The Swiftwater Lodge Pocono Mountains Evaluate: A Luxurious Winter Paradise

 

In search of a fast, romantic winter getaway? On this Swiftwater Lodge overview, I’ll share how this new Poconos property stunned us with one thing distinctive – non-public heated plunge swimming pools proper in your suite and a shocking indoor/out of doors heated pool the place you’ll be able to swim whereas snowflakes fall round you. 

Sure, you learn that accurately. 

Think about having your personal private pool and entry to a bigger heated pool that permits you to glide seamlessly between indoors and out, even in winter. However these outstanding pool experiences are only the start of what makes this luxurious mountain retreat so particular.

The Journey: A Scenic Pocono Mountain Escape

The drive from Delaware to The Swiftwater Lodge set the proper tone for our getaway. It’s slightly below two hours of scenic mountain views and charming roadside outlets, with zero site visitors to spoil the temper. For Philly residents, it’s an equally straightforward journey, and Manhattan dwellers can attain the property in about two hours as properly. 

The Swiftwater’s location hits that candy spot – far sufficient to really feel like an escape, shut sufficient to succeed in with out problem.

First Impressions: Trendy Mountain Luxurious

Driving up, The Swiftwater Lodge’s exterior makes an instantaneous assertion with its dramatic stone and wooden chalet-inspired design. 

The boutique property, which opened in June 2024, blends rustic mountain structure with trendy magnificence. A lined entrance with wood beams welcomes you, whereas floor-to-ceiling home windows replicate the encircling panorama.

Examine-in was easy, and the foyer’s luxuriously swanky design stopped us in our tracks. A built-in stone wall hearth serves because the centerpiece, with placing art work and cozy furnishings. The marble flooring distinction superbly with heat wooden accents, whereas complimentary espresso, water, and flavored water stations add a considerate contact accessible to visitors 24/7.

The Plunge Pool Suite: A Personal Pool Expertise

When reserving a keep at The Swiftwater Lodge, visitors can select from 100 rooms and suites unfold throughout 5 flooring. Whereas the upper-level rooms on the rear of the resort provide beautiful forest views, we opted for one thing actually particular—a Plunge Pool Suite on the primary flooring.

The spotlight of our suite was the non-public, glass-enclosed, saltwater heated indoor pool, immediately hooked up to the room. Simply to be clear, this isn’t a scorching tub or whirlpool. It’s a correct 4-foot-6-inch deep pool the place you’ll be able to really swim, making it excellent for a refreshing winter dip. And don’t fear, the crystal-clear water is examined day by day. Plus, it’s saltwater, so that you received’t need to take care of the scent of chlorine in your room.

The pool is superbly designed with patterned tile flooring, slate partitions, and a zen waterfall characteristic that provides each magnificence and tranquility. The soothing sound of the waterfall even lulled us right into a deep sleep every evening.

The heated lounge space seamlessly blends with the pool, sustaining an ideal temperature that makes it comfy to get pleasure from in a swimsuit, even when there’s snow on the bottom outdoors. Two massive wicker lounge chairs with plush seashore towels present the perfect spot for enjoyable after a swim, having fun with a e-book, or indulging in room service. Talking of which, there’s even a room service sushi menu from Desaki subsequent door. It’s a must-try, particularly when loved poolside. 

Our verdict: Extra motels want these!

Trendy facilities within the suite embrace lightning-fast WiFi (each wi-fi and hardwired), a 65-inch TV with an Apple TV show system, and a laptop-sized secure. The lavatory is equally spectacular, with wood-look tile bathe partitions, illuminated round mirrors, and quartz double floating vanities. Considerate premium touches, like verbena-scented L’Occitane toiletries and plush robes, make the expertise really feel like staying in a luxurious spa. After a soothing rainfall bathe, slipping into one of many ultra-soft robes was the proper strategy to wind down.

