Vegas for families. That’s how I would describe Kalahari Resorts in Pennsylvania – of course, it is not limited to families, cause you will have a lot of fun as an adult without kids, but I realized this was the best description to summarize the experience. Located in Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania, a 2 hours drive from New York City and also from Philadelphia, this resort offers everything you need to have a great time! Trust me: you don’t need to leave the hotel if you don’t want to, cause you will find everything you need for your vacation or free time. In this post, I’m gonna tell you about my experience and guide you through some of the amenities, features, and activities of this resort.
The rooms
Kalahari Resorts is huge! Honestly, I was surprised by the size – they have more than 900 rooms, can you believe it? The good thing about it is that it offers a variety of room styles to accommodate everyone – from couples to huge groups. There are even rooms with living rooms and dining tables, perfect for big groups or families. Our room had two queen beds, a TV, a microwave, an external sink, a closet, a coffee machine and complimentary coffee sachets. It was very spacious – especially considering that we were only two people. The Check-in process is very smooth – and there are also self-check-in totems which are very convenient!
The restaurants
When I said that you don’t need to leave Kalahari Resorts to do anything, I really mean it – the resort features a lot of dining options, from steakhouses to ice cream shops. We had the opportunity to dine at Cinco Niños, a modern Mexican restaurant that just opened there and our experience was fantastic. The menu features classics like tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and fajitas, plus shareable plates favorites like guacamole and nachos. Also, Cinco Niños has the Pocono’s largest selection of tequila and mezcal.
Besides Cinco Niños, we also had the opportunity to try Great Karoo, a Market Place buffet. We stopped there for breakfast – and oh boy, I was amazed by the number of options. From classics like eggs, pancakes, bacon, and potatoes, this restaurant also offers fruits, pizza (yes, you read it right!), croissants, pastries, yogurts and so on.
It is good to remember that Kalahari also features other restaurants like:
- Sortino’s Italian Kitchen – casual restaurant and bar that brings to the Poconos a tradition of hospitality established by Giorgio and Giacomo Sortino more than 60 years ago when they opened the original Sortino’s Little Italy restaurant in Sandusky, Ohio.
- Double Cut Steak House – a contemporary steakhouse. Menu items will range from classic steaks and seafood to more exploratory seasonal menu items.
- B-Lux Grill & Bar – Deliciously unique burgers and shakes handcrafted from scratch.
Remember that a lot of the restaurants offer kid’s menu. You will also find a coffee shop and a convenience store at Kalahari Resorts, perfect for quick bites.
Waterpark
Kalahari Resorts features one of the biggest indoor waterparks in the United States, with 220,000 sq ft and access to the waterpark is included with your stay, from 10 am on the day of your arrival, until 3 pm on the day of your departure. Guests can expect a lot of fun using the slides, tubes, splashdown, wave pool, and even relaxing on the lazy river. Believe me: this waterpark is huge! The temperature inside the Waterpark is always warm, so you can expect summer all year long there! There are a lot of pools and even a bar area for adults. The waterpark has dressing rooms and restrooms plus a lot of seating areas.
Big Game Room Arcade
This room also amazed me – I was impressed by games, rides, experiences, and prizes for all ages. The arcade features nearly 250 of the biggest and best games from the latest video and prize games. Also, there are VR experiences, Escape Rooms, 7-D Motion Theater, Mini Golf, and Mini Bowling.
Spa
So far, my best experience at Kalahari Resorts was the spa! It is amazing and they offer a lot of services like:
- Massages
- Facials
- Manicure/pedicure
Also, the facilities s include:
- Dry redwood sauna
- Multi-sensory experiential shower
- Outdoor patio with lounge seating
- Relaxation Sanctuary
Prices vary according to the services, but you can book a package like the Kalahari Minute, which lasts 1.5 hours and it costs $170 on weekdays and $180 on weekends and includes a 25-minute massage, 25-minute express facial, and a 25-minute express manicure plus the access to all the facilities.
- You can check all the services offered here. I had a massage, a facial, and a manicure and I also had the opportunity to use the heated pool and Halotherapy. It was a very relaxing experience. The staff was so kind and professional. I could spend a whole day there!
Other things you need to know
- Kalahari Resorts also features an Outdoor Waterpark during Spring/Summer.
- There are also the Gorilla Grove Treetop Adventures, featuring climbs and zip lines.
- Your stay includes Waterpark admission, Free WiFi, parking, and Fitness Center Access.
- If you don’t want to stay at the resort, Kalahari offers limited day passes that grant admission to the Indoor Waterpark.
My thoughts
Kalahari Resorts is such a great destination on the East Coast! If you live in New York City, Philadelphia, and the areas around, is such a short trip to an amazing destination. What I most loved about Kalahari is the convenience: you have everything you need in one place. Think about those freezing days in the winter and how great is to escape from that. And think about those hot days and how refreshing – and fun – it is to spend a day in a waterpark. Also, for the number of families I saw there I’m pretty sure it is a perfect destination for adults and kids. No kids? The spa is a neat, relaxing, and quiet experience. Plus, the dining options are diverse and you don’t need to eat at the same place every day.
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Kalahari Resorts and Conventions. All opinions are 100% mine.
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