We had such an incredible stay that I'm honestly surprised by some of the negative reviews. From the moment we arrived, the property was beautiful, peaceful, and exactly what we were looking for. Our room was spotless, and the bed was hands down one of the most comfortable hotel beds I've ever slept in. The pillows were amazing, the bathroom was spacious, and I loved every detail. The complimentary spa bath products smelled incredible (lavender and mint), and we loved them so much that we ended up buying the shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion from the spa before we left. The staff even told us we could bring the bottles back to refill them on our next visit, which we absolutely plan on doing. The food exceeded every expectation. We had multiple meals during our stay, and every single one was excellent. The Caesar salad was fresh with perfectly crisp lettuce and delicious grilled chicken, the fries were simple but perfectly cooked with amazing ranch, and the pasta I had for dinner was unforgettable. Breakfast the next morning was just as impressive, especially the fresh pastries and the huevos rancheros with a delicious cabbage topping. Everything tasted incredibly fresh. We were also traveling with our Golden Retriever and appreciated how welcoming the property was to dogs. That made the trip even more memorable for our family. read more

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We have been to Bernardus at least 5 times now, it never changes. The staff is awesome, the food is amazing, and the beauty is second to none. Starting with Michael in reservations, to the first impression with Miguel at the valet. The front desk is always smiling and welcoming, and is a fingertip away if needed. The management is wonderful, we will miss Alysse but wish her well on her new job. Wait staff is always amazing, Kerry and Henry (I am so sorry if I got this wrong) Housekeeping is so friendly, the turndown is the added touch to a wonderful stay. The rose garden is beautiful, and so peaceful. We will be back! read more

Bernardus Lodge & Spa - Miguel is always smiling! - Hotels Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

My father loved taking us here for their BBQ's . My girlfriends and I love this spa for girls' days and the restaurant is superb. We have had a lot of wonderful family celebrations at Bernadus restaurant. It is a splurge for me to stay here, but my bougie sisters tend to prefer Bernardus, as their is no longer room at the inn ( my brother's house in Carmel. If there is sun on the Monterey Peninsula, this is where you will find it. read more

Disappointed. We've been coming here for years and loving it! Staff have been wonderful and the grounds heavenly. Now however, though it is still beautiful, it has become disappointing. 1. There is loud construction & traffic late into the night and early mornings. 2. Many staff were nice but too many were not, the last ones helping us and bringing our car at the end did not even say anything, just disappeared without anyone saying a simple goodbye or thanks for visiting. 3. Multiple/many rooms have very loud equipment you can hear from inside the rooms: large heating/air conditioning units and pool and spa heaters, pumps. We did ask to have a quiet room but were moved to a noisy one by the pool. We had to wait till the next day, then had to move rooms. No compensation. The second room we got however was nice. 4. Service Inconsistency: We checked before booking that we could have a mother-daughter spa get-away and were told we could but once there, were turned away rudely by Destynee. A mix-up is one thing but she was very rude: actually interrupted, talked over us raising her eyebrows and treating us like we lied. I felt awful, my daughter just wanted to leave and we both felt very uncomfortable: AND their sign posted by the spa states under 18 can use it with supervision (the website states nothing about age exclusions). My daughter is almost 17. 5. It is nice they ask if you're celebrating something special. We were but received a plate of dried fruit & a couple macarons with a lovely note but addressed to another guest for the wrong occasion, saying "Happy Birthday." 6. Peace & quiet, relaxation? We had specified a quiet room. There were multiple large equipment units buzzing loudly for heating/cooling rooms and one right below our balcony for the pool. Leaf blowers woke us early around 8 9 am around the pool which itself isn't quiet later with kids playing (though they are adorable). 7. Added fees on top of the usual such as $70 resort fee, $30 nightly parking fee (it's remote so you need a car) add $100/night which we were surprised by. Overall we left and though my daughter was a good sport and we always love our time together at Bernardus, we sadly have the memories above. Management moved us after a day but were not available the rest of the time and never returned my call. The rudeness of the spa staff was the most unfortunate part. Though the loudness, traffic, significant extra fees, service mistakes or lack of etc.. just make me wonder if this is the right place anymore, especially given so many other options. read more

