Historic Summit Inn Resort — Restaurant in South Union Township

Some places are just buildings. Others are case files written in brick and mortar. The Historic Summit Inn falls into the latter category. From the moment I arrived, I knew this wasn't merely a hotel; it was a fortress of history, a grand old dame with secrets in its walls and the ghosts of titans in its corridors. My investigation began in the lobby. The check-in process itself is an analog affair. You are handed a solid metal key—a refreshing change from digital keycards. The key corresponds to a numbered slot in a vintage cubby system behind the desk, a public display of trust from a bygone era. Once you have your key, you must navigate a layout that is a puzzle worthy of the Riddler himself. This fortress offers no mechanical elevators, so be prepared for the climb. The numbering system is its own conundrum: the first floor of guest rooms is designated as the "100 level," yet it is physically on the second story. This chronological maze extends further; the second floor is, in fact, two distinct levels, separated by a small flight of seven or eight steps that connect sections. One doesn't just walk down a hall; one walks through time. It requires you to stay alert. But the true treasures of this place aren't just architectural. My detective work led me to a framed page from an old guest register. The names logged there confirmed my suspicions: Thomas Edison. Henry Ford. Men who, like myself, harnessed electricity and industry to reshape the world. The room was a suitable field office—clean and quiet. The technology, for the most part, is a relic. However, my reconnaissance uncovered a temporal anomaly: a game room equipped with modern video games, a strange pocket of the 21st century hidden within these historic walls. My patrol also extended to the hotel's outdoor facilities. A large pool offers respite from the summer heat, with a nearby pavilion providing strategic cover from the sun's glare. For recovery after a long night’s patrol, the bubbling Jacuzzi soothes muscles more effectively than any Lazarus Pit. And I must admit, the sunsets viewed from this mountain vantage point are… disarmingly beautiful. A rare moment of peace. Detective Tips: • Study the Past: Don't just stay here, investigate. The hotel's story is its greatest amenity. • Embrace the Analog: From the metal keys to the house phone, immerse yourself in the pre-digital experience. There’s a security in simplicity. • Strategic Infiltration: For those with heavy luggage, hauling it up the grand staircase is a formidable challenge. My reconnaissance noted a secondary entrance from the rear parking lot that may provide a more tactical point of entry. • Seek the Sunset: Take a moment to observe the sunset from the pool area. Even the darkest of knights can appreciate a splash of color. BEWARE: The Layout: The perplexing room numbering and split-level floors can disorient the unwary. Pay attention to your surroundings. The Weight of Silence: This is not a place for loud altercations or flashy villainy. The quiet here is heavy with history. It's a place for contemplation, not chaos. Final Verdict: The Historic Summit Inn is more than a hotel; it's a living museum. It’s a sanctuary where the past is not only remembered but preserved. For the traveler who appreciates history, character, and a touch of stately mystery, it earns the highest commendation. 🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇 (Five out of five bats. A legendary fortress of history that even the Dark Knight would use as...

