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GETAWAYS: The new face of the Poconos at Mount Airy Casino Resort

The new Mount Airy Casino Resort offers 2,523 of the newest ‘bling bling’ slot machines, each more dazzling than the next, as well as virtual table games, including blackjack, poker and

By Gloria Hayes Kremer Special Writer
    It had to happen — a casino resort in the scenic Poconos in northeast Pennsylvania, long an easygoing playground dotted with lakes, mountains, streams and charming country inns.
    So when the $412-million Mount Airy Casino Resort formally opened in late October in the cozy village of Paradise Township, residents — as well as visitors from miles away — streamed into the enormous, glitzy structure with smiles on their faces, money in their hands and hope in their hearts.
    Although it’s the state’s sixth slots parlor, Mount Airy is the first free-standing casino resort to open in Pennsylvania, offering attractive hotel rooms and suites, four restaurants, a Gypsies Lounge nightclub, retail shops and — soon to be added — a pool, spa, golf course and conference center.
    Located on Woodland Road, just southeast of Mount Pocono, the resort is two hours or less from many locales in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania — an easy drive for those seeking to enjoy what has quickly become one of the most popular types of a vacation experience.
    But the big question is: What is happening to this tranquil mountain region, for many years well-known as a honeymooner’s paradise? And how will the new casino impact the diverse population that lives there?
    “I think most folks are delighted to see the casino,” says Tim Yahn, former director of slots at The Sands Casino in Atlantic City for 26 years who now holds the same position at Mount Airy. “There is the feeling that this will certainly be good for business and for tourism. Personally, my family is very happy since we moved up here and settled in Clarks Summit (just above Scranton). The schools are great, the folks quite friendly, and we are very happy we made the move.”
    Another resident, Shirley Rosado, lives in Henryville and works in New York for Bank of America (she commutes every day). “I moved to the Poconos 20 years ago because the taxes are cheaper here,” she says, “but the transportation should be better between here and New York. I catch the bus at the Delaware Water Gap, but we really should have better connections.”
    You can’t please everyone. General contractor Scott Angel, originally from Blairstown, N.J., lives in the area and worries that “there will be too much traffic. I don’t like that — but I do love this area.”
    Resorts in the Poconos had been in a steady decline during the early 1980s and were coming out of their slump when Scranton-area businessman Louis DeNaples, a rags- to-riches success story if there ever was one, bought the shuttered Mount Airy Lodge in 2004 for $25 million. He soon devised plans to build a new resort with gambling, instead of heart-shaped bathtubs. He was licensed by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to operate Mount Airy in 2006.
    For Mr. DeNaples, it was a dream come true. He vows that his goal is to “create a world-class destination resort in the heart of the Pocono Mountains. It will bring a lot of industry and jobs back to the area.” Joe D’Amato, chief executive officer, has announced that the resort’s full complement of 212 hotel rooms will be available early in 2008.
    Mr. DeNaples is considering future plans to build homes and townhouses around little themed village squares. While most small communities in the Poconos are similar in featuring modest homes sprinkled through leafy, rural towns, there has been a spate of housing in gated communities where more expensive homes are occupied by a sophisticated and affluent clientele. Some residents live there year-round, others have summer homes — and many commute daily to work in New York.
    While Pennsylvania gaming laws do not permit table games at casinos, Mount Airy Casino Resort does have 2,523 of the newest slot machines as well as virtual table games, including blackjack, poker, electronic roulette and progressive jackpots. Slot machines are the biggest source of income for casinos. Mount Airy’s patrons are able to play slots from penny machines to $25 machines.
    The casino’s four restaurants also offer a variety of menus.
    Betty’s Diner, with its art déco décor, is casual and quite popular and offers 24-hour service.
    The Buffet at Mount Airy (is there any casino that does not have a buffet?) not only has a soup and salad bar, but Asian, European, pizza and pasta bars; it’s also a 24-hour eatery.
    Red Steakhouse presents upscale dining featuring steak and seafood, high-quality wines, and more pricey entrees.
    Le Sorelle Cucina is the second gourmet restaurant, featuring fine dining in an elegant atmosphere.
    The new casino resort is built on the site of the formerly well-known Mount Airy Lodge, which catered to honeymooners and couples. In its heyday, star entertainers such as Eddie Fisher, David Brenner and Engelbert Humperdinck performed there. Now the star performers are the bling-bling slot machines with their constant ping-ping — one more dazzling than the next.
    When guests enter the new casino, a graceful waterfall greets them near the hospitality desk. Most guests choose to get a Player’s Club Card (or Rewards Card), a sort of “frequent flier” card for gamers. There is a non-smoking area with 300 slot machines.
    Room rates for King or Double Queen Rooms start at $199 per night, double occupancy; King Suites start at $299 per night, double occupancy.
    For more information, call (877) MTAIRY1 or visit www.mtairycasino.com
Other accommodations nearby …
    • An absolute jewel, truly a touch of “la belle France,” is The French Manor, an elegant country inn sitting atop Huckleberry Mountain in South Sterling. Seventeen handsomely furnished rooms and suites offer balconies overlooking the rolling hills and mountains; many accommodations have jacuzzis and fireplaces. The manor offers lovely amenities, such as afternoon tea and snacks, a cheese-and-fruit plate in the bedroom’s refrigerator, a seven-course gourmet dinner, and a full country breakfast. Call (877) 720-6090 or (570) 676-3244 or visit www.thefrenchmanor.com.
    • Skytop Lodge and Resort is another unique hostelry. The full-service, all-inclusive resort on a 5,500-acre property offers golf, fishing, swimming, ice skating, mini-golf, nature walks, and more. The Main Lodge is a handsome retreat, with rooms featuring fireplaces and a balcony or porch overlooking the mountains. There is a more casual ambience in The Cottages and The Inn accommodations. Also featured are themed weekends, such as cooking demonstrations and golf packages; there’s dancing and entertainment on Saturday nights. Three meals a day are prepared by creative chefs. Call (800) 3345-7759 or visit www.skytop.com.
    • Perched on the top of a 150-acre mountain, Stroudsmoor Country Inn is like a home away from home with its intimate ambience. In the Main Lodge, a fine dining room serves three meals daily. There is an Olympic-size indoor swimming pool, a piano lounge, small pub and guest rooms. A charming group of country stores offers year-round shopping right on the premises. There are good ski slopes, nearby, at Camelback, with its rooftop restaurant. Call (570) 421-6431 or visit www.stroudsmoor.com.