ALASKA LAKE and LODGE AT LONGMERE

The rooms are apartment style, very clean, and the building is brand new. The location is great, though right beside the road, so cars can be heard passing. We had no trouble sleeping. Check-in was difficult to sort out. I'd seen other reviews mentioning trouble getting the access code, so I called several days ahead to ask how it worked. No one answered any of my calls, and I left two voicemails. I then tried messaging through Expedia, but got no reply there either. On the morning of check-in, I received a text from another number saying the code had been sent the night before and again that morning, and giving me the code and 4 p.m. check-in time. I thanked them and explained I hadn't received any email or instructions until then. When we arrived, the directions still didn't say which unit we'd booked. I texted to ask and got a call a few minutes later. The woman on the phone sounded frustrated as she said she'd sent me three Expedia messages. It did seem like a technical problem, since none had reached me, but I felt uncomfortable, as if I were an inconvenience for trying to check in. Expedia says there's a virtual front desk and asks guests to reach out ahead of time for instructions. Another family arrived after us and seemed just as confused. They said they'd tried calling and messaging through booking.com and hadn't heard back either. I like the idea of a virtual front desk, but it needs to work better or be handled differently, since this sounds like a recurring problem. I can understand that it must be frustrating for the property too, but as a guest I shouldn't feel blamed. The rooms and location have lots of potential. Customer service needs some work, and that's the only reason I'd hesitate to stay again.

The property is just outside town, with easy parking, and turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Our two-bedroom unit had a furnished kitchen, and all the rooms were tastefully decorated. It was new, clean, and spacious. The family managing the place were very helpful, and we really appreciated their hospitality. We had a great stay.

I hate leaving a bad review, but this place made an expensive vacation miserable, and people should know what happened. There was no one on site when we arrived, and no check-in instructions. I called several times with no answer. After about 30 minutes, I was about to leave and look for another hotel when they called back and gave me a keypad code to unlock the door. Over the next few days, several other guests came to my door looking for the office and asking how to get in. They couldn't reach anyone by phone either, and went through the same thing. The room looked nothing like the photos, and it was very loud. We could hear people in the rooms on both sides talking, watching TV, and even snoring through the night. There's also a busy highway right behind the property, so the traffic was so loud we could barely hear our own TV unless it was turned all the way up. The listing gave the impression of a lake or a lake view, but the lake is down the street and we couldn't see it at all. The bathroom window wouldn't close. If you want natural air conditioning, you might like that, but the room gets very cold. I was very disappointed.

The owner took great care of my father and me, anticipating what would help us, including putting us on the ground floor so my 91-year-old dad didn't need to climb stairs. She also gave us useful ideas for things to see and do and even booked a table for us at The Flats Bistro. The lodge is conveniently about 5-8 minutes from town, restaurants, and shopping. It's across the street from Longmere lake, which you can see through the trees from the upstairs rooms and suites. I stayed at this brand new lodge in May 2023, and it was amazing. The rooms are huge and comfortable, with high-quality furnishings, linens, towels, sheets, and comforters. The mattresses were so good I tried to find out who made them so I could buy one. Lying down felt like sinking into a cloud. The bathroom is large and has a great soaking tub and shower. I'd highly recommend it for fishing, snowmobiling, sightseeing, hunting, ATV riding, or a visit to the area.