Among America’s earliest vacationlands, northeastern Pennsylvania’s mountainous Pocono region opened its hospitality account in 1829 with the boarding house-style Kittatinny Hotel. For a region largely subsisting on farming and natural resource industries, this vital transition to tourism paid off. Other lodgings followed, and in the post-Civil War era, the Poconos became the nation’s second most popular inland summer resort after Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
In 1927, the region’s original DMO, the Monroe County Publicity Bureau, christened the Poconos “Pennsylvania’s Playground.” The post-WWII era saw the arrival of the first ski resorts and launch of the region’s half-century run as a magnet for honeymooners and cupids.
Around 1958, Poconos native Morris Wilkins introduced the heart-shaped hot tub at his Cove Haven Resort on Lake Wallenpaupack. Later becoming president of Caesars Pocono Resorts, the late Wilkins also patented the champagne glass-shaped hot tub. These memorable symbols indelibly labelled the Poconos as a lure for the libidinous.
Today, “maturity” defines the Poconos’ appeal as an all-around destination for rewarding vacations and productive meetings.
“Close to many major markets, notably New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., the Pocono region is drivable and accessible for corporate and other groups,” said Chris Barrett, CEO of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau. “Once here, our advanced meeting facilities offer high-speed Wi-Fi, cutting-edge audiovisual equipment and wide-ranging amenities such as fine-dining, on-site fitness centers and professional spas.”
The advantages extend beyond the agenda.
“For attendees and their families, many resorts and other facilities offer plentiful options for both teambuilding exercises and pre- and post-meeting stays,” Barrett continued. “These include professionally designed golf courses, horseback riding, white-water rafting, hiking trails, skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing and indoor waterparks. Plus, year-round culture at our theaters, performing arts centers and live entertainment venues. Simply put, we are a complete four-season destination for combining meetings and business with leisure and recreation.”
Rambling over 2,400 square miles and four counties, the Poconos is the host with the most.
Liquid Assets
Some 12,000 years ago, the Wisconsin Glaciation ground to a halt in the Poconos. As the continental ice behemoth receded, it put the finishing sculptural touches on eons of glacial shaping of the region, including mountains, valleys, ravines and numerous waterways. Native Americans called the region “Pocohanne,” or “a stream between mountains.”
Chief among these is the wondrous Delaware Water Gap. With I-80 passing through its 1,000-foot walls, the nearly mile-wide Gap (by where the Kittatinny Hotel once stood) forms part of a 70,000-acre National Recreation Area overflowing with options for groups.
These include facilitated field trips with the Pocono Environmental Education Center, visiting historic villages and kayaking, canoeing or rafting on the Delaware River. Hiking options include a section of the Appalachian Trail, as well as several trail-accessible waterfalls.
The region’s crowning cascades, Bushkill Falls, run deep in the woods high above the Delaware River. Featuring eight waterfalls connected by two-plus miles of trails, bridges and walkways, the “Niagara of Pennsylvania” atmospherically evokes The Lord of the Rings. The open-air Pavilion can accommodate gatherings of up to 150; minutes away is the family-friendly 166-room Pocmont Resort & Conference Center.
Of Pennsylvania’s 2,500 “lakes,” 98 percent are manmade. The 50 or so that were formed naturally, by giant blocks of melting glacial ice, are in the Poconos. These include ancient Lake Harmony, where since 1941 travelers have sojourned to Split Rock Resort. First a vacation and hunting lodge and then in 1946 the Poconos’ first ski resort, the 578-room property set on 1,200 acres is ideal for combining meetings with a vacation or family time.
Offering 76,000 square feet of flexible space, including 10-plus meeting rooms and 45,000 square feet of convention space, Split Rock is equipped for up to 3,000 attendees. After completing a multimillion-dollar refresh in March 2016, which included 50 guest rooms in the historic lakeside lodge, its Keystone Ballroom, lobby and public spaces, continuing upgrades are in the works. Amenities include the Thirsty Moose Saloon, indoor waterpark and activities on Lake Harmony.
Split Rock is near the historic town Jim Thorpe, “The Switzerland of America.” Amid mountainous surroundings, diverse attractions include 700-plus acre paintball complex Skirmish USA; Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway rides; the mountaintop, 1,800-capacity Penn’s Peak concert venue; and event-capable 1845 Inn at Jim Thorpe.
In the northern Poconos’ Lake Region, Lake Teedyuskung is home to the four-season Woodloch Resort. Founded in 1958, the property flexibly hosts corporate meetings and large-scale groups in 18 meeting rooms at three distinct properties, including the 162-room Woodloch Pines Resort, Woodloch Springs Clubhouse and 57-room Lodge at Woodloch, a destination spa.
PageBreakNearby Honesdale is where in 1829 the Stourbridge Lion was the first steam locomotive to run in America. Groups can see its replica in the Wayne County Historical Building (the Smithsonian in D.C. has the original) and book scenic excursions on the Stourbridge Line railroad.
On the manmade front, the Poconos are a national leader in waterparks.
Making Waves
Opened in 1963, Camelback Resort is among Pennsylvania’s largest ski resorts, and includes the nation’s largest snow-tubing park. Added in 1998, Camelbeach is the state’s largest outdoor waterpark with 37 rides, slides and attractions. Unveiled in May 2015, the $163 million Camelback Lodge & Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark transformed the seasonal day-use property to an overnight, year-round destination. The Lodge comes with 453 spacious suites and 20,000 square feet of space; Aquatopia offers 125,000 square feet of splashy fun. The resort’s Mountain Adventures Park offers 100-plus aerial obstacles, ziplines, and ground challenge games.
