In search of a fast, romantic winter getaway? On this Swiftwater Lodge evaluate, 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 surprising indoor/outside heated pool the place you possibly can swim whereas snowflakes fall round you.
Sure, you learn that appropriately.
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
Winter views from The Delaware Water Hole, on the best way to The Swiftwater Lodge. | Photograph: Higher Residing
The drive from Delaware to The Swiftwater Lodge set the right tone for our getaway. It’s just below two hours of scenic mountain views and charming roadside retailers, with zero 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: Fashionable Mountain Luxurious
The Swiftwater Lodge’s putting mountain structure | Photograph: Higher Residing
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 class. A lined entrance with picket beams welcomes you, whereas floor-to-ceiling home windows replicate the encircling panorama.
The Swiftwater Lodge’s grand foyer showcases trendy mountain luxurious. | Photograph: Higher Residing
Examine-in was easy, and the foyer’s luxuriously swanky design stopped us in our tracks. A built-in stone wall fire serves because the centerpiece, with putting art work and comfy furnishings. The marble flooring distinction fantastically with heat wooden accents, whereas complimentary espresso, water, and flavored water stations add a considerate contact accessible to friends 24/7.
The Plunge Pool Suite: A Non-public Pool Expertise
The non-public Plunge Pool Suite that includes a heated pool and leisure space at The Swiftwater | Photograph: Higher Residing
When reserving a keep at The Swiftwater Lodge, friends can select from 100 rooms and suites unfold throughout 5 flooring. Whereas the upper-level rooms on the rear of the resort supply gorgeous forest views, we opted for one thing really particular—a Plunge Pool Suite on the primary flooring.
The spotlight of our suite was the non-public, glass-enclosed, saltwater heated indoor pool, straight hooked up to the room. Simply to be clear, this isn’t a sizzling tub or whirlpool. It’s a correct 4-foot-6-inch deep pool the place you possibly can really swim, making it excellent for a refreshing winter dip. And don’t fear, the crystal-clear water is examined every day. Plus, it’s saltwater, so that you received’t must take care of the scent of chlorine in your room.
The pool is fantastically 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 night time.
The heated lounge space seamlessly blends with the pool, sustaining an ideal temperature that makes it snug to get pleasure from in a swimsuit, even when there’s snow on the bottom outdoors. Two giant wicker lounge chairs with plush seashore towels present the best spot for stress-free 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!
The residing space of the Plunge Pool Suite at The Swiftwater | Photograph: Higher Residing
Fashionable 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 protected. The toilet 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 right solution to wind down.
Spa-inspired toilet with premium facilities | Photograph: Higher Residing
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 complicated impartial and forest inexperienced shade palette, accented with pure wooden touches that complement the mountain setting.
The Concierge Lounge: An Surprising Spotlight
The Concierge Lounge at The Swiftwater | Photograph: Higher Residing
Concierge stage rooms and Plunge Pool Suites include entry to the resort’s Fifth-floor Concierge Lounge. And it grew to become one among our favourite spots.
The elevated house contains a roaring fire, gorgeous lotus-inspired chandelier, snug 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 – recent 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.
Native wildlife viewing from the Concierge Lounge | Photograph: Higher Residing
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 grew to become our every day ritual. These peaceable creatures go to all through the day, however they’re most energetic at nightfall, once they all collect round to get pleasure from their nightly snack. It’s to not be missed!
The Concierge Lounge is out there to friends staying within the Plunge Pool Suites and the Swiftwater Suites (21+).
Pocono Pool Paradise: Swimming in Winter
The indoor pool space gives year-round leisure | Photograph: Higher Residing
Past our room’s non-public plunge pool, the resort’s principal heated indoor/outside pool amazed us.
Lacking these summer time pool days? Properly, through the chilly months, you possibly can chill out within the heated indoor space earlier than swimming out into the open air.
Yr-round swimming on the indoor/outside pool with mountain views | Photograph: Higher Residing
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, due to the pool’s excellent temperature and heated indoor space which you can enter and exit from.
The poolside cozy outside firepit space | Photograph: Higher Residing
A separate firepit space options giant, 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 boneless braised brief rib appetizer at The Olivet | Photograph: Higher Residing
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’s elegant eating room | Photograph: Higher Residing
The Olivet, the resort’s signature restaurant, delivers an distinctive eating expertise for breakfast and dinner. The house combines woodsy accents with a luxuriously smooth design. Along with its eating room, there’s additionally a heated outside patio the place you possibly can dine poolside close to the firepit.
Even the patio flooring are heated for whole consolation.
Dinner at The Olivet
The Beetroot Burrata appetizer at The Olivet | Photograph: Higher Residing
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 recent jalapeño, struck an excellent stability of spicy, bitter, and candy flavors. The bar additionally gives distinctive choices like “Manhattans across the World” and the “Martini Olive Journey” for these trying to attempt one thing totally different. In the event you don’t drink alcohol, there’s a inventive mocktail menu as properly.
For appetizers we started with the Beetroot Burrata, a surprising 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 Brief 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.
Seared diver scallops with seasonal accompaniments | Photograph: Higher Residing
The Seared Diver Scallops arrived completely caramelized, organized artfully with brilliant inexperienced asparagus spears over a vibrant beet puree. Dots of blood orange gel added each visible enchantment and brilliant citrus notes that balanced the dish fantastically.
