Testimonials
A great way to learn about Deerfield is through the eyes of our guests. Visit Little Changes to view a slide show by Priscilla Houliston, who lost over 200 pounds biking from Florida to Maine, and then turned to Deerfield Spa to launch her final 100-pound weight.
What an awesome place!
What a great place. I was looking for a trip for my birthday and I wanted to go to a spa but not just to lounge around. I came across Deerfield and it was just what I was looking for. I wanted something with nice scenery, comfortable and that would be great for me health and pocket wise. Deerfield was perfect. I choose the 10-day special and I am so glad I did. The food, the exercise and the staff totally met and exceeded my expectations. You have the choice to totally relax and do nothing or you can really make this place work for you. I took advantage of the exercise classes while I was there and came home 13.5 lbs lighter! NO JOKE! and enjoyed every minute of it. I felt good and slept well the whole time I was there.
The guests and the staff are a hoot. Everyone is so welcoming. Some of the guests have been coming for years and some, like me, were first timers. My mother met me there and we had a ball. We were so comfortable that when we were sitting in either of our rooms we felt like we were upstairs at a family member or friend’s house. One guest played the piano and I ran and grabbed my flute and we had great time singing and playing. I even had leisurely evenings in the lounge working on a puzzle. My mother booked her return trip before she left. We traded a lot of numbers and e-mails and have already been in touch with a lot of folks we met there.
I had 3 massages, Swedish, Hot Stone and Lomi Lomi, while I was there and with all the exercise they were welcomed and did the job. Cynthia was so nice, gives a great massage and also did my eyebrows. It has been so hard for me to find someone to do them correctly and she is a real pro. I did most of my exercise classes with Cyndi and she is a real gem and super encouraging. The chef did a great job and the wait staff, Adam and Keith, are the best! I got a kick out of making them laugh. Deerfield in not in the least pretentious but their wait staff is super professional, very polished and highly accommodating and they learn your name very quickly.
I would travel here alone and I would be totally comfortable, they really look out for you. Joan is great and when she hugs you at the end of your stay you know it is genuine. I will return for my birthday next year as well and I am really looking forward to it.
Lynell W, Frederick, MD, May 2013 (excerpt from TripAdvisor)
My Favorite Spa!
I have been going to Deerfield for 16+ years now and I LOVE it! It is nice and small (intimate) so you never are lost in the crowd. The food is healthy, portion controlled, and WONDERFUL! The classes are great and such a variety. I started coming for the hiking as it is my favorite exercise — I go in the fall as it is beautiful then. The instructors and staff are great — talented and personable. The price is a great value and since it is short drive from NYC — a wonderful retreat for all. We call it our “adult sleep away camp”. If you go try to take advantage of one of the 10 day specials (10 days for the price of 7) — this is the best deal! Plus when you go for 10 days you really feel the stress relief and the pounds come off. Wish I could go more often than once a year.
Eldeedee 19, Dec 2012 (excerpt from TripAdvisor)
The Best of All
I’ve just returned from another wonderful visit at Deerfield Spa. What more can I say, except the service remains excellent, the food is still delicious and wholesome, and the staff are polite, attentive, and caring.
Joan, Deerfield’s owner, truly extends herself to make visitors comfortable, and is “hands on” and ready, willing, and able to assist at many levels. The wait staff/servers are magnificent, and classy. The housekeeping staff were very friendly, courteous, and also provided excellent services. And exercise classes are available by competent individuals. The nutritionist provided invaluable information, as well as a cooking demonstration, which yielded healthy and delicious fare.
I especially enjoyed the sunrise hikes and the beginner’s hikes, and the guides who take us on these magnificent hikes. Additionally they are knowledgeable and patient. There are various levels for all.
Now that I’m home, I’ve have to deal with the real world, as I just left a real life fantasy that helped me feel better. However, Deerfield Spa has certainly made it easier for me to to so.
Toya, NJ, Oct 2012 (excerpt from TripAdvisor)
Feels Like Home
I have been to D.S. many times over the past 15 years or so, and I have never been disappointed. They have a gazillion choices of classes every day, including off-site hikes. I always meet interesting, friendly people. The place is small, so you get to know everyone very well. To be honest, the exercise classes are not all that challenging, but the instructors are EXCELLENT and will always give you tips to modify. Plus if you do classes all day long, I guarantee you will be tired at the end of the day and see results. Regarding the food -everything is designed to be healthy and help in weight loss. So it’s not your typical restaurant fare. For spa cuisine, it is excellent and I was full after every meal. And Joan the owner, goes out of her way to make everyone feel at home. The facialist is excellent, the prices are reasonable, and for sure I will be going back next year.
Idmc, Monclair, NJ, Aug 2012 (excerpt from TripAdvisor)
You will Never Want to Leave…
Recently my best friend and I stayed at the Deerfield Spa for rejuvenation of our minds, bodies and souls..and it was one of the best vacations we ever had! Normally we take trips to Carribean Islands or somewhere where the water is blue, the drinks are included and the food is non-stop…and we come back fat, alcohol seeping from our pores and tan. This vacation was different but more fulfilling. Upon arrival, we were greeted by Sophia who was very pleasant and accomodating. She even heated up dinner for us (dinner had been served hours ago) as we made our meal choices for the next day.
