Abandoned - Penn Hills Resort
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- Опубліковано 18 лис 2021
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Nestled in the iconic hills of the Poconos Mountains in Pennsylvania, sits a resort almost as famous as the location it resides in. Penn Hills Resort began all the way back in the 1940's and grew to be one of the most popular and iconic honeymoon destinations in America. A luxurious symbol for a natures getaway complete with heart shaped hot tubs in their suites. However, as years went on, people stopped coming not just here, but for most of the Poconos resorts. Join me today as I find out what happened to this incredible hotel and more broadly, what happened to the Poconos.
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Our honeymoon in 1996 was at the Pocono Gardens Lodge. I picked it because I figured I'd never again feel so entitled to revel in the honeymoon cheesiness of it. And BOY was it cheesy! Heart shaped tub, mirrored ceiling, the works. And incredibly fun and romantic. I now figure that was about the last good year before it started going downhill.
I worked at Pocono Gardens in 1981.
aw im sorry to hear that. welp at least you got to rump around in the 70's time warp :)
You mean your marriage or the resort? 😆
@@skimanfree1073 🎵"Beautiful, Mt. Airy Lodge."🎵
@@victorlowry844Jakes girl so hot wow
That's incredibly frickin depressing. I love the look of 50s and 70s decor and structures. Seeing them destroyed just feels like history going away, no matter what the building was used for.
I appreciate the fact that you use the word "frickin". I use that word all the time.
@@melissabudreau4551 heck yeah. Ever since high school. Before that, it was nothing. Awesome to know another person says it too!
It's a shame so many people think they have the right to trespass and damage other people's property.
Same, I love the vibe and feeling of that decor and wish I could’ve seen it in its hay day as well. I’m probably the minority that would prefer something like Penn Hills over a tropical island getaway.
It may no longer be there physically, but as long as there are photographs, books, and videos like this, history lives on.
I’m actually a local of the Poconos and I live like 10 mins away from here! a large portion of it unfortunately burned down (due to people and kids going in it and mess around) and now they are tearing the rest of it down (due to it being to dangerous and people keep going in) it does sadden me it was massive!!
Me too. Hopefully when (if) they finish tearing it down, something useful will be done with the property. I drive past this place a couple times a week, and it's depressing. It's a piece of history of the Poconos that's become little more than an eyesore today.
last time was more likely insurance.
yea.....the narrator explained everything, we all heard it lol
i love how they find a way to blame homeless squatters for rich developers leaving their establishment to rot. tf? ima be in that mf too if i need it 😂
@@lyzziekelly yeah like, 'thanks for living so close and sharing all the juicy details the guy in the video didn't get to' 😂
I can say without a bit of irony that I would absolutely stay at one of these resorts. They’re so wonderfully campy.
or crappy?
I can _smell_ these images. 03:29
You know you are watching good content when @LGR is commenting on it, and it's not tech. :)
Smells like cigarettes
Lol. Just keep smelling that old tech. ;)
LGR?
LGR!
LGR watches this I be damned lol
Fun Fact:
My parents stayed here during their honeymoon. They will celebrate 49 years together next week.
And yes...I sent them a link to this video.🌠
Yo that's actually pretty cool!! Happy early 49th to them!
They'll get quite a kick out of this video.
My ex-wife and I used to go up regularly. We even got snowed in for a few extra days in the honeymoon suite with the heart-shaped tub! That was also a great family resort as we would bring the kids up a couple times a year as well. The Poconos are still a nice place to go, either with your lover or with your entire family!!
Good to hear that!
That's awesome! Good for them :)
FYI: Coven Haven has been remodeled regularly over the last 20 + years. The hearts shaped tubs were given new tile and apple shaped was added as well. There are many upgrades that have been done to maintain the interest.
Do they allow Bobcats as guests?
do you mean cove haven in Lakeville, or cove haven entertainment resorts as a whole, because for the most part jusy Paradise Stream has been renovated with a few things being done in the other two resorts.
