This was our second stay at this rustic 1890's inn and it seemed in better shape than two years ago. The main building is reminiscent of the grand old New England hotels (which have mostly burned down), of 100 years ago -- even to the long front porch with the wooden rockers. It's amazing how well kept and painted and clean this really old building is. They're trying to keep to the old style of the inn and I think they're doing a good job.

The location of the Inn is on Route 191, a two lane road in the scenic Poconos countryside -- not in the middle of a city.

We again stayed in the Spring Run cottage, which is actually three rooms and a deck. The master bedroom has a double bed with apparently a brand new mattress, the second bedroom has two twin beds, also with clean new looking mattresses. There were plenty of fluffy white towels and a charming shower curtain in the bathroom (and a hair dryer in the closet). The front room has a sofa and TV with cable and sliding doors opening to a deck (with chairs) overlooking the woods. There's also a small fridge, microwave, toaster-oven and coffee fixings. Everything looked freshly painted and clean. Spring Cottage is across the street from the main building and up the hill a ways, so we never heard the traffic noise on Route 191. We did see a deer and a rabbit one night on the way to our cottage retreat.

The pool heater had not been repaired and we didn't want to swim in 64 degree water but we didn't miss it. The restaurant is not yet in operation -- they hope to have it some time soon. There is a fine restaurant, the Rainetree, just 1.5 miles away (but watch it: they charge $5 for sharing an entree even though it doesn't show that in the menu). There are other good restaurants just a few miles further away, the Inn has the list.

We found the Sterling Inn staff very friendly, efficient, and accommodating. During our (free) continental breakfast on Saturday morning in one of the large dining rooms we talked with two separate couples who had been coming to the Sterling Inn for many years -- that speaks well for it, doesn't it! We will probably go there again some time soon (hopefully by then the restaurant will be in operation).