Recently, my family enjoyed an amazing four days in the idyllic rural setting of the Pocono Mountains, specifically at Woodloch Pines. When I say family, I mean our lively group of 20, spanning from just 7 weeks old to our “seniors”. If “Woodloch” rings a bell, it’s likely because this all-inclusive resort has proudly been voted the #1 Family Resort for the past five years by USA TODAY. Frankly, it has truly earned its bragging rights, as our experience was nothing short of FANTASTIC!
Woodloch has been a beloved destination for 65 years, conveniently located about 2.5 hours from the New York City area. As a family-run business, guests are warmly welcomed daily in the dining room by various members of the family, reflecting their pride in the establishment. They take great care to ensure that no visitor leaves bored or hungry! Each day, a new schedule featuring 30 daily activities and the resort meal menus is made available to guests. Our family was thrilled to take advantage of nearly all the activities within our first 48 hours of arrival! A full list of the activities can be found here . Below, I’ve compiled a selection of our favorite activities, listed in no particular order…
Boat rides on the lake (this is a short ride on fairly calm waters- a total of 15-20 minutes.)
Bumper boats (A favorite among our younger family members)
Bumper cars (Who doesn’t love bumper cars?!)
Pickle Ball – (Weather permitting)
Archery (Family members reported “fun, but just OK”)
Arts and Crafts Projects (The kids loved this!)
Sensory Room (Great for the toddler/ preschool kids)
Indoor heated pool with a splash pad (A BIG WIN with all!)
Mini-Golf (for all ages!)
Indoor arcade (Larger than I thought it would be and filled with many favorite games.)
Petting Zoo (Again – great for the little ones)
Pony Rides ( This too is for the little ones)
Bingo, Trivia, and other group games for prizes! (We must have played every single game they offered! It was a ton of fun and we were winners! Note that Bingo winners can earn some serious $$)
Hiking trails (These trails were reported as not too strenuous.)
Escape Room (Honestly, tougher than we thought – but a ton of fun!)
Paint and Sip classes (Sadly, we signed up but it was canceled due to illness of the teacher – Next time!)
Nightly shows featuring magicians, musical groups, and balloon artists (The performances varied from quite impressive to mediocre. However, the balloon magician’s act was a bit too intense for our little ones, who ended up fleeing the room in tears!)
Special events for holidays (We were there Halloween week and the parade was a blast)
Relax at the coffee house or sports bar (both yummy)
Enjoy home-cooked meals, if you wish. (The resort was very good at honoring requests for special diets- bravo!)
and spa! (Another huge favorite!)
And if you are so inclined – go ahead and have your wedding on the property!
ABOUT THE ACCOMMODATIONS:
Woodloch Pines offers a variety of accommodations to suit different preferences. Our family opted for the Mountain Laurel building, which, although a bit further from the main lodge, provided a peaceful atmosphere and convenient access to the daily shuttle service. (The shuttle operates throughout most of the day and night, traversing the entire property.) Additionally, there is ample parking available for guests. The sidewalks vary in accessibility, featuring both easy pathways and more rugged, rocky sections.
Important note: There are some pretty steep inclines to walk and if you need to push a stroller or wheelchair this may be a bit taxing.
The rooms at the Mountain Laurel building were well-designed and spacious, with the ones we booked featuring convenient kitchenettes. The larger suites boasted expansive closets and an in-unit washer and dryer unit. For guests without in-unit laundry, additional facilities are available on the premises for added convenience.
A few tips
If you want to plan a big family gathering at Woodloch Pines, book your stay quickly. This place is very popular!
Pack for all kinds of weather. Also, bring your sunblock and your bug spray. It is in the middle of the woods, after all.
There is a charming gift shop, but like many resort gift shops, it can be a bit expensive. However, just a 15-minute drive away lies the quaint town of Honesdale, Pennsylvania. Here, you’ll find the typical box stores that can help you save a few dollars if you take a moment to stop by on your way to the resort to stock up on bottled water, snacks, and other essentials.
In closing, until we visited Woodloch Pines, I wasn’t particularly fond of the Poconos; my previous vacations at other resorts in the area had left me underwhelmed, with one place we even departed from early. However, Woodloch stands out as a distinctly different experience.
Check out availability, pricing, and more here.
Learn about their accessibility.
Read about the homes for sale on their resort property.
Disclaimer: I wrote this review of Woodloch Pines on my own, without any perks or benefits. This is my honest opinion based on my experience. Thank you.
