Pocono Manor
By
Steve Sears
Outside the back door of the Pocono Manor Inn in the National
Historic District of Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania, there is serenity
and solitude. The only sounds heard are an occasional bird’s
song, my shoes tapping on the cement walkway, and then cascading
softly through the grass as I make my way down to the picnic benches
on the deck. I look around, trees and greenery abounding, and
I’m reminded of the many day trips I took when my now 14-year-old
daughter Stefanie was just a baby, to state parks with nothing but
grass, monarchs fluttering and birds singing.
On the other side of the building, just down the road a bit in
another part of the resort, leisure-time and serious golfers are
trying their skills at two 18-hole championship golf courses. Inside
the Inn, early morning diners are partaking of a delicious breakfast
buffet in the main dining room.
The Pocono Manor Inn – 3,500 acres of nature and relaxation.
“A Tradition of Excellence” is its motto, known as The Grand
Lady of the Mountains to local residents.
If you are a golfer, this is your ultimate destination. Ladies
(and gentlemen), are you interested in the finest in spa treatment?
Donna Porcino and her crew at Laurel Spa, directly across from the
Inn’s front door, have everything you need in one heckuva
facility. Feel like fly fishing lessons or sporting clay
firing? The Rod & Gun Club is excellent. Indoor
tennis and racquetball, horseback riding and swimming, indoors and
outdoors? And more?
Go no further. It’s all here. Rest and
repose, however brief and long you wish it to be. Go with the
extended stay, for with breathtaking views of mountains and natural
growth all around, the 244 guest rooms decorated in hotel history
furnishing are a welcome reprieve. Built in 1902, and with
meeting rooms named “Buchanan,” “Jackson” and a lounge
called The Lamplighter, you expect one of our 19th century
presidents to enter the front door, be greeted by the wonderful
welcome staff at the front desk, say hello to fellow visitors in a
main lobby filled with the old world charm of fireplaces and
grandfather clocks, and head down to the Lamplighter for a game of
billiards or, the hotel’s newest addition, Marmaduke’s, for a
brew.
The best thing? You never have to leave the property to
receive the “best.” My wife and daughter, who accompanied
me on the trip, and I discovered this immediately.
It was the best “vacation” we’ve had. And folks,
that’s a lot of trips.
“We offer many amenities for visitors,” verifies Don Snyder,
General Manager of the grand property, who is especially fond of
both golf courses. “Our Don Ross east golf course was
designed in 1912, and George Fazio designed the west golf course in
1965. Both are championship courses. The LPGA was even
played here, and we’ve also had PGA Senior events and
television’s ‘All Star Golf.’ We are a known place.”
Arnold Palmer and Sam Snead are just two of the many legends of the
game who have played at the Manor. Art Wall Jr., who
represented the Manor while on tour in 1959, won the Masters and was
named the PGA player of the year. One can just imagine
engaging, not only in a challenging game on the links with the
above, but also in conversation during dinner and drink at the golf
club’s restaurant and lounge.
The Pocono Manor is also more than just golf. “I’ve
been here for two years,” says Ralph Megliola, head of the Rod and
Gun Club and the full service pro shop at the Pocono Manor.
“We are a full line Orvis dealer, the premiere name in fly
fishing. We even have four Orvis endorsed guides for our
beginning to experienced classes.”
Envisioned is a beautiful day trout fishing at the placid, private,
nearby stream at the Manor. Perhaps it’s time to start taking
classes?
“We even have a 21 station sporting clay course,” continues
Megliola. “There is an introductory package with instructors
included.”
A brief venture through the club’s 102 year old building unveils a
pool table, working bar and a room where classes are held. It
appears to be the perfect place to unwind after a day of fishing or
shooting.
For another type of relaxation, a short walk across from the
Inn
takes you to Donna Porcino’s Laurel Spa. The Pocono Manor,
its own general contractor, has created a magnificent marvel.
“We opened this in 2003,” Don Snyder says of the 8,500 square
foot abode of relaxation. “It took us eight months to build
and in the ninth month we were open.”
With 20 treatment rooms, alabaster lighting, and limestone and
granite throughout, it’s the ultimate in comfort and “top
notch” according to Snyder. The Ladies and Men’s lockers
rooms have lockers made of propylene; each has a steam room, German
showers and tower showers. Tanners are afforded the
opportunity for “standing tanning,” manicures and pedicures are
performed as a customer sits on comfortable seating, and a juice bar
is available. Special requests can be honored if the customer
calls ahead. Bridal packages, Pilates, hand, hot stone and
hydro massage, are all available in special packages.
On our first evening at the Manor after a long ride from Essex
County, New Jersey, the tables are in the main dining room were
lavishly decorated, there was a mountain view from every angle and,
with beautiful classical music playing throughout the Manor, the
experience was ultimate elegance. Though the menu was limited,
Prime Rib was offered along with Baked Salmon, and everyone at the
table was satisfied. The Rib was, without a doubt, the best
I’ve tasted. Thick and medium-rare, exactly to my liking,
and melting to the touch of the steak knife (a butter knife
would’ve sufficed) and my taste buds. The baked potato was
an added attraction, and the decaf coffee and cheese cake for
dessert served by Angel, our server, were out of this world.
The next morning and afternoon, the breakfast and lunch buffets were
a cornucopia of everything a man, woman and child could love.
Cheese omelets with pancakes and crisp bacon, served with a variety
of muffins and croissants, made the breakfast complete. For
lunch, the platters of potato salad, egg potato salad, tuna and cold
cut platters, and a scrumptious variety of cakes had our heads
turning this way and that.
The final evening before our departure, an elegantly printed menu
was presented to us, and Stefanie opted for the Baked Ziti, Lucille
the Strip Steak Diane, I the Roast Pork Loin.
It was a savory “final” meal, but was it the perfect way to end
our trip?
No, but it was a very close second to our walk around the property
under cool evening skies, the glorious building looming in the
background as a rare spring chill was in the clear air.
The best of everything in the Pocono Mountains.
The
Pocono Manor Inn
Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania 18349
Ph: (570) 839-7111
Toll Free (800) 233-8150
Fax: (570) 839-0708
www.PoconoManor.com
