We were excited to be at the best lodge in the small town of Hope!
Beautiful setting for rustic cabin experience. The greatest food for miles and miles - worth it for that alone. Melanie is a master chef and accommodated us with wonderful gluten free organs food that tasted out of this world!
Hosts work really hard on their lovely business and area - great burled railings, sweet creek, fire pit, dry sauna, landscaping, all really nice.
but,
the premier cottage the only one with indoor private bathroom and kitchen is still not up to the quality of the rest of the lodge. I'll bet it will soon be complete with a bit of maintenance.
The hosts indeed tried to make up for the broken coffee pot by offering their own french press and having coffee available at the restaurant. We appreciated that. But the kitchen needs some utensils, a spatula..., the threshold between entrance and linoleum is not attached and could cut a foot... new carpet...
I need to mention the beds. We hope the owners can soon replace both the double in the bedroom and the futon in the living room. They are quite unacceptable for the price being asked to lodge in the cottage.
The good things are the wonderful bird feeder off the big window in the cottage living room and the great heat if needed, large space but seems to me a lot of...We were excited to be at the best lodge in the small town of Hope!
Beautiful setting for rustic cabin experience. The greatest food for miles and miles - worth it for that alone. Melanie is a master chef and accommodated us with wonderful gluten free organs food that tasted out of this world!
Hosts work really hard on their lovely business and area - great burled railings, sweet creek, fire pit, dry sauna, landscaping, all really nice.
but,
the premier cottage the only one with indoor private bathroom and kitchen is still not up to the quality of the rest of the lodge. I'll bet it will soon be complete with a bit of maintenance.
The hosts indeed tried to make up for the broken coffee pot by offering their own french press and having coffee available at the restaurant. We appreciated that. But the kitchen needs some utensils, a spatula..., the threshold between entrance and linoleum is not attached and could cut a foot... new carpet...
I need to mention the beds. We hope the owners can soon replace both the double in the bedroom and the futon in the living room. They are quite unacceptable for the price being asked to lodge in the cottage.
The good things are the wonderful bird feeder off the big window in the cottage living room and the great heat if needed, large space but seems to me a lot of wasted space unless you bring a pack of kids and put them down on the floor in sleeping bags. Then it makes sense. We appreciated the parking space for loading and the ramp to the entrance. Loved the front deck when we used the Alaskan Perfume - citronella for the mosquitoes:)
Alaska is a rough hewn, remote land, folks. Just expect that. Generally speaking - there might be a bit of Independent Free spirits in the population who are in "survival mode", not so keen on customer service, resentment, sarcastic, wish they didn't need to rely on tourism to make ends meet. I get that. It's a PUSH for many.
But "It's Alaksa, get used to it!"
The Bowmans are sincere, creative, kind and really nice folks. Keep up the wonderful things you do and hopefully the budget will allow the improvements. Bet it keeps evolving. Keep making great music with your home!
DO stay there for the food, the atmosphere and property.More
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