Paradise Canyon Golf Resort

We got in after 7 PM on Friday, but there was no one there until Monday at 9 AM. By then we were already on the road to Glacier National Park in the U.S. We left early Tuesday for Waterton National Park in Alberta, didn’t actually “check in” until Wednesday, and were leaving again on Friday. The room my wife and I slept in was the hottest in the condo. It wasn’t connected to the central A/C, and had no vents, just a small wall unit blowing right at our faces all night. Our friends were freezing in their room while trying to get ours cool enough to sleep. The bed was hard and uncomfortable, and the resort is tucked away in a dead-end canyon with just one way in and out, adding 15 minutes to the start and end of each commute. The towel exchange on Wednesday went well. The woman was friendly and ready to get us whatever we needed, including towels, toilet paper, and tissues.

The rooms were dated, and the toilets didn’t work well. One didn’t work at all. We stayed in unit 403b, with a family and kids right above us. The lack of insulation meant we heard every word, every footstep and stomp, and every time someone ran water or flushed. The staff were nice and the area was pretty, but those are the only good things I can say. I wouldn’t stay here again.

The area is gorgeous, which somehow makes the rooms feel even worse. The above-ground rooms are dated and musty, while the basement suites are damp, with mildew in the carpets. They’re borderline unlivable if you have any kind of lung issue. There are a lot of rules, including one that feels borderline racist about strong-smelling fish and spicy dishes. I didn’t expect a lot for the price, but some maintenance is expected. They should put as much care into the rental units as they do into the golf course.

The servers were quite great, but the Mother’s Day brunch buffet was a letdown. For $40 a person, we expected better quality and more variety. The eggs Benedict was cheaply made with deli ham instead of back bacon, and the eggs were overcooked. A lot of the food seemed fairly cold, too. The bacon and freshly made omelettes were the only things that weren’t too bad. The desserts seemed to be premade squares and cookies brought in, rather than anything made in-house. I’d like to think we might try again next year in case things change, but I’m afraid this experience may keep us from returning.