The holiday season this year will be a special one. After one and a half years of the pandemic, many are finally able to travel and safely reconnect again with loved ones. We are able to finally hug those grandparents, get back together with family members, and safely enjoy quality time together. Never before have the holidays held such special meaning.
This Holiday season is all about being together. The perfect place to get back together and to spend quality holiday time together is Woodloch Resort.
Woodloch offers unique all-inclusive vacation experiences that embrace the spirit of spending quality time together. Set in a stunning Pocono mountain setting – Woodloch offer guests the perfect way to reconnect and create special memories together as a family during the holiday season. You will never forget a trip to Woodloch. There is magic here that cannot be found anywhere else.
Woodloch has been named one of the “Best Inclusive Family Resorts” multiple times, and it’s easy to see why. Read on as we take a closer look at the magic of Holidays spent at Woodloch.
Family Friendly Hospitality – Behind the Woodloch Resort
Woodloch has been lovingly owned and operated by the Kiesendahl family since 1958. Their signature hospitality and nurturing spirit of spending quality time with friends and family is the magic behind Woodloch, and what makes this resort so special. We felt so welcomed and greeted with the kindest and most heartfelt hospitality at every single meal, event, and activity. It truly felt as if we were visiting old family and friends. You are not just a guest at the resort, you are part of their family.
It’s this genuine hospitality that keeps guests returning year after year. During our visit, we saw several large family reunions, a group of 15 friends who have made Woodloch an annual “girlfriend weekend” tradition, large birthday celebrations, and more. We even met a family that had been coming to Woodloch for over 20 years and two other families who were visiting for their 6th time! Such a testament to the resort, and to their legacy of creating incredible family memories.
All-Inclusive Vacations – Woodloch Resort
Woodloch is known for bringing people back together. The way they do this is by helping you create memories that you will remember forever. They create these special moments through activities, events, and experiences that make it easy (and fun!) to connect again with loved ones.
Each vacation includes over 30 scheduled activities daily, numerous amenities, and world-class nightly entertainment – for no extra fee! Every morning guests will receive the resort’s daily offerings on a printed sheet at breakfast, with easy-to-read activity listings. One column lists the dining options and locations, another the resort amenities – such as the ice rink, pool, bumper cars, and seasonal offerings. The back of the sheet shows all activities which Woodloch is known for – trivia contests, bakery wars, bingo, scavenger hunts, sporting games and competitions, and nightly entertainment options. All are child-friendly and geared specifically towards teamwork and spending quality time together.
Most are open “walk-up” activities. To help control capacity and alleviate wait times, specific activities are scheduled through an easy-to-use app. We scheduled a few team competitions, a scavenger hunt, and the bakery war on the app. This ensured us a slot with absolutely no wait time (and the app helped us organize our activities for the day!).
We ran to breakfast each morning with excitement, eager to see the daily sheet. Chatting about which activity we were going to try and what games we were going to play set the tone for such a fun family day.
Mealtime with the Family – Woodloch Resort
Mealtime is one of the most important moments of the day. Gathering around a table together is the ultimate way to connect again with each other. Woodloch makes this easy by offering meal plans that allow guests to relax and connect again easily without stress or the bother of cooking.
We had the 3 meal plan during our stay, which was enjoyed in the dining room. The plan included your choice of appetizer, entrée, and dessert from a menu that included a wide range of options (including meals for vegetarians and all dietary restrictions). All sides – such as salads, potatoes, and vegetables were served family-style at the table. Aside from the main entrée choices, children’s favorites such as hotdogs, pizza, and chicken fingers were available as well.
Every breakfast starts off with Woodloch’s (world-famous!) Crumb Cake. I promise it will be one of the best you have ever tasted (and you will be addicted!) to this buttery and crumbly treat. Breakfast options include juice, fruit, oatmeal, and cereal options – to a wide range of egg dishes to their signature waffles. Lunch included salads to sandwiches, burgers, and lighter fare, such as vegetable and hummus platters. Dinner included steak, salmon, and pasta entrees, and a delectable dessert each evening. You will not leave hungry!
There are also quick bite ala carte options on-site at North Lodge Bar, Gigi’s Coffee Shop, the pool, and the deli.
Mountain Retreat
As each family’s needs are unique – so are the lodging options at Woodloch. We loved how they offer something to cater to any family need in a wide range of pricing options. From hotel-style accommodations to walk-up motel-style units and even large guest home retreat perfect for large family gatherings, there is something to cater to everyone.
