Steeped in tradition of the grand family camps of yesteryear, The Lodge at Glendorn sits on 1500 wooded acres bordering the Allegheny mountains.
As luck would have it, our stay is pre-Christmas, and although the snow has yet to stay on the ground, the blowing flakes and festive atmosphere has our hearts aglow. A cozy fire crackles in the massive fireplace as the winds roar outside. A grand light-laden tree and lovely decorations set the tone for holiday festivities that are full of cheer for one and all. Even the bartender’s ready to start singing carols before dinner’s over.
Game on
The family-style dining room led by Executive Chef Joe Schafer offers a tasty prix fixe menu of regional favourites with an emphasis on game, at least while we’re there. Schafer’s specialty is blending classic French techniques and regional favourites using fresh, local ingredients. And even the most adventurous oenophile will have no trouble finding the ideal pairing.
If you stay for a few days like we did, consider picking up a few new skills at one of the chef’s cooking classes, complete with a tour of the culinary garden. Made to order, all you can eat breakfasts and seasonal lunches or back-pack picnics ensure we never get famished, even after super long hikes along clear-cut trails.
Rustic lux
Twelve standalone cabins, each with their own charm and comfy furnishings, are named after the original Dorn family members and the Lodge is home to a few rooms and suites. iPad docks, Molton Brown amenities, monogrammed linens and glass jars with freshly baked signature chocolate-chip cookies make us feel right at home.
Fresh and wild
The fish are still biting in the fly-fishing ponds, but it’s really more fun for the kids to head out and feed them at dusk. Unlimited self-serve ice cream, movie nights with popcorn and roaring campfires with their decadent s’mores are hard to pass up. And, ahh the spa… a tiny wee tiny cabin near the woods, coined the Forest Spa, is a special spot for a top-notch massage. It’s hard not to fall in love with the Forests’ fresh facial treatment—a custom cleansing with Glendorn-foraged berries loaded with antioxidants, followed by exfoliation using fresh ground nuts and a relaxation massage. Next, the treatment uses local honey and a rosewood toner and moisturizer.
Whatever your pleasure, be it golf, fly fishing, upland bird or turkey hunting, or riding. Glendorn is the place to enjoy unforgettable family time.
