A busy, diverse activity schedule keeps guests happy at (and coming back to) The Lodge at Woodloch.
Traditionally, day and destination spas cater to the female demographic, offering outings and packages that combine manicures with massages that are ideal for “girls’ nights.” While that model has been successful for much of the industry, it can be limiting, and leave half of the population untapped.
The Lodge at Woodloch, in Hawley, Pa., has stood out from the ladies-only spa crowd by offering diverse amenities that appeal to both men and women. Spa Director Nancy Deaton says that 40% of the spa’s guests are male, largely because of the outdoor adventure department that the resort has developed for its Pocono Mountains location.
“In some guys’ minds, there’s a stigma attached to spas,” Deaton explains. “We have so much more than just spa treatments.”
Guests at Woodloch have the option of hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, gardening and using the archery range on the spa’s 150 acres, as well as kayaking, flyfishing and stand-up paddle boarding on the 15-acre private lake. Other outdoor options are offered off-site as well, led by the lodge’s outdoor adventure team.
“The first time, men come because their wives want to come. But the second time they come, the men are all about it,” Deaton laughs.
The lodge also appeals to men through the craft beer craze. The spa began a partnership with Milton, Del.-based Dogfish Head Brewery two years ago, and in addition to offering traditional ways to imbibe through beer (and wine) tastings and pairing dinners, the spa also offers beer treatments.
“Beer has properties of softening and conditioning the skin with the hops, which we grow here on the property,” Deaton explains. “Our ‘muds and suds’ body treatment incorporates exfoliation with hops and barley, then a massage. After the treatment, guests can go to the Whisper Lounge, a quiet place, and enjoy a cold beer there.”
Smell of Success
The Lodge at Woodloch also offers standard spa treatments that frequently incorporate the property’s signature scent, rosemary, which emits an earthy rather than flowery smell. The herb is grown on-site by the spa’s master gardener, and the master herbalist combines various herbs on a seasonal basis to enhance guest rooms.
The theme of the spa’s design, Deaton says, is to let nature nurture. The 40,000-sq. ft. spa incorporates ample natural light and walls of windows, accompanied by a taupe-brown-green color palette. Natural stone is also used throughout, with stone fireplaces that create a cozy feeling.
Located about 90 miles from New York City, the lodge frequently welcomes guests who live in apartments and often do not have regular access to green space. A gardening program allows those guests to get in touch with the earth, Deaton says, and an orchard is being installed this year, into which the property’s honeybee hive will be moved.
“Guests are so focused on getting back to simple and clean eating,” says Deaton. “They can spend time with the gardener, who can teach them how to companion-plant vegetables and flowers, and how to do it in a small space.”
The lodge’s restaurant, Tree, provides guests with all meals during their stay, incorporating items from the garden as much as possible. When guests stay overnight, the spa concierge reaches out beforehand to help schedule treatments, pick out activities, and determine if they have dietary restrictions, such as nut allergies, gluten-free, vegan or kosher requirements.
A New Awakening
With an ear to the ground on fitness and health trends, the lodge is now offering a sleep program. “Sleep is definitely a hot topic,” says Deaton. “Probably none of us get enough of it, and it’s so important for everyone’s well-being.”
The lodge recently invested in new mattresses for its 57 guest rooms, and offers a pillow menu with six styles to choose from. The sleep concierge works with guests to plan a stay that will enhance their sleep, instructing them on how to get the most out of their sleeping hours.
The lodge also seeks to allow guests to “refocus on the self,” which, Deacon explains, often involves encouraging them to reconnect with their creative side. Since the property opened in 2006, it has offered art classes that include an introduction to drawing, watercolors, mosaics, pastels and more. The classes are frequently full with wait-lists, Deaton says, and range in size from 8 to 20 students, depending on the amount of one-on-one attention needed.
When staying overnight, the rate that guests pay includes all activities, which, in addition to outdoor adventures, spa treatments, gardening, meals and art classes, also includes 25 daily fitness classes and cooking demonstrations.
“We’re about choices for our guests, not a strict plan for you to follow,” Deaton says. “If you want to come and relax and curl up with a good book, do that. If you want to jumpstart weight loss, we can help with that, and if you want to get out and be active, you can do that, too. We figure out what guests are looking for, and design a stay that fits.”
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