Came for a quick honeymoon in their jacuzzi suite. Everything was phenomenal. Food, service, hospitality, the room, etc. Note that the kitchen is closed on Tuesdays for lunch and dinner. Wasn't a problem for us, but could be for other people. My wife and I were very impressed by our stay and we aren't the kind of people who get impressed easily. Will definitely be back. Check out their groupon for 50% off while it lasts. You'll love this place. read more

3.5 stars. So many things were good about our visit, but so many things were frustrating and easily fixable, but not fixed. The cabin and staff were fantastic and my complaints are 100% management/admin related. Knowing what I know now, we probably would have chosen somewhere else to spend our anniversary week. The dining recommendations were great, which is a good thing because my first gripe is about the the restaurant hours and proper communication of them. A nice restaurant onsite was a huge reason I picked this location. My husband and I arrived hungry and looking forward to dinner on a Sunday. The website said "the restaurant is open to the public...." and there was another note about breakfast being available every day but not for the public. After arriving over 6 hours after we'd last eaten and being told that the restaurant was not open, it took over an hour to check in. The website also includes a note about the restaurant being closed for 3 days of the week. Well, I am not reading a legal document, I'm just trying to plan a vacation. The physical sign for Gateway Lodge says "dinner served nightly". So some consistency on this when in an area with limited dining options would be appreciated. Next is the lack of empowerment by the staff to resolve minor things. The number of minor things that had to be verified with the owner was astounding and is the reason checking in took over an hour. The cabins do not have phones, cell coverage, or wifi and do not have turndown service, so the only way to communicate with the front desk is by walking for 10 minutes up a steep hill. For example, there was a code locking our AC thermostat. We were cold and were unable to turn it down. There were instructions for the heat which we followed, but the gas fireplace was not connected. So, we ended up turning the AC off and turning the oven on to heat up the cabin. When I finally remembered to ask about this near the end of our 5-day stay, a gentleman at the front desk (who I later found out was the owner's husband) totally did not take my request for the AC code seriously and said we could adjust the temperature. I pressed and rudely interrupted him talking to another guest after he blew this off to ensure that someone was going to come down to our cabin. He came several hours later and then would not give me the code until I pressed for it. Then, we discovered that the jacuzzi tub controls were locked and the water was at a very low temperature. Was I interested in walking up 10 min to attempt to address this? Nope. Finally, there was some confusion over a discount because one of the luxury features advertised on their websites needed to be repaired. After checking with the owner, we were offered $25 off. I said "10%?" and the owner's husband said that they would update us on this during our 5-day stay. We asked about it at least twice. Then, when it was time to check out, there was only one $25 discount on the bill and the owner refused to come out and speak with us because she was planning a wedding. We were told 3x to email her and that she was too busy to talk with us in person. So, we sat down to email her from reception and about 10 minutes later, she came out to talk with us about it. Apparently it's only worth $5/day. If money is that tight, it's too bad that the restaurant was closed because we would have eaten there every night during our stay. The owner's husband could have clarified this when I said "10%". Having said all of this, the spa was fantastic, the lodge and cabin itself were very nice, and the staff were very kind and did what they could to make our stay pleasant. The luxury cabin was well furnished with modern appliances and definitely worth the price if it were not for these other problems. However, for them to charge what they want to charge and attract working professionals from DC and Pittsburgh to pay it, some components of the total experience need to be addressed. These things were frustrating enough that they negatively impacted our weeklong celebration and memories of our anniversary. read more

Gateway Lodge is an extremely accommodating retreat- they have the ambiance down! Fireplaces always burning in the main room and restaurant, the staff very kind and bending over backwards to make us feel comfortable, free afternoon tea with coffee and freshly baked cookies every day at four, spaciousness, cleanliness, the food off the charts... I highly recommend staying in the suites. Jacuzzi tub right next to a gas fireplace at the foot of your bed. You will be very pleased with your stay here!!! Thank you Gateway Lodge!!! read more

Lovely inn with a very good restaurant in the Cook Forest. It's the perfect balance of rustic and comfortable. But be sure to ask for a room far from the kitchen, which is noisy at night after dinner service ends and cleanup happens apparently. read more

Ended up having to go to the hospital after checking in. We missed breakfast, dinner, and massages that we had scheduled and they refused to refund any part of our stay because we checked in before going to the hospital. The alcohol policy is stupid and the fact that they automatically charge you a tip for their wait staff and house keeping is really bizarre, tipping should not be automatically included it should be based on the quality of service. Make sure you get travel insurance if staying here. read more

