The Lodge at Banner Elk

This was our second year in a row at The Lodge, and the staff's excellent service, especially at the front desk, is the main reason we returned. The two rooms were good and connected, which was a nice bonus. The location worked well again, close to Sugar and Grandfather Mountains and Hawksnest Tubing.

We had a great time skiing, but ended up leaving after two nights and driving five hours home so we could sleep in our own beds. The rooms let you hear EVERYTHING outside, above, and next door. Construction was unbearable, starting too early and ending too late, and workers parked in front of the only rooms open to the public, making it a pain to park near our room after skiing late. The sidewalk outside our room was mopped five times in two days, yes, the sidewalk. The room floors had old orange peels and dust bunnies on them. The bedspread was as thin as the sheets, there were only three towels for four of us, and the toilet had old pee around the seat hinges. The bathroom ceiling was crumbling and chipped, and our door wouldn't close all the way, leaving a huge gap. Breakfast was awful. The large chairs were too bulky for the tight room, and we needed chairs at the table. The office staff were friendly when we arrived, but I'd pay more to stay somewhere else.

We've stayed here a couple of times for skiing at Sugar and Beech, and the location works well between the two resorts, though it's closer to Sugar. Customer service has been a highlight too, everyone we've met has been great. On one trip, fresh snow made the Airbnb we booked unreachable. Some of those driveways are steep, but the lodge sits right off the main road and has a flat parking lot. We could get in without spinning out.

We enjoyed our stay, and the welcoming staff were friendly to guests and workers alike. We first stayed here back when it was a Best Western, and still love how close it is to the center. The new name suits the location. I appreciate that the renovation is shown up front when booking, so there are no surprises. I'm sure the place will be terrific when the project is finished, and I expect the rooms and toilets will be updated along the way.