Ripplecove Lakefront Hotel

The view across the water is beautiful, and the place feels so peaceful. Our room was immaculate, quiet, relaxing, and really pretty, just like the main inn. Dinner was delicious and beautifully prepared, and our waiter was lovely. There were lots of large parties, so service seemed stressed and we felt a bit forgotten, but he was gracious, apologized for the slow service and for us being cold by the door, and we understood. We ate late at a table near the entrance on a very cold night, and I was freezing through dinner. Dress warmly here, since it can be chilly by the water. Next time I’d book an earlier dinner so we can enjoy the meal more. Brunch the next morning was delicious too. We sat outside under a heat lamp and were actually warmer than indoors. Everyone working there was kind and pleasant. We hope to return with our family for another weekend. It’s a special spot.

The room was clean, cozy, and nicely put together, with thoughtful touches and a beautiful lake view. The bed was excellent. The pool and hot tubs facing the lake were also very well done, with lovely views and landscaping, though there were no towels when we visited. The bar and bistro had a limited menu but more reasonable prices, excellent atmosphere, and very good service. I’d eat there again. The main dining room is beautiful, with a solarium facing the lake and tasteful, classy finishes. I liked that they kept the old 'boat' bar from its days as a fishing lodge. At check-in, the woman at the front desk couldn’t speak any English. I’m bilingual, so it wasn’t a problem for me, but fluent English at reception seems basic when guests arrive from all over. Breakfast was a buffet with one à la carte choice. It was average at best: the croissants were good, but the other items weren’t anything special. I’ve had better airport hotel buffets, and I work in the airline industry, so that’s not an exaggeration. The two lattes we ordered were cold and just bad. It wouldn’t have been a huge issue if the bill weren’t over $170 for two people, or $192 with tip. That’s no misprint. Almost $200 for an average breakfast buffet feels like plain and simple price gouging. Years ago, locals, including me, used to come for Sunday brunch. It wasn’t cheap then, but it wasn’t outlandish like this. The restaurant was for guests only during our stay and nowhere near full, so there’s a reason locals don’t come in for a treat. Breakfast gets 2.5 stars from me. For context, Ripple Cove Inn and Hovey Manor were both owned by the Stafford Family until 2017, which explains why the uniforms and atmosphere feel so similar. Ripple Cove is now completely owned by a developer, Laliberte. I went to Champlain College and Bishops University in nearby Lennoxville, and have watched both inns change over the years, for better and for worse. We’d return to Ripple Cove, maybe eat at the bistro or bar, but skip the breakfast buffet. Check online for better package deals. Perhaps they offer brunch at a reasonable price for special occasions. It’s a beautiful inn overall, so 4 stars.

We booked at the last minute after deciding to spend time in the area. I was a little concerned during check-in, but seeing the room and facilities quickly put me at ease. The room was perfect: comfortable beds, clean and quiet, with an amazing lake view. We enjoyed the hot tub, sauna, and paddle boat, then finished the day with cocktails and appetizers at the bar. Everything felt peaceful and just right for a relaxing escape. Highly recommend.

Ripplecove had been part of our family celebrations for generations, and after years of staying at Manoir Hovey with admiration for its flawless service, we decided to make Ripplecove our new place. I shared our family history and photos of weddings and gatherings there. On that first visit, every meal at the restaurant felt special. We ordered tasting menus and chose lovely bottles of wine. Even the checkout attendant seemed surprised by the total, but we thought the experience made it worthwhile. The second visit was the opposite. The staff had a poor attitude, service felt disorganized, and our room hadn’t been cleaned properly. Just weeks after raving about the property, we could hardly believe it was the same place. When we raised our concerns, the responses felt arrogant and insincere, with no care or accountability. I expect a generic reply telling me to contact guest relations, or perhaps a response from the indifferent front desk manager. Future guests should lower their expectations. For a true 5-star experience, book at Manoir Hovey. Ripplecove remains completely in its shadow. Some things are meant to stay in the past. Yikes!