We had very high hopes for the Gateway lodge from looking at the website and seeing some of the reviews. We rented a suite for my birthday which the woman we spoke to boasted a Jacuzzi, fireplace and balcony with a beautiful view of the woods. The small suite was very nice but in fact had no balcony or Jacuzzi. Instead of a Jacuzzi, there was a hot tub with jets which would have been fine if there would have been enough hot water to fill it to actually enjoy since it did not have a built-in heater. A hot tub filled halfway with somewhat warm water is anything but romantic. The fireplace was nice but a gas fireplace doesn't give any warmth if it doesn't have a blower and due to the fact that there wasn't any heat in our suite on a 34° night really didn't do us any good. As for The restaurant, the female bartender was very knowledgeable and fantastic at her job but unfortunately that's where it ended. The waiter that we ended up with was horrible, we had finished our drinks before our meal was finished but our waiter never asked us the whole time if we would like a refresher on drinks We would have asked him if we would have ever have seen him again throughout our meal. There was only about eight tables that were filled in the restaurant with around 3 to 4 servers so I'm not quite sure where he went off to. The food was mediocre at best but very highly priced. We love cooks forest and will definitely go back again but we will never again stay at the Gateway lodge. For $280 a night we expected a little more. There is nowhere on their website for a customer to leave a review. Believe me, there is a reason for that! read more

Had an ok stay at this place . The staff is relatively new so asking for direction is like looking up places on the phone with non-existing signal. It would be nice if the front desk provided a list with local restaurants, ATMs and local attractions and entertainment close by so that I didn't have to rely on google and hundreds of little fliers to plan my gateway. The location is close to the park and the river so a few minute drive will let you enjoy your stay with a beer on your belly floating lazily down the river. Staying in the suite provided me with a decently pleasant getaway, a/c, bed, jettub and a small balcony, although I must say it is little close to the road so passing cars, trucks and motorcycles will let you know that even on your little away trip from civilization you are still not too far enough. Mind you the one thing I noticed is that the crowd that the lodge seems to be made for is older. Having a voucher for dinner I didn't know what to expect, usually people don't want to give food away for free and I was open to having a nice dinner. Beginning from inattentive waitress that would disappear in the kitchen for what seemed like eternity, dinner was a huge letdown. But waiting for waitress was only a small letdown compared to waiting for your food, let me just say that taking reservations for dinner and then having the customers wait for close to an hour is unforgivable, I understand the cooking meals fresh from start takes time but there is only so much time that you want to wait. Hunter chicken with fresh vegetables and potatoes did not warrant the 28$ price or whatever it was, I mean I could buy a small chick and let him grow up and then make a tasty dinner from him and it would still NOT cost probably as much as this was, especially when it didn't have any great taste to it. Also the cracker crusted walleye lack of seasoning and a million little bones prevented my date from having positive experience. On the other hand the older group of customers in another room was having a better time than we did but that could have been the numerous drinks. Did not try the free breakfast that was provided to us, I mean after having a huge letdown with the previous nights dinner I vowed to taste food from anywhere but there. The lodge is pretty good priced when compared to the ones around it and that's why we came there. I would stay there again but would suggest to eat somewhere else. read more

Friendly helpful staff. Very accommodating! We go in November so I'll let you know how it goes then.

Surprised my wife with the Weekend Moonlit Romance package for her 30th Birthday. I wanted to make it special, but I didn't want to be in the car for a long road trip from our home near Washington, PA. I agonized for two weeks as I searched all over PA, OH, and WV. Then I came across the Gateway Lodge in Cooks Forest. Checking out their website, I was impressed with packages they offered to their guests along with the rustic feel of the log cabin based in the woods. I truly didn't know what to expect, but on a whim I booked the weekend. I had a few questions I emailed with my reservations, and I immediately got a phone call answering all the questions I had proposed. Every time I called with questions, I was greeted by a great staff that was well versed in the Lodge's packages. The day my wife and I were to leave for the Gateway Lodge a large snow storm hit Western Pennsylvania. I had planned to go to Dubois, PA for dinner, but we decided we would eat at the lodge when we got there instead of driving. We were so glad that the snow kept us at the Lodges restaurant. I can not brag enough about how amazing the food and service was. Every waiter and waitress was extremely friendly and made you feel welcome. They worked very fluidly together in making sure we were well taken care of and that we were satisfied with our meals. Everything I ate at the Gateway Lodge was beyond delicious. The first night I had Venison Back Straps with a cranberry sauce, and my wife had the chicken cooked on the hickory plank. We decided to split the banana fosters for dessert which ended up being an excellent choice because of it's size. We ate at the same place for breakfast on both days and for dinner the following night. They may have a smaller menu then other places, but everything they served us was excellent. I don't think anyone would be disappointed with their selections. One gentleman we talked to before dinner said he had a cabin 20 minutes away and goes to the Gateway Lodge almost every weekend for dinner. My wife really enjoyed the weekend getaway from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Our room was very relaxing with an awesome fire place and Jacuzzi tube. There was a nightly turn down service that would stop by and turn down your bed and drop of chocolates with sea salt on them. They were fantastic. The information packet in the room let us know of everything the area offered, and the lady at the front desk was more than delighted to give us directions to each location. We attempted cross country skiing before hanging up our ski's and hiking to the fire tower. Since it was snowy, the road to the fire tower was closed to traffic so we ended up taking a 3 mile round trip hike that was well worth it. Truthfully, I would recommend anyone who takes a trip to Cook's Forest to stop in and check out the Gateway Lodge. Ask for a tour of the facility and then stay for dinner. I am sure that you won't be disappointed. Thanks to the Gateway Lodge employees who made my wife's 30th Birthday Weekend extra special. We will be back! read more