@@Ashley-ek3cd The resorts, but I used to live at the other. Hopefully they have been remodeled too.
lol yea cove haven is practically still the same, still disgusting and moldy
@@kayyrosS1 I stayed at Cove Haven back in the 90's. it looked run down back then. I remember walking into the gift shop and seeing all sorts of sex toys and thinking it doesn't get more cheesy than that
Imagine if all the DNA in that heart shaped tub could talk.......
There would be stories to tell.
come again?
@@onefatstratcat Once is enough. 😊
Yuk
Imagine how many kids were conceived in it....
Interesting how the “ideal” honeymoon locale has changed over time. Fun video.
Thanks!
Absolutely. In 1995 when my wife and I got married it was off to Miami to cruise to the Caribbean on our honeymoon.
@@map3384 still a great way to spend a honeymoon.
@@PaulRudd1941 was this before or after the Korean War? Lol
@@PaulRudd1941 Wow. His and hers green communist fatigues. What a picture you must have made at the party.
Even though it was outdated, thats actually what I love about it. I would gladly pay to stay a night in the 1970s. A shame all that ultramodern architecture is just rotting away now. I hope they save the sign at least...
I know, right? If it could have stayed open a few more years, the kitsch value of it would have been a huge draw!
@@5roundsrapid263 its a shame that it just couldnt hang on...
Such a shame. I hate seeing once thriving places where so many people made great memories turn to this.
@@mrkipling2201 it wouldnt be so bad if it was an untouched decay either, its the fact that people just go in and smash everything up. Absolutely no respect...
@@sterlinsilver definitely. I totally agree with you.
Pocono Palace is another resort that remains! Champaign glass and heart-shaped hot tubs, private saunas, private swimming pools in some rooms, somewhat outdated decor, nightly rates upwards of $250 for the cheapest room on a cheap night. An ex took me to stay there a few years back, and after I watched the video I checked to see Pocono Palace is still around. Yep!
My parents honeymooned here in 1967 when they still had the little white cottages. My mom still has the black & white photo album showing pictures of them both ice skating in the indoor rink, lounging by the pool, sitting with other couples in the restaurant and bar, horseback riding... It really looked quite idyllic.
Jake and his love for abandoned retail probably would’ve stayed there
Yeah, but, does he have a wife or girlfriend? Probably been weird to others that would’ve probably thought he was f**king himself.
Can’t believe this just showed up. I love the kitschy heart tubs. For some reason the smaller houses look like from dirty dancing.
May I suggest doing a video covering the Rainbow Funhouse? It was a relatively famous indoor playplace for children located in Torquay, England that actually started out as a church before being converted into a children's funhouse in 2001. It closed down and was left abandoned in 2017 due to having gained a bad reputation , being regarded as a filthy, unkept and unsafe place by many local parents. A fire broke out inside the abandoned funhouse in 2019, leaving it in an even more deplorable state and causing it to gain fame among urban explorers and those interested in abandoned places in general. It's a really interesting place, I recommend you look it up!
yes i'd like to see that
This would be an interesting subject for the UK based Expedition Theme Park channel, which does a series called Expedition Extinct. They do videos from all over the world but have a lot of local UK experience. I'm definitely on board no matter which channel does it, sounds super interesting!
Rainbow fun house is one of the most iconic liminal space photos!
Me too!
Come to think of it, I don't think I can recall Jake making many videos on places outside of Canada & USA.
Have you ever heard of Cementland? I feel like you would be interested in it. It's an abandoned and unfinished adventure park/interactive art installation in St. Louis, which never opened because the man building it died during construction. It's a tragic and fascinating place.
i'd like to know more and see this place. sounds intriguing
He died DUBIOUSLY during construction. I just looked this up and the story is a little nuts.
Anyone visiting St. Louis should also check out the City Museum, Bob Cassilly's biggest accomplishment in the city. It's difficult to describe but absolutely worth seeing.
Jake should do a story on Cementland...
It looks really interesting and has mystery surrounding the story
Yes do a story on cementland. It sounded cool. Wish he hadn't of died. I have been to the city musem it is less a musem and more like a playground for all ages.
