Last week, my husband and I took a midweek getaway to Ledges Hotel in the Poconos. While fleeing the city during the middle of the week is an iconoclastic idea, the timing could not have been better. I needed to use vacation time that was due to expire at the end of the year and with a busy end to quarter four, it has never been more important to take a moment to enjoy time with my husband and enjoy a few days of solitude. My left eyelid has developed an involuntary twitch, which I understand is an effect of not getting enough rest and with that, I arranged to take the balance of my vacation time and head three hours north to Hawley.
I initially became aware of Ledges Hotel while reading a press release from the Historic Hotels of America. The organization announced the finalists for the 2018 Awards of Excellence. One category of which is Best Social Media of Historic Hotels, of which Ledges Hotel was nominated and a finalist. A historic hotel and social media mastery? Color me a fan!
The original building was a historic glass factory. The John S. O’Connor Glass Factory was constructed in 1890 and later adapted into the twenty-key hotel that stands today. Of the guest rooms, eleven are typical-size hotel rooms, six are one-bedroom suites, and three are two-bedroom suites. The suites are beyond roomy, consisting of dual levels connected by spiral staircases, oversized bathtubs, and rainfall showerheads.
Lately the building industry has experienced a huge push to employ locally-sourced materials and as a LEED accredited professional, I can speak to this with authority. The skin, also known as the veneer, of the Ledges Hotel is bluestone, which is native of the area. I have said this before and I will say it again: everything old is new again. Construction techniques. Clothing. Culinary arts. Cocktails. Classics are classics for a reason.
While I have been to the Poconos for snowboarding, this trip was decidedly much more mellow with one hundred percent less winter sports. That is not to say that we did not see snow. Waking up in the morning to snow flurries with background of the natural features was wow-inducing. I would never not be impressed with the falls. Photos do not give the natural environment and features their just due.
I was ever-impressed with the accommodations. Staying in a one-bedroom suite, we had ample room. So much so, that I mentioned to my husband what a fantastic idea it would be to bring our future family here and stay in the two-bedroom option. It would be the ultimate Christmas to take a holiday getaway with future nuggets and posting up in a two-bedroom suite between the winter sports. As the suites are equipped with kitchens and multiple bathrooms, I could not ask for more in a home away from home.
Except for maybe a breakfast. Which Ledges Hotel provides! A variety of pastries, fresh bread for toast, and cheese selections are served every morning in the Great Room. Along with tea and coffee throughout the entire day, it was the perfect light breakfast, made only more perfect by enjoying the views to the outdoors. I could not help but to turn the phone upside down on the table and enjoy the moment and the few moments of silence. All breakfasts should be served with a side of solitude.
The Great Room is where I enjoyed my favorite part of the trip. Just sitting in front of the fire, and admittedly working remotely, felt luxurious. Was I wearing pajamas in the Great Room? Maybe. (Definitely.) Was I comfortable? Beyond. The Great Room was a judgement-free zone and I was even complimented on my new navy piped pajamas set.
I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the parent company of Ledges Hotel, Settlers Hospitality, has several other nearby properties in the portfolio, Settlers Inn and Silver Birches Resort. Until January 1st, reservations at the properties from Sunday until Thursday are buy one night, get one night free and can be redeemed until April.
Make a resolution to take time for yourself and make your reservation. Maybe your left eyelid will stop twitching like mine did.
Sincerest thanks to Ledges Hotel for sponsoring my stay.
7 Comments