Ripplecove Hôtel & Spa — Hotel in Ayer's Cliff

I didn't think Ripplecove was worth the price. The hotel itself is very beautiful, and I love the lake-side feel of everything. However, the service is not great, the location is remote, the restaurant is unbelievably expensive, and the rooms aren't as cute as the photos online make them look.

So, my wife and I booked two nights in May in one of the "deluxe rooms", because we saw the photos of the brick fireplaces and the beautiful lake view. When we showed up, there was construction all through the center of the hotel, which was not mentioned online. The view from our room was primarily construction, partially obscuring the view of the water. Also, because of the construction, the check-in team informed us that to get to our room from the lobby, we had to walk outside, then into the annex building, then down an elevator, then backtrack through some basement halls, then back up some stairs to our room. It was basically a 5 minute journey everytime we wanted to go to the lobby/dining area. Which would have been fine, but they never told us that the main hallway to our room actually re-opened during our stay. So for the entire duration of our stay, we did this ridiculous trek to get to our room, when we could have been walking in a beautiful main hallway for 30 seconds instead, had the check-in team just informed us. The room was pretty, but it was all renovated, and didn't have a nice brick fireplace or cute angled ceiling like we expected from the photos online. The fireplace was a nice touch, but it was incredibly complicated to turn on and off. There's no easy switch to do it, you have to actually prime it and toggle the temperature by a minimum of two degrees higher, and even through toggling the primer it sometimes doesn't work. We had to call maintenance twice to turn it on for us. So yes, the deluxe room was nice, but no, it was not a 5 star room, because it looked different than what my wife and I were expecting based on the photos, and the view was ruined by the construction that was not noted on the website.

Also, this hotel is in the middle of nowhere. I should have known this when booking, so that's partially on me, but seriously: It is in the middle of nowhere. There is nothing for miles beyond this hotel. Which wouldn't be much of an issue, had the pool been open or had there been really anything to do at the hotel beyond bike the biking trails. I guess May probably isn't the best time to be at this hotel, in the summer there would have been much more to do. However, even if there were more to do, we would still need to leave campus, because the food at the restaurant is not affordable at all for the average person. The breakfast menu alone was $40 a person, let alone the dinner menu, which was like $160 A PERSON!! We booked this hotel because we got a great deal on the rooms, and expected to be able to relax and unwind and stay on campus for two days. But with those prices for food, we had to leave the hotel for meals. However, there are no restaurants nearby, so we had to drive about 15-20 mins to the nearest town, for every meal each day we were there. You can't even get like pizza delivered or anything like that, because once again, this place is verrrry remote. Most resorts of this caliber have both an expensive dining option like the 7 course dinner menu, and an a la carte menu when you can dine for much cheaper, but Ripplecove doesnt offer that. Or at least didn't in May when we were there.

One more thing I should mention - the second night we were there, a very loud alarm went off throughout the night, about 3 or 4 times. My wife and I woke up everytime, very confused, and wandered out into the hallway, and there were other guests also confused and tired wandering around. In the morning I went and asked the attendant what the alarm was and she simply said "Ah yes, that was an issue with the fire alarm." No apology or anything. Terrible sleep that night.

I will say the hot tub deck is incredible, beautiful view and super relaxing. But ultimately, would not...

I recently had the pleasure of staying at the Ripplecove Hotel & Spa, and overall, it was a delightful experience with a few aspects that left me wanting more.

The first thing that struck me upon arrival was the stunning environment surrounding the hotel. Nestled alongside a serene lake, the picturesque view from the property was simply mesmerizing. The lush greenery and crystal-clear waters added a touch of tranquility to the entire stay, creating the perfect backdrop for a relaxing getaway.

The hotel's country-style architecture exuded warmth and charm, making the whole ambiance feel like a cozy and inviting retreat. From the charming wooden accents to the comfortable furnishings, every corner of the hotel was tastefully decorated, reflecting a rustic yet elegant charm.

