River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant

The dinner at the restaurant was really good, from the $50 stroganoff and $12 cheeseburger to the cocktail and chocolate tarte. Pearl and the rest of the staff were lovely and attentive, and the atmosphere felt relaxing. The continental breakfast also had a good selection. In the hotel room, I appreciated the river view from the balcony and the comfortable bed and pillows. There was a separate thermostat for the main room and bathroom, plus a mirror nook for makeup apart from the sink. It had an iron, fridge, coffee maker, and small dining table, but no microwave. I didn't see air conditioning, though there was a fan. Thanks to the front desk woman working on 2/14, who was accommodating, friendly, and professional.

One thing to watch out for: the heater gets very hot, so be careful about leaving it on when you go out. Snow plows can also block cars in the middle of the lot, so parking along the building is safer. The place has a cozy, clean, traditional cabin feel, with a great location and a good restaurant and bar. Service there was quick and friendly. The people were responsive and respectful, matched my energy, and went out of their way to give me useful tips.

The service was wonderful, and Grandma loved her butternut squash ravioli. I enjoyed my wine, too. But the food and setting were a letdown. The room was freezing, even after we moved away from the windows, and the harsh LED light at the table made the menu hard to read. The menu itself was confusing and inaccurate. My husband's pork chop and my elk were fatty, with little edible meat. I got about two quartered fingerling potatoes and a few thin carrots that were cold and undercooked, not much food for $47. The Brussels sprout appetizer was overcooked and smothered in aioli, with only a few shishitos. The entryway was dirty and the bathroom door grimy. I'm sorry for the lovely, professional staff to post this, but the owner needs to give the place more care. I've had decent meals here before, so this one was especially sad. I'm embarrassed for my town.

The patio is a great place to sit for the river view, and everyone was friendly and courteous. Food options were very limited because of the Memorial Day holiday, but I was just glad they were open.