This review is from a recent experience at the Elk Meadows Lodge and RV Resort located in Estes Park, Colorado. We had previously stayed at this resort and were hoping to recap some pleasant memories from the past. Not to be so.
We had a family gathering of 3 families and chose to have an RV site as well as an adjoining cabin. We arrived and set up camp, enjoyed a fun family evening and then set off to bed. That is when it all went south. The cabin was overrun by bedbugs and mites. Our 1 and 3 year old granddaughters were covered and were of course scared and upset. Their parents too now clearly were experiencing similar issues with the bugs. Literally, there were so many, they were climbing the walls. At 3:30 in the morning, there was no alternative but to take the family to the bathhouse, strip them clean of all infested garments, bathe them, and then find alternative clothing. EVERYTHING in the cabin had to be removed, cleaned, or washed to attempt to rid the family and possessions of these horrible parasites.
Of course, we needed some help and immediately called the “Emergency” number listed on our check-in materials. What? No answer. Let’s try again. VOICE MAIL? Yes, this was the response from the emergency number. Six attempts later, we finally got a reply. The reply came with sympathy but no support. “Stop by in the morning after 8:00 and we will see what we can do.” Are you kidding me? This is how they handle an emergency? Just think…..
So the next morning, I was given some change to wash/dry our clothes and the cabin was refunded as it was non-usable. Washing clothes took the better part of the morning as everything needed to be cleaned. So much for our Estes Park plans. Following the washing session, we decided as a family that the ten of us could not stay in the trailer and that we would have to go home. We were offered a Tee-Pee as a compensation for the bugs. Understand you have to have your own bedding? Oh that’s right, it was full of bugs from the cabin. Their reply “We have some old sleeping bags that someone left”. Their solution. I asked for an obvious refund. Their maintenance issue had caused us to leave. No word from the owner. They replied, “Well, he is in the canyon and can’t be reached.” For what it's worth, cell service is strong throughout the canyon and front range. Well, he is in meetings and asked not to be bothered. (I guess we are a bother when his cabins are full of bugs). We NEVER had a chance to discuss the issue with him. The staff also, refused to communicate with us for the next several days as we tried to move the process forward for a possible refund and compensation for lost items. We had to leave our “Pak-N-Play” for obvious reasons. Again the management’s reply “Well, we emailed him and left a voice message”…. Little effort on the part of the staff but NO EFFORT from the owner. How sad. One begins to see why the reviews are so low. I asked to talk to the owner.
Finally, we have had to go through our credit card company to protest this charge. As of today, there has been NO RESPONSE from Elk Meadows as well. Thank goodness for the support we received from the card company.
Things happen. I understand that. But it is how businesses respond that makes them poor, good, or great. Sadly we experienced how “POORLY” Elk Meadows handles situations. They don’t. Take this for what it is. You may enjoy your stay there but understand if you have issues, you may be on your own. You decide on your next trip. There certainly are other choices as well as the National Park. Read the other reviews and I am guessing you may make other choices. I know we are done with Elk Meadows and will certainly network with other RV’rs as we can.
Signed,
What bugs me