One of the best romantic weekend getaways in Pennsylvania, Gateway Lodge Country Inn Resort and Spa is just outside of Cooksburg, Pennsylvania, in the heart of Cook Forest State Park. Just two hours from Pittsburgh, and two and a half hours from Cleveland, the inn is surrounded by old-growth white pine trees, and offers luxury accommodations in a quiet, serene, woodland atmosphere. Scroll to see the full list with photos or jump to the table of contents.
Accommodations
Guests at Gateway Lodge who select the Gallery Rooms or Luxury Suites have a gourmet breakfast included in their room fee, as well as afternoon tea and snacks upon arrival. On Friday, the lodge forgoes the tea and snacks, instead substituting wine and appetizers. Cabin guests may have breakfast in the dining room at an additional fee.
The main lodge building was built as a grand log cabin in 1914. There are four Gateway Lodge Gallery Rooms in the main lodge, newly opened, rustic, cozy, and luxurious. With bark-lined walls and reclaimed wood for its doors and ceilings, the bedrooms take its guests back to the past. The amply-sized bathrooms are fitted with copper sinks, rainfall showers, and stone tiles, and include upmarket toiletries. Each of the Gateway Lodge Gallery Rooms has a desk and a closet, fine linens, and plush robes and slippers. Guests wishing queen-sized beds should choose Gallery Rooms 1 and 2, while those wishing for two double beds should select Gallery Rooms 3 and 4.
The Gateway Lodge Luxury Suites have an old-fashioned air, but their fireside whirlpools and spacious bathrooms are indulgence itself. Each suite has a gas fireplace with that wonderful two-person hot tub nearby, a sofa, a mini-fridge, a king bed, and a private balcony with rocking chairs on it, looking out into the surrounding woodlands. Guests of the suites are welcomed with a snack basket in their room. The large bathrooms have double sinks and rainfall showers.
There are six Gateway Rustic Cabins, each sleeping 2-6 people. Each cabin has an outdoor fire ring and a picnic area, and the chance of viewing some of the many animals resident in Cook Forest State Park. The cabins have comfortable living rooms and kitchens that include cooking utensils, tableware, and serving dishes. Each cabin is provided with linens, and with 1/8 cord of firewood. There is no cell service in the cabins, but guests are welcome to use the phone at the main lodge.
Dining
Breakfast is served in the dining room each morning. In the evenings, guests may wish to eat at the Gateway Lodge Restaurant & Wine Bar. The restaurant focuses on food made from scratch, and that is sustainably sourced, locally grown, and in season. The menu changes according to what is available for purchase. The Gateway Lodge Restaurant & Wine Bar has an award-winning international wine list, and offers gluten-free selections on its eclectic menu.
Spa & Other Activities
The Woods Spa at Gateway Lodge is proud to use Aveda products, which are created from pure plant and flower essences, are tested without cruelty, manufactured with wind-powered energy, and sourced from indigenous farmers. The spa provides a variety of massages for guests of the lodge. A head and foot massage is the perfect way to slow down and rest after a day of hiking in the forest. Elemental Nature Massages are customized to the needs of each client, and include Swedish massage, Deep Tissue massage, pregnancy massage, and therapeutic massage. The Stress-Fix Massage uses Swedish massage, acupressure, and reflexology to soothe tired muscles and strained nerves. The Fusion Stone Relaxation Massage makes use of warm stones and Swedish massage to help guests reach a state of deep relaxation.
Cook Forest State Park surrounds the lodge, and offers a wonderful outdoor experience for its guests. There are hiking trails for all levels of fitness. Avid fishers will love testing their flies in the Clarion River, home to trout and to warm water game fish. Guests may rent watercraft from local outfitters, including canoes, kayaks, inner tubes, pontoon boats, and paddleboards. Guided excursions on the river are also available. Local ranches can lead guests through the forest on horseback, and have horses and guides suitable for all experience levels. Go-karting and mini golf courses are available near the inn, as are local artisan galleries and shops. In the winter, guests may rent equipment locally to enjoy cross-country ski trails, sledding hills, and the lighted skating pond.
Gateway Lodge may not have televisions, but it has the great outdoors, and a supply of games, puzzles and books for inclement weather and quiet evenings. The main lodge has a billiards room and weekend entertainment for its guests.
Weddings & Meetings
Gateway Lodge is a secluded and beautiful place to get married. Up to 175 people can be seated at outdoor weddings and receptions, and 40-100 guests can be seated inside. The lodge's skilled wedding planner can assist with finding a local officiant, photographer, florist, and many other services.
The Elopement Package is designed for the happy couple and up to ten guests. The package includes a couple's massage on the wedding day, a beautiful ceremony in the couple's choice of venues, two nights' accommodations in a Fireside whirlpool Suite, and romantic candlelit dinners on both nights of the stay. Couples will receive a small boutique wedding cake, and in-room chocolates, roses, champagne, and an Aveda gift basket.
The Wedding Weekend Package is designed for a group of 40 people. On Friday, the couple and their family and friends are welcomed to the lodge with a wine and appetizer reception. The wedding ceremony itself takes place in the lodge's Great Room, a glorious room made from hand-hewn logs, and which features a stone hearth, high ceilings, and fine views of the surrounding woodlands. The reception is held in the intimacy of the dining room, and guests are served a plated dinner by candlelight. All guests are accommodated in luxury suites with fireside whirlpools, and are given a delicious breakfast in the morning.
Gateway Lodge's Conference Center is an ideal location for small corporate gatherings of up to forty people. The meeting room keeps cozy with radiant heated floors, and features high-speed internet, standard AV equipment, a projection board, and an easel. The conference center sits amidst white pine woodlands, and is equipped with wide porches and a full kitchen. It is a rustic, natural, serene place with high standards of food service. Three meals a day plus coffee breaks are available for business groups.
More Weekend Getaways in Pennsylvania
Gateway Lodge Country Inn Resort and Spa, PO Box 125, Route 36, Cooksburg, PA 16217, Phone: 814-744-8017
