The Best Resorts in the Poconos, Pennsylvania

The good news is that the Mount Airy Casino and Resort is within footsteps of the fairytale-pretty Woodland Trail and Marry Hill Trail. The bad news is that you’ll be so distracted by the in-house assets at the resort that you’ll forget all about them. It may be the slot machines, where you can crank hours away before realizing you’re late for your tee-time at the 18-hole golf course, or that you’re so blissed-out in the spa you miss the start of the live entertainment at the event center. You’ll just have to tick the trails off next time.

You want to hit the ski slopes, but the kids want to splash about? No worries – the Camelback Lodge & Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark offers the best of both worlds. Spend the morning on the pistes, before returning to base for a swim and splash in the waterpark. Throw in a ride on the mountain coaster or zipline through the trees, and you can bank on perma-grins all around. Want a little time to yourself? Send the kids down to the arcade then sneak off to the spa for a massage.

Need to break away from the day-to-day city pace? Just 90 minutes from both the Big Apple and Philly, Mountain Springs Lake Resort has serenity-restoring fresh air on tap. You’ll feel worlds away from the gleam of skyscrapers and the hum of inner-city traffic on the banks of the private 72-acre (29ha) resort lake, though you may hear a few locals ooh-ahhing their way around the 2mi (3km) hiking trail skirting the water’s edge. Want to take a shortcut? Your cottage comes with a rowboat to cruise across the lake in minutes.

It’s about to get mighty steamy in the couples-only Paradise Stream Resort, and we don’t just mean in the heart-shaped hot tubs. Swim in the bliss of a 7ft (2m) tall champagne tower before joining your beau in the spa for a couples’ massage. You’ll always find a concert, comedy set or other fun show on the calendar, but if you prefer a little privacy in your evening, there’s plenty of room for two to stare up at the celestial ceilings from your round king-size bed.

You surely won’t be able to explore all 1,500 acres (607ha) of the Woodloch Pines Resort grounds, but that won’t stop your kids from trying. They’ll be able to make their way around via go karts, bumper boats, ice skates and zip lines. They’ll even be able to scour any territory they’ve missed by scaling the six-sided rock wall. Feeling exhausted just thinking about it? Gigi’s Coffee House will keep you pepped-up throughout the duration of your stay.

Your stay at Skytop Lodge can be meticulously planned or absolutely impromptu with a 5,500-acre (2226ha) playground just begging to be explored. A full daily schedule of activities – from crafts to guided hikes, hayrides to beer tastings – allow you to curate your own itinerary. Prefer to wander wherever the wind blows you? The treetop adventure course, paintball field and award-winning golf course allow you to come and go as you please.

The Woodlands Inn is both an escape into nature and a mini city break rolled into one. Wilkes-Barre stylists will get you ready for dancing at the hotel nightclub, or for night gambling at the Downs at Mohegan Sun casino. When you’d rather get away from the fun, the nearby hiking trails will take you deep into state parks where you’ll forget how close you are to this former industrial city.

Sit atop the mountain at Stroudsmoor Country Inn and get ready to explore 30,000 acres (12,141ha) of the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge on foot, horseback, mountain bikes or skis. You’ll be just as in love with your antique-adorned suite, outfitted with a private balcony, fireplace, wet bar and whirlpool tub. Don’t miss out on a chance to venture into the charming town, making a special stop at the Stroudsmoor Inn Towne Bakery Cafe for scratch-made Italian butter cookies and fruits of the forest pies.

Your condo at Tanglwood Resort somehow manages to feel isolated in the forest yet right beside every fantastic amenity. Their condos are set in clusters across their 7mi (11km) property, limiting your number of neighbors yet still keeping you within a few minutes of the recreation center, sports complex and arcade. Imagine spending the day on Lake Wallenpaupack then cooking up a family dinner in your condo. The simultaneous feeling of at-home living and resort excitement can be summed up in one word: bliss.

No need to lace your walking shoes too tight at Echo Valley Cottages; you’ll find this casual hotel has plenty of do without leaving the property. Morning swims and evening campfires bookend a day spent fishing in their pond and putting through their mini-golf course. Add in a few minutes at the toddler playground or throwing around the old pigskin and you’ve got a fun-yet-relaxing day with your cottage still in view.