7 Best Wellness Retreats In Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania, the fifth most populated state in the U.S., is a hub for business with major cities like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. The state is also a haven for outdoor adventure, boasting six mountain ranges, including the Allegheny, Pocono, and Blue Ridge Mountains. With so much to explore, it’s no surprise that Pennsylvania is home to spectacular wellness retreats. From Bear Creek Mountain Resort, offering a mix of adventure and luxury, to the Himalayan Institute’s focus on spiritual health, the state has something for everyone. This article explores seven wellness retreats perfect for a relaxing weekend.

Bear Creek Mountain Resort

Located at the base of Bear Creek Ski Area in Lehigh Valley, Bear Creek Mountain Resort offers a relaxing weekend escape in any season. Here, visitors can enjoy the wilderness with modern-day comforts. There are 330 wooded acres to explore on the resort, making Bear Creek Mountain an excellent spot for a hiking, biking, or cross-country skiing adventure. The accommodations at Bear Creek Resort are spacious and homey. The walls are earthy greens and woody browns, and there is a range of lofts and suites to choose from to fit every vacation need. The spa at Bear Creek Mountain Resort is the perfect spot to unwind. They offer everything from massages to manicures and rejuvenating facials. There is also access to the outdoor pool, hot tub, and mountain-view café.

Himalayan Institute

The Himalayan Institute offers visitors a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. They aim to educate and empower people to live a more mindful, stress-free life. The institute offers wellness retreats with therapeutic massages, yoga, meditation, and integrative health services. Some of the retreats focus on specific alternative healing methods, such as Ayurveda, and others focus on general health, such as mindfulness and yoga. Their ‘Restoring Ojas’ is a popular option, offering a three-day stay with all-inclusive massages, stress-reducing classes, and evening discussions.

Stay at the beautiful 400-acre campus in the Poconos Mountains, with a rejuvenating ambiance. Here, you will learn skills that will help you relax and unwind, even in the face of stress. The Institute also has an online library so guests can refresh on what they learned at the retreat and relax at home. Moreover, the integrated H.I. Kitchen boasts fresh meals with homemade bread, freshly brewed coffee, and gluten-free bread.

The Lodge at Woodloch

The Lodge at Woodloch is a resort that focuses on personal health and wellness in a luxury setting. Set in the stunning green hills of Hawley, The Lodge at Woodloch allows a setting where visitors can reset and refocus. Guests can enjoy amenities like the Tree Restaurant, set amongst treetops with a diverse menu of locally grown ingredients. The Lodge also has a lovely infinity pool and a full-service spa to ease off after a meal.

Health and fitness amenities include an indoor pool, Hydromassage Water Walls, indoor and outdoor whirlpools, steam rooms, saunas, a Snow Room, and a Himalayan Salt Sauna. For the more active visitors, there is a modern 3,000-square-foot CardioWeight Studio. Throughout the week, the fitness center offers yoga classes, Tai chi, and sound healing workshops. After a day of pampering and relaxation, rest in one of the 59 luxurious, spacious hotel rooms.

Honey Hollow Farm

Experience the rest that comes with country living at Honey Hollow Farm. The unique wellness retreat is a National Historic Landmark spread across 103 acres of pristine wilderness. It offers retreat programs to groups and individuals, such as the “Weekend Retreats,” which feature two nights of herbal infusions, salt lamps, fruit picking, and nature walks. Some of the workshops here include yoga, gardening, meditation, painting, and bread baking. After the activities, enjoy a stay in a home reminiscent of the 1700s called The Stone Cottage. The comfy cottage has everything guests need for a restful stay, including amenities for an aromatherapy bath, a coffee & tea bar, and a television.

The Rittenhouse Philadelphia

One of Philadelphia's most beloved hotels, The Rittenhouse is a luxurious getaway. Visitors can expect to feel pampered with world-class service and spacious rooms measuring 450 to 600 square feet. Those interested in a more premium experience can opt for one of the suites, which has a separate seating area, a marble bathroom, and a vanity closet, all within 2,000 square feet. Visitors can enjoy the five-star hotel's beautiful indoor saltwater pool and on-site spa. Some of the massages offered include deep tissue, relaxation, and a CBD rest and restoration treatment. Stop at the salon for a hair or nail treatment to feel extra pampered. Afterward, indulge in delectable cuisine at one of the many in-house restaurants, including the AAA Four Diamond Award Lacroix. There is also the Library Bar, where visitors can enjoy an afternoon drink while reading one of many rare books.

Skytop Lodge

The Skytop Lodge is another luxurious retreat nestled in the stunning Pocono Mountains, offering a relaxing getaway with something for everyone. Guests can choose between elegant rooms at the Inn, featuring in-room fireplaces and balconies, or cozy cottages that blend luxury with a homey charm—ideal for group vacations. For an added touch of indulgence, suites come equipped with jetted tubs.

The lodge caters to all interests, offering everything from afternoon tea and cookies to history tours and guided hikes for the adventurous. The on-site Adventure Center provides thrilling activities like a Treetop Adventure Course suspended 50 feet above the ground, zip-lining, and paintball. Dining options include Windsor, serving traditional cuisine, and LakeView, which pairs Italian-inspired dishes with scenic lake views. After a day of exploration, unwind at the spa, take a yoga class, or simply relax in the serene mountain setting.

Gateway Lodge

Anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city should look no further than Gateway Lodge. The family-owned wilderness lodge is situated in Cook Forest State Park. Just south of the Allegheny National Forest, the sights of old-growth forests, birds, and moss will transport visitors to a natural paradise. In the winter, enjoy cross-country skiing through this natural paradise; in the summer, take a tranquil hike through the mystical woods. The on-site dining via Wild Crafter’s Kitchen offers organic fare so your body can feel rejuvenated after a day in the woods. As night falls, there are plenty of lodging options, from Fireside Suites with integrated fireplaces to Black Bear Cabins for a rustic feel amidst nature.

Wrapping Up

Overall, these are some of Pennsylvania's best wellness retreats. Whether you are looking for a weekend getaway to the woods or a week-long spiritual wellness retreat, there is an option for everyone on this list. Lovers of luxury will enjoy a weekend stay at either The Rittenhouse in Philadelphia or the Skytop Lodge. Those looking for a more rustic wellness experience will enjoy a getaway to Gateway Lodge or Honey Hollow Farm. Anyone looking for a more spiritual trip should check out the Himalayan Institute. Whatever destination you choose, after a relaxing weekend, you will feel rejuvenated.