Looking for good Xmas locations in driving distance of New York

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Angela, There is a nice enormous unit at the new section of Shawnee. We were there about 5 years ago 2003 or 2 the first year they opened up.

I just posted about Shawnee, Split Rock & Willowbrook.........The reviews on Tripadvisor are God awful. They really scared me.

What did you think of Shawnee, and have you been to Split Rock & Willowbrook? I know that Willowbrook is the nicer section of the resort, but according to the reviews, the rest of the place, including all amenities are awful, in dire need of repair, too far spread out, and there's a tool both, 25 cents each time you leave Willowbrook to go to anywhere, including the restaurants. I don't care about the toll, but all in all, terrible reviews.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

How many times do Glitter and I have to tell you. NO POCONOS!

I know, I know.....For some crazy reason, I feel destined to wind up in the Poconos this year. In yesterday's Newsday, there was an article on "The come back of the Poconos." George read it out load to me. They were carrying on about the golf courses, new restaurants, spas, etc., etc.

Don't worry, after reading the reviews on Tripadvisor, I'm not going to the Poconos.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Some of us are just not 'Pocono People'

Seriously, the reason my group decided on Mar Fairway Villas is because we aren't interested in cold weather sports - in fact, I image my son and some of my nephews would even play golf if the weather is in the 40's!

We are traveling with a group ranging from 8 to 80 - so this is the best location for us.

I would also do Williamsburg but it is a much farther drive for me....but would love to go back there in the Spring sometime soon.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

I just posted about Shawnee, Split Rock & Willowbrook.........The reviews on Tripadvisor are God awful. They really scared me.

What did you think of Shawnee, and have you been to Split Rock & Willowbrook? I know that Willowbrook is the nicer section of the resort, but according to the reviews, the rest of the place, including all amenities are awful, in dire need of repair, too far spread out, and there's a tool both, 25 cents each time you leave Willowbrook to go to anywhere, including the restaurants. I don't care about the toll, but all in all, terrible reviews.

I know, I know.....For some crazy reason, I feel destined to wind up in the Poconos this year. In yesterday's Newsday, there was an article on "The come back of the Poconos." George read it out load to me. They were carrying on about the golf courses, new restaurants, spas, etc., etc.

Don't worry, after reading the reviews on Tripadvisor, I'm not going to the Poconos.

Lucky for us, we know from our members here which are the 'good resorts' and which are the ones to be avoided.

Everyone has a different 'expectation' when they travel; thank goodness for sites such as this that can 'guide' you to the right location

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Some of us are just not 'Pocono People'

Seriously, the reason my group decided on Mar Fairway Villas is because we aren't interested in cold weather sports - in fact, I image my son and some of my nephews would even play golf if the weather is in the 40's!

Yup, that would be my DH, as well.

We are traveling with a group ranging from 8 to 80 - so this is the best location for us.



I would also do Williamsburg but it is a much farther drive for me....but would love to go back there in the Spring sometime soon.

Yeah, we we're thinking the same thing. Just a little too far, especially with holiday traffic.

I have a feeling that we will see you there.....Just remembered, Boston doesn't have a kitchen. That means that we would have to take everyone out to eat, for 3 meals a day. DH would never let my mom, or DD's friends pick up a tab.

[buff Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close buff]

Splitrock, Mount Laurel are timeshares about 30 minutes from Shawnee and Fairways. Plenty to do. Anyone like to go hiking Apalacian trails. State parks near by. Plenty of outdoor stuff, other things

[Holly Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Holly]

It's really, really unfortunate that the Poconos haven't been able to get their act together. There is one part of Shawnee, Ridge Top SUMMIT that is very nice. I understand that Willowbrook at Lake Harmony is nice...other than that, you have to just have a "camping" mindset.

I agree, and Boston is still on the table. I would need 3 rooms, tho. That makes it harder, but you never know. I have two weeks that I'm willing to put in a request with, but don't want to give up a 3rd week.
They are all beach weeks. We'll see what happens. I think it's down to Boston, or AC.

BTW...The kids had a slight interest in the Poconos, because of the ice skating, snow boarding, bowling, movie theater, etc. But I looked on Tripadvisor, and was horrified by he reviews of Split Rock, Willowbrook & Shawnee Village.

I know that the Tripadvisor group can be tough, but the reviews were really, really, bad. Their bottom line......A dump!

[mpizza Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mpizza]

How about Villa Roma in the Catskills? We spent NYE there one year, went horseback riding in the mountains - lightly snowing - beautiful. If you care to participate, they have a fun NYE party - one for adults, one for kids (my children were younger then). They have skiing, tubing, bowling. And I think the renovations will be complete.

On the way up you can hit Woodbury Commons, the best outlet shopping area on the East Coast

We're doing Disney this year with extended family - yes, I know super crowded, but my sister and I always wanted to visit at Xmas and she's a teacher.

Maria

[Anne1125 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Anne1125]

I like the Poconos. We stayed in at Split Rock and really like the amenities. I don't remember thinking everything needed to renovated, but our unit in Westbrook(?) was so so but really big with a nice fireplace. There's a lot to do and we LOVE the Crossings outlets in Tannersville. There's a big lake (you need to drive to) and they snowmobile over it when frozen. Fun to watch.

Just my 2 cents.

Anne

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

We're doing Disney this year with extended family - yes, I know super crowded, but my sister and I always wanted to visit at Xmas and she's a teacher.

Maria

I just LOVE Disney at Christmas - it is so lovely just touring the hotels and seeing all the decorations!
You will have a wonderful time.

We also did a Disney Tour called "Yuletide Fantasy" where they take u behind the scenes - u go into the parks before they are open - and also go to the BIG warehouse where they make and store all the decorations.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

I just LOVE Disney at Christmas - it is so lovely just touring the hotels and seeing all the decorations!
You will have a wonderful time.

We also did a Disney Tour called "Yuletide Fantasy" where they take u behind the scenes - u go into the parks before they are open - and also go to the BIG warehouse where they make and store all the decorations.

Me too!

One of my favorite things is the Osborne Light Festival. (SP?)

Enjoy!!!!