OverviewThis hotel boasts a wide variety of on-site activities, including a private beach, boating, swimming, beach volleyball, tennis courts, an indoor pool, an outdoor pool and a games room. This hotel is well-suited for guests seeking resort-style accommodations.
All of the 93 rooms at this hotel offer either lake views or slope views (the hotel is nestled in a hillside). In each room there is free Wi-Fi, a coffeemaker, a hair dryer and an iron and ironing board. Rooms are furnished with either king, queen or double beds. Some rooms have a fireplace and/or a jetted tub. Pets are allowed for $35 per stay.
Guests can dine on site in the Birches Bistro, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. In addition to the list above, on-site amenities include free parking, a gym and a sauna.
The hotel is right across the street from Hidden Valley Ski Resort (less than a 5-minute drive). Downtown Huntsville (boutique shopping, bars, cafes and restaurants) is just over a 10-minute drive away. Deerhurst Golf Club is a 5-minute drive away. Arrowhead Provincial Park (camping, swimming, fishing) is just over a 20-minute drive away. (All distances and travel time estimates: Google Maps)
Confirmed with a front desk agent: Wi-Fi, parking (call date: February 8, 2013).
The GoodBased on the reviews used for this analysis, guests generally enjoyed their stay at this hotel. They really liked the hotel's location and the customer service.
Guests were really impressed with this hotel's waterfront location and with the views from many of the rooms, restaurant and common areas. Guests also liked the abundant green space that surrounded the hotel. They appreciated the proximity to the Hidden Valley Ski Resort (right across the street) and to downtown Huntsville (shopping and restaurants), just over a 10-minute drive away.
Staff here were focused on guest needs and aimed to please, according to guests. They were friendly and helpful. Front desk staff were noted as being particularly congenial and warm.
Guests praised the quality, selection and price of the food offered in the on-site restaurant.
Rooms were clean, well-equipped and well-laid out, according to guests.
There was a sense from guests that there was good value received for the room rate. Several guests said the hotel was affordable.
Several guests found that having so many different on-site activities to choose from enhanced their stay.
The Bad
The bulk of the reviews used for this analysis were favourable but there were some common complaints. Guests most often complained about aging decor and about noise disturbances.
A few guests suggested that the hotel was aging and that updates would be a good idea. Common areas like the pool, lobby and hallways needed the most attention, according to guests.
Guests complained of thin walls and said that they could distinctly hear conversations from guests in neighbouring rooms. They suggested that more could be done to soundproof the walls.
A couple of guests complained about the lack of elevator in this two-storey hotel and said that it was particularly difficult for guests with mobility issues. The hotel is set in a hillside, and there are a large number of stairs to use to get down to the beach and outdoor pool areas, which could prove a challenge for some.
TripAdvisor.com guest reviewers ranked this hotel #12 out of 17 hotels in Huntsville based on 47 reviews.
Booking.com guest reviewers rated this hotel 8 out of 10 based on 42 reviews.
Expedia.ca guest reviewers rated this hotel 4 out of 5 based on 56 reviews.
The author called the hotel on February 8, 2013 to verify some information.
