girlfriends
getaway
All of us
need a pick-me-up now and then, and we really needed one this
summer. Being work-at-home moms when school is
out can be quite challenging. So it was time for us to run
away, oops, we meant get away! We needed
something to refresh and rejuvenate to get us through the next
few months, and the Stroudsmoor
turned out to be the perfect place.
When you
turn into the Stroudsmoor,
you feel like you leave the outside world behind. It is
tucked away in the sprawling mountains, yet minutes from
important conveniences such as shopping outlets. We felt
like kids in a candy shop when we walked into the quaint
turn-of-the century lobby and found tables full of mouthwatering
cookie displays from their bakery. And we felt right at
home as the friendly staff greeted us and told us about what
was in store for our stay.
We were
shown to our cottage building, a short walk from the Main
Inn. The suite was charming; decorated with
antiques and country accents with welcoming beds. It
was tempting to curl up for a nap, but we had spa treatments to
enjoy.
The Aveda
Spa was wonderful! It was intimate and cozy,
and we never wanted to leave. The staff welcomed and
pampered and spoiled. We sat in plush robes, soaked our
feet and sipped herbal tea. All this before our
treatments even began! Then it was pure indulgence as we
experienced a full body massage, stress relieving scalp
massage and elemental facial. The sensuous oils, the
tranquil music, bliss!
After an
afternoon of complete relaxation, it was time to head to the
lounge and have cocktails before dinner. We sipped
fancy drinks and had the pleasure of meeting the warm and
friendly dining room manager, April, who took us under her wing
during our dining excursions.
We were
there on Friday night for their Festa
Di Mare (Feast of the Sea). These people know
how to feed you; the Stroudsmoor
is an Italian family-owned inn after all! We wound up
stuffing ourselves silly. The salad bar was piled high
with shrimp cocktail, seafood salads, soups, antipasto, homemade
breads, and all the fixings for a traditional salad.
Our favorite was the seafood bisque - delicious! We headed
over to the main buffet table where there was shrimp scampi,
seafood fra diavlo, swordfish, pasta, eggplant, chicken, crab
legs, a carving board and more. It was quite amazing. After
sampling everything we could, we were finally ready for
coffee and dessert. Yes, believe or not, after all
that we had dessert.
After our
bountiful dining experience, we decided to venture out to downtown
Stroudsburg. We took a short drive, admired
the cute shops, and enjoyed a beer at an authentic Irish pub.
Then it was time to head back to the inn and tuck ourselves into
our cozy beds with a good book, of course!
We had a
peaceful night's sleep, and then it was time for breakfast.
Not a light dainty breakfast, but a big burly breakfast.
We had a full day of shopping ahead and needed sustenance!
Cereals, homemade breads, muffins and pastries, eggs, sausages,
fruit filled pancakes and more. Another large and generous spread
of food.
Before
departing for a day of shopping, we wanted to explore the
grounds. There is plenty to do on site with a fitness
center, whirlpool, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, as
well as hiking and biking trails. We also discovered
it's the perfect place for a wedding! They have four
beautiful sites where you can choose an indoor or outdoor
ceremony. There's an enchanting outdoor chapel in the
woods with a waterfall that runs along side it, a breathtaking
view from the top of the mountain where you can exchange vows,
and a sophisticated art gallery available for smaller more
intimate weddings or gatherings. Beautiful settings, an on
site florist and bakery, great food and plenty of room for
guests to stay. Just perfect!
After making
some unique finds at their charming gift shop, we were
ready to head out to the nearby Crossings
Designer Outlets. Needless to say we spent
many hours happily shopping and finding bargains. How
can you not have fun with tons of shops and a good girlfriend to
keep you company?
All
good things must come to an end, and we were sad to leave our
mountain hideaway. But we got what we came for -
relaxation, rejuvenation and pampering. And you can too.
There are many reasons to plan a Girlfriend Getaway:
a milestone birthday celebration, a mother/daughter retreat, a
holiday shopping trip, or for no reason at all. The Stroudsmoor
Country Inn is convenient to many locations, not
too far from New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Maryland, Connecticut,
Delaware and of course, Pennsylvania. Or create your own
getaway if you're not near enough to enjoy this one. Go
on, you're worth it.
To plan your own getaway at the Stroudsmoor
Country Inn visit their website or call
1-800-955-8663.