Is Skytop Lodge worth it? Honest pros and cons
Yes—if you want a historic, activity-rich mountain resort with multiple dining options and on-site outdoor programs, Skytop Lodge is worth it. If your priority is a budget stay, minimal driving, or a downtown/nightlife base, a different property may fit better.
In this guide
Rooms, cottages and what you get
Skytop Lodge offers classic lodge rooms and separate cottages. The record lists three room types by name: Cottage (1 King Bed), Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed (Deluxe King), and Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed (Premium King).
Rooms are in a 1928 Dutch Colonial-style main lodge and separate cottage buildings on the estate. Renovations were completed in 2020 and the property has 193 rooms and suites across four floors.
- Cottage — standalone building, listed with 1 King Bed (good if you want more privacy).
- Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed (Deluxe King) — main-lodge guestrooms with traditional decor.
- Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed (Premium King) — slightly upgraded king rooms in the inventory.
| Feature | Notes |
|---|---|
| Number of rooms | 193 rooms and suites (48 suites included in that total) |
| Floors | 4 |
| Last renovated | 2020 |
Dining: variety but reservations required for main restaurants
Skytop has multiple on-site outlets covering coffee, casual bites, pub food and formal dining. Key venues are Windsor (American), Lakeview (Mediterranean/Italian), The Taproom (brew-pub), The Market (ice-cream/counter), and Corner Roast (coffee and pastries).
Dinner reservations are required at Windsor and Lakeview, and The Taproom also asks that guests reserve. Dress codes apply in Windsor and Lakeview (resort casual).
- Windsor — breakfast and dinner; resort-casual dress; reservations required.
- Lakeview — dinner with lake/golf views; reservations required; seasonal hours.
- The Taproom — casual brew-pub on the first floor; reservations recommended for peak times.
- Corner Roast and The Market — quick bites, coffee, and ice cream; casual, walk-up service.
| Venue | Typical service | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Windsor | Breakfast & Dinner | Reservations required; resort casual |
| Lakeview | Dinner (seasonal) | Reservations required; lake views |
| Corner Roast / The Market | Coffee / Casual bites | Walk-up; open earlier for coffee |
Activities and on-site recreation
Skytop is activity-focused: the estate covers 5,500 acres and lists year-round options like hiking (11 trails), golf (18-hole course), boating, fly-fishing, a TreeTop Adventure ropes course, zip lines, paintball/arrow tag, shooting sports, and seasonal skiing/snow tubing.
The Aquatic Center includes an indoor pool, splash pad and hydro spa; the indoor pool and splash pad are open daily year-round (9:00 am–9:00 pm) for all ages with adult supervision, while the hydro spa and dry sauna are restricted to guests 16 and older.
- Hiking: 11 year-round trails, including a 1.6-mile Lake Trail loop.
- Aquatic Center: indoor pool and splash pad open daily; hydro spa/sauna 16+.
- Adventure Center: zip lines, ropes course, paintball and seasonal ski/tubing slope (295 ft vertical drop reported).
- Boating & fishing: canoe/kayak rentals and stocked streams for fly-fishing.
| Area | Open/age notes |
|---|---|
| Aquatic Center (indoor pool/splash pad) | Open daily 9 am–9 pm; all ages with adult supervision |
| Hydro spa & dry sauna | Open 9 am–9 pm; guests 16+ only |
| Trails | Guest-only access to 11 trails; Lake Trail ~1.6 miles |
Family-friendliness and suitability for groups
Skytop positions itself as a family resort. The Aquatic Center, lake beach and many daytime activities are open to children when accompanied by adults, and the resort runs supervised kids’ programming and family events.
There are also adult-oriented options—The Nest spa requires guests to be 18 for treatments, and the hydro spa/sauna are 16+—so multigenerational groups can split into quieter adult spaces and active family areas.
- Pools/splash pad open to all ages with adult supervision.
- Pack-and-plays available on request; rollaway beds reported as available for an extra charge.
- Kids’ activities and family programs run seasonally and are included in some daily charges.
| Family service | Notes |
|---|---|
| Kids’ pools & splash pad | Open daily; adult supervision required |
| Kids’ programs | Seasonal supervised activities available |
| Spa & adult spaces | Spa treatments 18+; hydro spa/sauna 16+ |
Practicalities: access, policies and included amenities
Skytop Lodge is on One Skytop in Skytop, Pennsylvania. Driving is the most common access method; Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport (AVP) is the nearest major airport at roughly a 40–50 minute drive, with Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) another option at about an hour.
Check-in is guaranteed at 4:00 PM and check-out at 11:00 AM. Guests must be 21 or older to check in, and a government-issued photo ID plus a major credit card is required.
- Daily service charge covers many on-property amenities such as Wi‑Fi, self parking, EV charging, Aquatic Center access and some classes—meals are not included and are charged separately.
- Skytop is smoke-free and maintains a no-pet policy (service animals allowed).
- Front desk is available 24 hours; pool access sometimes requires advance pre-booking per third-party notes.
| Policy | Details |
|---|---|
| Check-in / check-out | Check-in 4:00 PM; check-out 11:00 AM |
| Age to check in | 21+ (younger guests allowed if accompanied) |
| Parking & Wi‑Fi | Self parking and in-room/public Wi‑Fi included |
Who should pick Skytop—and who might skip it
Pick Skytop Lodge if you want a historic, country-lodge experience with lots of on-site recreation, multiple dining venues, and options for families and large groups or weddings. The property’s large grounds and organized activities are a core draw.
Consider another option if you need a lower-cost stay, an urban location, or if you prefer fully à la carte budgeting without a daily service charge model. Also check schedules and availability for seasonal offerings (Lakeview hours, beach/Wibit, ski/snow activities) before you book.
- Best for: families, multigenerational groups, wedding parties, outdoor-activity seekers.
- Less good for: travelers wanting a downtown/nightlife base or strict low-cost stays.
- Booking tip: reserve dinner at Windsor or Lakeview in advance and confirm any Aquatic Center pre-booking rules.
| Traveler type | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Family with kids | Recommended — pools and kids programs available |
| Couples seeking quiet spa-only stay | Possible — but confirm spa availability and adult-only areas |
| Budget solo traveler | Might skip — consider smaller inns or motels nearby |
