Mohegan Sun Pocono

Set on 400 acres off I-81, the Mohegan Sun “racino” combines a harness racetrack and a casino with a convention center, and a hotel that was added in 2013. Given its sheer enormity and the number of features, eateries, bars, and gambling opportunities, the property is destination in itself. The area surrounding the Mohegan Sun is predominantly residential with a few restaurants, and car yards seem to dominate the local commercial offerings, so travelers come here mostly for the gambling and events.A sea of parking spaces (5,000 to be exact) surrounds a sprawling single-story island, housing the casino and convention center, with the hotel rising up seven stories between the two. This super casual casino resort is owned by the Mohegan Tribe of Indians, and much of the property’s design and decor has been inspired by the natural landscape of central Pennsylvania’s Susquehanna River Valley -- though this seems to be more obvious in the earth-toned rooms than anywhere else. 

The Mohegan Sun Pocono is situated in the largely residential township of Plains, Pennsylvania. It’s located just off Interstate 81, about 15 minutes from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport. Nearby highlights are limited, but include Susquehanna Brewing Company and Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza -- both around a 10-minute drive away. Car and RV dealers are in the area, and the Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center is a six-minute drive from the hotel. A vast expanse of protected forests and recreation areas reside nearby. They include Seven Tubs Nature Area (seven minutes) and Bear Creek Preserve (19 minutes). 

Hotel rooms are spacious, clean, and comfortable. They're available in Standard, Suite, and Bay Suite categories with king or double queen bed options. Suites upsize layouts, and Bay Suites add separate living areas. Beds are comfortable and their crisp white bedding adds fresh contrast to the otherwise deep color scheme. Rooms are conservatively dressed in warm, moody tones like taupe-gray and earthy red and orange. Other design elements include dark wood, granite-topped furniture, and blazing sunset nature artworks hung above beds. Rooms contain flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, air-conditioning, work desks with ergonomic chairs, free Wi-Fi, and iPad directories featuring daily newspapers. Closets store irons, ironing boards, and safes. Suite categories also feature Keurig coffeemakers. Bathrooms are rather contemporary, with wide wood and black granite vanities, frameless glass showers, and a selection of toiletries. Views are fairly uninspiring, and largely take in the expansive surrounding parking lot.

The Mohegan Sun packs in plenty, which isn't a surprise given the idea is to keep casino gamblers on-site. Some features (like the indoor pool and fitness center) reside in the hotel wing and are exclusively available to guests. Others, such as the casino and restaurants, are open to the public. The pool is heated, and the fitness center is a spacious room offering a limited selection of dated cardio and weight-training equipment. The casual casino offers gaming tables, slot machines, and a poker room, though some guests find the machines to be out of date. While there are non-smoking areas, it’s hard to escape the smell of cigarettes. Spa Sapphire is located in the hotel area, though it is open to the public. It encompasses a hair and beauty salon, in addition to some wonderful relaxation areas and treatment rooms spanning 4,000 square feet. Services include a huge range of massages, wraps, facials, manicures, and pedicures, in addition to hair and makeup services. The spa also features a mens' salon, a couple’s suite, and a Himalayan salt sauna. An array of dining options are on offer at the Mohegan Sun. In addition to a food court with a cafe, restaurants include Timbers Buffet, The Terrace, Johnny Rockets, Molly O’Sheas (Irish pub and eatery), Pearl Sushi Bar, Rustic Kitchen (upscale Italian), and Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. Bars include Bar Louie (which also serves meals), Breakers Bar (which regularly features live music), Bean and Vine Cafe & Wine Bar, and Sunburst Bar, which is in the center of the casino. Though closed early in the week, the buffet restaurant is a hit, and the food is generally pretty solid. M Bar is located within the hotel wing, behind the lobby, and offers a full bar, plus Starbucks espresso coffee. Open in summer, Party on the Patio offers food and drink specials, with free live weekly entertainment. Several establishments offer happy hours. Parking is free -- there are over 5,000 spaces, and hotel guests receive a free valet service. A small business center is located off the lobby, and free Wi-Fi is provided throughout. The resort also features a versatile 20,000 square foot convention center and a racetrack. An open-air terrace area is located right off the lobby. Guests can get some fresh air and sunshine here, though most people come out here to smoke.