Property
An upscale, all-inclusive resort located on 5,500 acres in the Poconos, Skytop Lodge manages to perfectly strike that rare and elusive balance between luxurious and family friendly. Children are truly and completely welcome at Skytop, and a great deal of effort has clearly been put into making the resort fun, accessible and entertaining for guests of all ages. Style and decorum have not been sacrificed in the process, however, and the result is a property which is every bit as appealing to adults as it is to their offspring.

Location
Situated in northeastern Pennsylvania, Skytop is located less than a two-hour drive from both Philadelphia and New York City. (Unless you are foolish enough to embark on the journey at rush hour on a Friday night, in which case your mileage may vary considerably. But really, who would be that foolish? Ahem.)

Sleeps
Families of 4 or 5 can easily spread out in what Skytop calls a mini suite (essentially an extra-large room with king bed, sleeper sofa, and ample room to fit a rollaway bed). Interconnected rooms, as well as a number of configurable cabins located adjacent to the main lodge, are also available for larger families or those who just prefer a bit more privacy.

Highlights
Sktop Lodge offers a full roster of year-round indoor and outdoor entertainment, and guests are welcome to partake in as little or as much of the action as they wish . Winter highlights include the ice skating pavilion and small private ski slope, and summer fun can be found on the 75-acre lake or the championship golf course. But I was most drawn to the big fireside couches in the lodge and the rows of Adirondack chairs on its huge wrap-around porch. You’ve got to love a place that lists “loafing” among its recommended activities.

Good to know
Attire is casual during the day, but jackets for gentlemen are a must at dinner, and this rule is faithfully followed. No one seemed to notice or care that my 5-year-old dined in sneakers, however. It is this kind of double standard which perfectly sums up why Skytop Lodge is so good at what it does.

Contact
http://www.skytop.com

Skytop Lodge from TravelSavvyMom on Vimeo.

March 16th, 2009 | by Rebecca Tompkins