The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort sits on the Delaware River and is a classic, historical property, perfect for families looking for a rustic Poconos family vacation. Originally opened as The Buckwood Inn in 1911, the Shawnee Inn is more than 100 years old and is decorated in a way that pays homage to its past while offering activities and options that keep up with the times.The large white building, with green shutters and a grand front porch that overlooks the river, will transport families away from reality.

Dark wooden floors, leather couches and black and white photos of celebrities golfing at the resort — famous for its golf course — line the walls of the hallways and lobby, and friendly staff waits at the front desk and concierge area to help your party check in quickly so you can enjoy scheduled activities. From archery and guided trail hikes to yoga, water polo and nightly campfires, complete with S’mores, families will be able to take part in complimentary activities together.

Although water sports gear, such as canoes and kayaks, as well as bicycles and Segways cost extra, they’re worth it and will have the kids talking about the adventure long after the vacation ends. If scheduled water sports are too much for your family, enjoy swimming in the Delaware River or the indoor pool before or after a game of volleyball or tennis, or a trip to the old-fashioned wooden playground.

Fuel up in the River Room each morning and settle down at the Gem and Keystone Brewpub, both of which are kid-friendly. Walk the property and see the historical gallery and playhouse, or enjoy an evening session of Chip and Putt, perfect for even the littlest golfer. The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort has activities for every season, too, with skiing, snowboarding and other winter-related activities at the nearby Shawnee Mountain Ski Area. No matter when your family visits, the resort will welcome you with open arms, fun activities and a rustic, Pocono Mountains experience.

The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort has 99 guestrooms and suites, with accommodations also located outside of the main building in cottage-like buildings. All rooms and suites come with double, queen or king beds, cable TV, complimentary Wi-Fi, coffee makers, bathrobes, Emma's Friends bathroom amenities, a hairdryer, iron and ironing board and a luxury pillow menu. Connecting rooms and Pack 'N Plays are available upon request, the latter of which are $10 per night. Cribs are not available.

Emma's Friends bathroom amenities are made locally, and the proceeds go towards the research and awareness of people living with mental handicaps and disabilities. The Shawnee Inn also recycles all soaps and shampoos not used in guestrooms and send it to other countries in need.

All guestrooms offer extra amenities, including a Shawnee Sleep Assistance Pack with ear plugs and an eye mask ($4 each); a bedtime snack with one of three options, including tea, vanilla yogurt with granola or two cookies with a glass of milk ($4 each); and a bedtime story, where a hotel staff member will come to your room and read a story (complimentary). Bedtime stories must be booked at least three hours in advance and are not available after 10 p.m.

Main Building Guestrooms
The main building of the Shawnee Inn has four floors with guestrooms that come with two double beds, one queen bed or one king bed. Rooms with two double beds can accommodate up to four guests.

King Suites and King Jacuzzi Suites
King Suites and King Jacuzzi Suites are also available in the main building and both can sleep two adults and one child with the addition of a Pack 'N Play or crib (bring your own). These two suites come with mini-fridges.

Legacy Suites
Legacy Suites are larger in size than King Suites or King Jacuzzi Suites, and offer fireplaces and mini-fridges in the main building. Legacy Suites also offer separate sleeping and sitting areas, with wooden floors and handcrafted furniture.

Delaware Lodge Guestrooms
Delaware Lodge guestrooms are located at the far end of the resort, closest to the property's entrance, near the golf resort. Lodge rooms offer queen beds and one trundle twin bed, sleeping a total of three.

Worthington Collection
Located on the other side of the Chip and Putt course, the Worthington Collection features five suites, which offer families private, apartment-like accommodations, with queen or king beds, a sofa bed, a full kitchen, fireplace, separate sinks and separate shower and tub bathroom areas.

Cedar and Sycamore Cottages
Two three-bedroom cottages are located near the playground and offer families large accommodations that can sleep up to eight. Two queen and one king bed are available, along with rollaway beds (one already in the cottage). Both have two bathrooms, a dining room, a full kitchen and a living room with a fireplace.

All accommodations are available for nightly stays. Mini-fridges, rooms with kitchenettes and microwaves can be requested in advance, though they are not available in all accommodations.

The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort is known for its -- you guessed it -- golf. But the mountain resort also offers a plethora of indoor and outdoor activities for families with members of all ages. Enjoy swimming, hiking and canoeing during the summer months, or visit the nearby Shawnee Mountain Ski Area for skiing, snowboarding, tubing and more during the winter.

