Already known for its resplendent gardens and orchards, nestled on 500+ acres, The Lodge at Woodloch is in an expansion mode this summer that will add more than eight acres of garden space to the all-inclusive mountain spa resort.

“We are excited to see a variety of culinary herbs, peas, salad root crops, cooking greens of all types, and a host of wild edibles sprouting and coexisting in our cultivated space,” reports Erica Bloch, associate director of communications at the resort. “Additionally, we’ve been able to triple the production of our shiitake mushroom logs and add a permanent home for our honeybees at an apiary in our orchard, a crucial part of the ecosystem that our gardening team stewards.”

Guests will enjoy the gastronomic delights from the gardens’ bounty at TREE Restaurant and Bar, which overlooks a bucolic 15-acre lake and serves artfully crafted farm-to-table organic cuisine.

The seasoned agro staff is on the grow here, too.

Recent hires include —Stefani Fabiano, aka The Mindful Farmer—and Sara Boysen, The Creativity Cultivator. Stefani uses her degree in Regenerative Organic Agriculture to provide consciousness-based education, integrating spirit and agriculture through grounding, journaling, herbal medicine and becoming more present with the symbiotic relationship with nature. Look for her to lead classes on DIY salt and oil making and herbal teas.

And Sara, with a background as a professional artist and educator and over a decade spent working in a wide variety of gardens, has a passion for fostering new opportunities by observing, understanding, and drawing inspiration from the natural world. She shares methods for utilizing plants as the medium in a diverse range of creative practices, from fine art and wild crafting to herbal teas and traditional medicine making.

In addition to exploring the expanded gardens, guests can make the most of the spring and summertime through guided outdoor experiences that morph with the seasons, including Forest Bathing, Nocturnal Walks and the Tusten Mountain Hike. A concierge works with guests to create a bespoke experience, through hiking, biking, fishing, disc golf and archery.

Eclectic Spa Experiences Abound

A sanctuary for the senses, The Lodge’s 40,000-square-foot spa includes an Aqua Garden complete with therapeutic soaking pools and dramatic Hydromassage WaterWalls surrounded by native boulders. It includes eclectic experiences such as a Snow Room, the refreshing Tyrolean Bucket Shower and Himalayan Salt Sauna with Salt Wall. These treatments follow centuries-old practices that produce mind and body benefits by heating and cooling the body. Heat calms, soothes and slows internal organ activity, while cold temperatures stimulate and reinvigorate.

Seasonal summer spa treatments are lending a nod to natural elements including a “Twisted Lemonade” body polish, manicure or pedicure, featuring the lingering aromas of lemon, mint and vanilla.

Safeguarding its Habitat

For the trees that had to come down to make way for new pickleball courts, the resort is undertaking the ambitious initiative to replace any tree removed with at least four new trees.

“We will be planting seedlings that boost wildlife habitat and provide food for pollinators, critters, as well as humans,” says Erica. “These include: Seedling Apple, Persimmon, Tamarack, Currant, Seedling Cherry, White Oak, Black Walnut, and Iris, among others.”

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