Mornings had been made even higher with a espresso station that includes regionally sourced, signature espresso and complimentary bottled water—excellent for fueling up earlier than a morning swim. The suite itself exudes luxurious, with The Swiftwater’s signature mattress wearing high-thread-count Frette linens and a classy impartial and forest inexperienced shade palette, accented with pure wooden touches that complement the mountain setting.

The Concierge Lounge: An Sudden Spotlight

Concierge degree rooms and Plunge Pool Suites include entry to the resort’s Fifth-floor Concierge Lounge. And it turned one in all our favourite spots. 

The elevated house contains a roaring hearth, beautiful lotus-inspired chandelier, comfy seating, and a library-like environment with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and desk video games. 

Open 24/7, the lounge gives complimentary treats all through the day – contemporary fruit, native packaged pastries, chips, yogurt, and through cocktail hour, a collection of hors d’oeuvres. You’ll additionally discover bottled water, juice, beer, and occasional. Take them to go, or get pleasure from them within the lounge.

However the true present occurs simply earlier than sundown. The resort maintains three feeding stations for native wildlife, and watching dozens of deer descend the mountain for his or her night meal turned our day by day ritual. These peaceable creatures go to all through the day, however they’re most lively at nightfall, after they all collect round to get pleasure from their nightly snack. It’s to not be missed! 

The Concierge Lounge is obtainable to visitors staying within the Plunge Pool Suites and the Swiftwater Suites (21+).

Pocono Pool Paradise: Swimming in Winter

Past our room’s non-public plunge pool, the resort’s important heated indoor/out of doors pool amazed us. 

Lacking these summer time pool days? Nicely, in the course of the chilly months, you’ll be able to chill out within the heated indoor space earlier than swimming out into the open air.

The pool options dramatic lighting that adjustments colours all through the night, making a magical environment enhanced by water options and mountain landscapes. We really swam whereas it was snowing! It was a surreal and rejuvenating expertise, because of the pool’s excellent temperature and heated indoor space which you could enter and exit from.

A separate firepit space options massive, cushioned rocking chairs, excellent for warming up after a swim with a glass of wine whereas gazing on the stars.

The place to Dine at The Swiftwater Lodge

The Swiftwater elevates Pocono Mountain eating with two standout choices: The Olivet, simply off the resort foyer, and Desaki, proper subsequent door. Each eating places impressed us with their excellent delicacies and environment, making each meal an expertise to recollect.

The Olivet: Refined Mountain Eating

The Olivet, the resort’s signature restaurant, delivers an distinctive eating expertise for breakfast and dinner. The house combines woodsy accents with a luxuriously glossy design. Along with its eating room, there’s additionally a heated out of doors patio the place you’ll be able to dine poolside close to the firepit.

Even the patio flooring are heated for whole consolation.

Dinner at The Olivet

Our dinner kicked off with a little bit of leisure—watching the expert mixologist put together their signature Dante’s Inferno Margarita. This cocktail, with its black salt rim and contemporary jalapeño, struck an incredible steadiness of spicy, bitter, and candy flavors. The bar additionally gives distinctive choices like “Manhattans across the World” and the “Martini Olive Journey” for these seeking to attempt one thing totally different. When you don’t drink alcohol, there’s a inventive mocktail menu as properly.

For appetizers we started with the Beetroot Burrata, a shocking composition of Lollo Rosa lettuce, arugula, cherry tomatoes, and shaved radish in apple cider French dressing. The plating itself was art work, with the creamy burrata offering an ideal distinction to the earthy roasted beets.

The Braised Quick Rib, served bone-out, was remarkably tender and plated over celery root puree with roasted celery root, kale, and pearl onions in a grape brandy demi-glace. Every element complemented the others completely, making a dish that was each refined and comforting.

The Seared Diver Scallops arrived completely caramelized, organized artfully with vivid inexperienced asparagus spears over a vibrant beet puree. Dots of blood orange gel added each visible enchantment and vivid citrus notes that balanced the dish superbly.

