Spruce-lodge

Spruce Lodge felt like a relaxing home away from home, and we thought we got our money’s worth. One family member who travels a lot was impressed, which says something. We’d rent it again if another event brings us to Montana. The rustic interior was just right, and the home was spacious and comfortable. The grocery store is only a few minutes away, and the kitchen had everything our food-loving family needed. There were plenty of towels and sheets, which we appreciated. The view from the deck was spectacular, with the mountains near Yellowstone, afternoon deer and magpies to watch. We also liked having the Weber grill there. The heating and AC system could be easier to use. We’d read that there was no air conditioning, but there is; still, the heat was hard to figure out, and the basement was usually much colder than upstairs. Clear operating instructions would help. A few other things could use attention: there’s no TV on the main level, which was a big letdown, and the master bedroom TV didn’t work, with only a DVD player available. We noticed some tase in the grass near the hot tub. The trash was collected Wednesday rather than Friday, the entry screen door wouldn’t lock, and the light switches had confusing labels. There wasn’t an outdoor fire pit for the s’mores kit we paid for, which seemed odd. The blind strings were broken in the loft and master bedroom, and the dishwasher’s lower tray can roll out if you’re not careful, as if it wasn’t installed quite right.