As a Choice Hotels Blogger, I received complimentary gift cards and a hotel stay. All opinions are my own.
Last month, I took Jacob and my cousin on a mini-vacation for one last hurrah before the school year started, thanks to Choice Hotels. Originally, we had planned to go to the shore, but due to unforeseen circumstances, that didn’t work out. Instead, I took Jacob and Ben (14) up to Mount Pocono to stay at the Comfort Inn & Suites. We spent the first day at a water park before checking in (the only day that didn’t have massive thunder storms!), then headed up the mountain to relax in comfort!
A Welcoming Experience from the Front Door On
The first thing that impressed me about the Comfort Inn & Suites in Mount Pocono was the check-in clerk. He was such an incredibly helpful and nice man. When the boys wanted to play in the arcade and we realized they didn’t have a change machine, he actually went out to his car and got all his toll booth quarters to trade with me for my dollars. He really took the time to listen to guests and answer questions. While all the staff were wonderful, he was by far my favorite.
The lobby of the hotel is beautiful! I love that they greet you with a giant, colorful plant.
The sitting area got a bit crowded at breakfast and we had a hard time finding a spot to eat the first day. The second day, though, we went down a bit earlier and didn’t have that problem. Aside from the tables, they have giant comfy chairs and couches to sit on.
Even though the fire place wasn’t roaring (since it’s summer), it’s still a beautiful addition to the lobby! Everything was so tastefully done and decorated, it makes you feel like you’re in a luxury hotel.
Comfort Inn & Suites Live Up to Their Name with Comfy Rooms!
The rooms at the Comfort Inn & Suites in Mount Pocono are immaculate. While they’re not huge luxury suites, they were definitely comfortable for my and two boys. The linens were crisp and clean, the pillows just the right amount of firmness. Jacob claimed his spot pretty quickly, as you can see by his crew of stuffed friends. Actually, he ended up sleeping with me, but this was his “play” spot.
The boys claimed the desk for their laptops and ChromeBooks pretty fast. I don’t think I got to sit at it at all! The only problem with the comfy office chair is that there wasn’t more than one. The boys kind of fought over it and I had to institute a sharing schedule while we were in the room.
Jacob has an insane obsession with hotel bathtubs. He showered more in the two days we were there than he does at home in a week! He also took several baths in the big tub. I love that it’s deep and roomy.
Of course, you can’t go to a hotel room without snagging some complimentary bath and body products, now can you? The lotions was actually pretty awesome. I forgot my facial moisturizer and got burned at the water park. It was gentle enough to use on my face! We also snagged some free Tom’s of Maine toothpaste down in the lobby.
The only complaint I had about the room was the coffee pot. It was VERY slow to make a cup of coffee. Thankfully, they served coffee and tea 24 hours a day down in the breakfast room, so I just ran down there to get some. Ben and I also had tea time every night. His family just got back from a trip to London, I guess he was still feeling quite British!
Comfort Inn & Suites Mount Pocono Amenities
Jacob’s only criteria when were deciding on which Choice Hotel to visit was that it had to have an indoor pool. The pool at the Comfort Inn & Suites isn’t huge, but it was plenty big enough for all of us to enjoy.
I am SOOOO happy because Jacob actually FINALLY learned how to swim at the hotel! This is huge, he always used to spend the day holding on to the wall when we’d go to the pool. This is the first video I ever took on my iPhone (I only recently joined the smartphone cool kid crowd), so, um, yeah, I didn’t realize that I was holding it the wrong way. Still, you can see his amazing laps!
If you like to work out on vacation, the hotel had a nice little weight room for guests. I didn’t use it. There were a lot of guests who were staying long-term (construction workers in the area), so I think this is great for them.
As I mentioned, the hotel also had a little arcade room. I do wish they had a change machine, but we managed thanks to the hotel clerk. There are only about four games, but they’re diverse enough to keep kids busy while you do laundry in the free laundry facilities.
