On Wednesday, July 30, my wife and I traveled to Wellsboro to celebrate our anniversary and explore…read morethe Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. After researching options, my wife selected Penn Wells due to its reputation and small-town charm. We initially attempted to book online but ultimately called for more information. The staff member we spoke with was pleasant and helpful, recommending the Lodge over the Hotel for its larger rooms and more modern features. Based on this, we booked a room with double beds.
We arrived around 4 PM to check in. The front desk staff was polite, though not particularly informative when we inquired about local attractions or restaurants. One of the staff members admitted to being new and unfamiliar with the area, and the other, the manager, offered limited suggestions only speaking about the Diner and Steakhouse, when I specifically asked about burgers/chicken. Fortunately, a fellow guest provided helpful recommendations, including a band performance in the town park--an event not mentioned by staff.
After settling into our room, we walked to town for dinner and enjoyed the concert. We returned to the room around 9 PM, only to find the double beds were too small for us to share comfortably. We ultimately slept in separate beds.
The next morning, Thursday, July 31, we were pleased with the quality of the breakfast and the warm, attentive staff member managing it. She stood out as a highlight of our stay. Later in the day, I attempted to use the pool area. Unfortunately, the staff member present was unhelpful--unable or unwilling to answer basic questions about the pool and jacuzzi, likely due to wearing loud AirPods. I returned after dinner and inquired at the front desk about the size of the beds, as I had measured them to be 54" x 60"--significantly shorter than the standard Double Bed size of 54" x 75". As someone 5'10", my feet extended past the edge of the bed. I asked how best to address this, and the manager informed me to speak to the owner who would be available at 9 AM the next morning.
On Friday, August 1, we again had a pleasant breakfast experience thanks to the same staff member. However, while sitting near the front desk due to limited dining space, we observed a supervisor publicly reprimanding this employee. While we understand the need for accountability, we felt the tone and setting were inappropriate, especially given the employee's positive attitude and the presence of guests.
Before checking out, I asked if the owner had arrived but was told they had not. Due to a prior reservation at 9:30 AM, we chose to depart without further discussion. As we exited, I noticed the same bottle I had discarded in the entrance trash can on Wednesday had still not been emptied--something that speaks to a lack of attention to detail.
Positive Experiences:
*Modern lodge with balconies ideal for relaxing and enjoying the views
*Excellent location in a charming town
*Fresh, well-prepared breakfast with a good variety
*Exceptional service from the breakfast attendant
*Clean, refreshed rooms
*Well-maintained pool and jacuzzi
*Reasonable pricing
Areas for Improvement:
*Front desk staff lacked local knowledge and initiative in assisting guests
*Pool staff appeared disengaged and unresponsive to basic questions
*Public reprimanding of staff in front of guests was uncomfortable and unprofessional
*Bed sizes were significantly smaller than expected, making for an uncomfortable sleeping arrangement
*Main Entrance trash was not emptied over the course of multiple days
*Pool closing time of 8 PM is early, especially for families returning from dinner or evening activities
While we enjoyed parts of our stay, especially the breakfast service and the town itself, several aspects detracted from our overall experience. As we consider a return trip in the fall, we may explore other lodging options to ensure both comfort and quality service.
