The Swiftwater

Ashley at the front desk was so patient and accommodating. She explained things clearly, took the time to answer all my questions, and made me feel welcome and valued. Her kindness and professional, positive attitude really stood out. She’s a wonderful representative of the hotel, and I’m grateful for her excellent service.

The housekeeping was the biggest frustration. We had to call several times a day to get service, and it seemed like they were understaffed during the busy weekend. We ended up leaving a day early. We were there over Labor Day weekend, when the hotel was extremely crowded. We’d chosen it for a relaxing luxury getaway in the Poconos, but the experience didn’t match the price. We paid around $1,000 for three nights and didn’t feel we got the service or convenience we expected. Traveling with an infant also made things difficult. We needed a microwave to sterilize bottles, but the only one was near the help desk, not in a common area guests could access. The front desk staff were kind and helped sterilize bottles and warm our food whenever we needed it, which I genuinely appreciated. Still, the hotel didn’t feel very baby-friendly. Breakfast cost about $35 per person and wasn’t included. As vegetarians, we found the choices limited and skipped it. The fine dining restaurant was hard to get into because seating was limited, so we couldn’t enjoy a meal there either. Cold, rainy weather meant the heated pool might have been appealing, but it was quite small and consistently overcrowded. Unless service and guest amenities improve, I wouldn’t recommend it to families with babies or people expecting a premium luxury stay.

The restaurant food was delicious, and we really relaxed on the outdoor patio by the heated pools. Everything looked clean and new. I have mold and dust allergies, but I didn’t have any reaction during our stay. It’s an absolutely beautiful hotel.

We’re still on check-in day, so we haven’t experienced the whole stay yet. So far, though, the room, ambience, and location have all been satisfactory. We were welcomed with a drink, and our room looks out over the mountains. I found the hotel on Instagram and booked a weekend for my husband’s 50th birthday. The birthday package cost extra and came with breakfast, sparkling wine, a charcuterie board, dessert, balloons, and a few other things. It’s been worth it so far. We’re sitting at the bar now, where the drinks have been amazing. Rob is more than a bartender, he’s a mixologist. My husband tried three drinks Rob recommended and made, and loved every one. It was my first espresso martini, and I loved it too. We haven’t eaten at Olivet yet, but it smelled amazing from the bar. Definitely a place to try.