Avola Mountain Lodge

I booked a pet-friendly room at Avola Mountain Lodge and paid a $28 pet fee for my small dog. It was raining, so some mud or grass on the towels seemed like a predictable part of staying with a pet. After checkout, I was charged another $20 for towel replacement because of grass and dirt stains. To me, that felt like being charged twice for a normal, foreseeable mess. I asked for photos and evidence that the towels couldn't be cleaned, but the hotel didn't respond. Expedia also contacted them for me, and they still declined to refund the charge. I wouldn't recommend this place to people traveling with pets. This is in response to the owner's reply to my original review. I appreciate the explanation, but it reinforces my concern about double-charging. I paid the pet fee expecting it to cover extra cleaning for my small dog. In rainy weather, grass or mud on towels is hardly surprising. The hotel didn't answer my emails or provide photos, proof of permanent damage, or details of the claimed multiple laundering attempts. Without that evidence, charging for replacement on top of the pet fee seems unreasonable. Other pet owners should know that an extra charge may still come up for something predictable like rain.

We won't stay again. For $140.67 including tax through Hotels.com, I just can't recommend it. There were several problems: the stairs were very uneven, with heights that seemed to vary from step to step, which felt dangerous when tired. The stair and banister railings also had gaps I considered too wide and a serious fall risk for small children. The bathtub had no plug. I was told they were waiting on parts from Edmonton. When I asked the night staff for two towels so my children could bathe, she started with a very abrupt no, and I had to convince her. To be fair, the booking site hadn't passed along the ages of my children, even though I entered them. I understand that could mean last-minute adjustments were needed to fit two extra people.

We needed a room late at night, and the Filipino couple who own the place were incredibly helpful. They even put together a snack bag for us, which was thoughtful since breakfast isn't included. We had our dog with us, and it's a pet-friendly hotel, though dogs shouldn't be on the bed anyway. We felt listened to and cared for. I'd choose this lodge over any Quality or Comfort Inns. 10/10, we'd stay again.

Bad highway conditions brought us to Avola Lodge. The staff were so friendly and even brought us snacks when the only restaurant in town was closed. The rooms were clean and roomy. I'd definitely stay again.