More about Deerhurst Resort
Great Stay at Deerhurst
by A TripAdvisor Member
Based on some of the reviews we read we were reluctant to go for March break with the kids (ages 5 & 8). We were pleasantly surprised and have booked a return trip for the summer. While the room was rather dated, it was very large (1 bdrm suite) and comfortable. The staff was exceptionally friendly; the food was good; the spa was excellent; the "Edge" show was a blast for the kids and we all had a terrific time. I would have no hesitation in recommending Deerhurst to other families.
Kids love Deerhurst!...but....
by A TripAdvisor Member
I have stayed at Deerhurst 4 seperate times over the past 3 years. Two times to attend business conferences and two times (both during the summer) with spouse and our 3 small kids.
On the plus side....Our kids absolutely love Deerhurst! There is never a shortage of things to do, especially in the summer. Between the indoor and outdoor pools, beach, organized events, etc. the kids are kept entertained throughout our stay. In fact, my 3 year old routinely asks when can we go back again.
On the negative side...Except on one occasion, we have always stayed in the Sports Villas beacuse they have a kitchenette which makes it much easier with young children. The Sports Villas are very tired units that really need a makeover. The last time we stayed in August 2005, the couches were so sunken in that it hurt your back to sit in them. The carpets definitely need some updating. At $300+ per night in the summer, you would expect something a little nicer.
We also find the restuarants really lacking. The Pub is more reasonably priced (not cheap though) but how long can you eat hamburgers and fries. The Main Restaurant upstairs is much better but is not geared toward young children, and is very exepensive!
Room Service (ie. cleaning and mainanence) is quite poor. On our last stay, our 1 year old had an accidents so we called the front desk to get new linens for his crib...it took 3 phone calls, and an hour and a half! before they finally showed up at midnight with the linens. I wish I could say that this was an isolated event, but it was not. On at least one other occasion we had to call the front desk because they missed cleaning the room that day. These are not huge things, but again at $300+ per night, they should never happen.
If you have never been to this resort and are expecting a magical stay at a premier resort then I would say that you will be very disappointed. The rooms and service are average at best.
In the end, I will give Deerhurst a 2 rating only becuase my kids really have fun there, but really is overpriced.
If my wife and I were going to Deerhurst without kids, I would give it a 1 rating, based on the poor room quality, lack of decent restaurants, and poor service. There are much better places to stay for less money.
Wonderful Wonderful Soup
by CdnJane about The Butcher's Daughters
The Butcher's Daughters is one of those restaurants you would probably drive by, perhaps wondering about the number of cars in front, but beyond that, its just one of those deli places that has a cute name. Besides, its not right in Huntsville, so you would have to be looking for it. Well, please don't drive by it or you will miss out on some great food! The soups are wonderful. The friendliness of the staff a treat. And, people are lined up to get some food, or to get a table.
The food quality was good, the cleanliness great and the choices very well suited for the cliental of places like Deerhurst Inn, who are staying in a time-sharing unit and would like something a little upscale. Or, who have a cottage around and want to have good quality food.
There is a big trust factor in the restaurant, in that they charge you at the end of the meal for what you got, and trust that you are honest with them. Perhaps the picture on the front of the girls with meat cleavers is to keep you honest! I had a bowl of Mushroom Soup, and it was delicious - great slices of mushrooms, and a lovely creamy broth. Along with it I had a tuna sandwich on multi-grain bread, with lettuce and sprouts. EXCELLENT! The Italian Meatball soup apparently was also excellent.
Our friends bought some cheese sticks and they were wonderful - certainly no calories in them! We brought home some curried pumpkin soup and some cauliflower soup, and both were good, too.
This is not a "must go to" Resort. I would not recommend it to family/friends
by A TripAdvisor Member
We actually won a two-night stay at Deerhurst Resort. We expected more. The rooms were average, the beds were poor. There is very little "WOW" value. The dinner at Eclipse was overcooked with no pizzazz. We waited 45 - 50 minutes between our appetizer and our main course which made us late for the "Edge" show at 8:00. They sent us out the door to the shuttle bus with our dessert platter wrapped in tin foil. We were misquoted on the cost of the dinner and show package. When the bill arrived it was $200++ for the dinner and show. On the plus side, I explained the confusion to the manager and without delay, they accepted responsibility and charged us the quoted price.
The spa is a nice experience, but over priced. If we had paid for the entire weekend the cost would have been approx $1000 and we would have been very disappointed with the experience. However, because the room and 1 dinner was paid for we really can't complain. It is unlikely that we will stay at Deerhurst again.
A relaxing week end!
by TripAdvisor Member beloro
My husband and I just spent another relaxing week end at Deerhurst Resort. This was a spur of the moment trip and since it is their slow time we were able to get a very good deal.
We stayed in building 32 and had a one bedroom suite. Yes, the suite is starting to look a bit outdated but we had no complaints about the cleanliness. I purposely checked and did not find dust, dirt etc any where. The only complaint that we had was that the bed was very hard. I really hope that they start replacing them soon. I know that the beds in the main building are much better.
