For decades
Pennsylvania's Poconos Mountains—2400 square miles of lakes,
rivers, peaks, valleys, and waterfalls—was known as the
"Honeymoon Capital of the World." And it was!
The Poconos
opened its first honeymoon resort in 1945, just in time to welcome
the prolific post-war marriage boom. Soon other honeymoon resorts
joined in, and for more than three decades the Poconos reigned
supreme as a honeymoon getaway. During that time the word
"Poconos" was synonymous with "honeymoon."
Times have changed.
Today the Poconos Mountains Visitors Bureau barely mentions
honeymoons on its site, and many of the former honeymoon resorts
now cater to families. However, the area still attracts more than
200,000 honeymooning couples each year.
A honeymoon here is not for everyone,
though. If your taste in decoration
runs along the lines of "less is more," if the thought of being
surrounded by crowds of other newlyweds causes an allergic
reaction, or if you’d rather starve than slice into a heart-shaped
dessert, stay away. But if you like the idea of being pampered at
reasonable prices in an atmosphere completely devoted to couples,
with a lot of fun kitsch thrown in, start packing!
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One of the
great things about a honeymoon here is the stunning natural
backdrop. The Poconos Mountains are a dreamscape of lush woods,
clear lakes, rushing rivers, and more than a dozen cascading
waterfalls. Home to a wide variety of unusual ecosystems, the
region contains many rare species of plants and animals. In fact,
the Nature Conservancy considers the region one of its "Last
Great Places" in the world.
Each season
brings unique blessings. In spring you’ll canter horses through a
sea of pink Mountain Laurel. In summer, when the weather’s warm
and lightning bugs sparkle at night, you’ll enjoy white water
rafting, swimming, canoeing, fishing, and bicycling. In fall, when
over one hundred varieties of trees turn the slopes ablaze with
color, a simple hike becomes a show-stopping experience. And in
winter, when the mountains are powdery white, you can ski,
snowboard, or take a ride in a horse-drawn sleigh.
The most
popular Poconos honeymoon resorts are the four
Caesars Pocono
Resorts: Cove Haven, Paradise Stream, Pocono Palace, and
Brookdale. Brookdale permits families (great for couples whose
families come along on their honeymoon, which often happens when
one or both spouses bring children into the marriage). The other
three resorts are strictly couples only. You'll find
all-you-can-eat buffets, international menus, picnics, champagne
dinners, and breakfast in bed, nightly entertainment, social
events, as well as a wide range of sports, adventure, and other
activities.
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From the least
expensive room to the most luxurious suite, the furnishings and
views are designed to enhance romance. Get ready for mirrored
walls and ceilings, circular towers with golden domes,
heart-shaped beds or hot tubs, and even in-room swimming pools. You can
lounge in your own personal sauna or steam room, curl up before a
fire blazing in a sculpted Italian Renaissance fireplace, gaze at
the stars through a heart-shaped skylight, or relax in a sunken
Roman-style marble Jacuzzi. You can even take a whirlpool bath in
a 7-foot-high champagne glass!
And have no
doubt: you’ll be pampered here. Awaken when you want, order
breakfast in bed, and then play all day and party all night. Stay
in your room, experiencing its sensuous pleasures to the max.
Visit the health club, lounge in the spa, take a swim in a heated
pool, experience a professional massage. Or enjoy just about any
sport imaginable. At night, dine on great food, enjoy top-quality
singers and musicians, and dance until dawn. The entire resort is
geared to only one objective: your pleasure.