For pasta lovers, the Outdated World Italian Sunday Gravy showcases home made hand-cut pappardelle in a wealthy tomato meat sauce with meatballs, Italian sausage, and braciola. The portion was beneficiant sufficient to share, although you may not wish to.

The service all through the night was excellent, because of Alex and Brookel, who went above and past to make our expertise memorable. Dessert introduced one other spherical of tableside aptitude with a traditional Bananas Foster, expertly ready and flambéed by our server Brookel on a gleaming copper cart. It was each a present and a deal with.

To cap off the meal, we additionally loved the Apple Bread Pudding—served heat with toffee ice cream and a drizzle of salted caramel sauce. It was the proper candy ending to an unforgettable eating expertise.

Breakfast at The Olivet

Breakfast at The Olivet the subsequent morning maintained the excessive requirements set the day earlier than, because of Chef Mike’s impeccable contact.

The Brûléed French Toast arrived trying like a murals, topped with caramelized strawberry coulis, lemon ginger crème anglaise, and whipped mascarpone, garnished with contemporary berries. Sure, it’s primarily dessert for breakfast, however it’s price each calorie. 

The Shrimp and Grits – our brunch favourite, featured sautéed collard greens, pickled peppers, and Parmigiano Reggiano stirred into creamy grits. Even the Basic Breakfast impressed with notably high-quality Applewood smoked bacon and completely ready eggs. 

The property even serves their very own signature mix of espresso from native roasters, accessible for buy within the foyer to take dwelling.

Desaki: Japanese Delicacies and Leisure

Only a 30-second stroll from the resort, Desaki gives a wholly totally different however equally spectacular eating expertise. And it’s numerous enjoyable too.

The restaurant’s title means “vacation spot” in Japanese, and it lives as much as that which means. The house is huge, that includes a number of hibachi stations, however we adopted the locals’ tip to go to for weekday lunch when the environment is extra intimate.

We began with their well-known Fireball Shrimp – completely crispy tempura-battered shrimp tossed in a spicy cream sauce that delivers simply sufficient warmth with out overwhelming. 

The sushi right here deserves particular point out. The Desaki specialty roll combines shrimp tempura, yellowtail, and spicy tuna with tobiko, eel sauce, and spicy mayo, whereas the Katana roll wraps spicy tuna and kani with avocado in a tempura coating, topped with seaweed salad and their house-made Ninja sauce. Each rolls arrived superbly offered in wood sushi boats, and the parts had been so beneficiant that we ended up taking our complete hibachi order dwelling.

Talking of hibachi, our chef Vino turned lunch into leisure. Every hibachi meal comes full with edamame, fried rice, contemporary greens, and lo mein noodles, all seasoned with their signature spice mix and served with each garlic Yum-Yum sauce and ginger sauce. And the parts are big.

Our server, Brianna, was implausible—attentive, pleasant, and at all times prepared with a advice. Along with Chef Vino’s vigorous efficiency, she made the meal much more pleasing.

The restaurant goes past simply eating – on household enjoyable nights it options karaoke, a dance flooring, full bar, and even complimentary PlayStation and Xbox gaming stations.

Past the Swimming pools: Actions and Facilities

Whereas The Swiftwater’s pool would possibly tempt you to by no means depart the property, the resort gives loads extra. 

The state-of-the-art health heart contains a Peloton bike, an interactive TV treadmill, a Mirror coach, and free weights. 

For wellness, they’ve partnered regionally with each the Magnolia Wellness Middle and Pure Day Spa, providing all the things from conventional Swedish massages to cutting-edge therapies. They’ll even prepare for in-suite therapeutic massage companies. For a novel excessive vibe expertise and fashionable native vacation spot, e-book a soothing halotherapy session on the Crystal Backyard’s salt cave lower than 3 miles from the resort In addition they provide different holistic therapies like reiki and sound tub remedy. Afterward, browse their store for crystals and jewellery.