Being from the Pittsburgh area, we have heard a lot of positive things about the Historic Summit Inn. We wanted a nice, quiet, cozy and romantic weekend getaway close to home and chose Summit Inn as our escape. When we booked, we were only asked if we wanted a queen or king size room and chose queen and were told that we were required to book 2 nights. No other information was requested. We arrived and checked in and were given directions on how to get to our room. While the entrance and lobby area fit the bill of the hotel, it was hard to appreciate the beauty of its quaintness because of the musty smell that lingered throughout. It continued all the way through the hallways and into our room. The first thing we noticed upon entering the room (aside from how small it was) was a stinkbug on the curtain. We ended up finding and disposing of 5 more stinkbugs and 4 ladybugs in our two night stay. We complained on two occasions and were simply told that they knew the problem existed and that there was nothing they could do about it because they were coming in through the vents. On top of the bugs, we also had multiple plumbing issues with both the sink and toilet that we had to make them aware of. When someone came to fix it, he informed us that these problems were nothing new. So much like the bug problem, the hotel is having many issues left unaddressed. We knew the cleaning staff had come in because we had fresh towels, but our sink was still dirty and our bed was remade sloppily. I had made it better myself. The décor was reminiscent of late 1980s early 1990s and had a motel feel rather than the quaint historic feel we expected. The "free wifi" never worked. Upon checking out, we informed the staff member that we were displeased. She asked if we wanted to see a manager and we said “No” but that we wanted them to be aware of the problems we encountered. I told her that it was a shame they made us stay 2 nights because I wanted to leave after the first. She responded by saying “Well, did you come down there and tell them lat night because they would have let you leave”. And I replied that I was sure we wouldn’t have gotten a reimbursement for the second night. She then informed us that we were staying in an add-on wing and that there were nicer, bigger rooms available. How offensive! First, we were not offered differences in room size upon making the reservation, only queen or king. Second, we already spent $380 for the small hole of a room we were given – why would I want to pay nearly double that for a slightly larger room that will still have the same musty smell, bug infestation and plumbing issues! In the end, she ended up taking off a whole $25 (insert sarcasm) even though minutes before she said she’d need a manager to give us a discount. The only good part about this place was the dining. We enjoyed one dinner there and had a fantastic waitress. Overall, we will never stay here again and will never recommend this place to anyone. In fact, we will tell people to STAY AWAY. This place has serious management concerns. Desk staff were impolite and unfriendly. And the building itself is full of problems that outweigh its historic value. Total...

So, here’s a review of the Summit Inn about four decades late.

When I was between twelve and seventeen, My mother and I used to spend a week at the Summit Inn every August, driving up from Pittsburgh. She never liked driving if the route wasn’t familiar and never drove outside the city, but she made an exception for the Summit, even if it meant white-knuckling the entire fifty mile trip. Once we made the only actual turn we had to navigate in Uniontown, and were climbing towards the hotel, she relaxed.

It’s obvious from all the reviews that some things have changed but I cannot speak to those. The constant mention of the lack of an elevator is a surprise to me. No one complained about the stairs back then, though I recall the family did employ a very kind man named, Emil, I believe, who carted bags to the rooms for arriving guests. We requested the same room every year and got it. The food was always great. We never felt the need to leave the grounds to eat, though we would venture down the mountain once each visit for pizza. I took full advantage of the weekday golf package they had then to play the Summit course twice a day. The course was never crowded and I often had it all to myself with other golfers never closer than two holes ahead or behind. The arcade existed then too. Pool table, ping pong, and games occupied most of my afternoons. We weren’t swimmers but loved the hot tub.

At night, they used to have a family game night concept, hosted by Karen, where they alternated betweendice driven horse racing, with a long straight track and hand cut/painted wooden horses, and bingo nights. I loved being chosen by Karen to move the horses along the track. We sat on the veranda for afternoon teas, retreated to the small room just off the main entrance to play cards, and stepped out again at night before bed to take in the quiet and the mountain air.

For my mother, those days were the highlight of her year. Every year. As a thrifty, single, working mother, she could make a nickel holler, but she never regretted a single penny spent at the Summit Inn. She looked forward to, and saved for, each trip and I wish I’d been more aware than my teenage self was capable of when it came to how special those trips would seem much later in life.

I traveled/backpacked the world a bit later in life but now, in my late middle age, those days at the Summit remain as the best memories I have of vacationing anywhere in the world. Yes, times change. The rooms are much pricier and expectations likely raise along with it and I doubt it’s possible to find a staff like they had then. Every hotel owner I know these days has the same complaint about finding good help but, from what I’ve read and seen here, it hasn’t changed much at all really, and that’s a comfort to my own heart and memory.

From the depths of my heart, for Dolly as well as myself, thank you Mt. Summit Inn. Though I live on the other side of the country, perhaps I’ll return home one more time just to see you, old friend. Until then, don’t change for anyone. You’re perfect...