The Lodge at Woodloch

A multi-sensory sanctuary

By SANDY LONG

HAWLEY, PA — As you step from your car into the porte-cochere, you are greeted warmly, escorted into the Garden Hall with its massive French iron chandelier and led to three frost-white crystal bowls. Your host selects a mallet, touches it to the harmonically tuned Heart Chakra bowl and a deeply felt vibration expands to fill the glass, stone and wood entry hall.

Your senses begin to awaken. This is not an accident. It is the intention of John and Ginny Lopis, owners of The Lodge at Woodloch, in Hawley, PA, that your experience at their 40,000 square-foot destination spa is a multi-sensory extravaganza.

To the left lie 58 luxurious guest rooms overlooking the property’s 15-acre lake or a rock garden waterfall feature. To the right await many health-promoting services obtained in the spa’s 27 treatment rooms, as well as separate retreat areas for women and men. Subdued and artful lighting leads through halls and lounges appointed with beautiful artwork and satisfying expressions of color and texture—Italian glass mosaic tiles, wrought-iron embellishments, fiery blown glass lampshades.

A destination spa with a difference

“Destination spas are all about the spa experience,” says chief operating officer, Ginny Michel Lopis. She and husband Dr. John Lopis share an accomplished history of spa design and operation. “We have a great collaboration. We share the same vision and have nicely balancing skills and expertise,” says Ginny.

For 25 years, the couple has managed resorts across the country, from Canyon Ranch in Tucson, AZ, to Doral Saturnia International Spa Resort in Miami, FL. They began looking for a location where they could realize their own dreams and found one just across the road from Woodloch Springs, a private golf community in Hawley, and the associated Woodloch Pines, a four-season family resort. The 37-million-dollar spa resort is nestled within 75 wooded acres.

A partnership with Woodloch president and owner John Kiesendahl, and other Woodloch Springs homeowners, allow guests and residents access to each other’s facilities and provide the Lopises with an important extra—a championship golf course.

Inviting nature in

Views of the outdoor setting are integral to every aspect of the experience. Guests can work out in the cardio-fitness center, relax in various lounges and even receive manicures and pedicures while gazing through windows on the natural world, while some facilities, like the Horizon Whirlpool, are located outside.

“The foundation of our spa program is based on nature,” says spa director Leslie Johnson, who brings 25 years of experience in the health and wellness industry to her position. “We aim for a holistic approach. Our therapists are guided to bring who they are into the experience.” Johnson is certified in iridology and Touch for Health Kinesiology and co-authored “Soundshifting, The Art of Authentic Expression,” with sound healer, Tryshe Dhevney.

Customized treatments such as facials, mud baths and massages incorporate sound, taste, touch, aroma and sight. Specialized services like Native Sage Stone Massage and Lavender Garden Dream are offered in both wet and dry treatment rooms. There is also a 3,500-square-foot cardio/weight training studio featuring the latest Cybex equipment, and disciplines such as Pilates and meditation are offered in the spa’s Oak, Willow and Linden rooms.

Fine dining and spirits

The 82-seat restaurant, Tree, offers gourmet spa cuisine. Executive chef Lyle Bolyard prepares a healthy and tasteful menu with an eight-day rotation so that guests aren’t subjected to repetition. A separate private demonstration kitchen, where classes and cooking demos are conducted, accommodates another 20 guests who learn specialized cooking techniques on Viking professional equipment.

At the Tapas Bar, there is a tap system where “once in a lifetime” wines can be purchased by the glass, in addition to a variety of international champagnes, top-shelf West Coast liquors and organic options for beer and wine. A juice bar and afternoon teas round out the offerings.

In addition to these indoor facilities, a Fire Circle Patio offers an outdoor entertainment area for drumming, storytelling and live music. A small deck overlooking the lake can be used for private picnics or barbecues. An art studio will allow for creative exploration as guests work with clay, take photographs on nature hikes and paint or draw.

And although the facility only opened at the end of June, the owners intend to add an element of spontaneity to the overall experience, with magicians or instrumentalists moving through the lodge and delighting guests.

A minimum two-night stay is required for those choosing lodging, but guests can alternatively purchase half- or full-day packages and also enjoy fine dining in Tree.

For more information, visit thelodgeatwoodloch.com, or call 570/685-8612.