Skytop Lodge
Reviews
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating:
1447 ReviewsLatest TripAdvisor Reviews
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Girls' Weekend Perfection!
We chose Skytop to celebrate a birthday with old friends and needed a spot convenient for VA, NY and NJ. It was so much fun and there were so many activities to choose from.
Activities:
-HIKING - The BEST thing we did was we went on 2 hikes with Rick the naturalist, and can't believe it was included in the price! He's fascinating and just so knowledgeable. We did the Falls Ramble and the Lemon Squeeze Hike. Both say "challenging" on the brochure, which they are, but we were able to complete them. Cannot recommend his hikes enough.
-AXE THROWING - We also had a BLAST doing the axe throwing. We signed up for the last time of the night (8pm) so it was just the three of us - so fun! (I did hear the next day there was a lot of people in the daytime group, which might not have been as fun)
-LAKE WALK - we did a walk around the lake on our own - about 2 miles.
-Tea Time and Dancing at night were lovely.
-SPA - I had a great facial with Victoria and genuinely appreciated that she didn't try to upsell me. My friends didn't love their massages but were ok with them. Spa is very small but clean. Tip is included in the price, which was a nice surprise.
Room:
We were in a cottage. Don't be fooled by the photos - the beds are relatively small, so I ended up on the pull out couch, which was literally just springs. Next night they did send over a cot which was MUCH better, but I wish I had known and just brought an air mattress. We did like the size of the cottage - and it has a little deck which would be nice in the summer. Brought our own snacks/drinks and put them in the fridge. You do have to walk a bit to get to the main lodge so be prepared for that (we were told there was a shuttle if we wanted but we didn't use).
Service:
The people were SO friendly and accommodating. And Tim, the manager, came around both nights at dinner. After he found out we were celebrating a big birthday he had flowers, cards and balloons sent to the room, which was a lovely surprise. Everyone at the front desk and concierge were extremely helpful.
Food:
We had fantastic burgers at the Pub, and almost wish we didn't go to the Windsor Room for dinner the 2nd night. It was a little pricey for what it was. But the buffet breakfast was included with the package we got and it was pretty standard, very good omelet bar.
FYI - the Website does not do this place justice (and could use an update)! But the pre-arrival concierge on the website WAS helpful.
OVERALL - just a fun place - we really want to come back in the summer to check out what they have to offer then! -
Beautiful property
I visited Skytop for my birthday weekend. The hotel is very unique and beautiful. I wanted to get away from a big city life and spend sometime in the nature. It is a perfect place for a quiet getaway. The food was delicious and stuff was very friendly and welcoming. Will definitely come back again.
Owner Response
I was thrilled you had the opportunity to enjoy Skytop and it appears you captured the true essence! We look forward to your return.
All the best,
Jeff
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Not worth the money! Atmosphere feels heavy, not happy. Needs overhaul of upper management.
General staff is friendly however it's apparent they are trained and led by upper management with fear versus motivation and positive training. You have a good staff waiting to be motivated in a positive way, It was noticeable (and overheard) that the staff are always preoccupied with fearing being in trouble from upper management. Definitely needs positive management. Additionally, I found it appalling to have a "TIP JAR" at the bottom of the tubing hill while visiting last weekend. After paying for all the amenities of this stay and paying additional for tubing, I found it uncomfortable. I felt compelled and pressured by staff to contribute.
Owner Response
Sorry to read about your experience. I must say that Skytop is only as good as our Team, and we are great because of Team Skytop. Hope you'll consider us in the future.
All the best,
Jeff
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Lovely place old charm
This place has an old charm and a wonderful feel to it very homey and elegant. At the same time some of the rooms are old and outdated. Certainly pricey but we would definitely return again. Sky top has a beautiful property and also lots to do with family there. Especially during the holidays you feel this is the place to be and it's just lovely.
Owner Response
I appreciate your kind words and admiration for Skytop. Much to do and look forward to your return!
All the best,
Jeff
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So much potential
We visited Skytop for a milestone birthday celebration with 21 people. This was the third visit for this group so we love what Skytop offers - family accommodations, several activities, the ability to eat together.
We have been at Skytop three times in January/February - one time the property was covered in snow, one time we experienced a tornado and power outage and this time we had an ice storm. The resort was able to entertain and feed us in all of these scenarios.
We always stay in the cottages which each are two sets of two connecting rooms. It really works for families of up to 6.
This trip we went tubing in the pouring rain and everyone had a ball. Towards the end of our time on the hill they shut down one of the two tracks because it was getting dangerously slippery. The staff was very kind to be out in the rain to run the lift. It costs $10 per person and you have to fill out a lengthy release of claims form for each participant so allow time to do that. Frustratingly, despite being the only participants for tubing, the staff asked me not to park in the tubing parking lot but instead park at the ski lift parking lot (which is not far but it was pouring). I feel like this is evidence of an overall theme I have about our stay: there is not a service mindset at the resort. Staff is friendly but i one expressed any inclination to be attentive or proactive. This was wildly apparent in the main dining room where each dinner took almost 3 hours. Again, the staff is kind and friendly but no one seems to be hustling or motivated to create a positive experience.
Skytop has the right elements - it just needs the right management to motivate staff to enhance the service to align with the grandeur of the property.Owner Response
Thank you for taking the time to write your review. It appears there's much history and fond memories with Skytop. I appreciate your concerns regarding attentiveness and will certainly address those concerns.
Looking forward to your next visit.
-Jeff
