Skytop Lodge

This is a far cry from your average Poconos getaway with heart-shaped hot tubs and mirrored ceilings. The first indication that this is a different sort of property is the one-lane bridge that crosses over a narrow section of a pristine lake. From there, a long driveway leads toward the massive stone colonial-style manor house at the heart of the resort. Built in 1928, the main lodge overlooks Skytop Lake and a property that has every kind of mountain amenity and activity imaginable, spread across 5,500 acres. The grounds are well-kept throughout, changing in accordance to seasonal sporting and leisure pursuits, while an 18-hole golf course weaves its way around the property. Downhill near the lake are a series of Cottages and a trout stream, along with a second lodge with rooms for guests wanting to stay right on the golf course. The lobby of the main lodge is worth spending time in, and is complete with a fireplace and grand piano surrounded by the vintage atmosphere of dark wood paneling, leather couches, and arched windows. While families make up the majority of guests here, the extensive conference facilities and serene vibe also lure plenty of business travelers and couples. 

The Skytop Lodge is located in a serene, rural setting far from everything else. A local highway connects to the small town of Mount Pocono in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains in about 30 minutes. The area is known for camping, hiking, and numerous ski resorts that typically attract residents of New York and Washington, D.C. There are no popular attractions within walking distance of the resort, but the large open-air Crossings Premium Outlets mall is a 30-minute drive south and the Camelback ski area is under 40 minutes south by car. 

A 2015 renovation of all 192 rooms updated their amenities while preserving the historical flavor of the decor. Rooms in the main lodge come in three different color palettes and themes -- Garden, Water, and Mountain -- with hand-painted wall art and custom-made 1930s-inspired wood furnishings. Standard rooms can be small, without any seating, while Premium Rooms add enough space for loveseats and small desks. Suites add coffeemakers, and some have living rooms with sofa beds. All bathrooms have also been updated with brighter lighting and vintage-style fixtures, and each has a shower/tub combo and the Lodge's bath products. Additional rooms near the golf course, in The Inn at Skytop, have gas fireplaces and private balconies; some add hot tubs. There are also several blocks of 300-square-foot Cottages (that share hallways with each other) around the grounds; upgraded, larger Stream Side Cottages (situated, as you may have guessed, along the stream) have gas fireplaces. Mini-fridges are available in some rooms, Suites, and Cottages. All rooms have safes, flat-screen smart TVs, and free Wi-Fi. 

A huge veranda lined with deck chairs is just one of many places to sit and relax throughout the property's 5,500-acre grounds. And that's a good thing, because the Lodge offers an array of activity options from which to recover. Lawn games are big here and include bowling, croquet, and horseshoes, plus a putting green and an archery range, among other all-ages pursuits. For the more adventurous, the resort also has paintball games, a climbing wall, and a zip-line. Hiking and biking trails abound and there are loads of seasonal outdoor activities, from fishing and shooting to skiing and ice skating. There's even a stable where guests can book horseback riding sessions with professional guides, as well as pony rides for kids. Skytop Lake has a sandy beach area, along with boating and water sports. The resort's popular 18-hole golf course has a clubhouse and a pro shop, and there are outdoor tennis courts to round out the athletic opportunities. Some activities cost an extra fee. A seasonal outdoor pool with a sundeck is augmented by a year-round indoor lap pool with a kiddy pool and a hot tub. There's also a full-service spa with treatment rooms. An adjacent fitness center is packed with cardio machines and weight-training equipment. Event facilities are geared for weddings and business travelers, with a large conference center that has several meeting rooms, and two ballrooms. Other indoor amenities include a large game room with arcade games and several ping-pong tables, along with a few small shops. Two main dining options are the formal Windsor Dining Room, and the more casual (dinner-only, seasonal) Lakeview Restaurant overlooking the lake and golf course. Both serve regional American cuisine with locally sourced meats and produce. The Tap Room serves craft beers, rare cognacs, and wine, with a bistro-style menu (for lunch and dinner), while a deli has sandwiches and light meals to go. Other bars include the Library Lounge in the Main Lodge, complete with a fireplace and stocked bookshelves, and the Fairview Bar at the Inn at Skytop overlooking the golf course. The vintage Tea Room has an old school fountain counter with metal stools, and serves classic Americana like milkshakes and egg creams.