Julie

Does anyone have input on the family all-inclusive resorts in the Poconos? We are looking for something with good food, updated accomodations, and lots of activities for 10-13-year olds. Thanks!

TTTop

Don't have a response but hope someone else will.

No on the Pocs

Julie, as someone who owns a ski cabin in the Poconos, I ask you to please not stay at any resort there; you will be terribly disappointed. Most of these places are run down or are on the verge of bankruptcy. I think it would be better if you rented a small cabin somewhere and found recreational activities on your own. What time of year are you planning this family vacation?

Denise

My kids and I really enjoy skiing at the Fernwood Resort in Bushkill, PA (Route 209). I would contact them and request their brochure and current rates. The rooms are nice and and the kids will be entertained.

Julie

We are planning a summer vacation. We are looking for a place with lots of organized activities for the entire family. We usually go to a caribbean all-inclusive resort, but not this year. I was guessing that some may be run-down, simply because of their age. Is there anything out there?? Thanks for your replies!

nomail

i can't believe that no one has mentioned Woodloch Pines. it is not at all run down, on the contrary it's a beautifully kept large resort with different meal options, either FAP, MAP or none. they have regular hotel rooms, suites, cottages and full size gorgeous homes on a golf course as far as accomodations.

tons to do for a family. i've only ever been in winter, but they are right on a lake, and actually it seems like there's more to do in summer than winter.

they have a website, do a google search. but be prepared, it's so popular that you'll have to be flexible with your dates and may even have to go on a cancellation waiting list for dates this summer.

if you are not stuck in the poconos, i hear smugglers notch in VT is also great for families, also heard good things about the sagamore on Lake George (adirondack Mts, NY) and Chatham Bars Inn, on Cape Cod, MA.

Karen

Think you and your family would enjoy Skytop in the Poconos. It's a wonderful resort and has updated accommodations in both the main lodge and a new inn. The golf course is beautiful and there are many other activities to choose from including swimming, fishing, boating, hiking, bicyling, trap and skeet shooting, tennis and paddle tennis. The food is very good, and Skytop operates on an American Plan basis (all meals included). We've been there many times with our children and they love it. You might want to take a look at their website.

Geoff

You do need to do some homework not to get one of the older resorts, but don't listen to B*Creek since it appears he has a vested interest in something he's selling you.

Another one to look into is Split Rock Lodge. Don't know much about their food, but you'de be happy with everything else.

Ellen

Ceasar's Palace bought 3 or 4 resorts in the Poconos 4 years ago and completely refurbished these resorts to put them on the deluxe level Ceasar's is known for. Most of these are couples only romantic type honeymoon resorts; however 1 is now a family resort. I think it is either Paradise Stream or Cove haven not sure which. Do an internet search with Ceasar's and poconos though and you will get to the website which will show all of the Ceasar's resorts. From the pictures you will see these resorts are updated unlike many of the older honeymmon resorts that look like they are stuck in the 1970s!

xxx

Ellen, I recently read that the company that owns many of the Poconos resorts (probably "Caesar", not "Ceasar") was closing all/many due to lack of business. Last word on these resorts was that they were dumps and deserved to close.

Ellen

Interesting, didn't know they were having money trouble. We went to the main Ceasar's resort last year for our anniversary. We needed a romantic 4 day getaway as we had a 9 month old LOL! Anyway, it was VERY nice and not a dump at all like Mt. Airy Lodge, Summit and some of the others (they WERE dumpy). Everything looked brand new and the activities were great. Are you sure we are talking about the same resorts?

nomail

i can't believe that no one has mentioned Woodloch Pines. it is not at all run down, on the contrary it's a beautifully kept large resort with different meal options, either FAP, MAP or none. they have regular hotel rooms, suites, cottages and full size gorgeous homes on a golf course as far as accomodations.

tons to do for a family. i've only ever been in winter, but they are right on a lake, and actually it seems like there's more to do in summer than winter.

they have a website, do a google search. but be prepared, it's so popular that you'll have to be flexible with your dates and may even have to go on a cancellation waiting list for dates this summer.

if you are not stuck in the poconos, i hear smugglers notch in VT is also great for families, also heard good things about the sagamore on Lake George (adirondack Mts, NY) and Chatham Bars Inn, on Cape Cod, MA.

No on the Pocs

Um, Goeff, what am I selling here? I don't get you. Nowhere in my post do I offer any services. Maybe you are the owner of Split Rock since you seem so interested in pointing it out to Julie?

Julie, both Skytop and Split Rock are dumps in my opinion. We used to have our high school picnics up at Split Rock and that was back in the late '70s, and it was shabby then. My mother worked at Skytop in 1958, that's how old it is. I don't know about Fernwood because that's out towards Stroudsburg.

If I were you, since you are coming in the summer months, is to try and find something near Delaware Water Gap or near a lake resort like Wallenpaupack or Lake Arrowhead. Good Luck.

Nancy

Dear Julie:

I have to emphatically second the suggestion above for Skytop Lodge. I was there in July with my entire family for our parents 50th wedding anniversary. It is very family oriented, with lots of activities both outdoors and in. They have an indoor pool which is good if you are going in the winter. They have an indoor skating rink and a tobbogan run as well. In other seasons there is are a myriad of outdoor activiites, biking, hiking, skeet shooting, boating and an outdoor pool. For adults there is a golf course on the property and tennis courts. Contrary to other postings on this thread, the furniture and fittings are of very high quality. It is an massive old stone lodge (completly refurbished), and there are also cabins (4 bedrooms all with their own bathrooms) which are close to the lodge. It is expensive, but I think it is a great place for a family vacation and is close to NYC. I am pretty picky about my hotels, and really enjoyed Skytop. They do very old fashioned things like sing alongs around a campfire... Try to stay at least one Saturday night, as the Grand March in the main lobby is a great time!

Read

Ummm Nancy, I think Julie has probably already decided, as this post was over a year ago.