Bernardus Lodge & Spa - Bernardus is beautiful but... - Hotels Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

It's a beautiful place but I hate how they nickel and dime you. Their resort fee went up to $70 a night. Parking was always free but now they charge $30 a night whether you use valet or self parking in their outdoor lot. Since it's so far off the beaten track you need to bring your car. That's an instant add on of $100 a night. The added parking fee and increased resort fee convinced me not to return a 4th time. On a positive note, the setting is beautiful and relaxing. The gardens are beautiful and fun to walk around. There are 3 pools, a full service spa on site and each room has lovely amenities like fresh fruit, beverages cheese and crackers. All rooms have fireplaces and outdoor patios or balconies. I tried their restaurant several times and have not been overly impressed. My experience has been that they keep their food rather bland. I recommend going into town for fine dining and many choices. You can borrow a Mercedes Benz convertible for a 2 hour drive in the area. That's a lot of fun. While there are many positives, I now prefer to stay in the town of Carmel. Preferably with an ocean view room. read more

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Extremely disappointing customer service. It took multiple attempts to get someone to answer the phone, and when I finally reached the spa, the person I spoke with was curt and unwelcoming. She booked my massage, then called back shortly after to cancel because there were no providers available. If a service isn't actually available, it shouldn't be presented as bookable. The entire experience felt disorganized and unprofessional, especially for a luxury spa. read more

Our stay unfortunately started with several issues, including missed EV charging and disappointing food service, which impacted our plans and overall experience. That said, a new manager who had only been there about two weeks, Julie Lono, stepped in and completely turned things around. She was attentive, proactive, and communicated clearly with both us and her team. Her professionalism and care made a meaningful difference by the end of our stay. While the initial experience fell short, her leadership and responsiveness stood out and are worth recognizing. She is the best hands on manager I have experienced at a luxury hotel in many years. read more

Clean the exercise room. Look at the spiders and cob webs above the ac. Clean the bar by the pool. It looks cluttered. We had a jacuzzi for our room and there was a dental pick on the ground next to the jacuzzi. For the price, it's sloppy. read more

This is just for Lucia Restaurant-- Maybe the best food in Monterey Peninsula. I've given "5" reviews and loved it. This is more of a "tip" -- had the lamb last night to celebrate wife's Bday. Food excellent- so why then"3l"--the lamb cost $60. I got 2 small ribs. Not two double ribs. About 4oz I'd guess. When dinner was over I asked our server if the portion was normal - Alex replied "yes"-- I am still a bit perplexed how two little but very tasty chops can cost as much as 14oz prime NY? Or 7 oz prime filet. Go to restaurants just don't order Lamb. No value for money spent. read more

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Giving 2 stars for the food because it was great. But the absolute worst dining experience and service. I'm shocked that a lunch can take so long m. I had to force the server to take my card so I could leave. Disappointing because I was looking to host my engagement party there, I would never pay to put people I love through that read more

The service is hands down classy and prompt and detail oriented! I love going to this charming and hidden place that is very private and secluded! Enjoy peaceful meals, company and service at your table or walk around playing games in the grassy area. read more

Very beautiful resort. Everything was super well kept and clean. So many options for outdoor areas to hang out. Service overall was great and staff very friendly. The spa services were nice, a little on the pricey side but overall everything was very enjoyable. read more

Local customer Obvious change in management and priorities. Sitting here at brunch and wondering where all the slipper and bathrobe crowd came in from. Servers are clueless and semi present. Menu has changed. Good is still executed well but menu seeming a bit out of balance. Colleen Kelly kept the place on point and now it's amateur hour. Not impressed and reluctant to recommend to visitors. read more

I stayed there for a race weekend because it had a serene garden and was dog friendly. Turned out that the race was cancelled and I had a full two days to hang out there. It was a godsend. One of the days they offered a tour with the person in charge of the gardens, so instead of hiking into a small car, I was walking the edible and flower gardens a on the property. The grounds manager was fantastic! I learned a few things and they offered some of Bernardus white and red to try. Gardens and wine? Sign me up. Later that evening we ate at their restaurant which was travel-magazine- beautiful and tasty Californian cuisine. The rooms were good. Fireplace, large patio for the pups to hang outside, and I think I remember some chocolates and pup treats too when we first got in. I'll definitely be back! read more

