Pocono Mountain Villas by Exploria Resorts

Surrounded by the Pocono Mountains, Fernwood Resort is set on 400 wooded acres. Don't expect a traditional hotel, though, as the resort comprises dozens of low-rise buildings scattered throughout the grounds that look more like a collection of condominiums -- and there's some big issues that keep this from being an ideal escape. The hotel's lobby is simple and functional, and definitely not the kind of place where anyone would hang out and chat over drinks. It's all about outdoor activities here, and the resort has six swimming pools, a sauna, ziplining, a rope course, tubing and sledding, tennis, volleyball, horseback riding, and golf. With these numerous pastimes, the Fernwood is a fit for active vacationers and families with children. This all comes with a major caveat, though, as the resort needs to address maintenance and datedness issues like murky water in swimming pools, dirty or old carpets and furniture in public spaces and villas, holes in walls, and broken fixtures.

Situated in eastern Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains, the Fernwood Resort has some pretty scenic real estate. As the property is large, there's not much within an easy walk, but Route 209 is lined with all manner of local casual restaurants, national retailers, fast food, and the like, and is just a minute outside of the hotel's front gate. Major sights in the area include Bushkill Falls, which is only a five-minute drive from the hotel, while skiing is available at Shawnee Mountain, only eight-minutes away by car. The closest city is Stroudsburg, which has a small array of shopping and dining plus a mall with a movie theater. It's 30 minutes by car to reach Tannersville and The Crossings Premium Outlets. Guests coming from the Allentown area and Lehigh Valley International Airport will drive about an hour to reach the Fernwood Resort.

If expectations are managed, this resort might tick the boxes for an outdoorsy rural escape, but the truth is that the spacious villas' comforts are undermined by a seriously dated style and maintenance issues. The 650 rentable units come in a variety of configurations, with variable settings and views throughout the property. The look is decidedly homey in all, with plush, overstuff furniture, simple wooden furniture, tan wallpaper on the walls, and the type of pastel Home Interiors artwork found in budget lodgings across the U.S.A. Villas range from Studios to multi-bedroom, multi-floor units. Expect to see dated floral-print bed spreads, stained floors and countertops, peeling wallpaper, rusty fixtures, and a generally tenuous handle on upkeep throughout most of the units. Renovations are necessary. All villas come with kitchenettes or full kitchens, sofa beds, and washers and dryers. Many have 32-inch flat-screen TVs with cable channels and DVD players, but some villas have old tube TVs in bedrooms. Wi-Fi is available but is not free. Other variable features include dining areas, golf course or lake views, outdoor decks, lofts, jetted tubs, and electric fireplaces. Bathrooms are clean and spacious, with ample counter space around the sinks, but expect them to look lifted from an earlier decade as well.

Despite having lackluster places to rest your head at night, there is a wide array of activities to keep everyone busy. The six swimming pools include four seasonal outdoor pools, two indoor pools, and an indoor children's pool. Guests can also soak in an indoor hot tub. As with much of the resort, though, the condition of the pool can be variable. The resort also has a small fitness center and sauna, and a massage therapist is on hand as well. There's an 18-hole course framed by views of the Poconos, plus ziplining and a rope course as well as tubing and sledding on snow in the winter and plastic sliding mats in warmer months. Also on-site are horseback riding, mini-golf, volleyball, tennis, and basketball. Fees may apply for some activities. A shuttle is available to transport guests around the sprawling property. Guests can dine in a grill restaurant with patio and occasional live music, but no meals are included with any rates. Also on site at the resort are a game arcade, business center, 24-hour front desk, and free parking. There are fees for Wi-Fi.