For pasta lovers, the Previous 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 won’t wish to.
Tableside Bananas Foster preparation at The Olivet | Photograph: Higher Residing
The service all through the night was excellent, due to Alex and Brookel, who went above and past to make our expertise memorable. Dessert introduced one other spherical of tableside aptitude with a basic 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 right candy ending to an unforgettable eating expertise.
Breakfast at The Olivet
The Olivet’s signature Brûléed French Toast | Photograph: Higher Residing
Breakfast at The Olivet the subsequent morning maintained the excessive requirements set the day earlier than, due to Chef Mike’s impeccable contact.
The Brûléed French Toast arrived wanting like a murals, topped with caramelized strawberry coulis, lemon ginger crème anglaise, and whipped mascarpone, garnished with recent berries. Sure, it’s primarily dessert for breakfast, but it surely’s price each calorie.
Shrimp and Grits at The Olivet | Photograph: Higher Residing
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
Chef Vino’s spectacular hibachi efficiency at Desaki | Photograph: Higher Residing
Only a 30-second stroll from the resort, Desaki gives a completely totally different however equally spectacular eating expertise. And it’s plenty of 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 signature Desaki roll at Desaki | Photograph: Higher Residing
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 fantastically offered in picket 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, recent 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 large.
Hibachi dinner that includes jumbo shrimp and hen teriyaki | Photograph: Higher Residing
Our server, Brianna, was implausible—attentive, pleasant, and at all times prepared with a suggestion. Along with Chef Vino’s full of life efficiency, she made the meal much more satisfying.
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 go away the property, the resort gives lots extra.
The state-of-the-art health middle 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 every thing from conventional Swedish massages to cutting-edge therapies. They will even prepare for in-suite therapeutic massage companies. For a singular excessive vibe expertise and common native vacation spot, e-book a soothing halotherapy session on the Crystal Backyard’s salt cave lower than 3 miles from the resort Additionally they supply different holistic therapies like reiki and sound tub remedy. Afterward, browse their store for crystals and jewellery.
Winter Actions
The Poconos really 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 night time), 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.
Outside Adventures
Minutes from The Swiftwater, Mountain Creek Driving Stables gives some of the romantic methods to discover the Poconos. Their guided path rides take you thru serene mountain woods, excellent for each novices and skilled riders.
Massive Pocono State Park, moments from the resort, gives breathtaking panoramic views that change with every season. Climbing trails vary from straightforward walks to difficult climbs, all rewarding you with spectacular photograph 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 wonderful issues to expertise close to the Swiftwater Lodge.
The Swiftwater Concierge
The principle foyer and concierge desk at The Swiftwater | Photograph: Higher Residing
Don’t miss the chance to speak with the pleasant resort concierge in the principle foyer. It doesn’t matter what you wish to do whereas visiting, The Swiftwater’s concierge might help you intend the right 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 gorgeous Pocono state parks or tour and style your means by means of the Pocono Mountains wineries and breweries, they’ll deal with all of the preparations.
The concierge right here gives you suggestions for all of the native gems and finest eats. We even acquired a tip on one of the best tacos within the space (it’s Tacos Los Morros, by the best way).
In the event you want a bit of remedy of the retail variety, there are many purchasing close to The Swiftwater to discover regionally. The Pocono Premium Retailers with over 100 shops, are solely a 6 minute drive (3.1 miles) from the resort. All through the world there are charming boutiques, specialty retailers all through the area providing every thing from craft candles and soaps to antiques and extra. No matter you wish to do, the Concierge at The Swiftwater might help you intend the right purchasing day.
Romance within the Mountains
The outside pool transforms at night time with colourful lighting | Photograph: Higher Residing
For {couples} planning a Valentine’s Day escape or romantic getaway, The Swiftwater gives thoughtfully curated packages with elegant room décor, recent roses, champagne, and indulgent chocolate-covered strawberries. As night time falls, the outside firepit space transforms into a comfy retreat, full with rocking chairs and delicate, colourful lighting.
The resort focuses on creating unforgettable moments—whether or not you’re taking a non-public swim, watching deer at sundown from the Concierge Lounge, or sipping cocktails by a glowing fire. Nonetheless you select to spend your time, The Swiftwater gives the right setting for love.
The Closing Phrase
The Swiftwater Lodge has completed 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 mix of distinctive facilities (these plunge swimming pools!), wonderful eating choices, and considerate service creates an expertise that units a brand new normal for mountain getaways.
What impressed us most was how the property works equally properly as a soothing retreat or an journey base. You may spend your complete keep having fun with the swimming pools, spa companies, and eating places, or use it as an expensive dwelling base for exploring all of the Poconos has to supply. There’s no strain both means – the workers excels at serving to you create precisely the expertise you need.
Able to Plan Your Personal Swiftwater Getaway?
The Swiftwater Lodge’s illuminated night entrance | Photograph: Higher Residing
➡ Go to TheSwiftwater.com to e-book your keep.
My recommendation?
Take into account splurging on one of many Plunge Pool Suites for a really 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 fully relaxed, a mix that’s surprisingly uncommon and completely price experiencing.
