Century-Old Inn At Pocono Manor Feels Young Again After Renovations
By Ann and Alex Augunas
Contributing Writers
It had been 10 years since our last visit to Pocono Manor, known now as The Inn at Pocono Manor. Time for a return visit, we thought, edged on by a too-long spell of hot and humid weather this past July, that, like the rain preceding it, simply wouldn’t go away. Taking advantage of cool, Pocono mountain nights and daytime temperatures averaging 15 degrees cooler than back home seemed an intelligent way to spend a weekend.
Our interest was also piqued when we heard that this Great Lady was undergoing a major redo, befitting the aging dowager she has become. Having visited several times over the years we were curious. Renovations and refurbishments to the guest rooms and public spaces throughout the property have been ongoing for quite some time; an investment no doubt intended to raise the century-old resort to a new standard of excellence that will appeal to today’s savvy business and leisure traveler, alike. The project is massive to say the least considering the size of the property but it’s coming along nicely at that.
Should you be wondering, the remodeling is done in such a manner that it in no way affects the comfort of guests. We didn’t notice anything bothersome and we assume that guests attending the wedding and the sweet 16 party held that weekend were unaffected, as well. Folks we encountered seemed to be having a great time.
Back in the day Pocono Manor was quite the sought after getaway. Her beginnings were interesting. A group of men, members of the Society of Friends, better known as Quakers, had gathered in Philadelphia on December 31, 1901. Their purpose was to consider the purchase of a tract of land on Little Pocono Mountain in hopes of developing a “peaceful” retreat, surrounded by natural beauty, where friends and their families could go to get away from the demands of daily living. And so it came to be. Progress was swift. Construction began on April 15, 1902 and the first guests began to arrive on August 16, 1902. Hard to imagine that 65 guest rooms had been completed that quickly.
The original 700-800 acres eventually grew to 3,000 that the property now occupies. The Quakers ran and maintained it until 1966 when it was sold to Samuel Ireland, founder and owner of the Ireland Coffee and Tea Company of Atlantic City. Mr. Ireland began an immediate refurbishment program that the Ireland family continued over 38 years. Its present owners, a real estate development company out of New York, bought the property in December of 2005 and are continuing the restoration program to bring the Inn at Pocono Manor into the 21st century.
The Inn, now a full-service resort, features 237 guestrooms, complimentary, hi-speed wireless connection, complimentary newspaper, and morning coffee service in the lobby.
Amenities are many starting with dining options that include breakfast, lunch and dinner in the spacious Mountain View Restaurant; The Exchange, a fine-dining, a la carte restaurant open for dinner each evening; The Old Lamplighter Lounge, located off the lobby, that serves pub fare, your favorite spirits, and features entertainment on weekends; and, in season, the 19th Hole Grill, a restaurant and bar that serves lunch.
Especially lovely is the new and spacious (20 rooms), Laurel Spa, located just steps from the main entrance. A full range of head-to-toe treatments and services are available to guests in need of having their yin and yang in perfect harmony. It’s a hideaway to love!
Golf is still a major draw for the resort. Many a golf group as well as corporate groups come to play its two outstanding, 18-hole courses. The likes of Sam Snead and Arnold Palmer have met the challenges of the courses The Resort proudly boasts that its former pro, Art Wall, was named PGA Player of the Year in 1956 after winning the Masters in the same year. Art’s son Greg Wall now runs the golf program as Director of Golf.
The resorts 3,000 acres includes walking/bicycling paths, indoor/outdoor pools, horseback riding, a BB range, archery, fishing, indoor tennis, and so much more. As a four-season resort it offers more to choose from than a family could hope to experience. We had fun trying. We enjoyed a horse-drawn carriage ride with Dolly, a 16-hands-high, 1600 lb. Belgium beauty that took us for a leisurely ride around the property. Later we spent as much time as possible in the outdoor pool. Did I even mention winter sports?
Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, this mountain top Resort is proud to have been welcoming guests, notable and otherwise, for over 100 years. It is still the oldest, continuously operating resort in the Poconos, and one of the oldest in North America.
