Big Cedar Lodge

The third cabin was finally the cozy one-bedroom cabin we usually book, and it was perfect. Abby helped us get settled and comped us a meal, though there was mold in the cheese when I went to eat it. By then I just wanted to go home. We’ve made this trip every year for more than a decade to celebrate our anniversary, and this was our 20th. We really needed some time away after losing my mom, brother, and dad within months of one another. Instead, ants in the first cabin meant waiting four hours outside the resort while staff said they’d come spray. Nobody showed up, and no one apologized. Two hours after I called again, they brought bait traps. The next morning ants were in the bed, bathroom, and everywhere else. Then we had to pack up and wait another four hours outside for a second cabin. When it was ready, we found two toenails on the nightstand beside the phone. My husband eventually reached Abby at the front desk, who tried to make things right, but the repeated moves and waiting took up more of the trip than relaxing did. I don’t think we’ll be back.

The food was a letdown too: each on-site meal meant at least a 40-minute wait, and it arrived lukewarm or cold. Prices were far too high for what we got, including the room. At $150 a night we might have been okay with it, but $300-plus felt like a rip-off. Registration parking was also a joke, with too few spaces. Our room disappointed us as soon as we walked in. We usually choose four- or five-star hotels, and this felt like a Motel 8 dressed up in rustic decor. The bathroom seemed cheap, with shower walls that flexed inward, and the window lit up the whole room when our kids used the bathroom at night. It smelled musty, the carpet needed cleaning, and cold air came through the gappy door. We heard people on both sides and above us all night. It may have been nice in the 90s, but now it badly needs updating. I got the impression remodeling is being put off until enough complaints come in. We left a day early; our kids called it a tourist trap. As we packed, a wife arriving a few doors down asked how much they had paid when she saw the room. The luxury-in-the-wilderness idea is possible, but this place missed it by a lot. We were very disappointed with what our vacation cost.

We’ve stayed in the cabins and glamping tents, and I’ve also styled event setups in the Governor’s Suite through my work as a balloon artist and event stylist. My family has visited as guests too, and every experience has been exceptional. Staff hospitality, service, and attention to detail have been phenomenal. The grounds are peaceful and breathtaking, and feel thoughtfully preserved. We’ve enjoyed the amenities, time by the lake, and exploring the property. Big Cedar Lodge has been wonderful for us, whether for a day out, a weekend away, or a special celebration. I’d recommend it to couples, families, or anyone wanting a beautiful escape.

Our four-year-old had a magical Christmas, and we were happy with the week overall. We stayed at Big Cedar in Falls Lodge, and the room was nice. The staff we met were kind, and the shuttle was handy, with no long waits. The grounds were well cared for and the Christmas decorations looked nice. We wished the weather had been colder, but enjoyed walking around and exploring. Food was the main drawback. The restaurants felt overpriced and didn’t offer many kid-friendly choices. Breakfast at Devils Pool cost $90 for our family of three and was subpar. We had a better breakfast at a Hampton Inn on the way there. Since the lodge is so far from other places to eat, there weren’t many alternatives nearby.