Lansdowne Resort and Spa

Coton and Rye was a bright spot. The servers were busy, but did their best to look after everyone, and we enjoyed our earlier stays here. This visit may be our last, though. The corner room cost extra, but its bathroom was so cramped that I had to edge against the bathtub to close the door after stepping in to use the toilet. The room was larger, but had only a regular one-seater instead of a two-seater couch. It was also positioned in the middle of the floor plan as you came out of the elevators. The rooms feel dated. At checkout, the baggage concierge was absorbed in his phone and wouldn't help, though we could have used it. The front desk employee was curt when I mentioned a bill another guest might have left on the counter, saying, "It's not a bill, maam." When I asked whether our breakfast credits had been applied, he said, "I don't know. It may have." He wasn't outright rude, but he wasn't friendly either. My husband and I came for a few days away, relying on our past nice visits, and thought a corner room would be a treat. We paid almost $2K for three nights. That attitude and room don't feel like luxury. Too bad, since we'd enjoyed staying here before.

The beds are amazing, and the robes and washcloths feel high quality and lovely. The resort itself is beautiful, with a wonderful spa-like scent drifting through the lobby. #bliss This was my second visit. I like coming here for a staycation on my own, but I wouldn't necessarily pick it for a family trip. There's not enough for them to do unless they enjoy golf or the pool, which is nice but probably won't keep them entertained for long. Next time, I'd like to try a sound bath or spa treatment for a fuller experience.

The brunch staff were polite and helpful, and the food was good. The room, though, felt overpriced and underwhelming. We stayed overnight in the Alcove 1 bedroom suite for Mother's Day brunch, and it badly needs renovating and refurbishing. There were cracks and stains in the wallpaper, and marks on the furniture and couch. One piece of furniture looked so questionable I couldn't tell whether it was just old or hadn't been cleaned. The bathroom was spacious but poorly lit, and no better than a Best Western. If that's what I wanted, I would've stayed there. At check-in, the concierge employee asked for my ID and handed over the key card, but gave no directions to the elevators, as if he assumed I lived there. He seemed checked out for the night. Later, as we came to the desk to check out, the same employee avoided eye contact and appeared to take a three-second phone call. I'd always wanted to try Landsdowne, but I can't recommend it based on this visit.

The golf was the one part that lived up to what the sales team promised. The RTJ course is challenging, beautifully kept, and fun, and the range was good too, though the tees could be in better shape. Staff were excellent and attentive, the best part of the resort. C&R was okay, with good short ribs, but overpriced. The Market was nice, and the grab-and-go sandwiches were surprisingly good. Riverside breakfast cost too much for decent offerings. Piedmont's didn't impress: plastic cups for water, slow service, and average food, though the key lime pie was incredible. The room was fine, but needed basic upkeep. The faucet leaked, the toilet fill valve worked intermittently, the floor tiles were uneven, and it needed recaulking. The tub faucet was either hot or off, the window seals needed resealing, and the AC needed service. The resort is showing its age, and maintenance doesn't seem to be keeping pace. At the current nightly rate, I shouldn't have to wiggle the toilet fill valve to make it work. Paint needs attention, and patios should get regular bug treatment. I booked golf, spa, and restaurant reservations through the sales team, and they oversold the place as a luxury resort. Piedmont's was described as "fine-dining," and the spa as being in amazing condition and a "not miss" feature. I didn't find either to be true. The spa was overpriced and underwhelming for the cost, with a steel-box jacuzzi in poor condition and signs of mold on the walls. The massage was good, but not worth the price. They advertise a steam room and sauna as amenities, but you have to pay extra for them. My stay was good, but the nightly rate doesn't match the product.