I was fortunate enough to have a room facing the lake, and waking up to the breathtaking view of the sun glistening on the water was a truly magical experience. The room itself was spacious, well-appointed, and immaculately clean. The comfortable bed and premium linens ensured a restful night's sleep after a day of exploring the surrounding nature.

The hotel's restaurant was a pleasant surprise. Despite having a limited selection on the menu, the quality of the food was outstanding. My dining experience was truly enjoyable, and the dishes my companions and I ordered were all exceptionally delicious. The attentive and friendly staff at the restaurant further enhanced the overall dining experience.

However, there were a few issues that prevented me from giving this hotel a higher rating. Upon check-in, I was disappointed that the staff did not take the time to introduce me to the hotel's amenities and facilities. Consequently, I missed out on the chance to use the complimentary swimming pool, which I discovered only later on my own. Similarly, the fact that the hotel offered complimentary canoe and kayak rentals was a pleasant surprise, but I wish this information had been made readily available during check-in.

Another letdown was the lack of phone chargers available for guests. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring mine, and while the front desk staff was friendly and accommodating, they did not have any chargers for guests to borrow. Given the premium nature of the hotel, I had expected them to have such basic amenities readily available to ensure guests' convenience.

The most disheartening aspect was the hotel's inflexible late check-out policy. When I inquired about the possibility of a late check-out, I was taken aback by the steep charges. For a hotel with a significant nightly rate, it felt unreasonable to be charged $50 for just one extra hour and a staggering $80 for a two-hour extension. This seemed excessive and somewhat unfair, especially considering that other luxury hotels I've stayed at have been more accommodating in this regard.

In conclusion, the Ripplecove Hotel & Spa undeniably boasts a remarkable setting with its beautiful lake view and inviting country-style ambiance. It provides an idyllic escape for those seeking peace and relaxation amidst nature's beauty. The restaurant, though limited in choices, impressed with its delectable dishes. However, improvements in communication from the staff, providing essential amenities like phone chargers, and a more guest-friendly late check-out policy would go a long way in elevating the overall experience. While I enjoyed my stay, these areas of concern are worth considering for future guests.

But for sure, I will come back to this hotel, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a quiet and beautiful day at a charming retreat. If you're looking to bask in the tranquility of nature and indulge in a relaxing stay, you should definitely try this hotel. However, I would appreciate seeing some improvements next time I visit. With a few adjustments, I believe this hotel has the potential to be even more...

Both my partner and myself discovered Ripplecove by accident in April, 2024, while visiting a friend in Saint Lambert. We were hoping to book a 2 night get away at another hotel, but unfortunately, their restaurants were under construction and therefore, we decided to try Ripplecove Hotel & Spa. While looking through their website, we booked the Deluxe room, located in the Classic building. Upon arrival, we were greeted by a lovely receptionist who spoke perfect French and English and made us feel extremely welcome. She led us to our room, which was stunning. We decided later in the day to take a stroll in the hotel and took a quick peak into the library, a gorgeous room with breathtaking views of majestic Lake Massawippi and a quiet place to read a good book or just chill. Later in the evening, we went downstairs to the main bar, which is connected to their fine dining restaurant, Le Riverain. We booked a reservation for lunch the following day and had the most delicious lunch on their indoor terrace - which began with a superb leek soup, swordfish with vegetables and a homemade delicacy of desserts. Absolutely splendid and such elegance. It was extremely quiet this time of year, and there were very few guests. Since we had arrived mid-spring, there were not a lot of outdoor activities, but that didn’t deter us from exploring the area. The outdoor pool was still closed and some light construction went on during the day, and although it was continuously damp and cold outside, that didn’t stop us from taking walks along the dock at sunset, or basking in the hotel’s outdoor sauna and a dip in the hot tub, which faces the opposite side of Lake Massawippi. Outdoor towels were available for guests by the pool, as well as a shower and bathroom which was convenient and easy access. The most memorable part of our stay was that my partner proposed to me under the starlit skies of Ripplecove on our second night, which will forever be a part of my heart. I highly recommend Ripplecove Hotel & Spa and look forward to...