Elkhorn Hot Springs — Hotel in Dillon

This is the first time I've ever written a negative public review of a business and I believe that the following assessment of the situtation is fair and honest.

We booked the Rockchuck Cabin based on the information provided by the official resort website, which clearly states, "Running hot and cold water in the cabin." I called the lodge staff on the day before our check in date of to make sure all was well. At this time, no mention was made by the staff that the cabin was without potable water, let alone running hot water. Furthermore, no email was sent in advance advising as such. There was plenty of time to do so as we booked six months in advance.

Duringcheck-in at the lodge, no mention was made of the lack of these ammenities. This is very important info for arriving guests because, as we would learn, the only potable water on site is via a tap at the lodge restaraunt during open hours. The lodge is in a remote location, so unprepared visitors would have no potable water at all should the lodge be closed.

It was only upon arrival in our cabin that we learned it was without potable water via a sign posted in the kitchen. What water did run was barely a trickle, and there was no hot water at all. The toilet barely flushed, and backed up regularly as a result, so we had to stop using it. The kitchen had one pan, a few plates, but no cups or cutlery. We intended to cook due to food allergies, but had no hope of doing so as a result.

I went to ask the staff at the lodge about this situation only to learn from the woman running the restaraunt that no potable water, and no hot water, was available in any cabin, modern or otherwise, and that had been the case for some time.

I asked why that very important info hadn't been updated online, or shared in advance, only to receive further acknowledgement that this had been known for some time, but not communicated to guests by the resort staff. These same staff had the opportunity to advise me of the situation when I called the day prior, and face to face when we checked in, but they did not.

I asked for a refund for the lack of paid for services, or at least a comp meal / drinks in kind. The rate for Rockchuck is $250 per night for 2 people becuase it is a "modern cabin" with extra ammenities. A dry cabin is $120 for 2 people. Rockchuck is basically a dry cabin at this point. My request for restitution was declined, with the only option being to be moved to another cabin and with no refund for the difference.

The staff person then suggested we could have showers at the hot spring pool showers. Upon arriving at the bathouse we discovered another sign advising hot water was unavailable. No mention if this situation was made by the staff person who directed us there. Also, the conditions of the communal facilities were unsanitary, and the algea-stricken small soaking pool was less than functional (not at all as pictured on website).

We are used to rustic living and spartan conditions. We have a dry family cabin and I lived at a boyscout camp for 7 years where power, hot water, and flushing toilets were forever inconsistant ammenities. That isn't the issue here. What upset us so much that we left a day early is that the resort staff misrepresented their services online, didn't contact us in advance to inform us of such, witheld said information at check-in, then had the gall to charge us for ammenities advertised but not rendered.

All this said, this resort has history and potential. In many ways it reminds me of my home at camp. The burgers and drinks at the lodge were tasty, and the surrounding Pioneer Mountains are gorgeous. But we won't stay here again, and have warned away all our friends, due to deceptive...