Pros: Staff is extremely friendly, grounds and building are beautiful, suites are nice (jacuzzi, fireplace and balcony were an awesome touch), the Aveda Spa massages are excellent, and the food is SUPERB! Cons: the cleaning of rooms could be more thorough (when we arrived there was dried urine under the toilet seat, a crushed Coors Light case in one of the nightstand draws, a bottle cap near the fireplace, and a dead stink bug that was missed during vaccuming). Also, the walls are EXTREMELY THIN. Whether its your neighbors next door talking, coughing, getting busy, or in our case SNORING their ass off all night, you'll hear it so bring earplugs if you want a good nights sleep. Overall: I spent over $800 for three days/two nights here (package that included couples massage and dinner one night) and drove five hours from NJ to get there. While it was a nice experience, I personally will not be coming back. If they ever renovate, they should soundproof the room walls. I've stayed at Holiday Inns for business and had a more peaceful sleep. Lastly, they are overpriced. read more

Aged facility, dusty/stained carpets and loveseat, no cell phone service in area. No usable closet space, small dressers, one cute but too small table. Restaurant was a bit better than expected for dinner, with patient and attentive staff; much worse than expected for breakfast, with an inattentive staff, very small portions, stale coffee. On the whole, very much overpriced and far too shopworn. read more

Outstanding Wellness Retreat weekend offered me the opportunity to relax, involve myself in some very interesting activities, presentations, and meeting some very interesting people. Food in the lodge restaurant, along with the wine list, is exceptional, especially for this part of Cooks Forest which has very few fine dining establishments. Whether attempting to hide out from humanity, or, taking time to mingle with Mother Nature, this is the perfect place to do so. read more

My wife and I had dinner there 9/22/2013 we arrived between 6:30 and 6:45 pm service was slow for the amount of people that were in the dinning room ordered a lobster roll for an appetizer,a dinner role with warm butter and a small amount of lobster with some type of pickle diced on the side 12 bucks !!! Then for the salad house salad with bacon vinaigrette with some type of a small yellow/red flower on it before I took the first bight I noticed something crawling on my plate moved a piece of lettuce around and found a small insect crawling about our waitress was no were to be found so my wife interrupted the other waitress I showed her the insect she apologized and said they get their produce locally and would bring me another said no thanks after 7 min or so our waitress shows up with the food nothing was said till I had mentioned it to her she also apologized the dinner looked good baked potato was excellent however the steak was not way to much fat on both of ours typical frozen steak out of the box originally we both had ordered the T bone but was told they were sold out and all they had were rib eye my wife had written a note on the back of the receipt with her name and number on it also explained the situation to the desk clerk she took our info asked for the manager but was told not on site We will never eat there again the lodge itself is nice but the food and staff are lousy the food is way over priced 91 bucks and some change no alcohol just water and iced tea no dessert either you are definitely paying for the atmosphere and nothing else Phil & Judy read more

We have stayed in the cabins the past three years at the Gateway Lodge. It's a great place to get away from the city and relax. Our main issue is the firewood is always wet. It sits in a pile on the porches uncovered. They won't let you bring your own firewood. They say it's because they don't want foreign bugs brought in. That's understandable, but it's not relaxing when you are spending your entire weekend trying to keep your fireplace lit because the wood is wet. read more

We chose to stay in the historic rooms, rather than in the newer rooms that are larger and more modern. Our room was quite small/cozy and had a small/cozy bath. Our room, and almost all of the lodge, is without television, telephones (or cell phone reception), internet, radio, or newspapers! Frankly, I thought I was going to die for the first six hours! Then, the absence of the trappings of immediate-access communications became blissful and I hated to leave. My wife made the arrangements, and had I known ahead of time, I probably would have objected. In her wisdom, she did not disclose this absence of technology, and it turned out to be perfect. It was a marvelous time of reading (on paper!), playing board games and hiking. Most of the surrounding area has spotty cell phone coverage. The locale is fantastic for hiking, biking, fishing, etc. One evening we went to a local amateur community theater that was delightful. The food at the lodge (breakfast and dinner) was excellent and plentiful. Breakfast was hearty and included in the room price. Dinner was moderately expensive, but worth it. The chef uses plenty of local produce and is very creative in his dishes. All of the staff was exceedingly friendly and gracious. I cannot wait to return there. When we return, we will stay in the historic rooms again instead of the larger and fancier suites. The rustic nature of the room, the cozy size, the hospitality, was all like a big warm therapeutic hug! read more

