Disclosure: Complimentary lodging, meals and entertainment were provided by Mount Airy Casino Resort in exchange for my honest review. No other compensation was received.
If you ask me, I believe all married couples need some time away from all the stress of everyday life from time to time, especially when kids are involved. Don’t get me wrong, I love my kids with all my heart and soul but there are times when I just need some alone time with my honey bunny without any distractions.
We. Just. Need. It.
The past year year has been a very difficult one for me. With my mom passing away last July and my husband’s new career change, we’ve had to deal with loads of stress, anxiety and of course the unknown. Stress has also put a strain on my thyroid as well. So when I received an invitation to visit Mount Airy Casino Resort, it couldn’t have come at a better time. I took this as a sign from God that everything will work out and so far, everything is falling into place — little by little.
It’s been a very long time since the hubs and I went away by ourselves sans kids. I believe the last time we were away from the kids was in 2004 when we visited Puerto Rico for our anniversary.
Needless to say, we needed a getaway for just us two.
My husband and I are quite familiar with the Poconos. The very first time we visited was in 1995. We stayed in this place called Stricklands. The room was like a small but luxurious apartment with a fireplace, a pool and a Jacuzzi but it did have an old feel to it — kinda like it was stuck in the 70’s.
Since then, The Poconos has gone through some major changes and built a whole new building which is now called Mount Airy Casino Resort. I’m so glad the Poconos went under a huge renovation in 2007 with new owners so everything is now upscale, hip and very modern.
The new Mount Airy Resort is HUGE! It has so many amenities, you’d never have to leave the site.
Casino
Hubby and I are not really into gambling but I’ve gotta admit, the casino area was crazy BUSY! Everyone that we saw had their game face on and gambled like nobody’s business. Some people really take gambling seriously and they should. Money isn’t free which is why we don’t play! 😉 But if you’re a gambler, you will absolutely love this casino. Free drinks to all that are playing hard and there’s always prizes to win. Win-win!
Food
Ahhhh glorious food. You will not starve at Mount Airy Resort due to all the choices you have surrounding the casino area. If you’re in the mood for Asian, there’s a place for that. If you’re in the mood for Italian food, there’s a place for that. If you’re in the mood for a snack or even Starbucks, there’s a place for that! I’m telling you, you will always have somewhere to eat when you’re hungry.
Guy Fieri’s Mt. Pocono Kitchen
The first place we ate was at Guy Fieri’s Mt. Pocono Kitchen. They serve good American, hometown food with a little bit of Guy’s flavor twist in each dish. Since I knew we were going to do a whole lot of eating, I opted for a Grilled Chicken Cesaer Salad that was humongous but yet so delicious! The lettuce was cool and crsip, the croutons were big and tasty, the chicken was seasoned very well but the dressing was my favorite part of the meal. I tasted a ton of garlic and spice which I couldn’t get enough of. I couldn’t eat the whole dish so hubby had to help me, which he was happy to obliged. The hubs had the Chicken Fried Steak which was amazing and was also a big meal, which he gobbled it right up!
Bistecca
If you want to eat at a fancier place with nice, white table cloths and a nice ambience, then check out Bistecca. It’s a bit pricier than Guy Fieri’s place but it was well worth it. We both ordered the Angus Filet Mignon and I have to say it was one of THE best steaks I have ever eaten in my life! So tender and juicy.
The Buffet
The Buffet is pretty much self explanatory. Just like other buffet places, but I felt as though this buffet had a much bigger food selection. At the Buffet, you can eat seafood (we ate our weight in shrimp! – oh so good!), salads, soups, Mexican food, Italian food and pizza, a variety of side dishes and the dessert section. I was full before dessert but that didn’t stop me. I had a slice of chocolate cake that was divine and some of my hubby’s lemon bar. Oh so good!
Lucky 8 Sushi and Noodle Bar
Sadly, we didn’t get to try this place. Every time we passed it, it was packed. They serve rice, noodle dishes, appetizers and they even have a full sushi bar! Next time I’m here, I’ll be sure to eat there first!
Starbucks
I can’t say much about Starbucks because you already know what they serve but I had to get my Chai fix while I was there. It was as delicious as always.
Red Mango Yogurt Café
We didn’t get to try this café since we were always full but it’s nice to have a healthy option available in case you are craving something cold and sweet. YOu can even order a fruit smoothie made with their fat-free yogurt. Yum!
Nostalgia Candy Store
This candy store brought back so many good childhood memories. I hope they never get rid of this store. They have a ton of candy I grew up with and still love til this day.
Get Wet Pool Bar
We didn’t bring our bathing suit so we were only in the pool area for a few minutes to check it out during the tour and to take photos which I totally forgot to do. I didn’t take one photo! 🙁 I was also bummed I didn’t bring my swimsuit. The pool area is all decked out with huge comfy chairs, fresh towels, delicious looking alcoholic drinks and the water is always warm. Next time for sure!
Entertainment
You can bet that every Saturday, there will be a special performer at Mount Airy Resort. We had the privilege of seeing Richard Marx on stage. He was popular in the late 80’s – early 90’s with songs like “Hold on to the Nights” and “Now and Forever.”
At first I thought OK, who the hell is that? But then my husband googled him and played a few of his songs and that’s when it hit me. I know those songs!! He blew my mind. He exceeded my expectations. His singing was on point, his jokes were funny and he just seemed like an all-around chilled guy. We also found out that he is newly married to a special Latina by the name of Daisy Fuentes. You know her. She used to be a model and there’s also a few bottles of perfume with her name on it.
