Seneca

We lucked into a stay at Snowshoe Mountain after deciding on a last-minute trip three days before Christmas. Our one-bedroom unit 116 in Seneca faced the pool, with a nice view of the large outdoor hot tub. It's an easy walk to ski rentals and lessons, and we had two gorgeous days on the slopes. Getting a restaurant reservation was tough, and often nobody answered the phone. The restaurants seemed very short-staffed. It is expensive, so next time we'll bring a crockpot and cook.

We came for Wanderlust and loved being right in the middle of the Village at Snowshoe, with everything close by. Indoor parking meant we didn't have far to walk. The room was clean and well maintained, and the kitchen had all the utensils we needed to cook. There was also a nice table and chairs on the balcony. We'd definitely return.

Seneca made the price work for me, especially with the Snowshoe deal for a free fourth night. The studio, Seneca 117, had dated furniture, but otherwise suited my needs. It even had Direct TV, which isn't included in every rental I've tried. I appreciated the bathroom hooks for towels, the two entrances, and the locker by the lobby for ski gear. I do wish there were sheer curtains, so daylight could come in without giving up privacy. Housekeeping isn't offered during a stay, though I had plenty of towels. The location is convenient for the slopes, shops, restaurants, and bars or venues, and Expedition Rentals is a very short walk away. Seneca is smaller and quieter than some of the Village buildings, with less elevator traffic. Only around 40% of owners rent their units, which gives the place more of a community feel. I had a nice chat with an owner in the large outdoor hot tub, and the front desk put out cookies Friday evening. There's also a private patio with a gas fireplace that gives off plenty of heat, so you can watch the sunset by the fire even if you don't use the tub. Other useful features include heated underground parking, an ice machine, and coin laundry.

This was our second year at Seneca, and we had another great trip. The rooms are a little dated, but when we're at Snowshoe, we're there for the mountain. Everything was clean, and the underground garage is a real help in bad weather. We'll absolutely stay at Seneca on our next visit.