Summer 2020 is set to be a memorable one for various reasons. While Coronavirus has affected our lives on many different levels, one thing it has done has made everyone realize just how important it is to appreciate time with your loved ones. Our goal has become simple this year – to slow down, soak in the summer sun and create lasting family memories like never before. The perfect place to get away and spend quality time together is Woodloch resort.
The exceptional four-season Poconos family resort is all about bringing people together, and they have been experts at doing so for over 60 years. From the exceptional hospitality, endless games, sports and fun activities – nothing compares to the memories made at Woodloch. There is a magic here that cannot be replicated.
It’s easy to see why Woodloch is voted as one of America’s top Family Resorts year after year. Read on as we take a closer look at Summers at Woodloch.
Wellness Efforts: A New Age of Precaution
It’s important to start with wellness in these uneasy times of Covid-19. We were impressed with the abundance of well perfected, meticulous safety precautions that were in place at Woodloch resort, and were pleased to hear that they are working closely with the CDC, World Health Organization (WHO), OSHA and local and national government advisors who have helped them create an amazing program to ensure guest safety. A few highlights:
- Pulling into the parking lot there is an arrival wellness check. In this tent guests will have their temperature taken.
- Masks are required in all public indoor locations and any outdoor location where social distancing cannot be maintained (but not required in the pool or for outdoor classes/physical activity as long as social distancing can be maintained).
- Existing and enhanced housekeeping procedures that exceed industry standards. (Upon checking in our room the remote control was even in a Ziploc bag, fully sanitized and cleaned for our visit.)
- All classes and activities are booked in advance through Woodloch’s App. This allows Woodloch to space out visits and monitor and cap class sizes for social distancing. It also allows for proper sanitizing between guests.
- Sanitizing procedures. We were most impressed with the great lengths Woodloch went to sanitize equipment and activities. Between each and every visit we saw handles being wiped down, sports equipment being sanitized, and life preserves being cleaned with disinfectant.
- Additional hand sanitizing stations were also placed in common areas and next to every activity.
The diligence and commitment to safety measures was seen through the property. We never once felt compromised or unsafe during our stay – and we can’t thank Woodloch enough for going above and beyond with their measures to ensure the safety of each and every guest.
The measures mentioned above are just a very few of the precautions that Woodloch has taken. See all procedures detailed in full here.
Family Friendly Hospitality
Woodloch has been owned and operated with pride by the Kiesendahl family since 1958. Their signature hospitality and nurturing spirit of spending quality time with family and friends is truly what makes Woodloch so special. You know when you walk into a business and you can tell that everyone truly LOVES their job? When the staff has such a passion for what they are doing and when everyone you meet is (genuinely) so happy and lovely? This is Woodloch. Their staff will become your friends and just as memorable as the vacation. We felt so welcomed, and greeted with the kindest and most heart-felt hospitality at every single meal, event, and activity. It is this magic that makes Woodloch so different, and it is this magic that keeps guests returning year after year. During our visit we met guests 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 being able to help create incredible family memories.
All Inclusive Vacations
Woodloch is about bringing people together, and having a ton of fun doing it. Each vacation includes over 30 scheduled activities daily, numerous amenities, and world-class nightly entertainment – for no extra fee! Every morning guests can review the resort’s daily offerings on a printed page or app. One column lists the dining options and locations, another the resort amenities – such as the indoor and outdoor pools, bumper cars and boats. The back of the sheet shows all activities which Woodloch is known for – trivia contests, bakery wars, bingo, sport competitions, and nightly entertainment options. All are child friendly and geared specifically towards teamwork and spending quality time together
Dinnertime with the Family
Dinnertime is one of the most important times of the week – gathering around a table together is the ultimate way to connect after a busy day. There are a number of different dining plans at Woodloch for guests to choose from. The all inclusive American Plan Packages include 2-3 meals. We had the 3 meal plan during our stay, and enjoyed 3 full course meals a day which included our choice of appetizer, entrée, and dessert from a menu that included a wide range of food options (including meals for vegetarians and all dietary restrictions). Aside from the main entrée choices, children’s favorites such as hotdogs, pizza and chicken fingers were available as well. The food was delicious! There are also quick bite ala carte options on-site at North Lodge Bar, Gigi’s Coffee Shop, the Poolside Bar, and Lake Grill.
Woodloch serves meal plans in either the main dining room overlooking the lake, or an (awesome!) BBQ lunch cookout on the great lawn during the summer. In times of Covid-19, all meals can be ordered in advance, at no extra charge, and packaged as take-out to enjoy in your guest room, on the patio, or the many outdoor picnic areas.
Mountain Retreat
As each family’s needs are unique – so are the lodging options at Woodloch. We loved how they offered 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 retreats perfect for large family gatherings, there is something here for everyone.
Looking for something specific – Woodloch offers a variety of amenities, such as eat in kitchenettes, in-suite washer and dryers, multiple bedrooms, and suites that have separate bathrooms. 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, a terrace, and gorgeous lake views from our bedroom. The room was perfect for our needs, and we appreciated the two separate bathrooms and closets.
Summer of Memories – Summer at Woodloch
Woodloch’s stunning property truly shines during the summer months! From countless summer outdoor activities in their gorgeous picture perfect mountain lake setting – there is no better place to celebrate Summer with the family. The lake serves as the backdrop to many of the activities -which includes swimming, fishing and boating.
What watercraft floats your boat? A rowboat, paddle boat or kayak? Or would you rather take a pontoon for a ride, sail away on a wind guided sailboat, or glide across the water on a paddle boarding adventure? Can you believe that Woodloch has every single one of these boats available for use on their property (and are included in your stay!).
Boating is just the beginning to Summer fun! Woodloch offers a sandy beach and lakeside swimming area, outdoor pool, a beach volleyball court, a lakefront 9-hole mini golf course, endless yard games and a brand new 3-story tall jungle gym area for play.
Activities include bumper cars AND bumper boats, archery, scavengers hunts, rock climbing, batting cages, nature trails for hikes, bocce and shuffleboard, and so much more. It becomes not a question of what did you do, but what DIDN’T you do after a stay at Woodloch!
There is also an arcade, arts and crafts room, miniature bowling, and a fun indoor play space called the Woodloch Forest that is perfect for kids of all ages.
Ticket to Fun – Daily Entertainment
Step right up – to fun entertainment, games and prizes. From outdoor Olympics competitions, theme games and events, athletic or family challenge competitions, their famous carnival games (spin on the Midway games we’ve all come to love on the boardwalk), there is endless daytime fun to be had at Woodloch. All athletic competitions award (the coveted) Woodloch medals for the top finishers, and the carnivals award prizes for tickets. These may have been our families favorite events – and winning a gold medal was an experience we will never forget.
We especially loved the nighttime activities that were offered at Woodloch. During our stay we participated in a Bingo competition, and (the infamous!) Horse Racing event. Woodloch also offers incredible musical performances, comedians, magicians and so much more. There is truly something for every age and every guest.
So many memories from our visit! This is not our first visit to Woodloch – the Winter months are amazing as well! Read about our experience HERE. Woodloch’s magic will definitely be part of our family tradition for years to come.
Do you love Woodloch as much as we do? For the second year in a row, they have been nominated by USA Today’s 10Best Awards as the “Best Family Resort in America.” Help them win – cast your vote for them HERE.
Woodloch Pines Resort. 731 Welcome Lake Rd, Hawley, PA
For more information or to book a stay, visit the website HERE.
A huge thank you to Woodloch for sponsoring our visit. As always, all opinions are our own.