This was the part of the weekend I thought I wouldn’t enjoy as much and it turned out to be one of my favorites.
There’s An App For That
So you’re planning on visiting Mount Airy Casino Resort? Great! I’m so happy. You won’t be disappointed. But first, get your smartphone and download the Mount Airy Resort App so you can have everything right at your fingertips. It’s very easy to use and you can even make reservations for rooms and dinner on the app. How cool is that?
Spa and Salon
The SPA area is one of my favorite areas at Mount Airy Casino Resort. They really know how to make a person feel like royalty and know how to accommodate anyone according to their needs. It’s clean, inviting and very warm at the same time. You really get that comfortable feeling upon arriving through the double glass doors and know that you will feel rejuvenated and relaxed when you leave. With an extensive array of services, you can be sure to find your bliss and leave all the stress behind.
I got a complimentary 55 minute Signature Massage that was phenomenal. The music made me feel relaxed and the scent of lavender, and essential oils really helped me get through some anxiety I was having. I’ll admit, I’m not one to get professional massages because it’s a bit of an odd feeling. Having a stranger touch and rub your entire body (besides your private parts!) is not something I’m used to but if afterwards you are left feeling like a million bucks? Then why not ? I think it’s totally worth it! Anyway, it’s professional and very safe. I would definitely visit Mount Airy Casino Resort JUST for the Spa! It’s that fantastic!
Guest Room
The room we stayed in was very spacious, upscale and pretty modern. It had all the amenities a couple would need to feel at home. My favorite part was the bathroom. The toilet area had its own room where you can be private if someone else wanted to shower. The sink area was decent as well. It held all of our toiletries without it feeling crowded. The shower was a huge plus! It was HUGE! Big enough to have a party in there! One thing I noticed is that since the shower was so big, they should’ve installed another shower head on the other side so two people can shower at once. 😉
The bed was super comfortable. The pillows were a little on the hard side but my husband and I brought pillows from home which made our nights nice and peaceful.
Room Service
We took full advantage of room service. It was the best decision we made that morning. The food came hot, the food was delicious and the coffee was nice and strong. I had ZERO complaints to the chef! My hubby said it was one of the best room service meals he’s ever had.
Would We Stay Again?
(Not the best photo but it was the only one of us.)
We both agreed that we would definitely stay again in a heart beat. The weekend was very much needed and it brought us closer together. I think this is a start to more weekends together……just the two of us. I think that sometimes we forget about much fun we have with another when it’s just us two.
Here’s a bit of information about Mount Airy Casino Resort:
Located in the picturesque Pennsylvania Pocono Mountains, Mount Airy Casino Resort is less than 90 minutes from Philadelphia, New York City and northern New Jersey. The resort boasts the ultimate gaming experience with over 1,800 slot machines and 80 table games. Luxury hotel rooms and suites serve every need while guests discover a variety of signature restaurant options, including the recently opened Guy Fieri’s Mt. Pocono Kitchen and Bistecca by Il Mulino.
This all-encompassing, full service resort destination for outdoor enthusiasts and gaming enthusiasts alike features an award- winning, lakefront 18-hole golf course; a 16,000 square foot spa, salon and exercise facility; a $5 million, luxury, indoor/outdoor pool and entertainment complex – aptly called Get Wet; an outdoor summer stage that hosts summer concert series; headline entertainment at Gypsies Nightclub and bar; banquet and conference center.
MOUNT AIRY CASINO RESORT EARNS 2014 AAA FOUR DIMAOND AWARD® DESIGNATION FOR FOURTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR
For the fourth consecutive year, Mount Airy Casino Resort, a destination offering incomparable casino gaming, picturesque settings, lavish ambiance, exceptional fine dining, luxury accommodations, outdoor activities and unrivalled amenities, has been awarded the prestigious AAA Four Diamond Rating. Mount Airy Casino Resort was the first casino resort in Pennsylvania to have received this prominent award.
The AAA Four Diamond Rating is assigned to lodgings that feature an extensive array of amenities combined with a high degree of hospitality, service, and attention to detail. Restaurants at this level offer a distinctive fine-dining experience marked by high quality ingredients, creative presentation, and attentive service. Only 4.8 percent of the 30,000 lodgings approved by AAA make the Four Diamond list.
“It is such an honor to have achieved this award for the fourth consecutive year,” stated John Culetsu, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Mount Airy Casino Resort. “We are truly committed to providing the highest quality of dining, gaming and luxury accommodations to our guests, and this award highlights that commitment and the work that we have done and will continue to do,” he added.”
“Four and Five Diamond hotels and restaurants provide guests with a personalized experience and attentive service in comfortable, high quality surroundings,” said Nina Waskevich, AAA North Penn Director of Marketing/PR. “These establishments consistently exceed the expectations of the most discriminating traveler – the AAA inspector. We are proud to have these dedicated businesses in our region.”
AAA inspectors visit more than 58,000 hotels and restaurants over the course of the year, allowing them to identify emerging trends in the industry. Inspectors have observed hotels increasingly using technology to complement the white glove service guests expect at the ultra-luxury level, allowing options such as mobile check-in and touch screen access to concierge services. Similarly, at restaurants they have observed the emergence of tablet-based digital menus, with electronic ordering and tableside payment features.
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