FTF's annual Top 10 survey of award-winners highlights Woodloch Pines as one of 2004's best places to host your family's next reunion.

In 2004, FTF evaluated businesses in the hospitality, cruise and tour sectors that excel at satisfying the needs of children and adults participating in family reunions. Winners were determined from more than 100 nominations made by travel experts, contributiong editors and 80,000 site visitors. By considering and evaluating their location, available transportation, variety of accommodations in different price ranges, activities for all ages, unique attractions, dining options and group discounts before making site inspections, FTF discovered the top value reunion destinations.

Top All-Inclusive Getaway

Woodloch Pines
Hawley, Pennsylvania
800/572-6658

After welcoming groups of all sizes since 1958, The Kiesendahl Family of Woodloch Pines offers years of experience in planning a very memorable reunion. Located on Lake Teedyuskung in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, Woodloch can host your group during any season, and offers spacious accommodations, good, solid food, an unusual variety of activities, evening entertainment, and a very enthusiastic staff. And, the Kiesendahl’s are on hand to make you feel like part of their family. Perhaps the most telling fact is that more than 70% of guests are repeat visitors.

Woodloch Pines motto that “there is no substitute for parental guidance,” explains why they do not offer a kid’s club for younger guests. Other than providing evening babysitters (for a fee), their philosophy is that families will enjoy themselves the most when they are sharing the fun together.

While most of the lakefront resort’s accommodations are one-bedroom suites complete with sofabeds, small and larger homes can host families of all sizes. Five-bedroom Woodloch Springs homes sleep 12 in a quiet, classy golfer’s ambiance, just a five-minute drive from the main lodge. The Springs even has its own well-equipped sports complex with pool and tennis.

The majority of guests choose Woodloch’s American Plan, where three full meals and all the activities are included in one fee. At sit-down meals, the solicitous wait staff offers soup, salad, choice of entrée, glasses of milk and wine, making sure that everyone in the family is well take care of. They make it possible to dine with your family and converse, without having to jump up and help the kids cruise the buffet. For a celebratory function, Woodloch uses The Inn, a lakeview banquet facility a few hundred yards away from the main lodge where customized meals and weddings are held.

All-inclusive fees for 2N weekend getaways begin at about $1,000 for a family of four, 4N midweek visits at about $600, and reunion group rates are available, too. Special holiday themed weekends run higher, whereas Kids Stay Free periods offer cost-saving options.