Winter Family Getaway to Kalahari Resort in Poconos, PA!
I received a complimentary stay on behalf of Kalahari Resorts to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
Our family had cabin fever this winter so we took a quick getaway to Kalahari Resort in Poconos, PA - the indoor waterpark was SO FUN!!
A few weeks ago, we picked up the boys from school on a Friday afternoon. We had their tablets charged and sitting on their seats. We told them that I had something for work I needed to do and that we'd be in the car for a while. To sweeten the deal a little, we also told them we'd stop and get something yummy to eat on the road. Our kids are so awesome, we had exactly ZERO hesitation from them over this. I just love their easy-going personalities!
It's January, and unfortunately it gets dark here early. It was extra unfortunate that two hours later when we were pulling into Kahalari Resort in the Pocono Mountains of PA it was both dark AND really foggy! Paul and I held out though and gave them no indication that we were going anywhere special! It wasn't until we literally pulled up to the front parking lot that we had questions. And then when Paul pulled out the suitcases from the trunk - they started to put the pieces together! I will say though, it wasn't until we walked into the resort and saw the HUGE glass window in lobby leading out the indoor waterpark that they started jumping up and down.
Seeing my kids excited like that just makes me smile!
After we checked into our room, we headed down in bathing suits to the waterpark and we stayed there for HOURS! It was so much fun, and there really wasn't that big of a crowd on a Friday night. The resort provides towels and life jackets for the kids, so no need to bring those with you. We weren't hungry, but there is a restaurant right there in the park, too. I hung out with Reuben in the large little-kid splash area while Paul took the older boys down the lazy river and on some of the bigger slides. Reuben is now 15 months old and could do anything in this area - slides, a huge water table, they even had swings that had water raining down on the kiddos! He had a BLAST!
After our fun in the water, we went back to our room and ordered room service for dinner. The pizza was great and they had lots of options for drinks for the kids, too. Our only slight issue with our trip was getting Reuben set up in a pack & play - the resort has them available to use, but the first one they brought us wasn't working properly. The staff really was amazing with tracking down a new one for us as quickly as they could - and with friendly, smiling faces, too! They truly were wonderful!
I LOVE that they recycle used soaps and shampoos leftover from the hotel rooms! In fact, the whole room was so nicely decorated in a safari theme, too - it made the whole getaway a bit more "authentic"! We'll most likely be booking a two-room suite next time, just to give us a bit more room with the three kids. If you're on a budget though, the Desert Room we stayed in worked just fine with two queen beds and a pull out sofa. The mini fridge was great, too for storing leftover pizza and drinks after dinner.
The following morning we enjoyed a yummy breakfast at the Ivory Coast Restaurant. I ordered croissant french toast and Paul had eggs with hollandaise sauce - both were incredible! The kids meals were great, too and our server was very accommodating with our special order of milk-free scrambled eggs (Reuben is allergic). There are 10 different places to get something to eat and drink at Kalahari, including waterpark dining, a coffee bar, and more - with two new restaurants opening this year!
After breakfast, the boys had a fun time at the arcade winning tickets and picking out prizes. There's even an indoor glow mini golf that we can't wait to try the next time we visit!
I was so excited to be given an exclusive tour to Phase 2 which will be completed on March 7, 2017. In their lobby right now they have a model of the waterpark expansion - it's truly doubling in size to a massive 220,000 sq. ft. and will officially be America's Largest Indoor Waterpark! The lazy river is my favorite, and I CAN'T WAIT to see how awesome it turns out. I'm also excited for the new cabana rentals in the expansion that include a private hot tub!
They are also adding 520 guest rooms, including some really beautiful family suites which would be perfect if you're planning a trip with a large group. The views from those rooms are absolutely gorgeous - it's in the Pocono Mountains, after all! Also to be completed with the addition is a 40,000 sq. ft. arcade with a virtual reality adventure, an escape room, a new fitness center... I could go on and on!
Be sure to check out Kalahari's website to book your next getaway! Sign up for their emails here and follow their Facebook page as well - I've noticed that they regularly post lightning deals on last minute bookings that save a lot of money. Keep in mind that waterpark passes for the whole family are included with the room price from the time you check in, through your whole stay, and for the whole day that you check out - even after your check out time (there are family changing areas in the waterpark). It really is an all-inclusive resort and I'm SO HAPPY that it's so close to where we live! Can't wait to go back!