The region’s first indoor waterpark resort, Great Wolf Lodge, opened in 2005. The family-friendly property offers 400 guest rooms and flexible space for 10 to 100 attendees.
Continuing to make major waves is Kalahari Resorts and Conventions, which brought its third national location to the Poconos in July 2015 with 457 rooms, 100,000 square feet of convention space and 100,000-square-foot indoor waterpark. Following its Phase 2 expansion, unveiled in March 2017, the African-themed resort now offers 997 rooms and it more than doubled to 220,000 square feet, making it America’s largest indoor waterpark.
There’s more ahead. Slated for completion in late 2019, the property is adding 134,000 square feet of convention space. Highlights include 21 new meeting rooms, bringing the total to 39; a new 38,000-square-foot ballroom, adding to the existing 25,000-square-foot ballroom, and a second 9,000-square-foot junior ballroom; a 400-capacity executive conference center; and expansive prefunction areas.
As I discovered this summer, it’s the consummate group package under one roof.
Attached to the hotel, the convention center has a major-market feel, including handsome ballrooms and the expansive outdoor River Patio. Meaning “to dream and create” in Swahili, the 41-foot tall, 20,000-pound Ndoto Na Kujenga metal tree sculpture in the center’s entrance will inspire any agenda. Acquired by Kalahari’s owners the Nelson family, African art abounds property-wide.
Signature dining experiences include the Double Cut Charcoal Grill steakhouse and Sortino’s Italian Kitchen, both offering private event space. With 52 private cabanas, adult swim-up bars and eight exhilarating rides including the gravity-defying Wild Wildebeest, the waterpark is available for after-hours buyouts.
Introduced here and at Wisconsin Dells earlier this year, The Arena is the first warehouse-size, free-roam virtual reality (VR) venue on the market, offering three mind-bending games for groups of eight. Other draws include Marrakesh Market, a Moroccan-style bazaar offering grab-and-go items, unique gifts and authentic African items; and the spa, featuring halotherapy (salt therapy) using pure organic Himalayan salt.
First Resorts
Another modern arrival was Mohegan Sun Pocono. In 2006, after acquiring Pocono Downs racetrack, the property became Pennsylvania’s first slots casino, adding table games in 2010. Then came a 238-room hotel with an on-site spa and adjacent 20,000- square-foot convention center. With 8,300-seat Mohegan Sun Arena nearby, it’s one of the region’s most versatile group destinations.
Opened in 2007, Mount Airy Casino Resort is Pennsylvania’s first AAA Four Diamond-rated casino. With 188 guest rooms and 7,000-plus square feet of flexible space for 30 to 200 attendees, the resort features headline entertainment; signature restaurants including New York City’s famed Bistecca by Il Mulino; a 16,000-square-foot spa, salon and exercise facility; and lakefront golf. In June 2017, the resort unveiled the Vegas-style Wet Nightclub, part of the $5 million redevelopment of its indoor/outdoor pool and entertainment complex. Available for events, the scenic 11,000-square-foot facility includes cabanas and fire pits.
The property is the update of legendary “Beautiful Mount Airy Lodge.” Before being shuttered in 2001, this icon, once attracting the likes of Bob Hope and Tony Bennett, was immortalized in TV jingles including “Have your fling in the spring,” “All you have to bring is your love for everything,’’ and “Your host with the most in the Poconos.”
Other Poconos originals have stood the test of time. In the Delaware Water Gap, two Civil War-era heirlooms survive: the eight-room Deer Head Inn, the nation’s oldest continuously running jazz club, and Glenwood House, today the Glenwood Inn & Conference Center, a Christian retreat center.
Two miles from the Gap, Shawnee on Delaware was the region’s first European settlement, in 1725. Opened here in 1911 as the Buckwood Inn and renamed in 1943, the Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort, with 80 rooms plus private cottages and glamping, offers a dozen versatile spaces for 300 attendees. Famously located on an island in the Delaware River, the prized golf course, from 1911, was the first from master architect A.W. Tillinghast. Adjacent to the property, Shawnee Craft Brewery offers tours and tastings.
Opened in 1902, the Inn at Pocono Manor celebrated its 115th anniversary this spring by rebranding as Pocono Manor Resort & Spa.
“At Pocono Manor, we are continuing our tradition of warm hospitality while meeting the needs of the ever-changing meetings industry,” said Susan Corrigan, director of sales for the historic 237-room property. “We offer 30,000 square feet of versatile function space that leaves the everyday behind, providing the opportunity for your group to create, invigorate and collaborate on the business at hand.”
The experienced staff at the 3,000-acre retreat are ready to help break old routines and revitalize the group agenda and events. Natural escapes include exploring miles of wooded trails by foot or horseback, golfing on the 18-hole championship East Course, rejuvenating at the Laurel Spa, and taking advantage of wide-ranging outdoor activities, including teambuilding events.
Opened in 1928, the majestic 193-room Skytop Lodge is a majestic former estate set on 5,500 acres. Overnight options include 124 recently refreshed guest rooms and suites in the historic Main Lodge, the separate 18-room Inn at Skytop and private cottages.
Offering 17 meeting rooms including the 10,000-square-foot Skytop Executive Center, Evergreen Ballroom and distinctive executive suites, the AAA Four Diamond property also features the Adventure Center. Amenities and programs include a 30-foot rock-climbing wall, Tree Top Adventure Course, 30 miles of forest hiking trails, wilderness survival and more.
