This East Stroudsburg lakefront property demonstrates exceptional site-responsive design earning perfect 5.0-star rating across 33 reviews through strategic three-level terrace programming that maximizes Highland Lake frontage while creating distinct activity zones at each elevation. The architectural challenge centered on leveraging the property's natural topography descending toward the lake, transforming what could be a circulation obstacle into the home's defining design feature. The "Terraces on the Lake" concept establishes clear vertical hierarchy: upper terrace houses kids' playground and newly constructed sunroom with gas fireplace and lounge seating for morning coffee and evening cocktails overlooking the water; middle terrace contains the comprehensive game room with bar, TV, and direct access to hot tub and sauna installation; lower terrace positions fire pit, cornhole court with nighttime lighting, sun deck with loungers, Adirondack fishing chairs, and water sports equipment (kayaks, paddleboards, pedal boats with life vests) at lake level creating immediate water access.
The sunroom addition represents strategic square footage expansion enhancing year-round usability through climate-controlled lake viewing space with gas fireplace, sliding door access from dining room, and extensive board game library. This four-season room required careful foundation work on sloped terrain, proper insulation and HVAC integration extending the home's climate control systems, and window placement maximizing lake views while managing solar heat gain. The game room occupies the middle terrace basement level, featuring leather sectional seating around gas fireplace, shuffleboard table, three arcade games including NBA Jam, regulation pool table, ping pong conversion capability, jumbo Connect Four, bean bag seating, and 6-seat bar with 65-inch TV. Sliding glass doors from the game room provide direct access to the hot tub and sauna complex, both positioned with glass windows capturing unobstructed lake views creating the property's signature wellness amenity. The sauna installation required specialized electrical infrastructure, proper ventilation systems, and waterproof construction adjacent to the hot tub.
The 5-bedroom layout accommodates 12 guests with three bedrooms upstairs (one king, two queens), master bedroom on main floor with king bed and direct access to luxurious bathroom featuring jacuzzi tub positioned beneath skylight with additional windows framing lake views, and basement bunk room with two twin-over-twin configurations. Each bedroom received individual mini-split climate control units allowing personalized temperature management critical in properties serving diverse guest preferences, plus individual TV integration. The three full bathrooms distribute vertically with one on each level addressing the logistical challenge of multi-story properties where bathroom access requires guests to change floors. The master bath's jacuzzi tub with skylight and lake-view windows represents a significant design investment creating spa-like atmosphere that guests specifically mention in reviews.
The outdoor deck system extends from the main floor with 10-person dining table and grill overlooking the lake, while the stepped terrace design creates multiple gathering zones at different elevations preventing all outdoor activity from concentrating in a single area. The fire pit at lake level includes 8 Adirondack chairs positioned for both fire viewing and water observation, while the cornhole pit received dedicated nighttime lighting extending play hours beyond daylight. The water sports equipment provision (multiple kayaks, paddleboards, and pedal boats) transforms the lakefront location from passive viewing experience into active water recreation, requiring proper storage solutions and life vest inventory management. The property's Penn Estates gated community location provides seasonal amenity access (Memorial Day through Labor Day) to beaches, pools, tennis courts, basketball courts, volleyball courts, dog parks, and playgrounds, requiring photography showing both private and community facility usage. The modern kitchen features multiple coffee preparation options (standard pot and Keurig) plus small appliance collection (blender, crock pot, toaster oven) addressing extended-stay groups' meal preparation needs, while the open-concept living and dining areas with 65-inch TV and electric fireplace create the main floor gathering hub. The perfect 5.0 rating validates the three-level terrace design's success in creating a true lakefront resort experience where vertical programming prevents activity conflicts, water sports equipment enables lake engagement beyond visual appreciation, and the hot tub/sauna wellness complex with lake views establishes premium positioning in the competitive Poconos vacation rental market serving groups seeking both adventure and relaxation in a single property.
