La Reata Ranch — Hotel in Lacadena No. 228

My wife and friends have just returned from a ten day trip to La Reata Ranch. Here are their thoughts...||It was a very disappointing trip, mostly due to La Reata's owner George. He was rude, patronising and belittling. In the end we were frightened to ask him anything in case of rebuke but, on a few occasions, if we did ask him something, he wouldn't answer!! What is advertised on the Website isn't strictly the case. ||Ranch Activities||During the summer month guests can walk down to Lake Diefenbaker for swimming, boating, canoeing and water-skiing - Didn't Happen!!||The Lake offers also a great opportunity for fishing - Didn't Happen!!||In the evening, do what the cowboys do. A game of horseshoes - Didn't Happen!!||learn how to handle a Lariat - Didn't Happen!!||improve your skills by dummy steer roping - Didn't Happen!!||End the day with the crackle of a romantic campfire and roasted marsh mallows as a midnight snack. (campfires can be limited due to draught conditions) - Didn't Happen!! (Rained on two days so no draught)||On some nights we visit the nearby (22km) famous White Bear Saloon for some hot wings and drinks. - Didn't Happen!!||Wifi is available at the main ranch - It maybe is but you aren't allowed to access it as George wont let you!! Also your accommodation is nowhere near the main ranch (certainly not in walking distance!!)||Guest at the ranch get to groom and saddle their own horse, we love to instruct and to help - No instruction or help given all trip!!||Weekly cleaning is included - We were there for nine days and rooms weren't touched. We had to find our own spare toilet roll out of the saloon!!||After a long day in the saddle you can treat yourself to a relaxing soak or swim in the lake - We were told not to go near the lake as we were told that the edges of the lake are like quicksand. We had been told before the trip that if the weather conditions are right you can go out on the boat ( as pictured on the website). However, when we arrived at the ranch we were told that the water hadn't been high enough to reach the pontoon for the past seven years!!||Meal times are extremely uncomfortable. We were all sat around one large table with George at its head. If you speak you are too noisy if you don't speak George complains!!||We were told before hand that Barrel Racing was an activity - Didn't Happen!!||We did go to a Rodeo at Swift Current (Only because we had to keep asking as George didn't want to take us) and we did stop at a CowTown Store but we weren't allowed to go to the shopping mall opposite this store!!|.................................................................................................................................................... ||The horses are well trained and are generally well looked after, although one of our party had to ride a lame horse. We did point this out straight away to which George replied "He is a Faker, he wasn't lame when I brought him in"...he was, we watched him. We have worked with horses all of our lives and although we are not qualified vets, we do know what we are looking at. We continued to point out that this horse was lame. We were told he would loosen up but he didn't. It took four days before George agreed to change him. Admittedly the horse did not get any worse for being ridden but he was clearly uncomfortable. ||You ride the same horse every day. We did ask the girl helpers if we could swap around but George never lets you!! ||For a Working Cattle Ranch there were around forty Cattle and two German Girl helpers - Not really a Working Cattle Ranch!! ||Two final thoughts. Just a simple thing like looking at what the weather is doing for the day would have been helpful, as to what attire to wear ( it was a range of weathers during our stay) and finally on the website are Canadian and German Flags, so if you aren't from one of these countries, then probably...

Overall we had a very good visit to La Reata Ranch. The scenery at the ranch is beautiful. The property is very secluded, quiet and relaxing. Going to La Reata is like taking a step back in time with its rustic cabins, lack of television, wireless, cell service and internet (there is a two-bar cell signal at the highest hill on the property for those who just cannot unplug). I found the owner (George) and his staff to be very welcoming, friendly, knowledgeable, experienced, supportive and hardworking. George’s horses are beautiful, well trained and very well cared for. Watching the horses come down from the range into the valley every morning was quite magical and I got up early to make sure I did not miss it! My very experienced horse riding daughter thoroughly enjoyed her riding vacation at the ranch. She roamed the vast property for four full days, was permitted to experience the occasional cantor, tried her hand at the barrel racing arena at the main ranch, and was involved in a cattle locate…round up and move along..so not your average trail ride. She was smiling from ear to ear every day. I had no real horse riding experience. I am not saying that beginners cannot excel here, but be prepared for very long days in the saddle (leaving at 10:00 am ish and returning around 5:00 pm – with approximately an hour lunch break and rest out on the range). I was so sore after day one that I was not able to ride comfortably again for a couple of days. I hadn’t considered that downtime so luckily I had a good book and pre-downloaded content from Netflix on my tablet because otherwise not much to do. The lake was not swimable for me...too muddy and weedy. I still thoroughly enjoyed just sitting on the beautiful deck at the ranch taking it all in while the others were gone for the day. We enjoyed the food which was simple but well prepared, tasty and filling. Cook Larry was a very nice guy who genuinely wanted to please guests and took great care of us. Meals were shared family-style at one long table. On the downside, this arrangement can be a little painful for those who lean toward quiet and shy (such as my daughter). There were a couple of guests in our group who wanted to talk politics every night...imposing their strong opinions on each other about environmental issues, climate change, immigration policies, education, medical care, etc. and this became highly annoying to me. Keep it light and fun people, it’s vacation time and you know what…people really don’t care what you think anyway. We really enjoyed our evenings at the Saloon. Great place to spend time playing billiards, join a lively game of foosball, darts, listen to country music, have a beverage. Didnt see other activities going on as described in the literature. We had a really good time. Highly recommend La Raeta to those who want a get away from it all horse...

Not recommended for those with experience. So I'll say straight up that my friend and I only stayed 1 night. How could we possibly rate it. Well this was our experience from start to finish.

The night we arrived dinner was the most uncomfortable I have ever been. You could cut the tension with a knife. We weren't made to feel included and had to do this on our own. So not a good start. My friend and I at this stage were disappointed but willing to give it a chance. After dinner we went for a walk and saw the owner (George) building a round yard so I thought I would stop for a chat to get a better feel for the place. Then we walked back towards our cabin. I left my friend at the cabin to go back down to get a better feel for the group that were practicing roping.

After hearing some of the conversations, observing the dynamics and having conversations with some of the ladies there, I found out that at least one of them has horse experience but mainly in English (which is perfectly fine), but had never been on a ranch before this one and only been there for a week and a half. Hearing this made me decide this is not the experience that I had expected at all. I had expected to be with staff who had been doing this for years not weeks.

The next morning both my friend and I had a private talk with George face to face before breakfast. We told him that we were leaving and the main reason for leaving was the inexperience of his staff. During this conversation he bought up a refund and said he would take out the food we ate and the nights accommodation (approx $500) and refund the rest which we both agree was fair.

During email correspondence with George they had a fire on the property to which he said burnt down the cookhouse. This was our the final correspondence.

Sorry that it takes me so long. We’re still busy and have a lot of guests. Still trying to deal with insurance as they’re taking their time. Always the same story when they have to pay you, but watch out if you’re behind with any payment.

Anyhow, I did make a decision and the only courtesy compensation I can offer to you is refunding the deposit of $500. The fact is that you guys left without given it a chance or at least go riding for a day. There was no way to convince you otherwise and we all realized this within the very first moment.

Disappointing to say the least that he doesn't stay true to his word.

I'm an Outback Girl and I'm sorry but you can't pull the wool over my eyes. I know I wasn't there long but my opinion and gut feeling is if your after a genuine ranch stay don't come here (especially if you have had previous experience). This ranch felt like a place for people who have had no experience in the country at all and wouldn't know any better. However if your German you'll...