The average hotel cost in the Poconos depends on the season, the day of the week and the type of property. As a rough planning guide for 2026, budget motels often start around $70 to $110 a night, mid-range chain hotels commonly run about $120 to $200, and indoor waterpark or luxury resorts frequently exceed $300. Treat these as estimates and check live rates for your dates.
Quick Answer
Plan on roughly $120 to $200 per night for a typical mid-range Poconos hotel, plus taxes and any resort fee. Weekends, ski season, fall foliage and summer holidays cost more; Sunday to Thursday nights usually cost less. Figures here are planning estimates, not quotes.
Average Hotel Cost in the Poconos by Property Type
Rates change daily, and no single official source publishes a Poconos-wide average. The ranges below are rounded planning estimates drawn from typical online listings, so use them to set a budget and then compare live prices.
| Property type | Typical nightly range (estimate) | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Budget or economy motel | About $70 to $110 | Basic room, parking, few amenities |
| Mid-range chain hotel | About $120 to $200 | Breakfast or pool often included |
| Upscale or boutique inn | About $180 to $300 | Historic inns and lakefront lodges |
| Waterpark or luxury resort | About $300 and up | Suites; resort fee and park access rules vary |
What Changes Hotel Prices in the Poconos?
- Season: Winter ski weekends, summer lake trips and autumn foliage weekends are usually the busiest. Late spring and early fall weekdays are often cheaper.
- Day of the week: Friday and Saturday nights cost the most. Sunday to Thursday stays are commonly cheaper, especially outside holidays.
- Area: Mount Pocono and Tannersville have many chain hotels and large resorts. Jim Thorpe, Stroudsburg and the Lake Wallenpaupack area lean toward inns, lodges and cabins.
- Property type: Indoor waterpark resorts price by suite size and often include park access for registered guests.
- Booking window: Popular holiday and foliage weekends sell out, so early booking with a refundable rate can protect your price.
Taxes and Fees to Add to the Room Rate
The nightly rate is rarely the final price. Pennsylvania charges 6% state sales tax on hotel stays, and counties can add their own hotel occupancy tax, so total tax varies by location. Some resorts also add a daily resort or amenity fee, and parking may be extra. Check the final checkout page and the hotel’s own fee notice before you pay.
Official tax information is published by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue.
How to Save on a Poconos Hotel
- Stay midweek. Compare Sunday to Thursday prices with weekend prices for the same hotel.
- Move your search a few miles. Hotels slightly outside the busiest resort clusters often cost less.
- Compare the full package. A room with free breakfast and free parking can beat a lower headline rate that charges for both.
- Choose refundable rates for peak weekends, then rebook if the price drops.
- Price the waterpark option carefully. At a resort, compare the room rate with a standard room plus separate day passes before deciding.
Sample Poconos Trip Budget
For a two-night stay at a mid-range hotel, multiply your nightly rate by two and add taxes and fees. For example, two nights at $150 is $300 before tax. A stay at $200 a night is $400 before tax. Add parking, resort fees and meals to see the real total. These examples show the method, not a quoted price.
Related guides: Kalahari Resort Poconos Cost: Rates & Fees (2026) | Skytop Lodge Poconos Cost: Rates & Fees (2026) | Great Wolf Lodge Pennsylvania Cost Per Night: 2026 Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average hotel cost in the Poconos?
Mid-range hotels in the Poconos commonly run about $120 to $200 per night in 2026, based on typical listing ranges. Budget motels can be cheaper and waterpark or luxury resorts often cost $300 or more. Rates vary by date, so check live prices.
When is the cheapest time to book a Poconos hotel?
Sunday to Thursday nights outside holidays, ski weekends and foliage season are usually the cheapest. Exact savings depend on the hotel and date.
Do Poconos hotels charge resort fees?
Some resorts add a daily resort or amenity fee, and parking may cost extra. Always read the fee notice and final checkout total before booking.
What taxes apply to Poconos hotel stays?
Pennsylvania applies 6% state sales tax to hotel rooms, and counties may add their own hotel occupancy tax. The total depends on the county.
How can I save on a Poconos hotel?
Stay midweek, compare nearby towns, choose rates that include breakfast and parking, and book refundable rates for peak weekends so you can rebook if prices fall.
Conclusion
Plan on roughly $120 to $200 a night for a mid-range Poconos hotel, with budget motels below that and resorts well above it. Timing matters most: midweek and off-peak dates are usually cheaper. Add taxes and fees, then compare live prices for your exact dates.
