Try Out Gorgeous Lake Naomi Club in Poconos For A Song

Do you ever wonder how you can take advantage of all the great things to do at the Lake Naomi Club in the Pocono Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania? Well, one way is to own a house there.

What?  You don’t have a lake house? Well, there’s another way. And, it’s much less expensive.

Book a night or two (or more) at the Mountaintop Lodge, and you can join those Poconos PA homeowners watching spectacular sunsets over the 277-acre Lake Naomi; diving into Olympic sized swimming pools; taking sailing classes; pro tennis instruction; and boating, fishing, swimming off the Club beach.

When the snow flies, there’s skiing, snow-tubing, ice-skating, horseback riding and winter hiking.

In these “retro” times, travelers aren’t always seeking out the ultimate in hip or trendy. So if that describes you, then book a stay at the Mountaintop Lodge, and indulge in some wholesome activities at the Lake Naomi Club.  A visit here is as satisfying and soothing as chicken soup on a cold afternoon. And sometimes, that’s all a soul needs.

Looking for more love-nest vacation ideas in the great state of Pennsylvania? Check out the Getaway Mavens 30+ Romantic Getaways in PA.

First Impressions of Mountaintop Lodge at Lake Naomi Club

Mountaintop Lodge at Lake Naomi PA
Mountaintop Lodge at Lake Naomi PA

With a name like Mountaintop Lodge, you’d expect this inn to be, well, on a mountaintop. So you might be startled to see this rambling old place smack dab on busy Route 940; more stagecoach stop than hidden inn.

No glitter, no gentrified Ralph Lauren interpretation of what a fishing/ski/sports/kid friendly cottage should be. The Mountaintop Lodge is the real deal.

veranda mountaintop lodge pa

And here’s the true and wonderful surprise. This lodge supports local artisans, from purveyors of flavored-honey to furniture builders (all tables and chairs were crafted by a “guy down the road”) and entrepreneurs who make guest room bath toiletries.

Main Room, Mountaintop Lodge at Lake Naomi, Poconos PA
Main Room, Mountaintop Lodge at Lake Naomi, Poconos PA

Walk up the steps of a sloping front porch that has surely born the weight of many generations and into a true ski resort lodge. Wood paneled walls, Craftsman-style furniture, old skis mounted on the walls, and stone fireplace speak to the inn’s original intent.

Built in the 1920’s for vacationers who came to the Pocono mountains to escape the city, the Mountaintop Lodge fell into disrepair until the Lake Naomi Club purchased it in 2012. In 2013,  it was restored and reopened as a comfortable, well-tended inn.

In addition to a cork-chained room key, you’ll receive a personalized pass for the Lake Naomi Club and a map to all amenities and hiking trails.

Food At Mountaintop Lodge, Poconos PA

Mountaintop Lodge Coffee Shop, Poconos PA
Mountaintop Lodge Coffee Shop, Poconos PA

Though there is no full-service restaurant on premises, there is an upscale Coffee Shop, dispensing everything from Cappuccino to Italian Sodas, sandwiches, and homemade soups that are in a class of their own.

The very versatile Naomi Club Dining Room Chef has created quite a following with his outstanding broths and chowders. Locals call in the morning to ask about Soups of the Day and to put in orders for pick up.

Even out-of-towners are beginning to make pilgrimages just to delight in his spur of the moment creations. I can personally attest to the richly flavored Southwest Chicken Soup, that, paired with a house-made hard roll, makes for a perfect lunch.

The Lake Naomi Club has a fine dining room, with a selection of wines, brick-oven pizzas and more upscale fish, meats and vegetarian options.

The Jube Poconos PA
The Jube Poconos PA

Van Gilder’s Jubilee – known hereabouts as “The Jube” – is a block from the Mountaintop Lodge. It’s  the quintessential nothing fancy “family restaurant” with dinner prices we haven’t seen since the 60’s. Dine on Prime Rib and Vegetarian Ravioli without emptying your pockets. Locals swarm here on Thursdays and Sundays for the “Award-Winning” Wings.

Rooms At Mountaintop Lodge, Poconos PA

Mountaintop Lodge Guest Room Poconos PA
Mountaintop Lodge Guest Room Poconos PA

The palette is described as “Woodlands” but I’d call it “Aunt Jo doesn’t mind you tracking in dirt” browns and sticky-lollipop-fingers-beige.

Furniture is eclectic antique with wall décor that not-so-subtly illustrates local recreational opportunities. (Room #8, a Queen Suite, featured a trio of old golf clubs mounted on a distressed window shutter).

If you’re expecting marble baths and Frette linens, this isn’t your place. But if you’re looking for restorative and peaceful retro comfort, you’ve found it.

Packed with Privileges at Lake Naomi Club, Poconos PA

The adjacent Lake Naomi Club is a residential community that incorporates Lake Naomi and Timber Trails homes built up around the Lake Naomi. The Club has so much going on all year round, the program book is nearly an inch thick.

Lake Naomi Community Center Pool PA

Tap into all this fun at the the Club-owned Mountaintop Lodge. A stay provides all guests with a temporary membership pass.  To be a year round member, you must own a home in the area (Lake Naomi or Timber Trails developments), so this temporary pass is quite the coup.

Spend a summer afternoon lounging on a beach or by the largest heated outdoor pool in Pennsylvania. Sign up for a tennis lesson at McKee Tennis Center. Play a round or two on the 9-hole golf course. Take a sailing lesson, go fishing (Trout, Perch, Bass), test your mettle at archery, on a climbing wall, or rent a kayak or canoe.

Lake Naomi Community Center

Even in winter or during inclement weather, swim in the indoor pool, play tennis or use the golf simulator indoors at the well appointed Lake Naomi Recreational Community Center. Here you can also take aerobics and spinning classes, use personal trainers in the well-equipped fitness center, and attend a slew of fun parties, events and festivals.

Even doing nothing is an event, when Mother Nature puts on shows like this:

Sunset Over Lake Naomi Poconos PA
Sunset Over Lake Naomi Poconos PA

Mountaintop Lodge at Lake Naomi Room Rates

Rooms and suites range from $140-$275 per night depending on season and include welcome biscotti, wi-fi, parking, hot multi-course breakfast, and access to amenities at the Lake Naomi Club.

Author

    by
  • Malerie Yolen-Cohen

    Malerie Yolen-Cohen is the Author of the cross-country travel guide, Stay On Route 6; Your Guide to All 3562 Miles of Transcontinental Route 6. She contributes frequently to Newsday, with credits in National Geographic Traveler, Ladies Home Journal, Yankee Magazine, Shape.com, Sierra Magazine, Porthole, Paddler, New England Boating, Huffington Post, and dozens of other publications. Malerie’s focus and specialty is Northeastern US, and she is constantly amazed by the caliber of restaurants and lodging in the unlikeliest places.