I appreciate the storytelling approach versus walking around showing the ruins haaa the relief
💯 %
I think for BSF, exploring abandoned buildings and telling its stories are two different series in this channel. The one telling stories will be titled as, "Abandoned - "name of building/other places" while the exploring one will not. But yeah, I agree with you, I like this series better because it's always fascinating to find the story behind it.
Yes 👍… Other UA-camrs do great work but I like the story telling and flashback’s on how it was then vs now.
word
This is why Jake and his channel is head and shoulders above the rest. Keep his name in mind. He's going to have an amazing career.
The moss-covered carpet is the exact same carpet that they used in the Fellowship Hall of the evangelical church I went to as a kid, which was, indeed, built in the 70s... I spent many an hour staring at that pattern. so weird to see it again, in photos of an abandoned resort across the country from me
I grew up in the Poconos and have driven past this place many times, thanks for the trip down memory lane!
this is only about 3 minutes from my house, it’s always been fascinating to me. it’s sad to see it now that it’s been burned down multiple times. :/ there’s also an abandoned ski resort up the road from there. but trust me, even if they don’t build another resort like Penn Hills, the poconos is filled with tourist traps, we will always be a tourist destination. maybe not a large one, but we have plenty of resorts that bring in a god awful amount of people and traffic year round hahaha.
Heck yeah. Jake your abandoned series is one of my favorites on UA-cam. Excited to watch this one after work!
Thanks I hope you enjoy!
Really well done.
Good stuff haha. Those places are truly a relic, but they have charm. For comedic and scientific purposes you and Brennen should stay at the Cove and get in the two story champagne glass hot tub lol. Also loved the cute sponsor ad at the end haha🧑🏻🍳. You guys are the best!
Stayed at the Cove in '09 - what am experience lol
I stayed in the tower at Paradise Stream.
That champagne tub scenario would be incomplete without Dan Bell topless with a Marlboro.
That champagne glass jacuzzi looks dangerous. I wonder how many people have fallen over the side?
It is actually so fun! Cove haven still has 3 locations and they are a fun place with pretty good food!
My husband and I went to this place on our fifth anniversary..We had such a great time..We are married 43 years... Great 👍 video..Thanks for the memories
I was born just down the road in East Stroudsburg. My parents chose to leave the area in 1989 partially due to the shift in industry that some locals could see coming. Crime was starting to rise and helped keep tourists away. Sad to see 30+ years later.
Hence the “6th borough”. There goes the neighborhood, as they say(once “they” start moving in)
I was born in Pocono Medical Center in East Stroudsburg in '93.
You're right, it's not been the same for years. The entire area is nothing but major retailers and gas stations.
i was born in stroudsburg. and still live in the area. it went down the drain totally after 2001.
That's why my parents got out in 1989 with us. I've been back once, in 1991.
Be glad if y'all moved away the traffic in that area off I 80 and 33 is like Russian Roulette with 7 bullets.
Who else heard Kevin from Defunctland's voice describing the Nick at Nite suites from his episode on the Nickelodeon Hotel?
I loved the little white cabins from the 50s and the zinnias in front of them. I think with all the cottage core vibes, tiny houses and van life thing going on, cabins could really be something for vacation again. Additional to all of that: Covid. A lot of people want to stay away from others and enjoy their own little cabin to relax. I would rent a 50s cabin there if they'd build some....
You should come to Mt. Charleston, NV (a 45 minute drive from the Strip) in the Toyaibe National Forest. There are cabins for rent there near the Mt. Charleston Lodge (Lodge just burned down but they are rebuilding and the cabins are untouched).
I agree, even if they are a bit dated and Primitive I think more old fashioned resorts and hotels like that would appeal to more young people now. Although many for amusement sakes would probably be into the tackiness of the 70's hotels i think many younger holiday makers and honeymooners would be into the old 1880's- 1950s cottage, lodge hotels and tavern resorts and hotels.
While it wasn't mentioned by name, the picture at 12:31 is of the Fairmont Hotel in Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada. Absolutely beautiful place, as well as the Banff Springs Hotel in Banff. Very happy to see a little shout-out for us Albertans.
