked it away for a new one. The pavlova was my favorite dessert, and I enjoyed it so much that I had it several nights in a row.||||When the food was good, it was VERY good—well-seasoned and genuinely delightful. I still think about the octopus I got as a special. When it was mediocre (like the chicken, asparagus, and rice I had at lunch), it was frustrating and disappointing. I literally had to season my chicken with lemon, salt, and pepper, and pour a little of my friend’s soup on top because it was a bland palette of blandness.||||While I appreciate that wellness is really what you choose to make of it at this resort, I also wished for some healthier and lighter options overall. I appreciated the salad bar available at lunch, but some nice seasonal salads on the lunch menu would be nice - even totally cliché spa food like quinoa salad, summer rolls, zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice, etc. I think food can still be light but generous, and I know food is where a lot of guests get their money’s worth.||||The meal times are also particularly odd with a lack of options in between. Breakfast ends at 9:30 a.m., leaving you a weird gap until lunch starts at 11:30 a.m. Prime snack time is between lunch and dinner, and again—no solid options. They do offer an à la carte menu for between lunch and dinner where you can pay for some options, and they put out some cookies or cupcakes at 3 p.m., but that’s pretty much it for snacks (aside from some granola you can find at the gym and spa, and bowls of fresh fruit). I personally do not want a green apple or orange after my cardio fitness class. It’s just really odd to me that there are not actual small or large options available for in-between meals (even like crudités, or dips, or mini healthy snacks). You can get around the timing and snack conundrum by asking for your meals to go (which you can pick up or they can deliver), but this takes a bit of planning and strategy on your part.||||In addition, there are wellness drinks (quite a few therapeutic lattes that sounded very cool), but they all come with an additional charge, which feels incredibly strange for a wellness resort. While it absolutely makes sense that alcohol would come at an additional charge, it doesn’t mean that a golden milk latte or a matcha latte should cost an additional $18 (with the menu price and the service charge).||||The Spa - The spa is lovely, and that, of course, is why many guests are here in the first place! I was impressed and overwhelmed by my first spa tour. I also loved that plush, fluffy robes and slippers are available at every corner, and many people just wander around all day in a robe for breakfast and lunch (you don’t need real clothes until dinner!). On our second afternoon, we took full advantage of the spa. We showered and settled into the steam room, went to the sauna and snow room, dipped in the indoor hot tub/waterfall, and read for a bit in the all-season patio. We then headed outside to lounge on the loungers, visited the outdoor hot tub, and did the sauna and snow room all over again. I will say the loungers are a bit disappointing—just thin mesh lounge chairs with no cushion. I’m sure they are much easier to clean, but they’re not very luxurious. We took lovely showers and enjoyed all the amenities in the kit provided and sunned ourselves like little lizards with the heat lamp that’s in the shower rooms. They also have hair products, combs, straighteners, etc. that you can ask for. I also particularly appreciated the quiet and social lounges downstairs, which were great places to relax.||My massage with Andrea was incredible. I cannot say enough good things! I did a massage with a scalp add-on and it was delightful in every way. ||||While spacious at first glance, the spa facilities can actually get quite cramped. I was taken to the whisper lounge after my treatment, and every chair was occupied except for the straight-back corner banquettes, which kind of defeats the purpose of being a content loaf after treatment. There was an evening when every single lounger outside was taken, and there were ten people in the outdoor hot tub. I really don’t know how you manage the crowd control when you want guests to be able to use the facilities without treatments. Maybe some sort of sign in log? Encouraging people to come at certain blocks? Something about even and odd number rooms? I don't have a perfect solution for this. This is compounded by the fact that the indoor pool is chlorinated, so you can’t really lounge by the indoor pool because it smells like chlorine. I really wish they had more outdoor options for the spa. I didn’t see anyone at the indoor pool except during classes or taking short dips after the hot tub. More hydrotherapy options would also be lovely. The indoors is a great option when the weather isn’t ideal, but on a nice day, it’s no fun to be inside.||||It can also be understaffed, particularly at busy times when everyone is trying to take a shower. Attendants are frantically trying to get towels for people, restock amenities, manage guests, and pick up the constant barrage of towels. They are clearly doing an amazing job and trying so hard, but sometimes it’s impossible to keep up. I saw an attendant take away a basket of towels and then 3 guests drop in like 12 more.||||Spa services aren’t included so it’s also important to factor that in if important to you and book that in advance if you have specific services or times you want. ||||Sign-Ups and Online Access - Their online booking system has been down for months, which is quite a nightmare. I know the staff are also desperately waiting for it to come back up, but it has made the whole booking experience a pain. It took a few weeks of back and forth to figure out dates and pricing, and then calling to book, and then they couldn’t take a deposit, then they called to request one, and everything involved a lot of back-and-forth calls with their lines remaining busy. Once the schedule is released, you also have to call or email to book classes, which feels like an extra step. I would recommend booking your classes in advance because they can fill up quickly! Everyone is also wandering around with their papers or picking up new ones. While I support their disconnection from phones policy, the whole experience would have been vastly improved by a resort app (and would save a lot of paper). Everyone is on their phone anyway even if it's on silent. Even if it an app just to let you view and sign up for classes, it would make it much easier for people to drop in and give others a chance to have space. An app could also help build your own itinerary with meal times and non-class activities. Their current booking and concierge structure is not always practical.||||Conclusion - That’s it! That’s literally everything I can think of. This was a really lovely wellness spa that lets you choose an array of wellness - whether you just want to lounge at the spa, be super active all the time, explore your inner artist, try something new, try watersports, or just be in nature - it has it all. I was consistently impressed by the staff and how pleasant and accommodating they were and it truly made the experience. I was also impressed at the array of things there were to do. Like an endless adult summer camp with yummy food. There were just a few things that I raised an eyebrow about given price, rating, and marketing. If the timing and the schedule worked out I would still totally come back and be just slightly...

