Urban Cowboy Lodge

The Chalet was spacious, wonderful, and very clean. But kids had taken over the lodge and accommodations while their parents sat at the bar. They were using the bowling alleys and pool tables, so we couldn’t enjoy the amenities we’d booked the trip hoping to use. We spent $1,200 for two nights and weren’t able to enjoy any of the accommodations.

We had three bedrooms upstairs in the five-bedroom Slide Mountain house, each with a bathroom and two queen beds. Downstairs were two king rooms with one bathroom outside them. The house fit a lot of people, but it looked dated, with a 1990s kitchen and carpet and an obvious cutout in the cabinets where the dishwasher used to be. The rooms were cozy, though snacks and drinks in the fridge came at a significant extra charge on top of already expensive accommodations. At the lodge, we were offered bourbon or champagne at the bar. The bartender wasn’t very friendly, but everyone else on staff was. With seven of us, we had to arrange a set menu with the chef to eat in the dining room, so we ordered at the bar instead. Its tiny menu had a cheese board, salad, and burger, the only substantial item. When my sister asked which of the four items the bartender recommended, he said, “I don’t know what I recommend, I don’t know you or what you like!” The burgers were pretty good, and they had a gluten-free bun. We liked the cozy bar atmosphere, candles, and DJ while we ate. We enjoyed Ralph’s and its margarita pizza, though at the bowling you have to set up the pins and get your own ball. Afterward, the concierge came to help us start a fire at the house, but the wood was wet and it didn’t work too well. We walked around the property Saturday and booked the movie room, only to find it fit two people. That night we went to Peekamoose for dinner and really enjoyed it.

The food was the letdown. We tried seafood in red sauce, pork chops, and a cabbage salad appetizer, and all of it was bland and short on flavor. As New Yorkers who’ve eaten a wide range of cuisines, we found that especially disappointing given the setting and five-star rating. The property is beautiful, with a warm, inviting feel from the moment you arrive. Rustic lodge decor, live music, and a fireplace made it cozy and almost magical, the sort of place you want to linger in. I’d been wanting to see it, and though I couldn’t reserve a night, I stopped by for the atmosphere and food. Service was exceptional, too. The staff were attentive, kind, and genuinely welcoming all evening. I’d probably come back to stay overnight for the ambiance and hospitality, but generally skip the restaurant next time. The atmosphere and service stand out, while the kitchen hasn’t caught up.

The main dining room was the weak spot. Our $50 hanger steak came out cold, dangerously raw, and undercooked, so we sent it back. At breakfast, the hash brown patty tasted like it came straight from a supermarket freezer, and my sister’s Mexican egg bowl was mostly tortilla chips and cold black beans topped with one fried egg. The cooking fell flat and was really bad. I’d skip the main dining room and order from the bar instead. The burger was genuinely good and memorable. Otherwise, we had a great stay and would happily return. The property is beautiful, and the clean, charming accommodations felt like a country ranch. We got a complimentary bourbon or champagne when we arrived, the drinks were fantastic and fairly priced, and the staff were friendly and attentive. Our quiet, cozy room had heated floors and a bathtub, and it really felt like a private countryside inn. The kitchen has a few kinks to work out, but aside from that, we’d definitely come back.