Mary MacIntire

Staff Writer

It was recently announced that Pocono Palace Resort of East Stroudsburg will be closing its doors on May 2 of this year. This staple honeymoon spot has been a haven for newlyweds and returning couples for over 45 years.  

The company released a statement on their website earlier this month explaining that they were approached by a buyer, which sparked the decision to sell the resort. Not only will it be a loss to the fans of the resort, but it will be a loss to the tourism industry in the Poconos. 

“This is our happy place. We have been going for over 30 years,” says Connie Caramico-Bloomfield-Fuca, long-time guest of Pocono Palace. She and her husband are one of many couples who come back year after year to reunite with loved ones and friends.  

“It’s our anniversary tradition,” Jennifer and Tom Crosby of Tobyhanna said. “Our favorite memories are the friends we’ve made with other guests and staff.”  

Fans of Pocono Palace are not only devastated by the closure of the resort itself but are concerned about what could be next for many of the workers they have come to know and love.  

“It was definitely a big surprise to me,” said Viansa Bastidas, 22, who is the supervisor of Pocono Palace’s dining room and a graduating senior. “We weren’t for sale when the new owners came in and took a look around the resort. Before we got told we were closing, we had a tight knit dining staff who are all mainly ESU students.” 

She fondly recalls the memories she made with her fellow coworkers and how upsetting it was the day they found out about the resort closing. 

“We would all play games before the dining room opened and goof around. I remember driving home that initial night in silence just crying because I’ve met amazing people working there and in less than two months we all won’t be working again.” 

Maria Humbert, 22, of Marshall’s Creek, is another senior, and one of the many workers whose future work plans are no longer clear. “Hearing the news was unexpected and shocking. I’ve grown so close to my coworkers and consider many of them my close friends.” 

Pocono Palace provided many careers in the tourism industry, whether that was a long-term goal or a short-term job during school. With less than two months to find other work, it can be a big concern for any student or recent graduate. 

“It sucks that now I won’t have the summer to figure out where I want to go with my degree,” Bastidas said. “I plan on working until the bitter end and applying for jobs on HandShake and Indeed.” 

Working at a resort set to shut down causes enough issues, but as the closing date steadily approaches, student workers are also trying to find jobs and complete any finals or graduation requirements they may need.  

“I was concerned about us closing at that time because my wedding is two weeks before and I was scared we wouldn’t have staff still working to make it all happen,” Bastidas explained. On top of special events, fans of the resort are still rushing to book trips before the final day of operation. Those who are not able to secure reservations have hopes for the other two sister resorts that are couples-only. 

“We are going to one of the sister facilities, but things will be so different. I am praying they take some of the money to improve the other two resorts,” says Deva and Bill Gelsleichter, who have been fans of Pocono Palace for the last nine years. 

The closure of Pocono Palace will serve as a great loss to tourism in the area and all the couples who have fallen in love with the resort. As for the many employees such as Bastidas and Humbert who will be leaving the resort behind, they can only look towards what other opportunities lie ahead of their graduation.  

Humbert says, “At this time all I can think of is the future and what I will be doing moving forward.”