My 5th stay was AMAZING as usual- My Happy Place!

Advice for newbies: Make the most of your stay! Come as early as possible on your check-in day (I try to arrive by 9am) so you can take advantage of classes and activities, and leave as late as possible! The front desk will hold your luggage so you can still access your belongings even if you don't have access to your room. They give you a complementary bag to carry around as well as a water bottle to refill.

You can do as little or as much as you desire here at the Lodge- I usually try to over-plan and then play it by ear. I print out the activity schedule ahead of time and highlight the classes/activities I am interested in, booking any that need reservations. Go to the spa desk to add or change activity reservations. I suggest trying things outside your comfort zone (For example, where else do you get to learn how to use nunchucks, aquatic pole-dancing, TRX yoga, ping pong pickleball, fat tire biking, etc?) Not artistic? Try an art class anyway! No one judges you, and it feels good to play in the art studio. Go on walks, guided or not!

I highly highly advise making dinner reservations for the first seating/5:30- Dinner takes at least 2 hours and involves a few courses. This can take awhile and if you want to do an 8/8:30 evening activity, you'll need to eat EARLY. You do not need to make breakfast or lunch reservations. If you are not familiar with this style of dining, the stay includes 3 meals per night and you can order anything (and everything!) off the menu- which means multiple courses/salad bar included! No need to share apps or debate whether to have the salad, too... it's all included! People come in workout/athleisure attire (or robes!) for breakfast and lunch, but it's expected that you change for dinner (jeans/pants and a sweater/blouse are just fine!)

I usually go easy my second day- hanging out in the spa, one of the 4 hot tubs (the outside one is to die for!), reading, walking or biking outdoors, etc. Sometimes I get a spa service, sometimes not! I don't feel the need to, there's so much else to do. Bring a bathing suit! There are private showers complete with ALL toiletries (even shaving supplies) at the spa, so even if you have checked out of your room, you can still bathe at the spa when you are finished.

Little things I appreciate: The smell! The Lodge has its own signature scent- Rosemary Lavender- can't get enough! The public bathrooms have bird sounds playing, which is delightful. There is tea in 5 different locations, as well as granola/fruit available all day. They strongly encourage you to be phone-free and it feels great to unplug! All the plants and flowers are REAL, and tended to daily. There is a full-service bar but I usually bring a bottle of wine to keep in my hotel fridge and borrow a wine glass from the bar.