For directions, information and reservations call 1-800-233-8150 or visit the web at www.poconomanor.com
By Ann and Alex Augunas
Contributing Writers
It had been 10 years since our last visit to Pocono Manor, known now as The Inn at Pocono Manor. Time for a return visit, we thought, edged on by a too-long spell of hot and humid weather this past July, that, like the rain preceding it, simply wouldn’t go away. Taking advantage of cool, Pocono mountain nights and daytime temperatures averaging 15 degrees cooler than back home seemed an intelligent way to spend a weekend.
Our interest was also piqued when we heard that this Great Lady was undergoing a major redo, befitting the aging dowager she has become. Having visited several times over the years we were curious. Renovations and refurbishments to the guest rooms and public spaces throughout the property have been ongoing for quite some time; an investment no doubt intended to raise the century-old resort to a new standard of excellence that will appeal to today’s savvy business and leisure traveler, alike. The project is massive to say the least considering the size of the property but it’s coming along nicely at that.
Should you be wondering, the remodeling is done in such a manner that it in no way affects the comfort of guests. We didn’t notice anything bothersome and we assume that guests attending the wedding and the sweet 16 party held that weekend were unaffected, as well. Folks we encountered seemed to be having a great time.
Back in the day Pocono Manor was quite the sought after getaway. Her beginnings were interesting. A group of men, members of the Society of Friends, better known as Quakers, had gathered in Philadelphia on December 31, 1901. Their purpose was to consider the purchase of a tract of land on Little Pocono Mountain in hopes of developing a “peaceful” retreat, surrounded by natural beauty, where friends and their families could go to get away from the demands of daily living. And so it came to be. Progress was swift. Construction began on April 15, 1902 and the first guests began to arrive on August 16, 1902. Hard to imagine that 65 guest rooms had been completed that quickly.
The original 700-800 acres eventually grew to 3,000 that the property now occupies. The Quakers ran and maintained it until 1966 when it was sold to Samuel Ireland, founder and owner of the Ireland Coffee and Tea Company of Atlantic City. Mr. Ireland began an immediate refurbishment program that the Ireland family continued over 38 years. Its present owners, a real estate development company out of New York, bought the property in December of 2005 and are continuing the restoration program to bring the Inn at Pocono Manor into the 21st century.
The Inn, now a full-service resort, features 237 guestrooms, complimentary, hi-speed wireless connection, complimentary newspaper, and morning coffee service in the lobby.
Amenities are many starting with dining options that include breakfast, lunch and dinner in the spacious Mountain View Restaurant; The Exchange, a fine-dining, a la carte restaurant open for dinner each evening; The Old Lamplighter Lounge, located off the lobby, that serves pub fare, your favorite spirits, and features entertainment on weekends; and, in season, the 19th Hole Grill, a restaurant and bar that serves lunch.
Especially lovely is the new and spacious (20 rooms), Laurel Spa, located just steps from the main entrance. A full range of head-to-toe treatments and services are available to guests in need of having their yin and yang in perfect harmony. It’s a hideaway to love!
Golf is still a major draw for the resort. Many a golf group as well as corporate groups come to play its two outstanding, 18-hole courses. The likes of Sam Snead and Arnold Palmer have met the challenges of the courses The Resort proudly boasts that its former pro, Art Wall, was named PGA Player of the Year in 1956 after winning the Masters in the same year. Art’s son Greg Wall now runs the golf program as Director of Golf.
The resorts 3,000 acres includes walking/bicycling paths, indoor/outdoor pools, horseback riding, a BB range, archery, fishing, indoor tennis, and so much more. As a four-season resort it offers more to choose from than a family could hope to experience. We had fun trying. We enjoyed a horse-drawn carriage ride with Dolly, a 16-hands-high, 1600 lb. Belgium beauty that took us for a leisurely ride around the property. Later we spent as much time as possible in the outdoor pool. Did I even mention winter sports?
Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, this mountain top Resort is proud to have been welcoming guests, notable and otherwise, for over 100 years. It is still the oldest, continuously operating resort in the Poconos, and one of the oldest in North America.
For directions, information and reservations call 1-800-233-8150 or visit the web at www.poconomanor.com
