Dawson Falls Mountain Lodge

The staff were friendly enough, and the building and setting have real potential. As a local, I’d love to see the business do well, but there’s a lot that needs attention. We booked one of the pricier rooms, then left after seeing it and having dinner rather than staying overnight. The conservatory roof leaked, bathroom tiles were missing, and the shower had such poor pressure that it was barely usable. Flies filled the light above our table, and the expensive meals were bland and unappealing. We were asked to choose dinner within minutes of arriving, before we’d sat down, and had to sign a waiver covering damage to our electrical equipment. There were no signs for reception, parking, or the rooms. Put in some work and this place could be amazing.

We loved the lodge’s Swiss mountain feel and its spot up on the mountain. The rooms are beautifully rustic, and you can tell this was the previous owner’s life project. The hosts were lovely, the food was delicious, and we’ll be back. Please don’t tear it down!

The welcome was warm and homely, and our comfortable bed and linen kept us snug. We had a three course dinner that looked and tasted at home in a top restaurant, with something to suit most tastes. The new owners are updating the decor, which is already a tasteful mix of old and new. Driving through the magnificent tree tunnels gives you a sense of heading somewhere magical, and on arrival the upper mountain view is breathtaking when it’s not hidden by cloud. A lovely quiet place to relax and unwind.

The lodge has been demolished, and there’s a new building site that looks like it may not take much longer. The website still says it was due to reopen in mid 2024 and seems to have been left unattended for a long time. There’s no notice on Google Maps either, which doesn’t leave a good impression. Several people showed up today and were surprised to find nothing there.