Don't be afraid to come alone! I have come alone 4/5 of my stays and it's become a respite from my busy life. I usually come in the dreary months of Feb/March when I need a pick-me-up. I cherish the time and never really feed alone, because the staff here are so nice, accommodating, and friendly!

I took note of a few of my absolute favorite Woodloch staff to give a special shout out- Joan and Leah from floral- so eager to share their knowledge and chat with me about the various plants and floral arrangements around the resort! They truly love their job and it shows! Next we have Courtney and Jim from dining- real treasures! Nothing seems to fluster them and they are such a pleasure to talk to. I am blown away by how they both recognized me, even though I only come once a year! I just met Aurora from dining for the first time but she was soooooo nice, as well (Everyone is nice, but I like to mention people by name!) Last but certainly not least, the always smiling bellman Armando- what a pleasure to interact with him, as always! Speaking of smiling, Robert at the gatehouse always starts my stay off on the right note- with a huge and welcoming smile and greeting!

I hope you love it there as...

My husband and I had a fantastic Memorial Day weekend getaway at the lodge. While we've experienced a few luxury resorts in the past, there were some areas where we felt there could be improvements. Nevertheless, our overall experience was thoroughly enjoyable, and we cherished our time spent here.

The hospitality at the lodge was exceptional, with everyone displaying genuine warmth. Participating in the diverse array of classes was undoubtedly the highlight of our stay. Ryan's Birds 101 session was particularly memorable; his impeccable owl mimicry enchanted the birds, creating a truly magical experience. Art's guided gnome geocaching tour not only provided entertainment but also offered invaluable insight into the property's layout; I highly recommend starting your adventure with this activity. Chris's lettering class was both enlightening and engaging, while the "Find Your Inner Herbalist" session proved to be incredibly enriching. The honey bee class, led by the knowledgeable and affable farmer Sam, was not only adorable but also highly informative. What truly set these classes apart was the evident passion each instructor had for their craft, making each session truly unforgettable.

Attending the garden lunch was an absolute delight; the cuisine was both delicious and enlightening. I wholeheartedly recommend this experience to anyone seeking a culinary adventure.

The spa was a haven of beauty, and the treatments offered were truly exceptional. My husband and I indulged in the facial couples massage and body ritual, which left us both feeling utterly rejuvenated. Throughout our visit, the staff made us feel completely at ease with their warm and attentive service. Not only did the treatments alleviate any soreness, but they also melted away all traces of stress, leaving us feeling thoroughly renewed and relaxed.

Finally, I must mention my admiration for the lodge owner, who sported unique pants every day. From Pokémon to Minecraft, and even donning American flag pants on Memorial Day, his choices added an extra layer of charm to our experience. His thoughtful gesture of joining us for lunch to extend his greetings made us feel truly valued. In a way, he resembled a real-life "Where's Waldo?" character at the lodge, embodying the spirit of fun and hospitality. What a remarkable individual!

As for the cons I don’t have a lot but a few that I think could make the place better.

for the price I’m paying I think it’s crazy they let outsiders come into the lodge for the spa a lot of them were rude loud and hogging the pool or sauna. For $1600 a night it should be a little bit more exclusive

-some of the place needs remodel the bathrooms definetly I went to the spa for the daily rituals and the bathroom was beautiful the bathrooms in the main women’s spa and hotel room should be the same they don’t feel luxury they feel very outdated. The toilet in my room was very uncomfortable having a plastic seat… just felt out of place for the price.

the toilet paper 1 ply or very cheap? Really for $1600? We don’t get nice toilet paper 😅

drinks on the menu were delicious but so overly priced $17-20.00 for a simple cocktail is nuts I think my husband and I had 2 mimosas each and it ended up being $80

if you order stuff on the menu that cost extra like drinks they just give u a receipt of the item u ordered and the cost of it then say +20% tip +taxes and they don’t tell you the final price with the tip and taxes they just write it down in pen. they really should show the final price not just the individual items you ordered price it felt a little scummy and unprofessional.

Lastly their online scheduling service has been down for almost month and their website is outdated and hard to use. I wish it was more of a priority to fix.

Overall, our experience was delightful, though I do wish it were a tad more affordable since we want to go back and do more classes. Perhaps in the future, we'll have the opportunity to return and relive the...