The Poconos!

[DiscoDiva]

Okay, I know the Poconos kinda have a reputation for being a 'cheesy' place for honeymooners, etc, but I don't care! I've always wanted to go there (chalk that up to reading the travel section of too many Brides magazines back in my early 20's). But now, as a grown-up (yeah, right), I'd still love to visit, and I'd like to go in early October to see the leaves changing. I live in a foliage-challenged area and I never get to see natural fall beauty of leaves changing or hear them crunching beneath my feet.

So, today I decided, that for our vacation next year, we are going to the Poconos. DH won't care where I pick as long as I keep his interests in mind. Since it will be our 5th anniversary(wow!) we may do something special, like renew our vows. Anyway, I want a nice hotel or resort, preferably that is couples-only, that has lots of activities like miniature golf, hayrides, hiking, bike riding, couples activities, horseback riding, etc.

Any recommendations on hotels? Where to stay in general? Which places to visit? Which roads to drive to see the views?

[DelSol]

Here are two links that might help you out:


http://www.visitpa.com/visitpa/home.pa

or

http://www.800poconos.com/

[Vishenka69]

The only couples-only resort in Poconos (that I've heard of) is Ceasar's, http://www.caesarspoconoresorts.com. I think this is what you're describing. Some of our friends have been there and liked it. Mostly people tend to either buy/rent cabins in Poconos or stay in motels or B&Bs.

[DiscoDiva]

Yes, the Ceasar's resorts were what I was originally thinking of, but I've heard a lot of bad things about how they are getting old and run down. So, I'm looking for something similar but new, nicer, cleaner, and prettier!

[Vishenka69]

I haven't heard of anything similar to Ceasar's but newer and prettier in Poconos. What about the casinos in Connecticut (Mohegan Sun, Foxwoods)? They have both been recently renovated and although not exclusively childfree, don't have as many kids and aren't considered family destinations. Both casinos have extensive grounds and lots to do, plus you'll get the same folliage as in Poconos.

[DiscoDiva]

That's something to look into, thanks!

[greenbunny]

I live about a half hour from the Poconos. I wouldn't really recommend it for fall sightseeing for someone traveling here from far away. Here in this section of PA, we tend to go from green leaves to crunchy brown leaves within a week. We get Indian summers and then instant cold snaps, and the leaves turn like a light switch.

I wanted to take foliage pictures near the Appalachian trail, and this past weekend was too soon, and this coming weekend will be too late. Within 48 hours we went from summer to winter. It will be very hard for you to schedule a trip in advance and plan for seeing fall color. If that's your goal, I recommend Vermont or Massachusetts.

[BethElena]

DD - Hey! We just had our honeymoon there in August. (it wasn't that cheesy). But, the Split Rock Lodge did look like it could use some updating. I kind of felt like I was in the movie "The Shining" when he watchs the ski lodge for the winter. :D

I think that the New England area would be a better bet. I used to work for a touring company and we did tours to New England every year to Middlebury and other places. Everybody loved them. Although, I wonder how the weather recently would affect the fall foliage...

[DiscoDiva]

BethElena, what do you mean you felt like you were in The Shining? Is that a good or bad thing? Actually, the lodge you posted looks exactly what we're looking for, restaurants, activities, etc.

[BethElena]

The hallways & such of the main lodging area were very 50's. The meals were very $$.

We stayed at Willowbrook at Split Rock, so we didn't exactly stay at the Lodge or main hotel, but in brand new conds. Where we stayed had just been built this past June 05, and we would stay there again. But the actual lodge?? It was very $$ and not updated at all. Clean, but not newer.

We could have spent the whole week staying in our condo, becuase it was that nice! It had a two person hot tub, balcony, and each floor level had a huge open air lounge with rockers and stuff (although I think they may put glass up or something when it gets colder...) I would recommend Willowbrook for the $$, but not the main lodge if you are looking for something newer. FYI - we stayed at Willowbrook through a timeshare, so i don't know how expensive exactly it is.

Added:
www.splitrockresort.com
DD: And with my reference to the shining, I just meant that in the lodge part of the hotel, the hallways were 1950's ish. Old Ski Resort type. (does that help?) There was beautiful scenery everywhere...we went to Hickory Run State Park and had a blast!

[IrisHope]

When I think of the Poconos I think of red velvet wallpaper.

[Asha]

bethelana - what were the name of the condos you stayed at? oops, didn't notice that you posted a link before.

[Asha]

i actually have a friend that has a time share there, and she loves it. she says it's beautiful there. another friend of mine has a country house there and loves it. we city folks enjoy that sort of thing.

[BethElena]

We stayed at Willowbrook. I was just saying that for the cost of the rooms at the main lodge area, I wouldn't spend that kind of money. But the condo at Willowbrook at Split Rock, I would.

[BethElena]

You know what, maybe we only saw the older rooms/cheapest rooms in the main lodge. Because on line, those look 1000 times nicer than the plain hotel rooms we saw. Sorry!
http://www.splitrockresort.com/accomodations.php (we stayed at the very last option on the page.)

[DiscoDiva]

i actually have a friend that has a time share there, and she loves it. she says it's beautiful there. another friend of mine has a country house there and loves it. we city folks enjoy that sort of thing.
LOL! You're right! Old to someone else might mean a rustic, charming inn nestled in the trees to us city dwellers.

[IrisHope]

DD you know what was fun? Gold Mountain in the Catskills NY. http://www.goldmtnresort.com/

[kimbyj]

Depends which part of the Poconos you are interested in also. My parents have a house near Shawnee (15 mins) and Camelback (30mins). It's a great area where they live and I have found there are a lot of quaint places to go. DH and I went to a great Jazz place a couple of years back for 2/14. Also went antiqueing in East Stroudsburg.

Yes, some of the hotels are cheesy and I can also picture the Shining - but overall prices are reasonable (I'm from NYC area so I am used to $$$) and people are very friendly. If you lack sites to see there are always the outlets.

have fun!