Accommodations are offered with a variety of amenities, such as eat-in kitchenettes, in-suite washer and dryers, multiple bedrooms, and suites that have separate bathrooms – the options are endless. Many of the accommodations have patios and are only steps from the pool or lakeside excitement. We stayed in the Springbrook Suite – and enjoyed a separate living room from the sleeping area and gorgeous lake views from our bedroom. The room was perfect for our needs (and we couldn’t get enough of this gorgeous view!).
Holiday Fun – Woodloch Resort
It’s truly the most wonderful time of the year at Woodloch – they pull out all the stops for Holiday fun. One of their most popular events is the Yule Log Hunt. Legend has it, whoever finds the holiday “yule log” will have good luck in the new year! The Woodloch staff hides the log somewhere on the property, and then at the count of 3 – guests run out to locate it! Once it is found, Woodloch celebrates with juice, Christmas cookies and egg nog, and a fun Christmas Carol sing-along.
Another favorite was the Bakery Wars! Your team will be given a delicious array of items to build with (and tickets to “buy” extra goodies with) in this thrilling bakery design game. The staff will give you a required list of ingredients, and a holiday theme! Using items such as frosting, muffins, rice crispies, and candies, you then create a themed masterpiece together with your team. Work quickly – you only have a limited amount of time to complete your design. In the end, all designs are judged by the Woodloch staff. Impress the judges, and you could take home the Woodloch medal!
Festival of Lights – Woodloch Resort
Bundle up the family and jump into an open trailer to see Woodloch’s popular Festival of Lights experience. The festival includes an immersive 1/2 mile-long display of seasonal light installations (set to festive music!) through Woodloch’s magical forest. As you ride through you experience a showcase of holiday themes, winter icons, and even holiday movie classics. The grand finale has a fun surprise- Jolly old Saint Nick stops by to say hi! The festival of lights runs from Thanksgiving to New Year’s.
Snow Much Fun – Winters at Woodloch
Wintertime is the perfect time to visit Woodloch. From countless wintery outdoor activities in their gorgeous picture-perfect Pocono mountain setting – there is no better place to celebrate the winter season. Sometimes Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate. No snow? No problem! Once the temperatures dip below freezing – out comes the snow machine! Woodloch builds their signature sledding hill directly on the waterfront, adjacent to the main lodge. Grab a tube for a snowy thrill!
Cool as Ice – Woodloch Resort
Two ice skating experiences are offered at Woodloch – one in a covered outdoor rink on a synthetic polymer, the other directly on the gorgeous lake (once it freezes over, of course). Not just ice skating – the resort organizes fun ice hockey games, ice fishing, and also offers training bars and skate aids for anyone who is still learning.
The Great Outdoors – Outdoor Activities at Woodloch Resort
Mini golf, archery, a climbing wall, playground, and go-carts – there’s so much to explore at Woodloch! All activities are free and included in the stay. (Marshmellows/s’mores materials are extra).
Get Warm Indoors – Indoor Activities at Woodloch Resort
Need to warm up from the winter fun? There are endless things to do in the heated lodge. From bumper cars, basketball court, arts and crafts room, you’ll find it hard to decide on what to do next. There is also an arcade, miniature bowling, and a fun indoor playspace called the Woodloch Forest that is perfect for kids of all ages.
Splash Time! The Pool at Woodloch Resort
Splash into fun at Woodloch’s indoor pool complex. In addition to a regular pool, here you will find a “double corkscrew” super slide, a water tower with a giant bucket that dumps 300 gallons of water every few minutes, and a shallow play area that’s perfect for younger children.
Nightly Entertainment – Woodloch Resort
We especially loved the nightly activities that were offered at Woodloch. During our stay, we participated in Woodloch’s famous (and super popular) Horseracing event! SO. MUCH. FUN. The staff rolls dice and calls out the numbers, which dictate how many spots the wooden horse moves. Place your bets! Winners are paid in cash. Horse Racing is a signature event at Woodloch, and one of our personal favorites. Do not miss this fun experience.
So many memories from our visit! Woodloch’s magic will definitely be part of our family tradition for years to come.
Woodloch Pines Resort. 731 Welcome Lake Rd, Hawley, PA
Appoximently 95 miles from New York City
For more information or to book a stay, visit the website HERE.
A huge thank you to Woodloch for hosting our visit. As always, all opinions are our own.
