Rejuvenate, Regroup and Renew at the Canebrake Resort

Rejuvenate, Regroup and Renew at the Canebrake Resort
by Diane Tritt Eaton

The holiday season was likely joyous, yet came with its share of stresses, leaving you feeling frazzled. To give you the break you need, there’s a special place not too far away from Tulsa with just the right mix of amenities for regrouping and rejuvenating your sense of self. And, since this is a month for romance, this accessible retreat is also a wonderful place to spend some special time with your significant other.

The Canebrake Resort, a well-kept hideaway in nearby Wagoner, Oklahoma combines relaxation, casual elegance, hospitality, outdoor beauty and divine cuisine — all on the grounds of a converted 250-acre family ranch. It’s a perfect retreat for a girls’ getaway, a romantic respite or even an enjoyable evening out for fine food and entertainment. And, it’s a breeze to get to — a mere 45-minute drive from Tulsa.

In mid-December of 2009, my friend and I left home at around 3:30 p.m. on a Wednesday and by 4:30 p.m., we reached the Santa Fe-style entrance gate to this boutique resort. (Sometimes it takes that long just to go out to the mall!)

After passing through darling downtown Wagoner, we entered The Canebrake’s curvy private drive, dotted with fish-stocked ponds and fields of oak trees, that led uphill to the secluded main building, featuring a not-too-distant view of Ft. Gibson Lake.

What was once the ranch’s horse barn has been skillfully redesigned into an inviting Southwestern-style lodge, which houses a sitting area, an open-kitchen restaurant and bar, an eco-friendly boutique, conference rooms and spa rooms.

The family brainstorm to preserve the former ranch-turned-resort and share it with guests was brilliant. It’s a peaceful place where, within moments of arrival, guests can quickly move into relaxation mode.
Welcomed by friendly staff, we were escorted by golf cart to our little cabin in the woods, which was really a queen suite, outfitted with a gas fireplace, kitchenette, flat screen television and a fabulous tiled bathroom with an oversized shower. Bathrobes and slippers were provided along with oh-so-yummy Aveda products.

Sipping Merlot out of wine glasses supplied by the resort, we soaked in the view of an orange sherbet-colored sunset, visible through the treetops from our Adirondack-style rocking chairs on the private porch attached to our cabin.