Penn Hills will forever be my favorite abandoned location of all time. It was my first urbex outing and it was truly something special. We even managed to hit the nearby *Summit Resort* in Tannersville in the same night. I have so many stories and fond memories of the Poconos.
I remember accidently coming across this place in maybe 2012. Fascinating to see a place go downhill so quickly. Wasn't really vandalized at that point. You didn't picture it but there was a lobby that looked like the bridge of the enterprise. Completely 70's.
This place seems like the perfect area to develop a centre parcs resort. You’ve got nature, developed land etc. Would be perfect in my opinion
Or an Amazon Distribution Center
@@larrychilders6599 Or apartments 🤮
Cove Haven Resorts (Formerly Caesar's Pocono Resorts) survived because they were able to keep interest high because they knew where not to compete. I worked for their Brookdale resort for 13 years. Brookdale was the Family destination while Cove, Paradise Stream, and Pocono Palace always catered to couples, each one with it's own flair. Brookdale is now an addiction recovery retreat. Cove Haven had the heft of having the old Caesar's name behind it for many years after it was sold off and was eventually put into the hands of people a lot like it's founder Morris Wilkens. (who learned his lesson after not patenting the heart shaped jacuzzi, by patenting the Champagne glass one) When Great Wolf came in, Cove Haven got out of the family market.
With the rise of Great Wolf, Kalahari, and soon the proposed Margaritaville Resort and Campgrounds on the former Pocono Manor site, the Poconos has pretty much shifted to a more family friendly destination. Of course there's also the Resurrection of Mount Airy as a Casino, and Camelback's diversification from just a winter seasonal ski resort to a multi-seasonal destination with the addition of their year round waterpark Aquatopia.
Looking back on places like Penn Hills, Pocono Gardens, Strickland, the Summit may make it seem like the Poconos is a dying tourist region, but it's actually not. The place is actually attracting more and more visitors each year as places with more imagination, and the ability to change with the times survive where others fail.
Strickland's was very pretty in its original style. They added some tacky buildings later on, but it went downhill after the 70s. The Strickland family had sold it to Mt. Airy and the social director, Chase Whitman, had died in September 1979. Just wasn't the same....
Being born in Connecticut in 1980, I heard so many of my friends parents mention vacations in the Poconos. This was an area that meant so much to so many people back in the day. It is sad to see the decay of the area, I can only imagine how people who fondly remember their vacations here would feel.
I always pair a new BSF video with a nice spaghetti dinner and cold drinks. The perfect Friday tradition when the time comes. Brilliant stuff as always, Jake!
Very nice! I hope you enjoyed
Hopefully it was a Hello Fresh spaghetti dinner
Problem with the Poconos is that everybody expects Patrick Swayze to show up and dance with you. Sadly, that is not going to happen. RIP Dalton.
Dirty Dancing took place in the Catskills Though
@@JoshuaKimbrough Darn it. I was fifty fifty on that. But I didn't have time to fact check. I feel so stupid because I adore the Swayze.
I don't think people in the Poconos (or Catskills) would expect Patrick Swayze to show up. People who watched the movie back then are in their 50s now and PS is dead...
@@eily_b Guess it's just me. Everytime the doorbell rings I hope that it's him on the other side of that door.
I grew up in Vegas so I knew nothing about the Poconos except that I saw Dirty Dancing. That was honestly my only frame of reference.
RIP Patrick Swazye ❤💛🌻🌼🌾🌼🌻💛❤
Some of Cove Haven is also still 70/80s style but are slowly being updated. Their success may be due to still bringing in mainstream talent for shows and events. Also the properties were owned by Caesars Entertainment and then Starwood up until about 10 yrs ago. After that they did loose the family resort Caesars Brookdale to the decline of the area.
The rumor was that Caesar's got into this business to eventually open a casino and get a gambling license in the Poconos, but that didn't happen, then Caesar's got out of there.
I think that a lot of the brookdale property is now a testament center!
