Part Two: Touring Pocono Bed & Breakfasts
Explore The Inn at Birch Wilds and 1870 Roebling Inn on the Delaware, two more Pocono B&Bs!
Welcome to The Inn at Birch Wilds in Lehighton, an adult-only bed and breakfast known as a romantic retreat for couples. Co-owner Cheryl Hines shows us the four secluded suites with cozy fireplaces and two-person jacuzzi tubs, among the custom features.
Play a game of pool then hit the indoor, heated pool which couples can reserve for private swim time. The library is filled with books, games, DVDs, and historic articles about the area. There's also a gourmet coffee bar and eclectic breakfast choices, which guests can enjoy in the dining room or have served to their suites.
“We have 24 acres to explore including outdoor seating areas, hammocks tucked in the woods, and stargazing spots. It's really become a place where couples can get together and just enjoy life. Some come to celebrate anniversaries or babymoons, and others come to just breathe. In the summer we have live music and bands at the natural amphitheater built into the back woods. We also have an outdoor dance floor. It's only on Saturdays, but a lot of couples will come for the weekend, enjoy a concert, then walk back to their room,” said Cheryl Hines, co-owner.
The main inn dates back to 1735. Cheryl's research shows the property had different uses overtime including a possible tavern, schoolhouse, and Arabian horse farm. She says a famous general even lived here at one point.
Cheryl, her sister, and their husbands became the owners in 2012 and created much of what you see today, while preserving the authentic feel. With Cheryl's background in professional photography, the goal is to eventually host weddings and special events here.
“We brought it up to code and modernized it, which is not a small feat when you're dealing with a property that goes back hundreds of years. But we did it, and it took us four and a half years to open. It’s been a good story ever since," Cheryl smiled.
The Inn at Birch Wilds is quiet, yet close to many attractions and small towns such as Lehighton and the world-famous Jim Thorpe.
"The unique thing about us is you feel like you're in the middle of nowhere, but you're not,” Cheryl added.
Last, but certainly not least, we've made it to our final stop; the perfect place for rest, relaxation, and connection with nature.
Nestled near the Upper Delaware River, step back in time at 1870 Roebling Inn on the Delaware in Lackawaxen. Take in the vast views from the covered front porch, or riverside.
“It’s just a nice, off the beaten path place to relax, look at the river, see a bald eagle, and take out a canoe or kayak nearby. There's really no traffic on the roads here,” said JoAnn Jahn, owner.
The inn features five guest rooms plus a separate one-bedroom cottage. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, yet the rooms have modern touches such as Wi-Fi, air conditioning, TVs, and private baths.
“It's just 20 years behind the times maybe, which is hard to find, and that appeals to people. They'll walk through the door and say, ‘ah, it's good to be home’,” JoAnn said.
This is an angler's paradise. The Upper Delaware just across the street is known as one of the finest fishing rivers, and the nearby Lackawaxen River is fully stocked for trout season. “During the week around here, you have the whole river to yourself,” JoAnn added.
The inn is close to small towns in the Poconos such as Milford, Hawley, and Honesdale. New York state is across the river, providing easy access. You're also near the country's oldest suspension bridge, built by the same man who designed the Brooklyn Bridge. The Zane Grey Museum is another local draw. And for Woodstock fans, you're a short drive from Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.
1870 Roebling Inn on the Delaware has a rich history, dating back to when coal was king.
“The canal started in Honesdale and followed the Lackawaxen River, where it had to cross the Delaware River to get to the New York side, to get to the Hudson River and float to New York City. There was a lot of engineering and hard work. This building was built by the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company as their office, and the man who lived here was the local superintendent for the Delaware Dam,” JoAnn explained.
When JoAnn and her late husband bought the property in 1985, they converted the building into a bed and breakfast. JoAnn says her husband had a hospitality background, and she continues his legacy here today. Even an old menu from his former restaurant hangs in the hallway.
She added, “we used to say, and still say, the best part about this business is the people we meet. Everybody has a story and a reason why they didn't choose a resort or big hotel. They want to get a real sense of nature, history, and the connection this offers.”
Check out Part One of Touring Pocono Bed & Breakfasts, featuring stops in Monroe and Wayne counties, here!