Winter Actions

The Poconos actually shine in winter, and The Swiftwater places you near all of the motion. Lower than 5 miles from the resort, Camelback Mountain gives premium snowboarding, snowboarding and tubing (attempt their galactic tubing at evening), whereas a number of native lakes rework into pure ice skating rinks. Promised Land State Park’s snowy trails present a peaceable setting for winter hikes or snowshoeing.

Out of doors Adventures

Minutes from The Swiftwater, Mountain Creek Using Stables gives one of the romantic methods to discover the Poconos. Their guided path rides take you thru serene mountain woods, excellent for each newbies and skilled riders. 

Large Pocono State Park, moments from the resort, supplies breathtaking panoramic views that change with every season. Mountaineering trails vary from straightforward walks to difficult climbs, all rewarding you with spectacular picture alternatives. In winter, the park transforms for snowboarding, whereas summer time brings alternatives for rafting and household picnics. The park space additionally options distinctive native eateries and bars, making it straightforward to spend a full day exploring.

There are such a lot of superb issues to expertise close to the Swiftwater Lodge.

The Swiftwater Concierge

Don’t miss the chance to speak with the pleasant resort concierge in the primary foyer. It doesn’t matter what you wish to do whereas visiting, The Swiftwater’s concierge may help you propose the proper native journey so you will get probably the most out of your keep. And there’s so many issues to do within the Poconos, it’s unimaginable.

Whether or not you wish to go snowboarding, horseback using, hike one of many beautiful Pocono state parks or tour and style your method by the Pocono Mountains wineries and breweries, they’ll deal with all of the preparations. 

The concierge right here provides you with suggestions for all of the native gems and greatest eats. We even bought a tip on the very best tacos within the space (it’s Tacos Los Morros, by the best way).

When you want a bit remedy of the retail type, there are many purchasing close to The Swiftwater to discover regionally. The Pocono Premium Shops with over 100 shops, are solely a 6 minute drive (3.1 miles) from the resort. All through the realm there are charming boutiques, specialty outlets all through the area providing all the things from craft candles and soaps to antiques and extra. No matter you wish to do, the Concierge at The Swiftwater may help you propose the proper purchasing day.

Romance within the Mountains

For {couples} planning a Valentine’s Day escape or romantic getaway, The Swiftwater gives thoughtfully curated packages with elegant room décor, contemporary roses, champagne, and indulgent chocolate-covered strawberries. As evening falls, the out of doors firepit space transforms into a comfortable retreat, full with rocking chairs and delicate, colourful lighting.

The resort makes a speciality of creating unforgettable moments—whether or not you’re taking a personal swim, watching deer at sundown from the Concierge Lounge, or sipping cocktails by a glowing hearth. Nevertheless you select to spend your time, The Swiftwater supplies the proper setting for love.

The Remaining Phrase

The Swiftwater Lodge has achieved one thing outstanding – they’ve introduced true luxurious to the Poconos whereas sustaining the nice and cozy, inviting environment that makes this area particular. The mixture of distinctive facilities (these plunge swimming pools!), wonderful eating choices, and considerate service creates an expertise that units a brand new commonplace for mountain getaways.

What impressed us most was how the property works equally properly as a soothing retreat or an journey base. You possibly can spend your complete keep having fun with the swimming pools, spa companies, and eating places, or use it as an opulent dwelling base for exploring all of the Poconos has to supply. There’s no stress both method – the employees excels at serving to you create precisely the expertise you need.

Able to Plan Your Personal Swiftwater Getaway? 

 ➡ Go to TheSwiftwater.com to e-book your keep.

My recommendation? 

Take into account splurging on one of many Plunge Pool Suites for a very distinctive expertise, and don’t skip eating at each The Olivet and Desaki. Pack your swimsuit whatever the season – you received’t wish to miss the heated pool experiences, particularly throughout snowfall. 

The Swiftwater Lodge delivers a mountain getaway that manages to really feel each luxurious and utterly relaxed, a mixture that’s surprisingly uncommon and completely price experiencing.