@@davewilson7255 As someone who used to work for the company, Caesar's World Entertainment was actually sold to Bally's. The Pocono Resorts were sold off to ITT Hilton and then to Starwood international, then finally sold to another third party later. There were never any plans to get into gaming by Caesar's World Entertainment and Bally's had no interest in taking the resorts when they bought the larger company
The partnership between Morris Wilkens and the people who bought Caesar's Palace to create Caesar's world entertainment happened in 1969. Pennsylvania didn't allow Casinos in the state until 2004. That's a long ass waiting game.
It's too bad to see these places in such a state of disrepair. The memories that have been made there are unforgettable. I'd love to find an old historic place like this or especially the Nevele and bring it back to life again
Nevele in the Catskills also abandoned is Eleven spelled backwards. Just a tidbit.
We are of the same mindset it appears. I'm 58 years old and adore older architectural styles, period clothes and other items. I'm a writer and the Poconos have always appealed to me in the sense that I wanted to travel to New York City from where I lived in Colorado and now Texas. Once there I'd change over into 1950s style clothes, make believe I'm a staff writer for a large magazine in NYC and in bad need of a short trip to a resort in the Poconos. Then board a train to travel back in time like that when life was slower and much simpler than now. I'd still like to follow up on this dream and have written my first poetry book that hasn't been published.
I love your videos, I think I've seen every one since I discovered your channel a few yrs ago. It just gets better and better. I think capturing the stories of these places is very important work. Not just for entertainment, but as a pursuit of knowledge about history and as an artistic statement about time and change. The stories of these structures are merely settings for stories about people, and the way that people interact with places and eachother over a lifetime. Also I think your Hello Fresh ad at the end was the best Hello Fresh ad I've seen yet lol good job!
That means a lot thank you so much!
literally same here lol
I went to Penn Hills in 2020 and walked around--it felt super unsafe and unstable (some of those glass overhang structures looked like they would collapse at any second). I was the only person there but then as I'm in the middle of all this broken glass, plant overgrowth, and decay, I heard this tapping noise from inside of one of the buildings. I RAN out of there!!
Also, it's a dream of mine to stay at Cove Haven!! So cute and kitschy.
I live in the Poconos and I can tell you this area is PACKED coming close to year round with tourists. Camelback, Great Wolf, Kalahari, Mt. Airy Casino, hiking, river sports, horseback riding, shopping at outlets, skiing and tubing. It DOES not stop. Happy for the area but I’m stuck in traffic more days than not.
Most of this has been torn down already. I pass this place on this road often and see less and less of it as trucks leave full of rubble.
In the mid '00s, my wife and I used to vacation in the Spring and Fall up in the Poconos with my friend and his wife. My buddy and I used to fish for trout while the girls would shop. There was an abandoned resort on the Paradise Creek called Paradise Stream Resort. We'd sneak on the grounds to access the creek. I've tried looking it up online, but it appears there's a Paradise Stream Resort open at this time. I'm not sure it it's a new location, or if they reopened the old one.
I can personally confirm that they have a new, smaller location open.
Ah I stayed at Paradise Stream in the 90s!
@@richardfarrelljr.7666 One of them caught fire. Was it Paradise Stream?
Paradise Stream Resort is completely gone .. leveled. Such a shame - it was so pretty in its glory days.
I grew up in the Pocono Mountains (literally 10mins away from Pocono Hills Resort). Thanks for doing this mini doc so well :)
I spent 6 years working in the Mt. Airy casino. It’s so sad to see all these great resorts decayed.
I always remember commercials for the "Pocono's" as a kid growing up. Mount Airy was one that was heavily advertised. As young as I was didn't quite know the meaning, but remember it was a "jinglish" commercial. (Thinking while watching "Get Smart" on Saturday mornings) gosh I am feeling old. :(
I remember when this place blew up all over the internet in about 2013-2014, doing the runs on FB photography posts and such. I remember loving the heart shaped tubs and the general strangeness of the building architecture. That’s when I’m sure people began vandalizing it. I didn’t know about the fires though… seeing the way it is now and more recently is just heartbreaking.
I love the vibe of the poconos. I go there every winter. Idk if you’re familiar with the area but skiing / summer in the poconos is jam packed with people. Everyone just rents houses since there is a lack of hotels or ski resorts.
