Poconos: Split Rock Resort or PocMont Resort??

[wcduke]

Hi. I posted this over on the Community Board, but didn't really get a response. The Budget Board seems much more in tune to this type of thing, so thanks in advance!

My family of 5 (Me-38, DW-32, DS-11, DD-3.5, DS-2 mos.) are looking to go to either the PocMont Resort or Split Rock Resort in the Poconos (upstate PA) in late August for a few days.

Does anyone have any experience with either of these, or ideas to share? Comments? Pros/Cons of one or the other?

We really like the idea of scheduled activities (Softball game at 11AM, Ping pong tournament at 3PM, Bingo in the evening, etc for example) for us and the kids.

Wondering which one to pick. Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[JOLAROCHE]

We have stayed at Split Rock several years ago. The resort was really nice. We saw lots of deer which we enjoyed seeing every evening and morning. The units were nice but our joke is it is called Split Rock because of the beds of course by now they could very well have new beds. We did enjoy it there and have been there 2 or 3 times.

 

[MeggerasMa]

I must preface my remarks by saying that it has been quite a few years since I've been at PocMont and a couple since I've been at Split Rock. FWIW, they both could use some updating IMO. Split Rock Lodge is located on Lake Harmony. There also should be some time share units if my memory serves me correctly (and often it doesn't). DD used to attend dance competitions at Split Rock and we have friends with a home in the area. DH and I spent an anniversary weekend at PocMont years ago. It was definately an older crowd ( of which I would now be a part ) at that time. There is another resort type in the area that has been redone recently. I'm not certain this is the correct name, but I think it is The Spa at Mount (or Mountain) Laurel Resort or something like that. The Spa is closer in location to Split Rock and right off of I-80 and the PA Turnpike. At any of the above you will most likely see deer, wild turkeys, and possibly even a bear or two. Best of luck with your planning!

 

[disneybridetobe]

Split Rock is a really nice area. I don't know about the rooms, though. I know there's a nice mini golf course. There's a restaurant up the road called Nick's at the Lake, and there's a great deck on the lake where they often have bands/entertainment. Ducks often swim up, and it's fun for kids to feed the duckies. I fed the duckies when I was a wee lass, and I plan on bringing DD1 up there when I go to visit my mom up in NEPA.

There's also outlet shopping about 20 minutes away, too, and also there's CamelBeach, an outdoor waterpark at Camelback Ski Resort.

PM me if you have any more Q's! I'd be glad to help!

 

[krisgil88]

My family spent 4 nights/5 days at Split Rock Resort last summer. My family has mixed reactions about the trip. After we leave a place we've visited, we always ask one another whether or not we would go back. DH & I said no, our kids screamed yes!
I chose this resort last year because we got a flier in the mail offering a great deal. I knew we wouldn't be able to go anywhere else locally for the price they were offering. I started doing research on their website and on trip advisor and saw many, many mixed reviews most of them negative making me almost cancel the trip. Having been there, I see why there were such mixed reviews. It really depends on how fussy you are about your surroundings. If you can keep an open mind, you will be fine.

We stayed in the building where all of the activities take place. The guest rooms have been renovated and were quite spacious and had a kitchen area, which we never used.. The only complaint with the room was the low water pressure in the toilet. The hallways of the hotel, on the other hand, were dark and smelled. We sort of got used to it after a while, but it was not like any other place we've ever stayed. It seems that they are trying to update, but a lot of the place still looks like it did in the 80's! The food was really not good. We found only one restaurant that we liked called Bellago. We ate there every morning for breakfast and quite a few nights.

There was a lot of things for our boys, ages 5 and 8 at the time, to do.
We played tennis, basketball, miniature golf, even tried our hand at archery. We loved the lake and our boys swam there every day. You can paddle boat and canoe on the lake too. My boys loved swimming in the indoor pool and playing ping pong. We took a walk to see THE split rock and got to see a beautiful view. The activites are spread out but nothing was further than a 10 minute walk.

As for the scheduled activities, there is quite a large variety geared to children of all ages. Our boys entered a video game contest. We loved watching kid kareoke and saw a pretty good magic show on our first night there.

Overall, it's a nice place but a work in progress. There were lots of construction vehicles working on building the indoor water park and building the extended parking area in the back. My feeling was that they should take care of the areas inside and around the property that needed attention before starting any new projects.

I know I probably gave you more information than you really needed, but if you have any more questions, please PM me.

Kris (41) DH (38) DS (9) DS (6)

 

[wcduke]

Thanks so much for these responses!

Any others??

 

[minniemosa]

We also stay at SpliRock and our experience was great.It was a very nice resort, we were at the villas.It has two bedrooms and a queen sofa .Also has a sauna, bowling lanes, cinema.My son was excited to feed the beers..

 

[fbmom]

I am also trying to decide between Pocmont and Split Rock. Anyone have pictures they took? Any examples of summer group activities??? Did you use the meal plan (breakfast & dinner?)

 

[brymolmom]

Not to add to indecision, but I am familiar with a different Pocono family resort called Daniels - it is in Canadensis, PA. Sounds similar to the other ones - very run down and could use a lot of updating. BUT, if you're not picky - it is a LOT of fun for families - softball, bocce, horseshoe tournaments, karaoke, bingo, nighly entertainment, a 'wienie roast' one night, breakfast and dinner are included and it is (IMO) VERY inexpensive.

I went there every year as a kid and a couple years as an adult with my own kids. It is the type of place where the same families go back year after year for the same week. To this day, one of my best friends in the world I met when I was 11 years old at Daniels. Now both married with kids, we get our families together once a year still.

Have fun!

 

[shelly3girls]

Personally if I was going to that area I would rent a house in Lake Naomi. There is a lake, pool, and great community center with plenty of activities. For the price of Split Rock you could rent a house and have much more space.

 

[fbmom]

I did look at Daniels and spoke with them. We are really only looking for a long weekend. They rent by the week and it seemed to be geared more towards younger children, not teenagers. I really did like the Lake Naomi but we don't like to travel once we get there. That is why we tend to go to resorts. Everything is walking distance or shuttle service. I appreciate the suggestions. Keep 'em coming!

 

[wcduke]

I am the OP, and my family finally decided to go to Chestnut Grove Resort in the Poconos in August. I believe it is owned by the same people who own Daniels, referenced by a previous poster.

We had a blast! It is certainly much cheaper than both Pocmont and Split Rock, and I can certainly see why. Some of the cottages were run down, and it could probably do with some updating, but we didn't mind at all. We were primarily going for the activities and fun stuff to do as a family and they certainly had all of that, and then some.

My DS (11 yrs) said he would rather go back to Chestnut Grove this summer than take our annual trip to Disney World!! What do I do?!?!

 

[fbmom]

Chestnut Grove did look very nice but exactly the same as Daniels. Just looks too young for my crowd. Thanks for the help. Still undecided!

 

[fbmom]

My Family has been going to Woodloch Pines Resort for five years. They raise their price every year and this year it just became out of reach! we have traveled to Disney three times. My kids (Boys now 13 &15) would pick Woodloch over Disney everytime! I do have to say a big part of that is we do travel with other family members to Woodloch (cousins to play with).

 

[Nolcrest]

My parents have also been going to Woodloch Resort in Hawley PA, for 32 years now. Now the grandchildren go. It is a fabulous resort. Very pricey, however the resort is top notch and clean and the food is delicious. If you may be willing to splurge - look into it. There is something for everyone.

 

[fbmom]

Beleive me, we know how wonderful Woodloch is. Like I said earlier, we have been going there for five years. The prices have gone up every year! we just can't afford Woodloch anymore. Looking for somethin new.