Adventures on the Gorge

The Lower New River full-day rafting was the highlight. JV Keener explained the safety rules and pointed out the scenery along the way, while keeping everyone safe and making sure we had a lot of fun. We'd gladly come back next summer for the Gauley. We stayed one night in a cabin to be near the trip. It was clean and roomy, and Canyon Rim Visitor Center was only about a five-minute drive away. The people and service were great too. I'd recommend the company.

The rafting, ziplining, and horseback riding were all AWESOME, and I wish I remembered every guide's name so I could compliment them. The front desk staff were nice, especially the older lady. Since we've visited so often, a welcome-back greeting would be a nice touch. Rendezvous seems to be improving, and the pool itself is great, though being asked to leave every 45 minutes is frustrating. The lifeguards are good but looked short staffed, so a few more hires might help. There were a lot of letdowns with food and drinks. Chettys was closed and the website hadn't been updated. Smokey's still isn't good, and $20 for side shrimp feels crazy. Most bartenders didn't seem to know how to make drinks, and I had the worst Margeritta. I saw one employee struggling and the leader just said, "Send me a photo(Lazy)." Good leadership should support the team. Employees seemed lost overall, which looked like a training and leadership problem. I saw the FB leader sitting and playing on a phone. Fayetteville's local restaurants do so well, so I wonder why AOG doesn't, maybe they need to pay more or learn from popular places in town. The cabin, Heaven help us, was nice enough, but the stereo didn't work and the TV could use an update. Bugs got into the cabin, then stopped after we put a towel at the top of the lower window. I'd suggest ductless A/C with two heads and one outdoor unit, or sealing the tops of the windows. The cabin needs a deep clean. The hot tub jets kept popping out, though we still enjoyed using it. We'll probably return, but I do wonder whether Aramark is ruining the Resort.

We stayed at the RV site and fit in lots of activities: ziplining, rafting, hiking, restaurants, and the pool. Ben and Maja were great guides on the river, and everyone we met on staff was friendly. After just the first day, I was already messaging friends to tell them to bring their families too. Thanks, AOTG!

The Kaymoor cabin was a pleasant surprise for a little over $100 a night. It had a nice design, WiFi, and outlets with USB ports built in, which came in handy if you forget your charging plug. It also felt peaceful while still being close to the activities. We had another room next door, and we could hear the neighbors a little, but it wasn't disruptive. The staff at Adventures on the Gorge are consistently friendly and helpful. This is a real gem in West Virginia, and I'd happily recommend it.