Pool
The resort has an indoor pool, located on the lower level of the main building. Families can access the pool area via the elevator or grand staircase from the main lobby. It can only be accessed with a room key, and guests are required to sign in with a hotel staff member at a small desk near the entrance. The pool is heated and ranges from 3 to 10 feet in depth. Chairs with cushions line the perimeter, and a square hot tub is located near the shallow end (must be at least 16 years old to enter). At the deep end, there is a door to an outdoor sun deck, where guests can lounge during the summer to soak up some rays or read and play quietly under umbrellas.

Outside the pool area where guests enter, a few coin-operated arcade and crane games are available. A change machine is provided.

Lifeguards are not on duty at the pool and children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Pool hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, and locker rooms with changing and bathroom facilities are available. Complimentary life jackets can also be found poolside. Towels are provided, but bring your own from your room just in case the stock is out during your visit.

Note: The entrance to the pool area is located in the same hallway as the hotel's administrative offices and its spa. During work hours, office doors may be open and staff may be walking through the area. Although it may not seem like it, you're in the right area for your swim time.

Game Room
The Gleason Room is located at the end of the hallway that stretches to the left of the main entrance in the lobby. Although the door may be closed and the lights off, this space is available for anyone looking for an air-conditioned area to relax and read in, or for a game of Ping Pong. Paddles for Ping Pong are available in the room, and balls can be picked up at the front desk at no charge. A jumbo checker and chess set sits between two comfy chairs in the corner, and board games are located in the back on a bookshelf. A billiards table is also located here, and guests can play for $1 per game. The Gleason Room is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Complimentary Scheduled Activities
Upon check-in, guests receive a schedule of the daily, complimentary scheduled activities. Activities include archery, water polo, arts and crafts, a Shawnee Nature Trail Walk, a Guided Hike Appalachian Trail (difficulty set at medium; recommended for older children), golf cart property tours, Shawnee Craft Brewery tours (adults only) and yoga. All of the activities are scheduled between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. A schedule is also posted on a whiteboard in the lobby. Activities vary according to season. Fall and winter activities may include hayrides, arts and crafts and snowman-building competitions.

Delaware River
The resort is located on the Delaware River, with two points of access for families looking to jump in and cool off. The Sandy Beach area is located across from the main entrance to the resort and offers families an area to sit and relax on the riverbank before jumping into the river. Although more of a grass and dirt area (no sand here), the Sandy Bank has an inlet for kids and parents to walk directly into the water to swim or skip rocks.

The other point of access lies farther down closer to the Shawnee River Trips building. A rocky trail leads down to the water, where white lounge chairs can be found for sunning while the kids splash in the water.

Note: The river bottom is very rocky and may hurt to walk on without shoes. We recommend bringing water shoes.

Shawnee River Trips
The building located closest to the Delaware River is known as Shawnee River Trips. From this building, families can sign up for scheduled canoe, kayak, paddleboard, boat, fishing and raft trips down the river. Prices for these trips start from about $35 per person, with three-, six- and nine-mile trips available. Shawnee River Trips is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

Hourly water sport rentals can be booked between 3 and 7 p.m. daily (during the spring, summer and fall, weather permitting) through the Shawnee River Trips staff, with prices starting from $15 per hour. Mountain bikes can also be rented here.

Discounts are available for guests of the Shawnee Inn, as well, so be sure to inquire before booking.

Fishing is also available at the resort and guests can bring their own poles and bait from home, though anyone over 16 years will need a New Jersey or Pennsylvania fishing license. These can be purchased through the Shawnee River Trips.

Segway Tours
Segway tours can be scheduled through Shawnee River Trips. Guided tours run from 35 minutes to one hour, and start from $43 per person. Age and weight restrictions may apply.

Chip and Putt
Guests of the Shawnee Inn can play a complimentary round of golf (including clubs and balls) on the six-hole Chip and Putt course between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily, weather permitting. The course is located next to the parking lot and near the volleyball court.

Playgrounds and Sports
Right next to the Shawnee River Trips building are two tennis courts, a beach volleyball court and an old-fashioned playground. Sign out complimentary rackets and balls from inside the building. The wooden playground has slides, climbing features and swings.

Campfires and S'mores
Complimentary campfires take place frequently throughout the week at 7:30 p.m. (weather permitting). The fire pit is located directly outside the main building and staff members supply guests with sticks, marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate.

Shawnee Inn Gallery and Playhouse
Also located on the Shawnee Inn property, yet on the outskirts closer to the residential area, are the Shawnee Gallery and the Shawnee Playhouse. The Gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday through Sunday, and offers guests a chance to see locally crafted art, jewelry and crafts, all of which are for sale. For more information, read about the Shawnee Gallery.

The Shawnee Playhouse, located just a few yards down the street from the Gallery, offers families a chance to enjoy family-friendly plays throughout the day and evening, with times varying per performance. For more information, read about the Shawnee Playhouse.