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Love the place! Much smaller than what I thought it was before coming into this property. It's sits on the corner or Carmel Valley and Laureales Grade Roads. It was a quiet Thursday winter morning. Staff was pleasant and helpful. There were other guests dining. Lucia has indoor and outdoor (covered and open) seating. Dogs are allowed in the patio seating area. I'm always in search of a good omelet so I ordered one. Although mine was made nicely, somehow the combination of ingredients (chicken apple sausage, onion, jack cheese, spinach) I picked didn't come out good. Hubby, on the other, loved and devoured his omelette (bacon, tomato, jack cheese). I did love how they cooked the potatoes. After brunch, we enjoyed walking our dog in the property. Would love to come back and try their lunch or dinner menu next time. read more

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terrible. They now charge an an additional 95$ to use the pool after spending $280 on a massage! And that does not include tip or food ...No No and NO!!!! Terrible food and service! Never again..and I live 1 mile away so sad...corporations do not care about Carmel Valley read more

We had such an amazing weekend here. Shout out to the very cute young valet gentleman who had glasses and long hair tied in the back . He practically had to help carry me on our last night (too many martinis). The lunch and brunch are absolutely everything. Was not too crazy for the restaurant dinner menu. Spa was great. Facial 10 out of 10. And of course....the adults only pool. Kids were well behaved here though. read more

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My husband and I stayed here for our mini moon and it was the perfect spot after hectic wedding planning. It overlooks beautiful mountains, has a ton of amentities, and the restaurant is delicious. Oh and the beds feel like clouds! I would definitely stay here again! read more

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Super surprising that you can spend over $500 for two facials for you and the Wife and you've got to change clothes in the treatment room. absolutely the first time ever we've not been able to use the pool ,locker room, or any facilities while paying for a treatment. Bernardus Lodge please get over yourselves. adding a $95 charge to use the sparse facilities you have is ridiculous. The treatments were outstanding. The rest, not so much. we won't return.. read more

Beautiful resort and surroundings. 2 weddings were going on the night we stayed so service took a bit longer than expected for ice etc. I liked the turn down service and special snacks that were in the room. For a special occasion this is a classy place! read more

Avoid Bernardus Hotel - Overpriced, Underwhelming, and Not Worth the Hype We stayed at Bernardus Hotel for one night to celebrate my birthday and my wife's baby moon. What should have been a special, relaxing experience turned out to be a massive letdown. Yes, the grounds and ambiance are beautiful--but don't be fooled. The service? Barely 2 stars, and that's being generous. Let's start with the spa. We booked 50-minute massages and asked to extend them to 90 minutes while en route. We were told they couldn't accommodate because there were appointments right after us. Fair enough--except no one used the massage room after we left. Suspicious. We asked to check in early (and were willing to pay for it) but were denied right as we arrived. At check-in, they offered us a glass of wine--nice gesture--except they never actually gave us any. Just... forgot? Then the valet. We specifically asked him to bring in my wife's Yeti water bottle (she's pregnant and didn't want to carry it around). He assured us he would--but of course, it never showed up with the luggage. And those massages? We were charged a staggering $680 for two 50-minute sessions that were easily the worst we've ever had. My "deep tissue" massage had no pressure at all, and my wife's prenatal massage was essentially an oil rub. No real technique, no relaxation, no skill--just a waste of time and money. It honestly made us wonder if these massage therapists were even licensed. Staff were generally friendly but not the least bit proactive or accommodating. There's clearly no focus on customer experience here--everyone we encountered seemed indifferent and undertrained. When we finally got to our room, we were greeted with a small plate of dried fruit and two macarons. Nice touch--but when we tried to order more macarons through room service (they weren't on the menu), we were told "no," but that they could bring us cookies instead. What kind of luxury hotel can't offer more of a basic amenity they already gave us in the room? And here's the kicker: we called room service to request four additional coffee creamers, expecting the standard little disposable ones. Instead, they brought up four small glass carafes of cream--and then charged us $18 for them, plus a 21% gratuity fee and a $4.50 delivery fee! For four creamers. What a joke. This stay cost us nearly $2,000 (yes, one night + two massages), and what we got was a below-average experience at best. Food was okay--nothing memorable. Service was unpolished and inconsistent. For a property that markets itself as upscale and charges accordingly, they completely miss the mark. If you're thinking about staying here--don't. There are plenty of other places in Carmel Valley that actually understand hospitality. Bernardus is a textbook example of style over substance. Huge disappointment. read more

