Pinedale Lodge & Apartment

We arrived to a strong smell of rotting rubbish and piles of bottles. The property never sent us the access code, and nobody answered our calls, messages, texts, or emails, so our four generations of family had to find somewhere else to stay. The worst start to a family holiday. Do not book here.

We couldn't get into the place at the 3 pm check-in because we hadn't been sent the entry codes. It took an hour of waiting for a reply to our text and call. The fridge in the apartment wasn't working, and the hand soap and dishwashing liquid were both watered down and nearly empty. It seemed we'd arrived right after a big weekend party. There were empty beer bottles beside and under the lounge couch, rubbish including cans, cigarette butts and packets around the section, and rubbish still in the metal bin by the fire. The toilet seat wasn't attached, there was a puddle of urine beside the toilet, and the apartment bed had used sheets. The freezer had a bag of ice and empty ice bags, but there was no toilet paper. The little bunk room you enter from outside smelled and needed airing. Really, the bedding, carpets, couches and cushions all needed a deep clean.

I came with a friend and found a terrible parking lot, broken windows and rubbish waiting for us. The place looked abandoned. We lost more than $300 worth of hard-earned money and weren't offered a refund or even a chance to get one. Don't stay here.

The apartment is a short walk from the village centre, with food and a supermarket nearby. WiFi was fast, and reception worked fine, apparently thanks to a wireless repeater in the kitchen, maybe a new addition since earlier feedback. We rented the two-bedroom unit in its own block, separate from the main building's shared accommodation. It felt homely and cosy, with plenty of extra activities for children. The bathroom and eating area were cramped, though, and separate from the kitchen. Not bad for a short stay, but I'd pay a little more for somewhere roomier.