Pros:
This is a good central location for the Poconos area. Rental agent was friendly, accommodating, and responsive. The community was private, gated, and secure. There were many family amenities as part of the community commons (hiking/biking trails, lifeguarded pools, tennis, soccer, baseball, and basketball). The house was on a large wooded lot with 150’ of lakefront, a rowboat, and a frog stream a few steps from the back deck. The lake is small but private and no fishing license is required. We caught frog, turtles, bluegills, and bass every day (catch & release), which was especially exciting for the kids. The house was spacious, clean, and airy, with plenty of sunlight. The gas grill and appliances all worked and there was plenty of cooking and serving gear in the very large kitchen. The large dining table, counter seating, breakfast nook, working fireplace, game room, and Jacuzzi were nice touches. The house climate control was more than adequate. The neighborhood was quiet with very little traffic. There were no bugs in or out. There were a few mosquitoes, no ticks, and no yellow jackets. We all spent most of the time on the large 270-degree wood deck. Several healthy deer and squirrels came every day for a handout. The electronics, Internet Wi-Fi, and DISH network all worked well and the three large LED TV’s are only in the “public” areas, not in the bedrooms. We were 12 with six bedrooms but the total beds would accommodate a lot more with a sacrifice of privacy or kids in with the parents. We staggered showers and never ran out of hot water.
Cons:
If you have a large group, be warned, the refrigerator/freezer, microwave, and oven are standard family size. The mattresses were clean but thin. While there is an adequate number of bathrooms (5), only three rooms qualify as bath-suites with two sharing a master bath. Not a big deal, the house is a rental thus sparsely furnished but not lacking comfortable seating with plenty of “run” space for kids. Overall value was 4 out of 5. Having proximity access to the private lake pushed the value up a notch.