We spent the weekend with friends in the Gateway Lodge cabins, and had a wonderful time exploring the Clarion River and Cook Forest. The cabins were great, and this is our second time with Gateway, having stayed at the lodge previously. On Saturday evening we ate dinner at the lodge and have to say we were all extremely disappointed. Our reservation was at 7:30 (there was an implication that we were lucky to get in, although the restaurant was only half full). To begin, one member of the party ordered the salmon which was already unavailable. I never order pork chops, but was informed by our server that this was "the best of the best of the best", and having recently read about special lines of pork, I decided to try. I could barely cut this chop, and when I did there was no taste! When my plate was removed (with over half of the chop left) the server did not ask a thing. Yes, I know I should have complained at the time, but it had already taken 45 minutes to be served, and I did not want to wait an additional period of time. None of the meals were exceptional and I feel that for the prices we paid, they should have been. read more

In the past I had reviewed the Gateway with 5 stars through and through, I used to love the Gateway. I'm writing this review now because of how upset I am over my broken tradition. When my husband and I got married we did not have a lot of money to go on a European or tropical honeymoon, but we still wanted to get away. We ended up renting one of the cabins through the Gateway Lodge, we were there for a week and loved it. When our first anniversary came around we decided to go back to the Gateway Lodge to celebrate, this time we stayed in one of the suites in the lodge. Since the Gateway Lodge offers a Memorial Day weekend package, this is when we decided to go (our anniversary is May 22). We had such a great time and the staff was amazing, when we checked out we put down a deposit for the following Memorial Day weekend. Our tradition of celebrating our anniversary at the Gateway Lodge over Memorial Day weekend was born and we continued this tradition for 5 years. Last year, our 5th wedding anniversary, the Gateway Lodge changed some things around. Breakfast is include each morning of the stay, previously there was a choice of 4 or 5 breakfasts and things could be substituted, last year, there was a choice of two things and substitutions were not allowed. I have celiac disease and told the waitress that I could not eat anything that was being offered and asked for eggs and bacon and I was told that they might not be able to accommodate me. After the waitress going back and forth a between the kitchen and our table a few times it was finally decided that I could have eggs and sausage (which I did not want). When my eggs (2 eggs) finally came out they were absolutely covered in pepper, it was as if someone spilled black pepper on my eggs. I sent them back and when they came out again I had one egg. Also, the breakfast was served with coffee, juice and water, I asked for just milk and was told that there were be an up charge for the milk. This was just an example of one breakfast, pretty much every breakfast was a hassle like this. The included BBQ dinner went about the same way. Even after being informed of my celiac disease (gluten) the waitress brought my dinner out with pasta salad on the plate. I was given a dinner without pasta salad but was not offered another side. Besides the problems in the restaurant, we had problems in the lodge as well. The rooms were just not as clean as they used to be, there was a lot of dust everywhere and the bathroom floor was not clean. Housekeeping used to put chocolates in the room every night and that is no longer the case. The biggest disappointment came when we decided to talk to the owner about our concerns. After going to the Gateway Lodge for 6 consecutive years and spending thousands and thousands of dollars there, we did not even get an apology. We were not expecting for our stay to be comped or anything like that, a simple, "we're sorry, we will try better next time" would have gone a long way. No, instead, we were told that if we were unhappy at the Gateway Lodge there were probably better places for us to stay and perhaps the Gateway Lodge was not the right environment for us. Are you freaking kidding me. Who does business like that? Well, my husband and I should be celebrating our 6th wedding anniversary at the Gateway this weekend, but their lack of empathy and downright unpleasantness ruined a tradition that meant the world to me. read more

Very quiet and peaceful. Edith, the massage therapist at The Woods Spa was fantastic, THANK YOU! The food was excellent also, dinner and breakfast. Loved the homemade s'mores dessert! Only negative we saw, in our opinion, was decorations needed some updating. And Wi-fi didn't work well. read more

My husband and I spent two nights at the Gateway Lodge, and loved it! The weather cooperated, so we spent two wonderful days hiking in Cook Forest. We thought the dinner prices were too high, so ate at another place the first night. Then we had breakfast at Gateway Lodge and found the food was great - lots of nice little touches that made the food special. The pancakes were served with a delicious fruit compote and whole walnuts. The Bell's leek sausage was outstanding. We decided to have dinner that night at the lodge - trout and salmon - and both were wonderful, well worth the price. We don't mind paying a little more for exceptional food. The staff were all friendly and knowledgeable. They were also helpful, especially when we asked directions and suggestions for local attractions. Since it was so early in the season, there were very few other guests, so we had a wonderful private vacation. Our suite was clean and well-appointed, very comfortable bed. It was warm enough at night that we could leave the door open to our balcony and enjoy the fresh air. We enjoyed the sunny balcony each late afternoon, basking in the sun and relaxing. Every day at 4:00 there were fresh baked cookies with coffee and tea, and fresh fruit was available all the time. We enjoyed our stay at Gateway Lodge, and I sincerely hope that others will give them a try. I also hope that the owners will get their alcohol policies straightened out. We brought wine with us, and our own wine glasses, and we enjoyed our wine in our room and on our balcony. When in the common areas of the lodge, we respected the rights of the lodge to restrict outside alcohol, and bought beer in the restaurant. No one said anything to us one way or the other, but this has always been our practice wherever we have travelled. I would certainly recommend this place to anyone who is comfortable with rustic accomodations and being out of touch with the rest of the world for a few days. We had a jacuzzi and fireplace in our room, but the weather was so warm and perfect that we did not use either. Sigh - I'm ready to go back! read more

