The Country's Top Five Destination Spa Resorts

Very few destination spas combine elegance, holistic well-being and culinary excellence all into one special package. The Lodge at Woodloch does it extraordinarily well and has earned the title of the country’s “Top Destination Spa Reort” by Food & Travel.

- Roger Sands

Not all spas are created equally. There are stand-alone spas that cater to a clientele who desire a one or two-hour treatment. These spas provide a wonderful, yet brief respite from the hectic world outside.

Then there are luxurious destination spa resorts, where guests who come for a weekend or week-long getaway are pampered by a wide array of services. In addition to soothing massages, facials and pedicures, these spas offer a full list of holistic and mind/body activities that often include classes on spirituality, creative discovery and various forms of yoga. In essence, they serve as meditative retreats for individuals searching for an enlightened approach to their everyday existence, and they focus on relaxation, wellness, adventure and stress management.

While the approaches may differ, the ultimate goal is to provide participants with the necessary knowledge and tools that will eventually lead to self-fulfillment.

In order to be selected to Food & Travel Magazine’s “Top Five Destination Spa Resorts,” these resorts must not only meet the aforementioned criteria, but should also offer food choices that accommodate every dietary preference and change continually to ensure a variety of selections. Seasonal menus often feature herbs and vegetables grown locally, perhaps in their own gardens, and focus on health and sustainability.

Set on 500 acres with a 15-acre private lake in the pristine lake region of the Po-cono Mountains of northeast Pennsylvania, the Lodge is widely recognized as one of the most luxurious destination spas in the country. Everything from attentive service to elegant accommodations and innovative gourmet dining exudes an atmosphere of first class travel that one expects from such an exquisite property.