If you aren’t sure what to do in the area, the Tourist desk has tons of brochures, maps and ideas. I didn’t actually see anyone working at that desk, but it’s just a few feet from the main office desk, so there is always someone available to help you.
I love continental breakfast at hotels. I guess there is just something about free food. I was happy to see that Comfort Inn & Suites offered more than just a few danishes. They had plenty of hot foods, such as eggs, breakfast potatoes, waffles, toast and more. Plus the usual cold food: cereal, yogurt and doughnuts.
All in all, aside from the coffee pot and lack of change machine, our stay was pretty ideal. There are plenty of local restaurants to eat at. A few deliver to the hotel room. The hotel is on a main strip in Mount Pocono with major retail stores close by in case you forget anything major. It’s close to Camel Beach Water Park, the Pocono Raceway, the Mount Airy Casino (for non-family trips) and the Crossing Outlets. Basically, close enough to anything you’d want to do in the Poconos.
Have you ever stayed at a Comfort Inn? Where is your favorite place to visit?
Yeah Jacab!! It is great he learned to swim!! You wo’t have to worry about him so much at the pool or at the beach! It sounds like you guys had a nice last mini vacation before school starts!
I haven’t stayed in a Comfort Inn in years. In fact, I’m sure the “suites” part of the equation didn’t exist when I did! That location looks very, very nice!
I have always wanted to go to the Poconos. It looks like an awesome place to stay if I ever get out that way.
I’ve learned that I will enjoy my stay much more if the front desk clerk is happy and nice… It tends to resonate with how well the hotel is 🙂
Vacay gone Cray-Cray? LMAO- I love that! I have stayed in a Comfort Inn before. It was a pleasant experience overall and wouldn’t definitely stay in one again.
That looks like a very nice home away from home! We live about two hours from the Poconos so I’ll remember this next time we visit.
Yes, we’ve stayed at Comfort Inns before and always had good experiences! We travel with our dog now, though, which means we stay at LaQuinta’s, mostly!
Looks like a fantastic place to stay! We recently went away and were impressed with our hotel’s free breakfast too.
We haven’t been to the Poconos in years but this totally makes me want to visit again. The hotel lobby is so pretty and we’re all for those yummy free breakfasts!
I have stayed at a few comfort inn and they are always very nice. My favorite in the one in Orlando near Universal.
I’m a sucker for a nice hotel. That pinball machine is super cute!
I am not sure if I have ever stayed in one, but it sure looks nice! How exciting about your son learning to swim while you were there!! Nice surprise!
I love the beds! That definitely looks like a great place to stay with the family. Perfect in the winter when the fireplace can be roaring.
We stay at Comfort Inn often on family vacations. Always clean and great customer service.
We have stayed at many Choice Hotels. I am always so impressed with their friendly service and very clean rooms!
What a beautiful hotel, it looks so luxurious! And congrats on the new swimmer, how great! We have stayed at a few Comfort Inns, but this one looks fancy.
I have nothing bad to say about CHoice hotels.
It does look nice, and that was really nice of him to trade you his toll booth quarters. Thoughtful customer service like that is always appreciated (and remembered).
This looks like a fantastic place for a getaway! And what a great last hurrah before school starts!
What a lovely sounding hotel – such a shame breakfast got crowded though, it’s nice to have a relaxing breakfast when away. Many congrats to Jacob as well for learning to swim! x
The suites looks soo inviting!! There is something pretty awesome about complimentary food lol The hotel I stayed at had breakfast and their coffee was awesome and they also had some out of this work waffles that you can make yourself!! =)
This looks like a pretty good place to stay. I love how cozy it looks & that their continental breakfast offers more than danishes & miniature boxes of cereal.
I am a big fan of Free Breakfast as well! Those little breakfast potatoes are The BOMB!!!! Glad to hear about a positive experience!
This place looks great! And the Poconos isn’t too far away!