My girlfriend and I spent 2 nights there last week. Really enjoyed it. Atmosphere is rustic and quiet. Food at the restaurant was very good. The room was spacious and comfortable. Staff was friendly. Restaurant staff was particularly friendly. Even the chef came out one morning and asked how our breakfast was. We will definitely be back. read more

If you are looking for a relaxing and calm area, this is where you should go ! Amazing view and great location. Definitely will go back . read more

Had a great few days at Gateway Lodge once again meet some very nice people and made new friends. Thank you for the extra snacks on Tuesday evening when we were all snowed in and could not get out. Much appreciated!! and kudos to the staff for taking care of us!!! The evening turned out wonderful by sitting in the great room around the fire and chatting and visiting w/ other guests. And today we had an outstanding breakfast prepared by Chef Lydia - outstanding and most delicious!! We took advantage of the Spa package that was offered and for two days had wonderful massages by Joni. We have stayed here several times and it is always so peaceful sitting by the fire in the Great Room. read more

We had a wonderful weekend at Gateway Lodge. The rooms were so comfortable; we were happy to have a fireplace and jacuzzi instead of a TV, not to mention the lovely deck. The food was creative and delicious. The staff was friendly and attentive. And the setting, in the Cook Forest, is spectacular. read more

We have been here four times. Each time it gets better and better. Friendly staff, great food and Amazing suites! The spa was great as well. The jacuzzi and fireplace make for a romantic setting. The wine and dine weekends are the best by far! read more

This is one of our happy places. We have visited in all four seasons now and honestly each has its own advantages. The Gateway is tucked quietly into the Cook Forest. It's a place we come to get away from life and enjoy some down time. The wine list is excellent. The accommodations range from jacuzzi suites (most with no TVs or phones) a plus in my book, to cabins in the woods. All are pleasant depending on your tastes or styles. The kitchen is well above average. We have yet to have a bad dish served. They short themselves on wait staff sometimes and I think this hurts them a little depending on the day and occupancy. They have some kinky rules on the alcohol and a built in housekeeping and breakfast wait staff gratuity if you stay in the main lodge. While others have griped about it I tend to respect this. Never in a regular hotel do I get the same housekeeper on a weekend vs a weekday and never feel Comfortable leaving a daily tip so when I leave one at the end of my stay I don't know who actually benefits at least this way whomever cleaned my room gets rewarded. As for breakfast it's included with stay so rather than have to leave it separate from any check the 4 dollars is cheap. If you know what's expected you accept it or simply pass on staying if rules bother you is my advice. For us we rate it as a best place to stay in the area. Treat yourself. It's worth it. read more

Gateway Lodge - Guacamole deviled eggs. - Hotels Near Me - Cooksburg, Pennsylvania

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Amazing Wonderful Delicious!!!! Just spent a weekend - went for the bed and brew package that offered 2 nights along with a 5 course meal paired with craft beers. First impressions mean the world. Cindy at the front desk was absolutely wonderful. Due to horrible traffic, it seemed that we would not arrive prior to the kitchen closing. Cindy stayed on the phone with me, reading all selections on the menu, while I recited to the others in our party. The kitchen would be firing our meals as their last entrees so that we could enjoy when we arrived. We wound up getting in at 8:55 - 5 min before restaurant normally closes - and received the most warm and inviting welcome. We were ushered into the restaurant. We had no intention of keeping everyone late just to feed us - they would not even consider hearing otherwise. Every staff member, from the bartender to the waiters and waitresses to the owner and her husband, made us feel soooo welcome. Then the food. Ahhhh. The chef (such an understatement - the man was an artist) has been with the lodge for 3 weeks as of Labor Day 2014. If you have a thought about going there - do it. I have heard for some time that the food is excellent. I understand that the owner, Deb, coordinates each winter with a local farmer to plan items to plant that are served during the upcoming year. They use all local - and just incredible. However, after this experience - I would literally eat anything this chef prepared. He worked magic. The first night was selections off the menu. It was absolutely wonderful - one had walleye - soooo fresh. I will guarantee that it was not frozen. Two of us had bacon wrapped scallops with bacon prepared by the lodge - melted in my mouth! Finally, one enjoyed a bbq pulled pork sandwich - he loved every bite. Not just a sandwich but served with a variety of vegetables and potatoes - all expertly prepared. We couldn't wait for breakfast. We were offered a menu with several selections and also given the most wonderful cranberry scone with coffee while waiting for our breakfast. Fresh and delicious. Plenty of variety and options. Excellent. Then, the five course dinner - a menu that basically seemed to be appetizer, soup, salad pot roast and desert. I thought it would be excellent, especially following my experience the night before, but probably nice comfort food that was paired well with various beers. Boy - did I ever underestimate that one. It was the most amazing food any of us has ever had. We have all traveled extensively and love good food but are even bigger beer snobs. The beers chosen were simply amazing. Rob was so well versed in the beverage selection - it was just refreshing to say the least. He also knew his wines - able to make a recommendation to suit any taste. And the food - using rustic local ingredients - was amazing. It was almost embarrassing the way we oooed and ahhhhed over it. The feelings were obviously shared by all of the diners as the room erupted into spontaneous applause when the chef came out of the kitchen. The rooms were lovely, with jacuzzi tubs and a fireplace. Beds were so comfortable with eyelet sheets and great pillows. The grounds were amazing and scenery absolutely beautiful. We felt as if we left the cares of the world behind. The spa was lovely - my massage was excellent. I loved the opportunity to select the aromas used with the massage oil. The entire lodge and surrounding forest, just felt like a slice of paradise. We totally enjoyed our stay and are looking forward to a return visit. read more