The food was fantastic. We purchased the meal plan at check in and we were quite pleased with it. It allows you 3 courses at dinner and a buffet breakfast. I had the tenderloin both nights and it was probably the best I have had. My husband had the "large" steak both nights and was very pleased with his order. It says on the menu that the steak is 16 oz but when he received his it was more like a 20 oz steak. I know it's big when he can't finish it. LOL
The service was exceptional. Due to the fact that it is their slow period, the menu was smaller than normal. My husband asked our waitress, Mel, about steamed mussels. They were not on the menu but she went and checked and then informed him that it was not a problem. We have known a number of the staff for a couple of years now and they always welcome us back with open arms. Great big thanks to Mel, Jen and Johnny. Since it was so slow over the week end we were actually were able to have a couple of drinks at The Landing Lounge Pub. It is usually so busy that we don't bother. Peggy and Erin were alot of fun and looked after us wonderfully.
We will definitely go back this summer when there is a bit more to do but it was a nice change to feel like we had the resort to ourselves.
Awesome weekend had by all
by TripAdvisor Member maxthetraveller
A group of us were at the resort last weekend for the pond hockey tournament. I've been at Deerhurst many times on both buisness and personal and have always had a great time but this one takes the cake. There were people from all over Canada and the US for this event. The hotel made 24 rinks out on the frozen lake. Who would of thought such a great event could take place in little old Huntsville. Deerhurst really put out the spread. Great food and great rooms. Well done to the organizers and to the hotel.
No activities
by A TripAdvisor Member
We stayed at the Deerhurst over Christmas 05 and had booked three nights but wanted to leave after the first night. They advertise all kinds of activities but about 70% were not available apparently due to the weather. We thought we could at least enjoy the pool but I found the pool rather unclean and did not enjoy it one bit. People with muddy shoes were allowed to walk around the pool and I am sure some of the dirt ended up in the water. The changing rooms were not too clean either.
The room was clean but had a strange smell and the linen seemed totally new but the duvet had no duvet cover and I could not stop thinking what do they do when people leave - do they dry clean it every time? If they don't - that's totally unhygienic.
We had Christmas Eve buffet and Christmas Day dinner buffet in Eclipse and the food was good but it was exactly the same menu both days, the waitress took our bottle of wine away rather than leave it on the table which I think is unacceptable and they started getting ready for breakfast and banging with plates before we finished our meal (240 cad for two people).
The show Edge was good and the service was generally good, the hotel is nice and the grounds are beautiful, but it is not enough to bring me back. When we decided to leave early, they told us cancellation policy was 7 days and that we will lose our prepaid money (they took the whole amount off my credit card one week before our arrival) and after some arguing they agreed to apply this credit to our hotel bill. I do not know of any hotel with a similar cancellation policy and I have travelled extensively.
Service was poor - resort not worth the $$
by TripAdvisor Member SJFCalgary
We stayed with a group of people in one of the timeshares available on the resort site - and were very disappointed in the condition of the unit. Seems they have not been updated since they were built (at least 20 years ago). They are in need of a huge makeover. However despite the accomodations we were looking forward to the activites...
First on our list was to relax at the spa. Well this is a joke. First of all they cram 20 ladies into the locker room area (where there are seats for 4!) to all await their services. Besides the locker room not being big enough - it was dirty and run down - certainly not what you'd expect from a spa - or at least one with the Aveda name. When we made a comment to the woman at the desk all she said was 'put it on your comment card'. Great customer service.
Then it was off to tennis...lucky we booked the courts a month ahead of time. However just prior to our time slot they have basketball on the courts - which is fine if kids weren't allowed to come on in their snow boots and muddy running shoes. So when we got on the court it was very dirty and looked like they'd not been cleaned in a long time (check out the five inch layer of dust and dirt near the walls - but hope your ball doesn't go there!).
The people at the sports desk were extremly rude and short with all the people waiting to ask questions - bad day perhaps - but this continued day after day. Perhaps it was their dirty surroundings - the indoor sports area was disgustingly dirty and rundown.
As others have said, I realize that some activities are dependant on the weather - however a couple of the guys went to play hockey on the ice rink and it had never been shoveled. Hard to skate with five inches of snow on the ice. Just sloppy upkeep all around.
So what did we like?
We ate in the pub one day and that food was great - and not that expensive considering the portion sizes.
We also took a hip hop dance class which was taught by a great instructor.
The tubing hill was a good facility.
Overall for the money I'd recommend many other resorts over this one.
Relaxing Weekend
by TripAdvisor Member StarWatcher07
This was our second time staying at the resort and had such a relaxing weekend. We were on the Great Escape Package with the pavilion room which was nice and clean. Both nights we had dinner at The Pub. The food was good, no complaints on both ends and it wasn't overpriced. The Edge show was fun and the entertainers got the audience involved which was nice to see. Activity wise there is stuff to do if you do not have much money to spend ex. snow tubing and skating (skates are provided). Wouldn't hesitate on going back next year.
In need of some work!
by A TripAdvisor Member
My family of five stayed at this resort recently and we were less than impressed. The pool was not very clean, dust and dirt clinging to the nice beamed ceiling above, paint chips and icky floor...
We stayed in a Sports Villa that was in desperate need of paint and new carpet. Water damage on the ceilings didn't give us a lot of hope for the "resort".
The spa was nice but very small. The food was average and my kids did enjoy the buffet.
On a good note, the tubing hill was a big hit. We however would not return to this resort until they renovate and upgrade to truly become a classy place.
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