Well done. Sad to see what has happened in the Poconos and Catskills. Same story for hundreds of other nearby resorts. We see this over and over with Casinos, and now waterparks. Everybody wants in on the action and then over-saturation in the market.
Wonder if this will happen to the Smoky Mountain areas in Tennessee and North Carolina?
I just stayed at the Cove Haven resort earlier this year. It was a lot of fun and there were people of all ages there. The food was good, activities fun, good comedians and the rooms had a charm to them. The rooms are kept up well and were very clean. I'll be back there again in a few years.
Spent part of my honeymoon there in 1978.
BSF: **posts more that 2 videos in one month**
Me: impossible..
This is so cool to see a video of something I lived around for practically my whole life. My family moved to the Poconos (Tobyhanna) in 1999 to get away from NYC and settle down somewhere quiet. I remember passing this place all the time when we took 191/447 to Stroudsburg to avoid the busy highways and it was always so cool to see the weirdish buildings and golf course. I always wondered what that place looked like in its hay day! Fun Fact: my mother worked as a maid at Cove Haven and nearby at Caesars Brookdale then later Mount Airy casino
I remember these places being advertised in the back of magazines etc. back in the 80’s. They looked so cool
I live in the Poconos and ironically the Poconos are booming after corona virus. Tons for people from New York and New Jersey are coming. There are also still a few very successful resorts here. Woodloch, Skytop lodge, cove haven, camelback, Shawnee. And they too have been around a very long time. Although it’s not what it once was it’s still chugging along pretty steadily.
We're so close to episode 69.
I hope it's like, Larry Flynt's abandoned sexmansion or something
An abandoned brothel? :)
The Playboy Mansion,with The Grotto.....
I love your videos, Jake. But feel horribly depressed when watching them.
Give me a time machine and I'd happily travel to the 1970s, and stay at that resort.
Mmmmm indoor smoking, the gut-wrenching stench of stale tobacco in every carpet and mattress
@@StephenHogan *vomits*
@@StephenHogan Not to mention the ever-present threat of nuclear annihilation, lower life-expectancy, worse treatment for all minorities etc etc. There's a reason 'nostalgia' originated as an ailment, not a positive thing.
You still can. Look up Cove Haven Resorts.
@@skepticalbadger I dunno if it's necessarily nostalgia for the era on my end, I wasn't even born in the 70s. But I get the feeling of sadness for something long past though. There was life in this place once, happy people, dreams for what tomorrow would bring, all that kind of cheesiness. Looking at it decayed and falling apart does make me sad... for dreams lost, a future never to be, and something that made people happy turning to dust.
Back in the 1970’s, my mother would buy every movie magazine that existed. There were always ads for the Poconos in the back of those magazines. Those, and Frederick’s of Hollywood lingerie.
i learned to ice skate at the ice-a-rama as a lifelong resident of the Poconos i have fond memories of skating there and playing in the acrade
I didn't know much about this particular place, but growing up in the 80s in New Jersey, I can still hear the jingle from the Mt. Airy Lodge commercials.
I actually went to Cove Haven with my then-wife about 7-8 years ago. It was kind of fun, but definitely a bit of a time capsule. The rooms probably haven't been updated since the 90s and yes, we had a heart shaped tub.
My friend lives near this area and we used to drive by the abandoned site all the time. We would come up with grand plans for what we would do if we bought it.
I was born in the Poconos and spent many happy hours at Penn Hills. I loved the ice skating rink. It’s so sad .
Hey I was just down at Disney and was thinking the history of the Treetop Villias as Saratoga springs would be great for you to cover, the have a history that would fit in well with this Chanel
Yeah could work!
The storytelling approach is one of a kind, and getting attached to these businesses but knowing they're going to fail is sad. A series about big names brands and how they became successful would be interesting, something like the opposite of his bankrupt series?
I think Company Man has real estate on the type of content your describing
I remember being fascinated by the abandoned resort by watching Dan Bell. Its something about this place that draws me to it. Im glad I got to know more about the story of the Hills. Excellent research Jake!