I cannot say enough good things about this place. We were excited just from the website, and decided immediately upon arriving that we would be back again and again. The lodgings are amazing, the in-room jacuzzi tub next to the fireplace make this a perfect romantic winter retreat. The wine list is insane, breakfast was SO good, the food on the menu was outstanding and the chefs happily concocted delicious inventions for my vegan boyfriend without hesitation. (Side note: it might be worth pretending to be vegan to get a chance at the veggie tacos with a side of roasted cauliflower). Portabella sliders are a must. There is a scenic trail into the woods right off of the parking lot, and the weekday special rate (with a 60 min massage included!) really can't be beat. When the absolute worst thing you can say about your trip is "Well, I _have_ had a better massage," you know you're doing pretty darned well. Wonderful getaway, and -from someone who lives a high-stress life- it was an amazing amount of relaxation. I came away more relaxed after 48 hours than I have been after a week off on other trips. Thank you Gateway Lodge! read more

We just got home from a weekend at GLCIR&S in Cooks Forest. The area is absolutely gorgeous. The lodge is really cool. There is a section that was the original and was built in 1930-ish they offer tours or tell you to go look around. The bedrooms are upstairs (in the original structure) and you can look into the ones that are not occupied. They are above the restaurant. We booked a suite. The room was spacious, clean and had a nice patio. The bed was quite uncomfortable and had feather pillows and blankets (I'm allergic) and they were too warm. There is no AC but it cools off a bit at night & I took my own fan. It would have been nice to have a light blanket as an option. And it would be nice if they provided fans as well..Mainly to drown out noise. If we go back we will either rent a cabin or get a second level room. The "neighbors" above and beside us obviously did not realize the walls are not that sound proof. And they woke us up many times at all hours of the night!! I did ask the front desk to let the ones above us know that there are people below them & they must have said something because the next night they SLAMMED the doors and stomped, dropped items etc..for about 10 mins...It sounded like it was being done on purpose. Some people are just rude...maybe they will read this review and know I am talking about them ;) Ok back to the lodge. There is a pool table room, cool! There is a "spa" they ONLY do massage, a pedicure or facial would have been great. The restaurant ONLY serves breakfast and dinner. They advertise "breakfast daily" like it is INCLUDED in the room charge. But at check out there will be an added $20 for "breakfast and gratuities"?? WTF is that about?? We only ate breakfast ONE day and it was not so great.. I asked for fruit instead of meat with my scrambled eggs. The eggs were scrambled in bacon grease..ugh...I was pretty ill that morning. Dinner selection was pretty good. They have a homemade ranch that was delicious, but ask for it on the side! The portions were HUGE! Unless you can put away lots of food you should share an entree, it's a $5 up charge. You still get a full salad and full sides, they just split the meat. Try the portobella fries!! We did get a $75 voucher towards dinner so decided to use it on the 5 course "taste of the wilds" menu. WAY too much food!! And honestly you are better off ordering what you like. It was not anything that was not already on the menu just BIGGER portions. I felt like I wasted so much food but it was not even possible to eat all of that. The mushroom soup was delicious!! The filet was really good too as was the Salmon (again the portions were entirely too big) The staff was friendly. The waiter staff especially **shout out to Jason, Dustin and Cheyanne** We wanted to spend a day driving to Niagra Falls and when I asked the front desk ladies they said it was 5-6 hours from them!! Ugh, that made us re-think the trip..However, when I put it in my gpd it was 3 hours away!! So if you have never been drive the 3 hours and go!! We left at 7 am and we stopped in Erie PA on the way back for lunch then got back to the lodge by 6pm! I kind of felt like they did not want us to leave the area! Hotel California 'you can check in but you can never leave' lol. They also don't want you to bring you own adult beverages...not that it's a license issue, they just want you to buy theirs. Threaten to "fine" $100 if you are "caught" with "outside" alcohol...I'm sorry but if I wanted to bring some wine from home to enjoy on my patio I would have!! Just sayin ;) Another Yelp review said the threatened to search her room for it! No TV's in the rooms (which was fine) No internet service. They offer a wifi password but it never worked for me. We were cool with that but I would think kids would not do well there! There was a small fridge in the room, No microwave to reheat the leftovers you WILL have :( and NO coffee pot in the room,which would have been nice. All in all it was a nice place. It is about 5 hours from us so we probably would not go back to that particular resort. But if we were back in the area we might choose to stay in the "town" area. Other than the noise from the other guests and the uncomfortable bed it was a fun getaway~ I wish we would have checked out some of the cabins in the area...that would be an option if you like to sleep all night ;) ;) ** Have to edit this today. I got an email after I posted this review stating they had "charged an additional $68 to my card" "they made a mistake"!! I'm sorry but is that normal?? So YOU screwed up and did not charge us ENOUGH...suck it up and move on. How dare you add an extra charge to my card after I leave...I called and asked what it was for and all she said was they did not charge us enough...Well, at $992 bucks for 3 nights I think you made plenty. But whatever, live and learn..My husband had talked about riding back up on his bike and staying in one of the original rooms...NOT read more