The next morning was spent having a delectable breakfast and then a 2 1/2 hour hike at the Pocono Educational Center where we got to see a new view of East Stroudsburg. The tour guide, Richie, was informative and sweet — bringing extra water bottles, “homemade” walking sticks from the forest and oranges for after our hike.
Upon our return, yet more delectable food was served for lunch. I loved the cuisine here. Now you have to remember what you are getting yourself into. This is not a place where you would eat an entire pizza or a Death by Chocolate cake. You visit Deerfield to cleanse the body, learn about portion size, the ability to count calories, eating tasty food that is good for you, easy to make and relatively inexpensive. Deerfield even sells a receipe book of their cuisine (a nominal $10) for preparation at home. I started one morning with an egg white omelet and fruit, another morning with homemade french toast, another with a delectable egg white, turkey bacon and cheese sandwich on a wheat bagel thin. Everything on the menu, including the daily specials, comes with a calorie count so you can balance your menu daily based on your activity. You can eat delicious food and still be satisfied! (and yes, there was pizza for lunch one day.)
As for additional activities, there is something for everyone, from young folks looking to get in shape or get a good workout, to middle age folks looking for the same to the older folks making sure everything keeps working the way it should. Deerfield offers a variety of physical activity as easy or sweat dripping as you want it.
I don’t know what’s in the water here, but everybody was so genuinely nice. Joan and her sidekick Katherine were like best friends you had yet to meet. They participated in the activities, brought you your morning paper at breakfast, hugged you if you needed one and came out of the office (when they could) to hang out with all of us. The whole place is a social gathering!
Sarah R., Union, NJ, Aug 2012 (excerpt from TripAdvisor)
Deerfield Spa for “Mommy Camp”
My child was attending summer camp and while searching for a nearby hotel, I came across the Deerfield Spa. It is everything I could ask for a week of “Mommy Camp.” My room was bright, comfortable and clean. Housekeeping service was prompt and accommodating.
There were a wide variety of activities to choose from daily: stretches, hikes, power walks, lots of great fitness classes, yoga, and even a few evening enrichment activities like creative writing. It was super to be able to try core board & Pilates reformer without having to join an expensive club with those special features at home. The instructors were excellent – Mike, Cindy & Jody really know their stuff, are very encouraging and especially helpful to newbie’s. And there were always options for the “hard-core” to work a little harder than average.
The area around Deerfield Spa is just beautiful and the organized hikes make it all accessible. Rich is a great hike-master. He is prepared for any weather! He gauges the ability of the hikers and selects just the right location, terrain and length.
The spa cuisine is delicious and filling. I looked forward to daily meal times and especially enjoyed talking with other the guests at community tables. The twice daily snacks are creative and tasty and I walked away with some good ideas to try at home.
And finally, I really enjoyed my “Deerfield facial” and massage. Both were a part of my room rate and mae my visit to Deerfield complete.
Jacky C., Berkeley, CA, Jul 2012 (excerpt from TripAdvisor)
After this Vacation You Can Look in the Mirror
Usually when I get home from a vacation I’m exhausted, bloated, and I reek of smoke and beer. This was NOT that kind of vacation — thankfully.
My boyfriend and I where looking for a quiet place in the woods to get away from our stressful jobs and that’s exactly what we got. It’s a quaint little house in the Poconos with knickknacks, floral curtains and an adorable staff. Imagine if Juliette Gordon Lowe and Richard Simmons had a love child — like that.
Since it’s so small almost every activity was less than 5 people and often completely private. I loved the cardio classes which were middle of the road in terms of difficulty while my boyfriend preferred the weight room (surprise surprise). We both loved hiking – they drive you to the really nice PA maintained trails. We also took advantage of a couples massage that was just a beautiful experience.
It was mostly single ladies there but the ladies we met were totally awesome. A nice refreshing change from the snotty attitude of Fairfield County, CT where we live. We ran into two other couples so my boyfriend wasn’t the only one sporting a Y chromosome while we were there.
My main goal was to quit smoking but since most people gain weight when they quit and I was already teetering on obesity I wanted to be careful. A month and half later I can proudly say both MISSIONS ACCOMPLISHED. I’m nicotine clean and down 20lbs (9lbs of which I lost during my week at Deerfield, although I wouldn’t say that was typical, my boyfriend didn’t lose any).
Overall I’m so glad I went. Best way to quit smoking ever.
Jana U., Fairfield, CT, Jun 2012 (excerpt from TripAdvisor)
A True Comfort Zone!
Only spent two days there, yet came away feeling calm, relaxed and motivated to add more exercise to my life. The property is small, simple and the staff is more than accomodating. I was actually surprised by how friendly my welcome was (reception at other spas I’ve been to was gloomy, at best). Deerfield offers plenty of exercise options from which to choose (my fave was the pool classes); massage & other spa services (that my friends enjoyed very much), and evening activities like origami & bingo. Food was healthful and served in appropriate portions (which is small for some), but you can request additional items from their menu. There are lots of comfy areas where you can sit & read including a large front porch with rockers. Though my stay cost a tad more than I prefer, for a quick getaway, I will definitely return. The reason? The wonderful staff and my coming away with a more positive attitude about life.
GinaDawn, Reading, PA, May 2012 (excerpt from TripAdvisor)