Incredible resort. One of my happy places. Been going to Bernardus for years and have had the pleasure to bring many other couples with us and introduce them to this magical boutique getaway. Get a villa! Your significant other will never forget the views and experience! Well deserving of its 2 Michelin keys rating and all the other awards and recognition it gets year in and year out. read more

Yelp fam!!!! When you think about luxury lodging with all the amenities available at the push of a button this is what comes to mind. The Bernardus Lodge was home for my Wife and I as we got married and began our honeymoon. First I must say the entire Staff was amazing! They truly helped me with anything and everything I needed during my stay. I was truly astonished by the level of service I received. Truly a 5 star experience. We had the pleasure of ordering room service which was very easy and fast through the app. We visited the spa on site and had a couples massage. Which was truly one of the most relaxing things ever. I would highly recommend checking out the spa services. The on site restaurant & bar are top notch. This was an experience I'll never forget & I really hope to make it back! read more

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The location, rooms and surroundings are wonderful. However, the lack of staff at their restaurant, Lucia, is frustratingly slow at each of the several meals we had. At one point the waiter gave us our receipt mid meal and we weren't done. Others meals, we had to wave down ANY staff for more requests and to get our check. There is not enough staff to take your calls when you call from your room. There is no staff at the pool so you have to determine which lounge chairs are no longer being used so you then have to remove the dirty used towels so you can sit. There is no staff to take orders at the pool so you have to call for food. There are not enough staff for the spa. The food at Lucia is just ok. The problem with this hotel is that it could be amazing but it's not. They charge a lot but don't provide superb service. I've stayed at comparable high end hotels and their service makes you want to come back for more since they go above and beyond to make your stay memorable. We come often to this area and it is too bad there is not enough staff to make your stay comfortable. People compare and we have choices. Unfortunately our experience made this lodge a less than desirable place to stay. Luckily there are many superb options in the area. read more

Stunning whimsical and breathtaking. Every angle of this place will leave you in awe. It's classic and new age, romantic and grounding.

mini trips to Carmel are a regular occurance for us. this time around, we decided to try out a new place to stay. Bernardus Lodge/Spa was highly recommended & we certainly see why... if only we could've enjoyed a few more nights! we were treated with care long before our initial arrival. Tammy was exceedingly helpful & assisted with our booking via phone. she was able to work magic with our room & we seriously cannot thank her enough! from decor to finishes, i was blown away by the elegance of our room upon entering our suite. a bowl of fruit & macaroons along with a personalized letter awaited us by the entryway. the mountain views from our suite's living room were spectacular, especially during foggy mornings. we had 2 fireplaces & utilized both for cozy evenings. the lack of wifi connection/cell repection in our suite was truthfully the only downside we experienced. the suite came with a dog bed, bowls, complimentary dog treats & provided more than enough room for 2 large dogs to play. the lodge overall is super dog friendly. poop bag/trash stations are situated across the property & a small area of turf labeled "Designated Dog Area" located near valet. we dined at the lodge's restaurant, Lucia, for a breakfast & lunch. Yoshi & Julio were just 2 of the helpful servers we had. the breakfast french toast & chicken sausage were delicious. the chicken sandwich was moist & hefty enough to split. however, the crabcake took the show for us as we ordered it 3 times during our stay! shout-out to Colleen in dining for accomodating us with last minute room service before check-out! the fun-loving Edwin, bell/valet, greeted us with jokes & a contagious smile each time we saw him. he made us feel special & our experience truly would not have been the same without him! Alan is another valet who was awesome as well. you gotta ask them about the Bernardus x Mercedes Benz partnership - as guests of the resort, we were able to borrow & drive 3 different makes for 4 hours at a time during our stay. we coasted through 17 Mile Drive in the Bernardus-branded S class, rode to our Chart House dinner reservation in the EQS 580, & cruised highway 1 in the drop top! we will surely be returning, thank you Bernardus! read more

