Idlewilde by the River

By Monday, my toes were painfully inflamed and I could barely walk. Urgent Care said I had a bacterial foot infection consistent with contaminated hot-tub water. I’d started feeling sick by the end of the weekend, after using the tub twice. We had arrived after dark and got in right away, then noticed in daylight that the water was cloudy and smelled odd. Since we’d already used it the night before, we assumed it was okay and went in again. We’d booked these vintage riverside cabins specifically for the hot tub and expected a relaxing weekend. Instead, I ended up with an infection, a doctor visit and extra costs. We’ve contacted the staff several times to request a refund and help with the medical bill, sent documentation, and given them chances to respond. We haven’t heard back at all. Based on what happened, I can’t recommend staying here. The hot tub didn’t appear to be properly maintained, and the property’s silence since then has been extremely concerning.

We expected an old, rustic cabin, but for the high price we paid, it should have been clean and maintained. Instead, I was concerned about the cleanliness of the bedding, blankets, towels, dishes, pans and utensils because the unit itself was so poorly cleaned. The bathroom was the worst part. The tiny shower was moldy, and its sunken floor was covered by a plastic mat we were afraid to lift because it looked like there might be mold underneath. The old, stained medicine cabinet hadn’t been cleaned and was unusable. The sink plug didn’t work properly and stayed closed, so the basin wouldn’t drain. Elsewhere, the kitchen floor hadn’t been washed, the dish drainer was moldy and filthy, and the trash can didn’t work and was dirty. The fridge was too small for four people, and dirty ice in the freezer melted onto the kitchen floor. The propane grill was so coated with old food that it seemed unsafe. Of all the places I’ve stayed in Estes, this was the worst. We complained to the office and were told management would get in touch, but no one has contacted us.

The setting and location are still the same after our three stays over more than ten years, but a lot else has declined. The cabins need repairs, the grounds are in worse shape, and the WiFi doesn’t work. Service has also lost the personal touch it used to have. Everything now goes through a central office, and they don’t respond to concerns the way the people in the office used to, when they were always happy to help.

We had comfortable beds, spacious rooms and gorgeous grounds, and elk came by and crossed the river. The bathroom was in good repair, and the shampoo, conditioner and wash were nice. I would come back, but the shower had no hot water until day three of our four-day stay, which was very aggravating. There were dirty ashtrays on the porch, the common area smelled of smoke, and the bathroom had no hand soap.