The only thing this restaurant can do is make a great drink! Went for a celebration with 10 people and couldn't be more disappointed! The service was wonderful, however the food is less than impressive! At the prices they are charging I would at least like the food cooked exquisitely, let's just say overdone squash and raw potatoes! Sad when you only have a handful of dishes on the menu!! Ok really, you only have about 8 entrees and you can't cook them to perfection? Shame on you! Go back to culinary school and try again!! I would absolutely positively NEVER refer anyone to this place!! Save your money and eat at the Applebee's in Clarion!! I 100% guarantee you'll get a better meal even if it's a frozen entree! read more

Sent an email requesting to be notified if an opening became available for the Brew and Bed weekend. THEY called me and had an opening. Wasn't a suite but the man on phone adjusted the bill to account for the smaller room. He then was VERY explicit that dinner Saturday night was included as was breakfast each morning. He then sent me a confirmation email regarding the dinner and a second confirmation email asking what time we would like to eat. Well we ate and loved the meal. At the conclusion they presented us with a bill for $149.18!!! I politely informed them they were mistaken and showed them the emails. The owner refused to acknowledge their error. I refused to sign for the dinner and they charged it to my credit card without authorization!!!!! Will be filing a dispute. Never have I experienced such a level of shadiness and unwillingness to treat the customer like an honored guest. STAY AWAY!!! read more

We encountered the following problems during our stay on August 30th and August 31st, 2013. My wife and I stayed in a Gateway Lodge cabin (#1) for two nights (Friday and Saturday) over Labor Day weekend. Despite the policy for a 3-day minimum stay requirement for the holiday weekend we checked out early and drove back home for three reasons: 1) Fresh mouse droppings were discovered throughout the cabin. Not only on the kitchen countertop, and in the bathroom, but also IN OUR BED. If you like rodent feces in your bed, you'll find them here. We tried trapping the mice, but they are clearly wise enough to carefully lick the peanut butter from the mousetrap trigger without setting off the trap. The mice have obvious experience with avoiding mousetrap execution. 2) No airconditioning. This is mentioned on the website but we did not know this in advance. The thermostat control in the cabin says Cool and Heat -- but there is no A/C. The front desk provided us with an electric fan. It was not of much help. 3) Severe traffic noise. The weather was very warm during Labor Day weekend. We had to keep the bedroom windows open at night. The cabin is VERY CLOSE to Route 36, and the traffic noise was terrible. Trucks and motorcycles went up and down the steep road throughout the entire night. The management refused to refund our payment for the third night (Sunday), despite our checkout on Sunday morning. We paid $175.00 per night. In our opinion, that is about twice what the cabin is worth. We've stayed in fabulous cabins near Pigeon Forge,TN and we assumed (at this price) we'd have a similar experience here. Wrong. Once you check-in, forget about checking out early and receiving a refund (that is why they have a minimum stay policy). read more

We stayed at Gateway Lodge for the first time two weeks ago, and it was sooo relaxing! Gorgeous setting among huge rock formations and towering hemlocks, immaculate rooms, friendly and accommodating staff, wonderful restaurant . . . first class in every way! The inn keepers go out of their way to make guests feel at home . . . loved the morning coffee service and afternoon tea and cookies, wish we could have taken the pastry chef home, his cookies and breakfast scones are some of the best ever! Nearby Cook Forest is incredible, walked a trail among towering three and four HUNDRED year old trees and hemlocks. Rainy weather one day, so we drove through the Forest and also along a picturesque river a stone's throw away . . . hope to kayak or canoe in it another time. Ideal spot for anyone looking for a private, romantic place to relax and get away from it all, can't wait to return! read more

