Poconos Resort Offers Old World Charm for Families

by Colette Connolly

It’s Friday afternoon and we’re stuck in the usual GWB traffic, heading south to New Jersey and on to a long anticipated weekend in the Poconos. The last time I visited northeastern Pennsylvania was 20 years ago, but that was before kids.

The Poconos is known as the “honeymoon capital of the world” because of the variety of couples-only hotels in the area, but we quickly discovered that it is also a great place for families.

We chose the Skytop Lodge Resort and Spa, a stately-looking hotel located about 100 miles from either New York City or Philadelphia for our family adventure.  We could feel the relaxation of the countryside seeping into our bones as we watched a nearby river gently snake its way around Rte 447, the main road that leads into the estate.

The long driveway leading up to Skytop is impressive, with a beautiful man-made lake to one side, perfect for boating and fishing, and an immaculate championship golf course on the other.

Stepping into the hotel’s tweedy main hall is like entering a different era.  The extra attention you get from the bellhop and others at the hotel entrance gives the impression that this place is somehow different, a step above the usual one-stop/shop types of resorts.

It’s useful to know that this hotel was built in 1928 for the elite, and many of the traditions from the time period still remain. Afternoon tea, complete with the obligatory china, is an old tradition at Skytop, coming to dinner with a jacket is a requirement, and ladies and children are also expected to dress appropriately. Talking on a cell phone is frowned upon, at least in areas where other guests are present.

There’s no doubt that a stay at Skytop, which specializes in family vacations, provides a kinder, gentler sort of experience for all. Year after year, families return to Skytop for reunions or other celebrations, or simply to have fun together. Wanting to take full advantage of this wholesome atmosphere, we encouraged our kids to explore as much of the 5,500-acre property as possible, and to play together (something they don’t always do considering their ages: 8 and 13).

The property is best seen either on foot or on a mountain bike. If you like to walk, there are lots of independent hiking trails (a detailed map is provided by the hotel), or you can hike in a group, which is led by an experienced guide. Before deciding on any activity, be sure to pick up a copy of Skylites, the weekly newsletter the hotel puts out, providing details on all the fun.

We chose the “Vista Hike to the Picnic,” a strenuous walk that involved climbing 300 feet to the top of a nearby mountain. The walk might be a tad challenging, but the scenery from a hilltop gazebo (a designated stop that gives hikers the chance to take some great ) is well worth it. At the end of our one-hour hike, we joined dozens of other Skytop visitors for a picnic by the lake, complete with hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, chicken, salad, dessert, and drinks.

We also tried the rock climbing activity, which my son was particularly keen to do. Being an 8-year-old with boundless energy, he was ready to tackle all three levels with great enthusiasm. My first experience on the easy rock-climbing wall was a successful one, albeit a bit scary. Trying to propel myself off a ledge 30 feet from the ground took a bit of getting used to, but I took on the challenge and was glad I did.

That’s just one of the many outdoor activities available at Skytop’s Adventure Center, a new facility about a mile away from the hotel, which runs shuttle buses throughout the day taking visitors from one part of the estate to the other. At the Center, kids and their families can get involved in paint ball activities, and avail of kayaking and canoeing lessons (children must be 13 or older to participate in all three), as well as mountain biking, geo-caching and wilderness skills classes.

A 90-minute geo-caching session brought out the scout in all of us, not to mention getting us accustomed to the idea of using handheld GPS devices to find various hidden items in the forest.  We were amazed to actually find them all.

To end our day’s adventures, we took a leisurely paddle on the lake. You can rent boats or kayaks at the Skytop Fishing, Boating and Shooting Center (our rental cost only $14). Fly fishing permits are available at the Center, too, in addition to a whole host of fishing equipment.

Once indoors, the kids relaxed in the indoor heated pool (Skytop has an outdoor pool, too, which is also heated), and they also made good use of the hotel’s recreation room, which includes miniature golf, ping pong, air hockey, and pool, among other amusements. Skytop also has a Camp in the Clouds, an all-day camp for children ages 3 to 12. Fees per child are $32 for a full day; $16 for a half day.

Don’t expect to go hungry at Skytop. There’s plenty of good food to be had, including a full- or continental-style breakfast, a hearty lunch and a sumptuous dinner. Visitors can eat in the Windsor Dining Room, the LakeView Restaurant, or grab a quick bite to eat in either the Tea Room or the Tap Room, which by the way, has a large selection of Scotch and Irish whiskeys, beers and aperitifs. Don’t worry about tipping, as gratuity for housekeeping, bellmen and dining is included in the room rate, unless you want to leave extra for exceptional service. 

If You Go:

Skytop’s rates include accommodation and three meals a day, with kids under 16 staying free (provided they share a room with their parents). The hotel has several ongoing promotions, so it’s best to call ahead at 1-800-345-7759 or visit the website at www.skytop.com.

Upcoming themed weekends include Spoo-Tacular, Oct. 30-Nov 1; Secrets of the Harvest, Nov. 6-8; Celebrate the Oldies, Nov. 13-15; Holiday Dining and Decorating, Dec. 4-6; and Gingerbread Weekends, Dec. 11-13 and Dec. 18-20 (see the Skytop website for more details).

Must-Dos:

• The fifth floor observation desk where you’ll see fabulous views of the surrounding countryside. During World War II, the post was manned round the clock by volunteer lodge staff, guests and townspeople who were on the lookout for enemy aircraft.
• Visit Skytop’s Skyview spa and choose from a variety of treatments, including reflexology footwork, Shiatsu massage, and couples Swedish or deep tissue massage, to name a few.

by: Colette Connolly

Colette Connolly is a frequent contributor to TravelLady and writes often about family travel in the U.S. and abroad.