I went to college nearby and actually spent the night in one of the villas back in the early 90's....heart shaped jacuzzi, round bed, windows on the ceiling, fireplace, and sauna.....very cheesy, but fun. As an aside note; the Pocono Raceway was built by the Hulman family that owned Indy. It was actually built for Indy racing but is much more well known as a NASCAR track now. Great job on the story as always...keep up the good work!!
I’ve stayed there along with many other back in the 80-90s. My favorite were Caesars resorts
Cove Heaven Brookdale etc..
From 1997-2008 we owned a home in Split Rock. The Poconos are DEAD! It’s such a Shame. Use to be so beautiful
In my community of NNJ, the Poconos are much less for honeymooning and more for child entertainment.
Considering the difference in amusement enforcement between the two states pass Department of Agriculture is much stricter.
Between Great Wolf Lodge, Camelbeach, and of course Kalahari; yeah, that's accurate.
Always wanted to go there as a kid when I lived in PA
My husband & I went there at some point after our wedding in 1974. It was kitschy, yes, but it was also one of the first all inclusive resorts & perfect for a young married couple who loved the mountains. Plus it was only a 2.5 hour drive from Philadelphia.
I still love going to the Poconos. It’s a quick all season weekend getaway for me and my friends.
nowadays this would be a huge hit since people interest in retro things are growing rapidly, it could've had been turned in a fully 70s themed place. i think that's the charm of those outdated places, they are trapped on those decades with all those fascinating aesthetic that belong to 80s/70s/90s, we need new themed hotels with this kind of aesthetic.
Camelback resort in the Poconos is great! We live an hour south and meet our NYC relatives there yearly for the last few years (less, the lockdown year)
I was born in 2003, and live mere minutes from Penn Hills. I drive on 191, passing the old resort a few times a week. Seeing this video on my page was definitely a shock. It’s so interesting to see something you know personally in your own lives, explored and shown to a wider audience on UA-cam.
Almost went a Halloween party there back in Highschool. That place is amazing to drive by! Poconos is my home town! There are sooo many resorts up there
Yeah drive route 80 and 611 in the summer and winter in peak season in the poconos will make you think different. The poconos is very busy still lol
Agreed. It’s thriving but the aspect of being a honeymoon mainstay is well over. I know so many people that go to the poconos including myself for vacation.
You two ought to start your own cooking/meal prep show. I'd totally watch just for the commentary. As for the Penn Hills Resort, very nice job. Another great episode!!
Right in my backyard, I remeber as a kid it was always packed, saidnto see it torn down.
Cove Haven was a one of the Caesars Resorts. There were 4 resorts, Paradise Stream, Pocono Palace, Brookdale and Cove Haven.
I remember the constant commercials for Penn Hills for many years when I was a teen in CT. It still gives mee the feels when I hear the old commercials on UA-cam videos. So sad how it wall went downhill. One thing we can always count on is change.
I got married in the mid 80s and the bridal magazines were full of ads for these Poconos heart-shaped/champagne glass bathtubs, and I had no idea where this was, but I knew we were missing out on something very special! 😂😂😂
"Nor do I even think the Poconos is the best place to get that setting." *conspicuous Lake Louise shot* If you needed any proof that Jake is Canadian.
That shot really jumped out at me. Never stayed in the Poconos, but have stayed at the gorgeous Chateau Lake Louise. 🇨🇦
The video Dan Bell did at this resort is still one of my favourites on the whole of UA-cam
Is it still on yt? He moved a lot of his videos to his Patreon...
@@eily_b I just had to go double check, it’s still up! Posted 6 years ago now. Jeez how time flies.
I Agree! The Music He Put In, Everything about It! Always Makes Me Feel Like Im Back In Time. (This Is Why I Came To Comments Looking For Another Dan Fan Lol 😂)
Exactly! The music! After watching the video I even had to go and Google the main song to try and find it on Spotify 😂
I live in East Stroudsburg not very far from here I love that you made this video so I can learn the abandoned history of this area
I absolutely adore this content. The entire series is just so watchworthy and genuinely interesting on so many levels. Job well done! And please don't ever stop!
