The Dakota — Hotel in Four Corners States

Let me begin by saying that I rarely if ever write bad reviews for hotels or vacation stays. But I had to for this trip. I booked through SUMMITCOVE LODGING, which seemed great in booking the reservation. This was a very expensive 2 bedroom rental in what was positioned as a 4 star property. I'll share my experience here.||Check in was fine and all seemed to be good until arrival into the condo. I brough my daughter for our first ski trip since just before the pandemic, so it was to be a very special time together. Unfortunately, first night, a rodent was found in the condo. We called the next morning and after hours, they sent someone to put down two traps. I missed my first day of skiing with my daughter waiting. I let it go. But then they never came back for the traps with the dead rodents, ever. Never even checked back. Never offered anything to make up for my losing a precious day of vacation and sending my daughter out alone. After she had to sleep on the couch because she couldn't sleep in the room with the rodent and slept on the COUCH the entire trip not trusting that the rodent was killed in the bedroom by the traps.||Next, it's deceptive that they show gorgeous photos of the slopes on their website for the property and condo overlooking beautiful mountains. The morning we awoke and looked out at this anticipated beautiful view we were promised (I booked this condo specifically because of the view from our condo and pool area), there was almost none. new construction of numerous condos blocked most of it. I don't know about Colorado, but in other places, it's called false advertising to post views that don't exist in rental properties. I own two condo rentals myself. Just wow, bordering on sleezy.||So, I was going to let all this go, but called night before to get 1 hour late checkout from their 10AM checkout time. They would not answer me until the next day after 9 PM, saying an absolute "no" to my request, knowing what they put us through. This was the shocker. We had a rodent in our condo, lost my first day of skiing with my daughter, she lost first night of sleep and slept on the couch for the whole week, never heard back from them, fake photos of views posted on their listings, and they had the audacity to refuse a 1 hour late checkout request or charge me for another day. ||Besides this, there were other things wrong with the condo (cabinets that had bad hinges and wouldn't close, ripped shower curtain, etc. But those are minor things despite a 4 star property claim. We cleaned up the place almost immaculately (took photos) despite these experiences...because that's what we should do. We didn't take out the garbage because we couldn't find a trash center...they shouldn't ask renters paying $3K+ per week with 0 housekeeping services to do that anyway, but we tried to find it. No front desk personnel, so no one to ask.||SO, if you're considering this property and SummitCove, I'd think again. Perhaps if we got a well cared for condo, had "real" photos of the property views, and had a property management group that gave a hoot about a RODENT in our condo and made sure they made it a priority, we would have had a better experience. But instead, their callousness turned a wonderful daddy/daughter trip into a continuous set of aggravations. Shame...

We go to Keystone often as season lift pass holders. When you reserve through the resort lodging system they lump a bunch of properties together into the same class that they call River Run Condos. But you can request one of the specific properties, and if you spring for the premium unit level you likely have a better chance of getting the property you want. This review is for Dakota Lodge 1 bedroom unit, which we were “upgraded” to from River Bank. So not sure if where we stayed in Dakota Lodge was a premium or standard unit. ||||We have stayed at River Bank before and it is generally less expensive, likely because there is no hot tub or pool on site, but they have nice units and GREAT views. So I was apprehensive about the “upgrade” to Dakota.||||With that said, the accommodation was really quite nice. It is close to the check in area, small ice rink, and the town center. But it is a bit set back from the main area so that it doesn’t get too loud from the local restaurants and bars at night. The unit had a nice decor, comfortable bedding and access to the nicest hot tub and pool area of the River Run Condos class as far as I can tell (although The Springs has the best pool and hot tubs among the town center condos). Only downside is that our unit did not have much of a view. ||||Anyway, the drawbacks were the usual Keystone resort lodging mgt company issues which seems to plague me no matter where I stay in Keystone ... they forget to have the pull out couch linens in the unit, don’t leave enough towels or facecloths, not vacuumed well with last residents food items on the floor, etc. And on top of that, they apparently have now changed to a 10AM check out!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! Because the paperwork inside the unit still said 11AM, but the key envelope said 10AM, I called and they let us stay until 11AM. But be aware.||||The good part about reserving through the Keystone resort company though is that they include some perks like kids 12 and under can ski free, free entry to the Keystone Lake skating area, free entry to the Nordic ski area, free hours of tennis, and yoga. So these are nice if you have kids and like any of these perks. ||||Overall, The Dakota was...

Rented condo 8474 for the weekend. Check-in was easy once we found the office but was soon disappointed when told that parking for the second vehicle would cost $15/nt. When we booked the condo we were told we would be given 1 inside parking pass and the other vehicle would need to park in the Montezuma lot. No mention anywhere of an overnight fee.||Next, we went to our condo and as soon as we opened the door there was an odor, something stale. The windows in this unit had not been opened in quite some time and the place smelled musty. Also, the carpets looked like someone worked on a motor in the living room. Stains, dirt and totally filthy condition. I understand these are not new units but for $300+/nt they should be clean.||Next we found a Gatorade bottle on the balcony that had been used as an ashtray and loaded with cigarette butts. We called the office ad advised them of the bottle to make sure we would not get charged for smoking in the unit.||Kitchen was clean and came with everything we needed, same with the baths.||Pros:||Convenient if you're attending an event in Keystone.||Nice pool and hot tub area, with towels.||Outstanding staff, especially Michaela! This young lady should be rewarded. What an excellent employee.||Cons:||Overlooks the pool & hot tub area so tons of noise. Even after the 10PM quiet time rule. Called the office at 12:30pm to report a loud party. 15 minutes on hold before anyone answered and they only answered because I pressed the emergency number.||Absolutely filthy carpets. No way would I let a child crawl on this floor. Wore shoes all weekend so our socks didn't get dirty.||Facility carpets were no better. Lots of stains and a huge area in the middle of our hall that was wet all weekend.||Check out is 10AM, pretty early by...