Had reservations for dinner-children and grandchildren- weeks in advance. We were so excited to take our kids out for a nice dinner. What a disappointment! First of all, the service was very slow. They were out of some of the menu items--one or two of each selection. The children had to order meals that they did not care for. Couldn't they have had more than two chickens on hand? They were even out of some dressings for the salads. So much for having reservation. We won't be back! read more

We stayed at the lodge for 2 nights and LOVED it! So peaceful and relaxing, beautiful rooms, great room, restaurant, and surroundings. This was our first visit and it was every bit all that we had hoped. The spa/massages were fabulous, great service. We now plan to return next winter for a quiet time away from it all. read more

We recently returned from our second stay at the Gateway Lodge. My wife and I specifically requested one of the old original rooms as we had the first time because they are small and cozy. Our primary goal was to get away from the world and enjoy each other without the endless inputs of home, family, and friends. The original rooms have limited services, but that is exactly what we wanted. Peace and quiet were very satisfactory. We opted for one of the rooms with private bath and we were very pleased. The food was wonderful, both breakfast and dinner. The meals were quite tasteful, nicely presented, and were a cut well above what we are used to in our home town. The servers were excellent as well as very cordial. We were aware of the breakfast and gratuity charges from the web site, so that was not an issue with us. There are many breakfast options so you can select to assure your satisfaction. The bar is physically small but has many choices. You should be able to find what you like. Not bringing your own alcohol seems to be a sore point with some people but we don't carry liquor with us. For the drinks we consumed we found the prices to be about typical of any good restaurant, and there is a wide wine selection. Our primary modest complaint is that the mattress was very soft. We are used to a firm mattress but still managed to sleep well, though our preference would be for a firmer mattress. The other thing would be for more towel racks for drying if you are willing to reuse washcloths and towels for more than one day. Since they could not dry out we requested clean linen, which was willingly provided. This is a very nice lodge with a variety of rooms, service levels, and a lovely location. As with many things, you have to plan, read the fine print, and consider the value for yourself. We will come back again. read more

We have stayed here several times, always in the winter. We just came back from a two day stay Thanksgiving weekend and everything was wonderful. It is a great place to relax and do very little. Wine on Friday evening, cookies and coffee late Saturday afternoon. Woodburning fireplaces in the great and dining room. Wifi is now available in all rooms. The restaurant is one of the best places I have eaten, and we travel extensively. Wait Staff is great, hot buttered rum to die for!!!! We were told about houskeeping and breakfast gratuity before arriving. A quiet and peaceful place for a short getaway!!!! read more

We needed a place to stay while we clean out & sell an estate we recently inheritated in the area. Well we found the Gateway Lodge & fell in love with the rooms, lodge, staff - especially Nichole & Ralph, & the feeling of peace. We have been there for mini stays (2 night stay) for 3 trips this summer & plan to go back a few more times to complete our tasks. We feel so comfortable when get back to the lodge. The atmosphere immediately releases any stress you may have just been through. Can't wait to see the lodge in the Fall and during the Christmas season. read more

Where to start. This review is for the restaurant. Ever go to a casino, look into your empty wallet at the end, wonder what happened, and feel so taken advantage of you'd like to kick yourself. That was my feeling upon leaving here. I don't mind spending an average of $32 a plate when I can at least say they got it 75% right, not the case here. One dish (the vegetable stew) cooked to dryness of a food dehydrator with a hockey puck bisquit on top. The hunters chicken, saw the chicken briefly under the crushed tomato quilt it was buried under to make it seem like a serving. Potatoes cut pretty in the shape of mushrooms but not cooked. I ordered the elk chili. Over cooked pasta topped by scoop of some ground meat and beans over killed with spices that left me wondering where was the game flavor I ordered this for. If you intend to do a farm to table restaurant with few options for entrees, then those should be mastered. I've also never seen boneless , skinless chicken breast utilized in these type of business's. I gave this 1 star as the sight requires that as a minimum or I would've left it blank. If you do not heed this review as serious you can quickly hand me $250 for 6 people and I will throw steaks and potatoes on my grill and you can have the same feeling of wanting to kick yourself for overpaying for mediocre (I say that generously) food. Advice......avoid at all costs. read more

Great place to unplug, unwind and relax. The rooms were very spacious. My wife was a little under the weather, so we stayed inside almost our entire 3 night stay. Turned out, it was just what the doctored ordered. The fire place and the Jacuzzi in our room plus the large rockers on our deck made our stay very comfortable and enjoyable. They have a large two story room with a fire place and big comfy chairs to read or play some games. Although we never tried there was also a pool table. Treat yourself to a massage, I did , in their spa. I also liked the fact that they had a variety of breakfast choices that were uniquely delicious and perhaps the best part they serve breakfast I believe up to 11 a.m., maybe later, so yes you can sleep in. That's the whole point of vacation right? Although we did not go outside on this trip, we have been to Cooks Forest many times, and there are lots of great outdoor activities either within walking and or short driving distance from their front door, but this trip we had a great time just staying inside and enjoying the relaxing atmosphere of the Lodge's will be back. read more