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Hubby has been wanting to bring us to Bernardus for quite some time and we finally made it! This spa and lodge exceeded our expectations in every way possible. The fantastic food was a delightful surprise, coupled with spacious and amazing rooms that made our stay incredibly comfortable. The staff's friendliness added a personal touch to our experience, making us feel truly welcomed. And having access to the spa all day was an absolute luxury, allowing us to relax and unwind whenever we pleased. A truly unforgettable retreat! Not to mention their pool and jacuzzi is 24 hours! My 9 year old had a blast! We're definitely returning to Bernardus! read more

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We had an amazing tasting. Ivy was fantastic- she was very knowledgeable on the region & the wines. We tasted some excellent Pinot Noir's from Santa Lucia Highlands & Monterey. If you are ever in the area you need to stop and taste. You won't be disappointed read more

I truly hate leaving this review because Bernardus used to be one of my favorite places. Unfortunately, the experience has declined so drastically that I feel obligated to share. My husband and I stayed here for our babymoon - just one night - and spent nearly $1,900 between the room, dining, and spa. For that kind of price, you expect a flawless, luxurious stay. What we got instead was sloppy service, poor communication, and an overall underwhelming experience. To start, the massages were truly awful. It felt like the masseuses had no formal training - more like an oily back rub than an actual therapeutic treatment. Not relaxing, not professional, and definitely not worth the premium we paid. ($688 for couples massage) The room itself was beautiful, yes, but that was the only part that lived up to expectations. There were a number of small service-related issues that piled up - things that shouldn't be overlooked at any hotel, let alone one that brands itself as luxury. But the worst part came after we checked out. I found an unauthorized $1,002 charge on my debit card the next day - even though I gave my credit card during booking and was already charged $1,898. When I called, the front desk couldn't explain why they had charged my debit card (which should have been deleted from their system weeks ago when I accidentally gave them my debit instead of credit and asked them to delete it and to charge my credit). No apology, no clear answer, just a very unsettling, unprofessional interaction. At this level, billing errors like this are unacceptable. Between the disappointing massage, lackluster service, and the serious billing mishap, this just didn't feel like the five-star experience we were expecting - especially for such a special occasion. Sadly, we won't be coming back. Bernardus has really lost its touch read more

We own an old Corvette with fragile factory graphics that need to avoid heat and sun. We decided to take it out with friends to Sunday Brunch. Upon arriving, a parking attendant gave us permission to park it along a road in the shade behind a Bentley already parked there. After doing so, another attendant came and said we had to move it to the main parking area where there was no shade. The resort Mgmnt told us the parking was contracted out and they had no say in the matter. When returning to our car, the parking attendant then told us that the car could remain in the shade... FOR $100!!! The six of us left! As locals who patronize this business often, we're sad to be unable to do so in the future as we will never condone such business practices! read more

AMAZ-ing establishment. You have to come here. Call ahead so you know there's a table for you. (If you are a wino you know this is a normal thing ) Anyone you work with here will impress you, especially Sally, she has a wheelhouse of knowledge. She was like a pocket book of wine facts. The education behind the wine tasting is really what made the experience. When you have someone serving you that knows the ins and outs of the industry for a lengthy period of time, you can get a full picture and it truly enriches the experience. Go here, if you really want to get to know the product. They use the best & they pick the grapes when they're ripe. It's the best wine for your pállate. I'm very sensitive to synthetic additives to wine & not a single one of these wines gave me any sort of reaction. They are well known for ALL 4 varieties, Pinot, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Marinus. Locals, tourists, newly 21... don't miss the opportunity to come here and try NorCals best!! read more

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The rooms and grounds are breath taking and the food is mouth watering. Their house made Sorbets are divine, including the coconut/non dairy. read more

Bernardus Lodge & Spa - Pork tenderloin with pork belly and sweet potatoes that are topped with Brussels sprout leaves. - Hotels Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

We had an after dinner drink and dessert in the bar. It's a great location with amazing service and food. Can be pricey .

