Hidden Valley Resort, an Ascend Collection Resort

I drove four hours expecting a resort stay, but the restaurant wasn’t functioning and the pool and hot tubs were closed. None of those closures had been disclosed when I booked or before arrival, and those amenities were a big part of why I chose the property. We basically just slept and left. The resort price for that experience is unjustifiable. The room and service fell short as well. The heater didn’t work and there was no hot water. What they called breakfast was more like snacks, yet it cost extra. There was no dental kit, and I was told one would be chargeable if I asked for it. Worse, there wasn’t any toothpaste or toothbrush available to buy, something I’d expect even at a budget hotel. The whole stay felt misleading and careless, with essential services missing. This property shouldn’t market itself as a resort.

The ski area is beautiful, but this review is about the resort. The room was clean and the view was nice, though I won’t return. It costs twice as much as any downtown place, and you still have to drive to the ski area, so I don’t see the point. On top of the room rate there’s a $39 nightly resort fee for internet and pool use. The heating system and fridge were both so loud they kept me awake. Lift tickets are overpriced, so just buy them online. I had no warm water around 9 am. Breakfast was only available until 10, not 11 as the room brochure said, and if you arrive at 0950, there’s a good chance the coffee is already gone.

The two things this resort has going for it are its location in the Huntsville area and pleasant staff. The rest of our one-night stay was a letdown. Parking was terrible, and the lobby was unkempt. Our room’s laminate floor had gaping spaces where it was separating, the bathroom doors were filthy, and the soap dispensers looked as if they’d been pulled off and put back randomly. The shower barely had a trickle or weak spray, and we could hear every word from the adjoining room. The pool and hot tub area looked dated and poorly maintained, with lots of visible rust. It closed promptly at 9:00 pm, and the doors had to be secured manually with a padlock. That kept people out, but felt odd for a polished resort. Outside, the grounds also needed attention. Be careful on the stairs to the decks off the Birches restaurant: they slope left and the boards are soft. After paying a hefty rate, we hoped breakfast would be something to look forward to. Instead, there were slimy eggs, overcooked pancakes, and watered-down coffee. I guess that’s what $16 a person gets you at the buffet. The website photos gave us the wrong impression.

There were lots of family activities, including pedal boating, kayaking, a swimming beach, and games. Parking was convenient and accessible for the elders travelling with us. We didn’t eat at the restaurant, but it looked clean and well kept. This felt peaceful and better managed than bigger resorts. We’d gladly come back for longer, perhaps in winter to explore town and seasonal activities. Our standard room at Hidden Valley Resort was clean and well maintained during our June 25-26 overnight stay. We saw staff keeping the place tidy all day. The check-in was the one disappointment: the staff member wasn’t welcoming and gave us no information about the resort or area.