The Lodge at Woodloch

A Personal Awakening

With over 35 classes, guests are encouraged to embrace their passions and (re)discover stress-relieving outlets. Spa Director Nancy Deaton says “we love watching our guests return to the ‘real world’ with a new sense of vitality.” Whether indulging in outdoor adventures or letting their worries melt away in the Aqua Garden’s Hydromassage WaterWalls, guests are surrounded by the inspiring wonders of nature. Water in motion is not the only thing engaging their senses. Guests can restore a sense of harmony by enjoying an array of rejuvenating massages, body treatments and facials.

Signature Treatment

The Lodge at Woodloch’s signature treatment is the Rosemary Awakening Body Treatment, (Swedish, 100 minutes/$280 or Deep Tissue, 125 minutes/$365). “Guests will feel invigorated by the Rosemary, Mint, Vetiver and Lemongrass while at the same time a deep sense of relaxation by the soothing of sore muscles and tense areas that are often missed in self-care (scalp and feet),”says Spa Director Nancy.

The treatment begins with a stimulating rosemary and mint body polish that cleanses and detoxifies the skin. The polish contains desert salts and dead sea salts to smooth and refine skin, as well as jojoba and sunflower oil which contains protective, anti-aging properties. The treatment is then followed by a full body massage with hydrating shea butter and warm essential oils of vetiver and lemongrass to help alleviate soreness.

To enhance relaxation, clients are wrapped while experiencing a luxurious scalp massage that balances the seventh chakra and a vitalizing foot massage that completes the awakening experience.

Marketing

Like many successful spas, the team at The Lodge at Woodloch uses traditional targeted advertising on social media, online and in key publications to market their business. They also take advantage of experiential opportunities to attract new customers, such as premiering a mini-treatment at a media event in New York City or inviting guests at the Greenwich Food & Wine show to taste food from Executive Chef Josh Tomson.

While these marketing techniques can help get clients through the door, Spa Director Nancy attributes much of their success to word-of-mouth and customer loyalty. “When our guests have an amazing experience, they want to share that with their loved ones. This is the biggest honor and what we are most proud of,” she says. The Lodge at Woodloch has kept its reign as one of the best spa resorts in PA primarily due to the luxury experience they provide their guests. This goes to show that developing an excellent reputation is key to generating repeat business.

Training

The team at The Lodge at Woodloch undergoes ongoing training to ensure that they provide impeccable services year-round. As a results-oriented spa, the staff members are continually learning new skills and techniques to deliver the best results for their clients. The team strongly believes in cross-training to learn what other departments feature so that they can mirror and adjust their services to provide a better experience.

Spa Director Nancy incentivizes her employees by offering perks like a family day at their sister resort, Woodloch Pines family resort, and a birthday certificate that can be used to enjoy the spa or restaurant.

Special Events and Promotions

While seasonal offers come and go, they can have a lasting impact on any spa business. At The Lodge, new treatments are offered seasonally to captivate new and existing customers yearning for something fresh and unique. This sets the spa apart from the competition and helps keep staff members engaged.

Since The Lodge at Woodloch is a destination spa resort, visits to the spa can often fluctuate depending on the time of year. Spa Director Nancy says “we have several special offers that we focus on at different times of the year. We do promote mid-weeks for overnight stays at a bigger discount than weekends.” The spa also advertises evergreen offers like a babymoon escape or mother-daughter getaway to entice guests to visit no matter the season.

Retail

The Poconos luxury spa prides itself on taking on a more holistic approach by providing treatments that are effective based on their natural and organic components. The products used in treatments often contain clean and earthly ingredients that optimize skin health and support overall wellbeing.

The spa uses Naturopathica products that address the root of skin imbalances by combining proven botanicals like Oats, Aloe and seed oils with dermatological actives like Glycolic Acid and Retinol. The Lodge also loves to support their local community whenever possible. “Our essential oil infused massage oils are procured locally from a very trusted source. We also feature some herbs from our own on-site garden,” says Spa Director Nancy.

When it comes to selling the products, The Lodge takes a soft-sell approach and highlights the products that are used after the guests’ treatments. “Typically, the guests love the experience and results so much that they are requesting the products,” notes Spa Director Nancy.

Rundown

The Lodge at Woodloch

109 River Birch Ln, Hawley, PA 18428

thelodgeatwoodloch.com

Launch: May, 2006

Owner: John Kiesendahl

Spa Director: Nancy Deaton

Spa Director Spotlight

Spa Director, Nancy Deaton, joined The Lodge at Woodloch in Fall, 2006. She was instrumental in ensuring the spa programming, treatments, fitness options, outdoor adventure and art program flourished in the luxury market by creating training and focus on guest-centric service. Nancy has spearheaded the evolution of the spa and wellness experience, including a multi-million dollar spa renovation. She has over 16 years of luxury hospitality experience. If she could give her younger self one piece of advice, it would be “to follow your heart, intuition, and when in doubt, let Mother nature be your guide!”