The resort offers families two onsite restaurants and one small eatery and gift shop, all with kid-friendly options.

River Room Restaurant
Located off the lobby, the River Room Restaurant serves, breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Breakfast is a pay-one-price buffet with a plethora of options ranging from cereal, bagels, fruit and yogurt to bacon, eggs, potatoes, pancakes, waffles (make-your-own) and an omelet station. Coffee and juice are available. Breakfast is served from 6 to 11 a.m. daily.

Lunch offers American fare, such as wings, salads, burgers, sandwiches, wraps and flatbreads. Dinner offers similar options, with full entrees such as steak, seafood and pasta available. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily and dinner is served from 5 to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

A kids' menu is available for lunch and dinner and includes options such as a salad, homemade mac and cheese, grilled cheese sandwich, fettuccine with marinara sauce and chicken tenders and fries. Prices range from $4 to $6 per kids' meal.

Gem and Keystone Brewpub
Located on the edge of the property, about a five-minute walk from the main building, the Gem and Keystone Brewpub serves lunch and dinner and offers a kids' menu. Sandwiches, burgers, salads, steak, seafood and pasta are available. The kids' menu offers pasta with tomato sauce or butter, chicken tenders, mac and cheese, cheeseburger and grilled cheese. A drink (milk, chocolate milk, juice or a fountain drink) comes with the $6-per-entrée price. The Brewpub serves ShawneeCraft Beer from the brewery, too, which is located on the property of the resort. The Brewpub is open from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Buckwood Cafe and Gift Shop
Open daily at 6:30 a.m. and located just off the lobby near the hotel's main entrance, the Buckwood Café and Gift Shop offers families coffee, iced tea, water, soda, bagels, muffins, ice cream and sandwiches. It closes at 6 p.m., Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.

All eateries allow guests to charge meals and drinks to their rooms.

All About the Extras
Parking
Parking is free at the resort and the front desk is open 24 hours a day.

Laundry
Laundry facilities are located on the second and fourth floors of the main building, and one load costs $2 to wash and dry. Ice machines are located on the first and third floors and a snack and soda machine is on the second.

Fitness Center
A fitness center is located near the pool on the bottom floor and offers guests ellipticals, treadmills, free weights and flat-screen TV's to watch while working out. It's open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Business Center
A business center is located on the bottom floor of the main building, at the bottom of the main staircase that guests take to get to the pool. It is open 24 hours a day and consists of two computers and one printer, all of which are complimentary to use.

Spa
Spa Shawnee and Salon is located across from the business center and offers massages, manicures, pedicures, hair treatments and more. Services start from $15 each. Guests must be at least 13 years old to enjoy spa services, and appointments must be made at least 24 hours in advance.

The Art of Smart Timing
The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort offers year-round accommodations and activities for families. For fun, outdoor activities on Shawnee Mountain, stay during the winter months of December, January and February. The resort will be busy during weekends, especially around the holidays, so if you can, visit during a weekday.

For outdoor fun on the Delaware, stay during the summer months of June, July and August. Weekends are also busy during the hot season, so visit during the week if you can. During the summer months, you can also take advantage of a farmer's market and concert series, offered every Tuesday evening (concerts at 7 p.m.; farmer's market from 5 to 8 p.m.).

If you're looking to score the best deal, head to the resort during the shoulder months of April, May, September and October.

Getting There
The airport closest to the Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort is the Lehigh Valley International Airport, located about 45 miles away. This airport services US Airways, Delta, United and Allegiant. The next closest airport to the hotel is Newark Liberty International Airport (75 minutes by car). A taxi will be expensive for the trip, so book a rental car instead. Both airports have well-known rental car companies, like Hertz and Enterprise.

If driving from the Mid-Atlantic or New England regions, take one of six interstate highways to get to the resort: I-80, I-81, I-84, I-78, I-380 or I-476. The resort is located about five hours from Boston, four hours from Washington, D.C., two hours from Philadelphia and one and a half hours from New York City.

Getting Around
Although the property of the Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort is easy to walk around with its eateries, activities and accommodations all located onsite, the area surrounding the resort is not. A car is needed to visit all of the offsite attractions in the Poconos.

For Mom and Dad
The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort does not have a supervised kids' club or babysitting services. If your children are old enough to watch themselves for a couple of hours, enjoy a couples' massage at Spa Shawnee and Salon or take the ShawneeCraft Brewery tour at the brewery located between the main resort building and the golf course. Tours run at 4 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and at noon on Saturday. The Tap Room is open from 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

If you can't get away for a couple of hours, sip coffee or an iced tea on the large porch of the main building as you rock in a chair while the kids play on the lawn.