You’re driving up I-81, the mountains are starting to look a bit more rugged, and you just want a place where you can actually cook a grilled cheese without setting off a communal smoke alarm. Most people looking at TownePlace Suites Scranton Wilkes Barre see just another Marriott-branded box near the highway. They’re kinda wrong. Honestly, if you’ve spent any time in the "Electric City" or the surrounding Moosic hills, you know that the difference between a good trip and a miserable one usually comes down to whether you’re stuck in a cramped room or have enough space to breathe.
This place isn't just for business travelers. It’s for the family hitting Montage Mountain, the skiers with way too much gear, and the person who realizes that eating out three times a day in Scranton gets old fast.
The Reality of Staying at TownePlace Suites Scranton Wilkes Barre
Located at 26 Radcliffe Drive in Moosic, this hotel sits right at the base of Montage Mountain. It's basically a neighborhood of its own. You've got the Shoppes at Montage right across the way, which is great because if you forgot socks or want a decent burger, you just walk or drive about thirty seconds.
The first thing you’ll notice is the layout. These aren't standard hotel rooms. They’re studios and suites.
Every single one has a kitchen. We’re talking a real fridge, a two-burner stove, a dishwasher, and a microwave. They even provide the place settings for four people. If you’re staying for a week, being able to buy a carton of eggs and some milk at the nearby Gerrity’s Supermarket saves you about $100 and a lot of heartburn.
Space and Storage
The closets are actually designed by The Container Store. That might sound like a weird corporate flex, but it means you can actually organize your life instead of living out of a suitcase on the floor.
- Studios: Perfect for solo travelers or couples.
- Two-Bedroom Suites: These are the real winners. Two separate bedrooms and a living area. It’s like a small apartment.
- The HomeOffice: Large desks and ergonomic chairs. They actually thought about people who have to work.
Why the Location Is Low-Key Genius
Most people think being "near the highway" is a bad thing. In the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area, it’s a superpower. You are 10 minutes from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport (AVP). If you’re flying in, the hotel shares a shuttle with the SpringHill Suites next door.
But the real perk? The mountain.
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If you’re here in the winter, the hotel has ski lockers. You can come off the slopes at Montage Mountain Resort, enter through a separate side door, and lock up your gear before you even hit your room. No dripping snow on the carpet. No carrying heavy skis through the lobby. It’s a tiny detail that makes a massive difference for anyone who actually skis.
In the summer, you’re less than a mile from the Montage Mountain Waterpark. You can hear the concerts from the Pavilion at Montage Mountain if the wind is right, but the hotel itself stays surprisingly quiet.
The Pet Policy: No Weird Restrictions
Traveling with dogs is usually a nightmare of "under 25 pounds" rules. TownePlace Suites Scranton Wilkes Barre is way more chill.
They allow up to two pets per stay. The fee is generally around $75 per stay, not per night. That’s a huge distinction. If you stay four nights, you’re paying $18.75 a night for your dog. Try finding a kennel for that.
There are grassy relief areas with waste stations right on the property. Plus, there’s no strict weight limit, which is a relief for those of us with dogs that actually weigh more than a toaster.
Eating and Hanging Out
The breakfast is free. It’s the "deluxe continental" vibe—eggs, sausage, waffles, the whole bit. It gets the job done.
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But you’re probably going to want real food eventually.
- Marzoni’s Brick Oven & Brewing Co: Right nearby. Good pizza, better beer.
- Akita Japanese Restaurant: If you need sushi to feel human again.
- Terry’s Diner: For that authentic, old-school Pennsylvania breakfast experience.
If you’d rather stay in, they have outdoor BBQ grills. Honestly, sitting by the outdoor fire pit with a beer while someone else flips burgers is the peak of the "home away from home" experience they’re trying to sell.
What to Watch Out For (The Nuance)
Look, it’s not the Ritz. It’s a 3-star extended-stay hotel.
Some guests have mentioned that the property, built around 2010, shows its age in the hallways. The carpets can look a bit tired. Also, because it’s an extended-stay place, you might have neighbors who have lived there for three months. Most of the time, they’re just regular people working local contracts, but it does mean the vibe is different than a high-turnover tourist hotel.
Also, check your kitchen supplies when you arrive. Sometimes the previous guest "borrows" a spatula, and the staff might not realize it's gone. If you’re missing a pot or a peeler, just ask the front desk. They usually have spares in the back.
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Actionable Insights for Your Stay
If you want the best experience, here is how you handle a stay at TownePlace Suites Scranton Wilkes Barre:
- Request a high floor: The views toward the mountain are better, and it’s generally quieter away from the lobby traffic.
- Utilize the "In A Pinch" market: It’s 24/7 in the lobby. If you arrive at midnight and need a Gatorade or a frozen burrito, it's there.
- Check the shuttle schedule: Don't just assume it's running every five minutes. Call ahead if you need a lift from AVP.
- Join Marriott Bonvoy: Even if you hate loyalty programs, the free Wi-Fi upgrade and the ability to use mobile check-in (skipping the desk entirely) is worth the 2 minutes it takes to sign up.
- Skiers: Ask for the ski locker key at check-in. Don't wait until you're coming back frozen from the mountain.
Whether you're in town for a RailRiders game at PNC Field—which is literally a 5-minute walk—or you're visiting the University of Scranton, this spot works. It’s basic in the right ways and specialized in the ways that actually matter for long-term comfort. Just remember to bring your own coffee if you're a snob about it; the lobby stuff is fine, but your in-room kitchen has a coffee maker for a reason.
Go to the front desk and ask for a local map. They have a massive one on the wall, but the paper ones are surprisingly helpful for navigating the weird backroads of Moosic and Scranton without relying on a GPS that might lose signal in the valleys.