Catskills or The Poconos - Where should we go?

[Heidict]

My DH and I were thinking of going to either the Poconos or the Catskills for a 3 or 4 day romantic getaway this fall. We have never been to either and have no clue about either on of them. I have looked online and I haven't been able to find any really good websites that give good info.

So, for those that have been I have a few questions:

1- Where did you stay? Did you like it, would you go back?

2- What is there to do? Anything historical to see or do?

3- Any recomendations for places to stay, visit or eat at?

4- Anything else you can think of that may sell me on one or the other?

TIA!!!

 

[MareQ]

My DH and I were thinking of going to either the Poconos or the Catskills for a 3 or 4 day romantic getaway this fall. We have never been to either and have no clue about either on of them. I have looked online and I haven't been able to find any really good websites that give good info.

So, for those that have been I have a few questions:

1- Where did you stay? Did you like it, would you go back?

2- What is there to do? Anything historical to see or do?

3- Any recomendations for places to stay, visit or eat at?

4- Anything else you can think of that may sell me on one or the other?

TIA!!!

Never done the Catskills although I have driven through the area - lol

As for the Poconos - we have stayed at Ceasers Pocono Palace
in the Roman Towers - VERY nice. http://www.caesarspoconoresorts.com/resorts/poconopalace.aspx

Some meals are included although you may have to share a table (there were private tables available last time we were there which was 5 years ago) They also had Archery, a Golf Course and Driving Range(we aren't golfers but we still tried it - actually I drove the golf cart and DH golfed - lol)indoor pools, indoor gyms, massages, I THINK boat rentals or some other water avtivities etc.

There should be plenty of helpful information on the website.

 

[megan4777]

http://www.mohonk.com/

I've only visited here but I've heard it's amazing.

I've heard it's wonderful

 

[cybrkitn]

Caesar's is pretty good. I surprised DH with a romantic weekend getaway a couple of years ago.

The Catskills OTOH, I'm almost to admit, I don't know much about. My aunt and uncle live in the Catskill region and I've pretty much have only been in their neck of the woods. They're only 45 minutes away from Albany.

We're actually going up there in 2 weeks to visit for the week. Man am I going to miss the DISboards for the week. My aunt and uncle do not have a computer . Can I survive a whole week without the DISboards

 

[DISUNC]

Hey I live in the Poconos...why dont I know about all this Romantic stuff?

 

[LisaNJ25]

http://www.mohonk.com/

I've only visited here but I've heard it's amazing.

I've heard it's wonderful

I am dying to go there..

 

[stitchntiggertoo]

I have never been to the Catskills, but go to them. I HATED HATED HATED the poconos. It was our first anniversary-It should have been truly romantic...I think we stayed at the Pocono Palace. I know we stayed in the Garden of Eden room. Now mind you this would have been 2005, supposidly this place had been updated and remodeled in 1997 I think. We get there the hotel room buildings look like a dump. They have astroturf on the floor all kinds of burns from cigerettes. We get to our room. The pool is dirty, pretty badly too (We weren't the only ones that had this complaint) there appeared to be blood underneath the ladder of the pool (I was told it wasn't by the manager, but you could have fooled me) the carpet was so worn out in the pool room. Let's see what else, the mirror for the head board was smashed (I was told that was being ordered and was completely safe) The bed was horribly uncomfortable (round beds aren't what they are cracked up to be) There was mold and mildew in the shower and on the bathroom floor. You could see where the water had leaked in onto the carpet-it had never been replaced and you could see the patch job on the wall and got to stare at when you in bed watching TV because it was right there and so obvious. Another major kicker everytime you flushed the toilet and then turned the water on it smelled like sewer. Because all of this and my allergies acting up I rubbed my eyes raw because they were so itchy all weekend and no medicines I took made a difference. So many of the video games didn't work and alot of the other stuff was down as well. While you can hop to the other resorts they aren't close to each other you are talking 45 min drive. My DH and I got very bored-we are very active people and are constantly on the go so to say that. And then you could rent movies 99% of them were porn movies WHAT?! My dh & I have no desire to watch that. We complained when we got home, and the manager did contact me and wondered why we didn't complain when we were there and I told him that I just naturally assumed that if they had put us in a room that bad the rest of the rooms must be the same. He assured me this wasn't the case. We did get all our money back. The only postive thing was the food-it was great. You do sit with other couples unless you get there early and ask for a table for 2. and the REAL kicker, I still get phamplets from them Michael and Elizabeth, umm my DH's name is not Michael and I have no idea where they got that from.
Having told you all this I would stay away from the Ceasars resorts. I have no desire to go back there. Maybe it was just bad luck for us, but generally most people I talk to about it say that it use to be good not so good anymore. The area up there is beautiful so if you can find another place to stay do it. I do hope you enjoyed my little saga, I can laugh about it now, well except for switching my DH's name on the mailers, and if nothing else you got a laugh out of it too!

 

[kellydizfan]

I live in the Catskills - don't recommend it - nothing really here. Actually lived here all my life. Mohonk I have to say is beautiful but very expensive. Food is excellent also - they have a buffet for lunch and dinner. There are plenty of restaurants around the area but you have to drive into New Paltz or Kingston to eat or drive down to Poughkeepsie - more to do there (The Bardavon, Mid-Hudson Civic Center, shopping, etc. There are a few in between - Depue Canal House in High Falls it supposed to be very good.

I love the Pocono's. Stroudsburg is great. Route 209 has a flea market on Saturday & Sundays year round. There is great outlet shopping with no tax on clothing. I did alot of my kids school shopping the end of June when we were down there. Do not stay at Shawne resort - Depue House area - we were there and it was dirty - they do have alot of activities with a nice outdoor & indoor pool. There is horseback riding near by.

I like to keep busy - Mohonk - there is just so much to do - hiking, horseback riding, they have a ice area not sure if it is open then. There are no tv's in the rooms from what I understand. The fall is a beautiful time of year. They have high tea time - cookies and their very own brand of tea at I think 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Row Boats on the lake. Sit on the porch and people watch, read a book, etc. There is also a carrage ride.

Just some ideas. Good Luck.

Kelly

 

[Kathring]

Just back from a family trip to the Poconos. We stayed at Pocmont - the kids (ages 4&6) LOVED it, DH & I were - "eh" on the place. Needs a good make-over, if you ask me. Food was just OK. Plenty of stuff to do at the place on a sunny warm day - rainy Monday was BORING for all of us.

Years ago we stayed at Mohonk Mountain House for a weekend, celebrating my Mom's Birthday. LOVED it there. Food was excellent too! TONS to do there as well.

I get the feeling that so many of the "resorts" in both locations are a tad on the older side. They may all need a good dusting off?

If you find an awesome place, please let us know! Have a good time wherever you end up going!