I was hoping they had changed what their website says are their rates. Or better defined which are large and small cabins. We paid probably $200 more then what the website says for 10 people in 2 cabins for 2 nights. To start, this was really one cabin they built a wall in the middle of to make 2. No complaints from me about the actual cabin and surroundings. But I went for nature. Shared outhouse is a short walk. Be prepared to wait. Bedding was good, clean and comfy. During or after wet seasons mosquitoes are thick. There is a stream running through the resort and plants grow strong and tall. I love nature so I don't mind, others may prefer a place that mows mother nature down. I would rather see this place install bat houses. Paths stay pretty open with the heavy use this place gets.other areas grow up wild and beautiful and natural. We all enjoyed the pools, the live music at the pools didn't seem very well thought out. Our cabin did not have a bridge across the creek, so we felt weird having to walk so close to another cabin to get to the lodge and pool. Breakfast was pretty inadequate. An egg, one slice of sausage and one piece of toast, or bread pudding. No fruit or cereal or anything like that. When we checked in, we got the keys and a finger pointed in the general direction of the cabins. There are maps of the property on the counter. if you happen to see them take one. They did not tell us checkout times or procedures, pool or breakfast hours, or any other information we may need for our stay. They did tell us not to leave our key in the room, as the doors automatically lock. There were dogs barking all hours day and night, but mostly night. If you plan on cooking bring a griddle or grill as they only provide a fire pit. We brought a propane griddle and our own wood for the fireplace. We did enjoy our stay. We had planned on camping near crystal park for a family get together. Glad we stayed here this time, but lack of service and not honoring the prices they have clearly stated on line, even after I pointed it out, wouldn't have been staying it if it wasn't such a big group from from different places. The guy checking me in looked to see what the prices were on the website and just said those prices are all wrong. they apparently dont know or care what they have listed for prices on line. I even asked if the excess charge was tax or a resort fee. The guy I talked just said no, just the prices are wrong all together on the website. That was 3 weeks ago. The website hasn't changed any of the listed price rentals. I paid $850 for 2 nights. With the prices they show it should of been $600. $300 per night. I knew this but paid anyways as options were limited. Just wanted to warn anyone looking to stay here. The people are nice enough, but I hope they get better at running such a great place. Permaculture would be great there Update 3 weeks later and my sons card was charged $50 just yesterday. He is looking in to it. His card was used only to buy a meal at the lodge, it was not connected to our cabin rental. Not sure what the deal is, but on top of being way over charged to begin with, getting lousy service and food, and them unexpected taking money 3 weeks later, just beware. At this point the only thing going for it is the hot springs and location. A change in management could only help this place. The potential is...

Shout-out to Emily and Justin, the couple who run the breakfast service! Fantastic customer service and awesome personalities! Justin was the breakfast cook and the food was great! I give them and their breakfast five stars!

The lady who was running the dinner the night before was not so awesome. She started with complaining that everyone else got fired or quit in the last two weeks and the boss yells at her, so service will be slow. I can understand being short-staffed, but there are other ways and tones to announce that without immediately putting off your guests. She was also very bothered by just about any questions we had about dinner or drinks. Included in the list of fired/quit was the head chef apparently, so almost half of the menu items were not available or "unable to be made" by the chef they had. And I would say that half of the food was priced well above the quality. Sorry, but dinner and service gets one star. Although an average between Emily/Justin and this lady would have been three stars, Emily/Justin were just that good, so I gave an overall four stars for service.

It was very hard to get an accurate description of the cabins online and just as hard to get someone on the phone to ask more questions. We thought our cabin had hot water and a bathroom, and it had neither. The cabin had lights, a heater, and a wood stove. There were several gaps throughout the building that led to really bad drafts and some critters scurrying about. The outhouses were out of toilet paper and we had to use a roll that we happened to have in the vehicle. I understand that Elkhorn is a very rustic setting, and normally I don't have a problem with that if I am prepared, but the descriptions should probably be updated, as should the cabin sealing. There was a nice gentleman in a maroon truck that I can only assume was the maintenance for the area, and he was very friendly and always working. The charging style of these cabins is quite off in my opinion, as they are charged per person, rather than per night with additional fees for additional persons. We paid $450 for five people for two nights, and it was far too much for the quality of the cabin. So I have to give the cabins 2 stars.

Hot springs were a great temperature and appeared to be fairly clean. The locker rooms were well kept and towels and beverages were available. It's a good place to take your kids, but I would keep them away from the later night swims, at least on the weekends, as the crowd gets a little rowdy when the drinking hours are going. The staff coverage was minimal, but whether or not that is a bad thing is subjective. I give the hot springs themselves four stars.

We did not go on any cross country ski trails, but there is plenty of that to do directly from the hot springs and Maverick ski hill is very near. Polaris is a very small and remote census-designated community, and services are a good drive away, so make sure you have gas and all your store needs. A rare and beautiful location - five stars for sure.

Overall, expect a rustic experience and come prepared with water/drinks, toiletries, food/snacks (for between breakfast and dinner), entertainment, and know how to get a fire going. Emily and Justin truly make the place, and if they fill their staff with more people like them, I can see this place get real...