Red HalfLog Encampment — Hotel in Park Rapids

We had our booking through Vrbo. Well, Vrbo doesn't let us do a review for this place. They have a very special, selective process on who can leave reviews there. A process that favors the owner and not the customer. So I have a doubt you would get the whole picture in the Vrbo reviews page. That said, we stayed at the Red HalfLog Encampment for the Labor day weekend, 2021 and here is the raw data: One star for Location - great location on the Fishhook lake. Nice views. One star for cleanness. It was clean inside - carpets, tile, beds. Unfortunately, the rest of the story is not so positive, so we will skip giving more stars for this place. The owner did not respond to questions. They had the audacity to offer different days to us, just to please another customer; long after we had our reservation made. At the actual place - bicycles were offered, but when we tried to use them - only three out of the 6-7 left in the garage actually worked; so our bike outing was ruined. There is no Internet provided nor is the TV getting any programs or channels. The television sets are just to cover places in the wall. There is a very limited selection of water toys - a paddle boat with leaking water where shaft connects to paddles. So, one leaky paddle board, plus one canoe. However, the cherry on the cake is taken by the booklet given to customers before their arrival. It is an attempt at humor and to make you feel cheerful and happy about your visit to the HalfLog camp. In fact it is telling you that your stay at the property shall be spent on and I mean only on taking care of the property - how to clean this and that, how to start the water, stop the water, to not do this, but make sure you take cleaning supplies from here, how to vacuum all floors, strip beds of sheets and pillow cases, the instructions go on and on. Nothing is missed in the cleaning and housekeeping orders. One wonders when does one get time to actually look at the lake. You can only check-in after 3 pm, and check out "sharp" at 11 am. The booklet explains this inconvenience is needed, because 4 hours are required for cleaning. Sounds like a joke, right? After all the cleaning was completed by the guests already. Well, yes, we still wonder what is the cleaning crew hired for? Drinking tea and enjoying the lake views? Collect your garbage the booklet demands! And because this place does not want to pay for garbage collection, or their cleaning crew (if they actually exists) is actually fidgeting their fingers or doing something else not even remotely connected to cleaning, or garbage, the garbage is taken with you and by you - the customer. Yes, that is right, you are required to take your garbage when you leave the premises! We had to bring back our garbage all the way to Fargo for disposal. So, apparently, the word "hospitality" and this place have never met. Our conclusion is - the owner of this property's only care is to collect as much money as possible. Note this place is not cheap! This is our humble impression - you decide - nice view and garbage in your car on the way back home, or find a place where you're actually treated as...