Buzz
Renowned by Penthouse—the ultimate authority on such topics—as “a sexual Disneyland,” the resort featured a gift shop stocked with adult-themed novelties. Guests were welcomed by a nude statue of Apollo in the lobby, while a “social director” entertained couples with risqué humor to spark their desires. The rooms boasted mirrored walls and plush carpeting.
Cove Haven stood as the top Poconos getaway for newlyweds in the northeast for many years. Its success stemmed from the marketing genius of co-founder Morris B. Wilkins and his creation of the whimsically kitschy heart-shaped hot tub.
Cove Haven Resorts
Born in 1925 to Russian immigrants, Wilkins emerged as an unexpected hero in the honeymoon hospitality sector. Following his service as a submariner during World War II, the Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania native pursued a career as an electrician. His business thrived until Hurricane Diane destroyed his office and equipment in 1955, wiping out all his possessions. Transitioning to freelance work, he and his friend Harold “Obie” O’Brien were renovating a Poconos hotel when they realized the accommodations were subpar. Convinced they could improve the experience, they bought the 18-room Hotel Pocopaupac in Lakeville in 1958.
After the war, gas shortages prompted more newlyweds to opt for the shorter journey to the Poconos—a region roughly the size of Delaware—over Niagara Falls. However, the area lacked a sense of playfulness. Wilkins and O’Brien
Wilkins needed time to refine his vision. During slow periods, he saved electricity by conducting meetings in dim lighting. Despite his foresight into the evolving hospitality industry, it took him several years to fully realize his approach.
As recounted by “Honest” Phil Policare, Cove Haven's "Chief Excitement Officer," Wilkins and O’Brien had their breakthrough in 1963 while attempting to maneuver a round hot tub down a staircase. Struggling to make the turn at the bottom, they pushed in one side of the flexible tub, noticing its resemblance to a heart. Alternative stories suggest Wilkins conceived the idea in a dream, sketching a heart shape on a concrete floor.
Regardless of the inspiration, Wilkins personally crafted the first six heart-shaped tubs from concrete, with many more added as Cove Haven grew to its final capacity of 236 rooms.
The Sweetheart Tub, adorned with red tiles and mirrored walls, was designed to comfortably accommodate two. Its unique design quickly gained popularity through word of mouth, as did Wilkins's distinctive style. Soon, Cove Haven attracted couples eager to explore the unique features of their rooms, including circular or heart-shaped beds, multi-level spaces, and private pools.
Looking to grow, the partners sold Cove Haven to Caesars Resorts in 1969. (O’Brien tragically died in a plane crash five years later.) Wilkins wasted no time opening two additional resorts in the Poconos, coinciding with a surge in popularity after the heart-shaped tub was featured in a 1971 Life magazine article about the opening of Interstate 80. The publicity was so overwhelming that Wilkins had to secure a $10,000 loan the following week to print more brochures.
The iconic photo in Life cemented the heart-shaped tub as a symbol of honeymoon luxury, perfectly capturing the essence of the Poconos experience. Over the next few decades, Wilkins's resorts flourished, earning him a reputation as the visionary behind the charmingly kitschy newlywed getaway.
Cove Haven Resorts
Capitalizing on the success of the heart-shaped tub, Wilkins envisioned an even bolder concept: a 7-foot-tall champagne glass whirlpool for his suites. It would be eye-catching, perfect for marketing, and add an element of intrigue—how would couples climb in without a ladder?
Wilkins's financial backers at Caesars initially rejected the champagne glass whirlpool idea, deeming it frivolous. It took nearly a decade for them to relent. When it finally debuted in 1984, the whimsical design became another signature feature of Cove Haven and the Poconos, appearing to balance precariously on a slender stem as couples soaked in its effervescent waters. Rooms with the glass tub were reserved up to 18 months in advance. (The trick to entering was straightforward: the sunken living room allowed guests to step in from the elevated bedroom.)
The 1980s saw continued success for Wilkins, with rooms priced at $380 for a two-night stay. He was celebrated as a pioneer in hospitality, and heart-shaped designs became a hallmark of the Poconos, with a quarter of its 16,000 beds crafted in the iconic shape.
However, the rise of affordable air travel and the evolution of Las Vegas led to a decline in visitors. As airfares dropped and competing destinations adopted similar amenities, attendance waned. By 1999, several Poconos resorts had shut down, coinciding with Wilkins's retirement.
Today, approximately 437 heart-shaped hot tubs remain across the three Cove Haven resorts, with countless others installed nationwide. While Wilkins secured a patent for his champagne glass whirlpool, he couldn't do the same for the tub. For $2395, anyone can purchase one for their own romantic getaway.
Wilkins passed away in 2015 at the age of 90. Though he had four children, his legacy arguably extends to countless others who experienced his innovative retreats.
"I can’t even begin to count the number of babies conceived here," Wilkins remarked to The Washington Post in 1988. "It’s likely enough to form an army."