Thank you!
This looks like where Christopher Reeves Superman was filmed.
Definitely strange how such a cool place just went away
The Poconos are alive and well. Tourism here is thriving and we have multiple large luxury hotels and some of the biggest water parks in the country. It didn’t go away, it evolved into a family tourism area after becoming a vacation staple for all those honeymooners and married couples over the years. These resorts didn’t evolve with the times. Jake did a bad job researching this one.
My wife and I stayed on our honeymoon in August 91. Stayed in a villa and it was pretty cool at the time. We have a few pictures from there. Thanks for the video. We live in Maryland about 4 hours away
I lived here between 2006-2008 traveling 191 on the daily. This is some what depressing as those years were a new chapter in my life but I knew that Penn Hills was a cheesy place and well out dated.
This is one of your videos that hits somewhat home to me and I just wanted to thank you,
Nice job, but before thinking it’s impossible for another hotel to be built there, ask Great Wolf Lodge how it feels about Kalahari resort and Camelback Lodge both opening less than 15 minutes away.
Camelback has been there the longest, started as a ski area. The waterpark is just a recent addition.
Thank you for all of your videos! This gives us a way to explore without actually "exploring" per say. Honestly I believe someone should buy this out and keep everything (all the extra buildings and amenities included), as well as keeping the vintage 70s look. Very interesting stuff! Stay safe!!
I was four years old in 1979 but my parents used to go there every summer and have pictures from that place.
I was only there one once but this brought back memories from those years. Limited but good ones!!! ❤❤❤
My parents had their honeymoon there in 1973. Of course it rained the entire weekend (yes just a weekend honeymoon) and the sun came out they day left just in time for some incredibly 1970’s photos. They went back once for dinner sometime in the early 80’s. Even then my father thought the place had gone downhill.
I totally would watch a cooking show hosted by Jake and Brennan. 🤣😆
But Brennen has to wash his hair first...
Who is Brennan?
Hey there! I just wanted to give you an update about Hard Rock Park. Yesterday as I was driving past, I saw them knocking down the entrance gate to the park. It seems like they will soon be getting rid of it! Thank you so much for recording in there before it’s gone!
Omg we did Poconos in sept 1987 for 1 week get away honeymoon. Recommended by my boss. we also had the heart-shaped tub and mirrored ceiling over the bed and fireplace in our room. It was hilariously outdated but ours had a golf course too. It sure was a time warp experience. Went to Hawaii for 17 days for our official honeymoon. Much better choice. Can't remember of the name of the resort we stayed at.
I got a Poconos tourism ad during this video. I worked a contracting job at Kalihari up there for some time. That place is enormous. The expansion was like double the hotel occupancy and an indoor water park
Oh my god finally an episode of Abandoned for a place that I used to live near and have been to! My life is complete!
My grandparents owned a lil land up in the Poconos, I should see if they knew about Penn Hills at all. I'll edit when I get an answer :D
EDIT: Asked grandma and grandpa, no, they hadn't heard of it, but the Poconos is a big place, and we live in southeastern PA so. Yeh. Sorry guys :"D
This one hits close to home, grew up in the area and my grandfather lived just down the road. I remember passing by the place time after time if we went somewhere after.
He actually injured his arm at the ice rink there, IIRC.
Up for locals
I grew up just outside nearby Scranton. My dad and step mom honeymooned at Mt Airy lodge in 79. The scenery and the the mountains around there is beautiful. I was reminded of this visiting Knoebels Park a few years ago. Just awesome to see. Yet few people visit. North East PA is just so run down, much like the resort. It's a shame.
I love the story telling and the flashback videos and photos that you do and everyone behind you helping to put everything together. Keep up the Great work
Fantastic locale. Love the upper dining area. So sad it's been vandalized so frequently. Love it up there.
This is super cool to hear about because I live 10 minutes down the road from here and have passed the abandoned resort hundreds of times.
I stayed in Penn Hills on my anniversary, loved the heart shaped tub and the round beds
My favorite part is when Jake said abandoned.