Love Tuesday nights Burgers n Bourbon. Caesar salad has changed. White big bowl with a separate dish for the best Salmon on the side. Burgers is why we come but Noe it's a toss up. Thanks chef. read more

If you're planning to stay at Bernardus do not fill with your itinerary with too many outside activities. Once you get here I promise you will not want to leave! The moment we arrived we were greeted by kind and courteous staff, our car was parked, bags were taken to our room, and we were offered a complimentary glass of wine. What amazing service! We arrived a few hours early but our room was ready for us. Our two day stay was one of the most relaxing I've had. Heated bathroom floors, plush comfy robes, a big beautiful bathtub, roaring fireplace, and the most comfortable bed overlooking the Carmel Valley! It's rare that I travel to a place and just want to stay in my room, but that's exactly how I felt here. There's a heated pool, adults only infinity hot tub, and beautifully landscaped walking paths. The on-site restaurant is absolutely delicious with thoughtfully created seasonal dishes. I look forward to coming back again and again. They do everything right here! read more

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Lovely property, rooms quite nice and well appointed. Lovely touch of a glass of wine from the vineyard on check in and providing snacksm wine and cheese as amenities. Staff eager to please and responsive, including when we complained that we were not told there was a wedding. (There was some excessive noise for a short while, but it ended up being relatively well-controlled. It would have been nice to know before hand as we were very focused on quiet and relaxation, but it all worked out.) The breakfasts were lovely, the spa experience professional and high quality. Shout out to James who is a skilled and professional masseuse. Thank you to the staff and management for a lovely stay. read more

Wonderful place to spend a week. The grounds are peaceful and lovely. They're pet-friendly. The food is great without being overpriced. The cabernet is my girlfriend's new favorite. Loved the room as well. Every morning we opened the curtain to a view of the mountains. I highly recommend. read more

I was displaced from the fires in LA and was stuck at my Uncles with a full house of people. It was difficult to work there with multiple households jammed into one a packed house. I thought I'd roll the dice and ask Bernardus if it would be okay for me to work from their lobby for the day. Jennifer and her team, the entire staff were so incredibly kind and generous to me, made me feel welcomed and offered to let me work there for the entire week. The staff here is of the highest caliber. Their warmheartedness and generosity will never be forgotten and I will always speak highly of this place. I made sure to eat lunch here and tip very well Thank you Jennifer and your team read more

Everything was exceptional from the first contact with the bell person, to being greeted with a glass of wine at check in. Staff makes sure your every needs are met. So grateful for them making my stay so nice! Thank you!! read more

I booked my family a stay at Bernardus last minute. In doing so, the only room available was a suite. When we arrived, I had high expectations as I had read about this lodge online and saw how many individuals had such positive experiences. Unfortunately, I thought our stay was just, OK. The Lodge is beautiful and my husband stated that the pool was truly heated-both which are nice things to know! The room was decent, but dirty. There was stuff all over the rug, a leftover tissue pack left in the room, and some trash in the bathroom. With the price we were paying for night, I truly expected it to be spotless in the room. In addition, the bed was okay. If I moved too far to the edge it felt like I would just roll off the bed. Our room had an outdoor porch out back which was super nice. We were able to get marshmallows and roast them with our kids. Definitely a fun experience for them. But the swing and chairs did have cob webs all over them. Now what struck me as odd, was the service. It seemed like the staff would rush to get off the phone, was short with us, and often seemed bothered by our requests (turn down service time, extra towels, and water). Even during check-in the staff was not "warm and friendly." They seemed more uptight and annoyed. One pool staff was decently friendly, the other did not even acknowledge my presence. I guess I just expected more for a lodge that comes with such accolades. Don't get me wrong, it is a nice stay, but there are so many things that can be done to upgrade the stay and experience for guests, beginning with staff training on how to be more welcoming! I'm not sure I would stay here again based on my experience! read more