An Anniversary Weekend Away at Cove Haven:
February 7th, 2010 by admin

Horse & carriage ride
This weekend we went away Friday night to Sunday afternoon for our third wedding anniversary. We chose Cove Haven, a Pocono resort that is geared towards couples.
We were set to go for two nights, Friday through Sunday and it wasn’t cheap. Two nights and three days in the Juliette Suite was supposed to be $600 and this included large dinners and breakfasts. Our suite had a fireplace and a Jacuzzi. This price also included lots of activities including snowmobiling, snow tubing, ice skating, miniature golf, swimming, roller skating, bocce, ping pong, tennis, racquetball, boxing, board games, dancing and entertainment.
Our first mistake was trying to work all day Friday and then driving three hours to get there starting at 7PM. The last seating for dinner was at 8PM and we arrived by 10PM, exhausted and starving. This was poor planning but when we finally arrived we were eager to go to our room and get a good night sleep. So when we got into our room and it felt frigid like the frozen tundra, we were not pleased. We tried to adjust the heat to no avail. The suite was large and the heater was the size of a small air conditioner. We called the maintenance who said that it would take at least 4 hours to heat the room now that the heater was turned on and the maid was supposed to have left it on before our arrival. Housekeeping then brought us three extra blankets but I still felt like I was sitting outside in the snowstorm. We lit our duraflame log in the fireplace and although it was pretty, it gave off no heat!
So trying to be good romantic sports, we filled up the hot tub with hot water and sat in there, shivering. I joked to my husband that we could sleep in there, taking shifts so neither of us drowned throughout the night. This probably would have been the best plan but instead we dried off and tried to sleep in the bed. I joked to my husband that if honeymooners had to sleep in a coat, gloves, scarf, hat and two pairs of socks, it would not prove very romantic. Anyway, joking aside, I had the worst night’s sleep of my life (even as the mother of a now 19 month old son).
Somewhere around 5am the room chill waned and we were able to be comfortably in our room and to eventually enjoy our included breakfast in bed at 10am. I was determined to speak with the manager and then partake in all the scheduled days activities. We did go to the front desk and explained our first night situation and the manager agreed that he would refund our first night’s stay. So our cost for the three days would now be $300 instead of $600. That helped.
We then went on to have a horse and carriage ride (for an extra $20) with another couple. The couple with us had been to Cove Haven 25 years ago for their honeymoon and now they were back after they’re 5 kids were grown. They told me it had not changed much and that another couple they met had been there 18 times! Okay, so maybe there was some magic we should still be open to experiencing. Afterwards we attended a free activity called the XXX Newly Wed Game run by honest Phil (who has worked there for 37 years). Ian and I were prepared to participate in the regular Newly Wed Game where you guess each other’s favorite soap and movie but we were unprepared for this game and decidedly glad that we did not choose to participate. We remained in the audience watching couples of all stages describe the length of their husband’s privates, the sexual things they’d most like their partner to do if they could hypnotize them etc. It was funny to watch.
Afterwards we went to watch a deer feeding, where three deer came to graze on feed provided by the staff. This was a special moment.
We had dinner in the dining room, which was very good. Afterwards there was a comedian, a magician and a cover band but we were tired so we opted to go back to our room instead. Needless to say, this was a better day and there were a lot of included activities.
On our last day we had breakfast in the dining room (which is larger and more elaborate than the breakfast in bed option). We went indoor ice skating and played miniature golf, bocce and ping pong. Then we took a tour of six rooms on the property, all ranging in price and features. ‘The Champagne Tower’ was the nicest and this weekend it was priced at $500 per night versus our room ‘The Juliette Suite’ which was $300 a night. Our tour guide told me that there were 274 rooms on the property. It started out as a resort exclusively for honeymooners and later became a couples resort for couples at all stages.
They also had roaming photographers who took your pictures for free and then you could buy the 5×7 photos that you wanted for $10. So, couples seemed to come away with a mixture of good eating, romance, relaxation, memories and convenient activities. There was a free shuttle van that would drive you from location to location so you did not need to drive yourself or walk the campus in the freezing weather.
In the end, we had a good time and enjoyed our stay. I still think the rooms seem a bit overpriced but I guess it is a weekend away that does not need to include airfare and it is inclusive of two meals a day plus varied activities. Many couples adore this place. For us it was a nice weekend away and the rooms were certainly better than an ordinary hotel. My husband and I gave it 7.5 stars out of 10. So if you do choose to check it out, please keep these tips in mind:
-Bring your own alcohol, wine, beer and mixed drinks are extra (ie: not included).
-Bring bubble bath because they do not have it for the hot tubs (even though it’s in the website pictures).
-Call ahead to make sure the heater is on in your room before you arrive.
-Come early on Friday night (if you are paying for it) so you can do the activities that day and eat dinner. Otherwise leave home early Saturday and just pay for Saturday night there.
-If you want a massage, book your appointment before you get there so there will be a slot available.
In my opinion it is important for couples to get away for their anniversary or special occasions for a mini break at least once a year. It is often an easier undertaking when it is drivable and it only requires a few days away, especially if you have kids.
There are plenty of other couples resorts, B&Bs etc from which to choose but I just wanted to share our getaway experience with you here. If you have other great suggestions for a couple’s weekend destinations, please share it under comments below.
I’ve posted a large slideshow of our pictures from our weekend stay here at http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-2473-NY-Love-Examiner~y2010m2d7-An-Anniversary-Weekend-GetAway-Date-Cove-Haven-Resort Enjoy!
My Best in Love,
Paulette
www.mydatingschool.com
Author of ‘Dating from the Inside Out: How to Use the Law of Attraction in Matters of the Heart’ published by Atria Books.
CONTACT INFO:
Cove Haven
194 Lakeview Drive
Lakeville, PA 18438
800-972-2451
http://www.covepoconoresorts.com/RESORTS/CoveHaven.aspx?c=1&source=ppcprop_6H&PS=PS_aa_msn_cove_haven_062706_NAD_FM
Related Links & Reviews:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g52965-d102226-Reviews-Caesars_Cove_Haven_Poconos-Lakeville_Pennsylvania.html
http://www.poconovacations.com/caesarscovehaven-reviews.aspx
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-hotel-346105-cove_haven_resort-i
http://www.mytravelguide.com/hotels/profile-80918106-United_States_Pennsylvania_Lakeville_Caesars_Cove_Haven.html









