Christmas Skytop Lodge Tour: Poconos, PA

Being born and raised in the Poconos of Pennsylvania, I thought it was only fitting for me to write up a blog about one of my favorite spots to visit when I make trips home. I live in Pittsburgh full time, but I love coming home to the Poconos to see my family and catch a break from city living. Skytop Lodge is a luxury family resort in this neck of the woods. Since the lodge is pretty close to my hometown, I've never booked a room or stayed the night, but I can vouch for a ton of other perks this place has to offer. SOOOO let me tell ya about my visits!!

This is the front of the lodge across from the parking lot. The building is already spectacular from the front, but just wait........for the back. When you walk in, you'll immediately be in the most aesthetic lobby. Inside the grand sitting area, there is a fireplace off to the left, a coffee shop in the center, and a dining room to the right. I find this floor to be luxury, but also super cozy at the same time. 

Every year for Christmas, there are always trees decorated throughout the lobby and ribbons hung everywhere. The lodge is beautiful all year round, but around the holidays, it is just absolutely stunning. 

One of the traditions the lodge is known for is the life-size gingerbread house display. The ingredients list is also on display and the proportions and measurements are absolutely absurd lol. It weighs 2,301 pounds and 257 hours of labor were used in the making this year!!!

Ingredients List:

• 180 Pounds of Honey
• 180 Pounds of Molasses
• 11 Pounds of Gingerbread Spices
• 11 Pounds Baking Soda
• 90 Pounds of Shortening
• 825 Eggs
• 720 Pounds Flour
• 400 Pounds Powdered Sugar
• 10 Pounds of Candy

The rest of the pictures below are of the back side of the building. There is a covered walkway with rockers that connects to a staircase. The staircase then leads to the grounds of the property where there are outdoor gatherings, lawn games, life-size outdoor chess, and a fire pit. 

I thought I'd pause on the tour for a hot sec and talk about what to wear. It's pretty casual, BUT I always feel better in something other than leggings when I stop by. Since many of my visits are in the winter, I still try to dress for the colder weather and look presentable. I paired some leather shorts with tights, tucked in a ribbed top, paired it with a linen blazer, added some booties and a long winter parka. To shop each outfit piece individually, click the item link OR you can shop my entire look at once on the LIKEtoKNOW.it app! 

Here is the covered wrap-around walkway that starts on both ends from the lodge doors and meets in the middle at the staircase. The lanterns hanging from the ceiling just make the aesthetic. I feel like at Skytop, every time I see something, I'm like "Wow, it can't get any better than this" and then I turn another corner and it gets better!!! The stonework and landscaping are always well-kept and make this property even more picture perfect. The second picture below shows the ground level of the lodge. Inside a set of doors, there is a huge game room, a gift shop, and places to eat.

Even though it wasn't a beautiful day, the lodge still looked so inviting. This view is my personal favorite so I wanted to save the best for last. The resort has a whole lot more to offer than its looks. There are tons of hiking trails, rock climbing, skiing, a lake, and so many other ways to get outdoors in the Poconos. However, if you're also looking for a quiet, low key, and relaxing trip, a romantic weekend is totally a thing. I always see lots of "Mr. & Mrs." gear at the lodge. 

Okay okay one last thing.....THE FOOD OMG!!!

We had lunch downstairs in The Taproom. The first pic is "The Lodge Chili" and the second is SHRIMP TACOS and they were legit the best shrimp tacos I've had in my life and like I order shrimp tacos everywhere. They are even better than the ones I have had on vacations to different beaches. SOOOO basically point being: the food is unreal.