Mesa Verde, Colorado- Far View Lodge & Fave tours?
Sep 17th, 2007, 01:51 PM
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Mesa Verde, Colorado- Far View Lodge & Fave tours?
Reviews on TripAdvisor almost scaring us away, from a stay at Far View Lodge.
Rodent droppings & rodent activity
fairly common, it seems, even in the dining room?
But for the convenience of it, since we're really pressed for time, still mulling.
Anyone stayed at Far View Lodge who can advise on best rooms to request? I know they can't guarantee *anything*, but would at least like to put in a request.
Will go for a Kiva Room. But where should I ask that it be located? A king room better, I think from reading reviews. Anyone have specific room number range to request?
Or building #? Would be a terrific help!
Are upstairs rooms preferable both for views & sound? Heard walls are awfully thin at the lodge. Couldn't get ANY info from lodge itself on 'best rooms.' Not even if 2nd story rooms have better views.
Just ZERO info coming from the particular person I spoke with! Also, do you know if only some Kiva rooms recently renovated or were all per chance?
Lastly...fave Mesa Verde tours to include, if we can only do 1-2?? Reading books, it's hard to tell! Balcony House? Cliff Palace? Long House or Spruce Tree? (or is this self-guided year round?) That one Mesa some mentioned here is closed this time of year, from what I gather. Thanks again! (PS. Best to buy tours from park or do through the lodge itself?)
Rodent droppings & rodent activity
fairly common, it seems, even in the dining room?
But for the convenience of it, since we're really pressed for time, still mulling.
Anyone stayed at Far View Lodge who can advise on best rooms to request? I know they can't guarantee *anything*, but would at least like to put in a request.
Will go for a Kiva Room. But where should I ask that it be located? A king room better, I think from reading reviews. Anyone have specific room number range to request?
Or building #? Would be a terrific help!
Are upstairs rooms preferable both for views & sound? Heard walls are awfully thin at the lodge. Couldn't get ANY info from lodge itself on 'best rooms.' Not even if 2nd story rooms have better views.
Just ZERO info coming from the particular person I spoke with! Also, do you know if only some Kiva rooms recently renovated or were all per chance?
Lastly...fave Mesa Verde tours to include, if we can only do 1-2?? Reading books, it's hard to tell! Balcony House? Cliff Palace? Long House or Spruce Tree? (or is this self-guided year round?) That one Mesa some mentioned here is closed this time of year, from what I gather. Thanks again!
(PS. Best to buy tours from park or do through the lodge itself?)
Sep 17th, 2007, 02:09 PM
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I can't help with the Far View Lodge - we stayed in Cortez - but Mr. Pickle and the kids did the Balcony House and enjoyed it. I don't like heights, so I skipped that tour.
I went on the Cliff Palace tour with them, and thought it was really interesting. Spruce Tree is self-guided and is also worth visiting.
We booked our tours at the visitor center.
Lee Ann
I went on the Cliff Palace tour with them, and thought it was really interesting. Spruce Tree is self-guided and is also worth visiting.
We booked our tours at the visitor center.
Lee Ann
Sep 18th, 2007, 07:01 PM
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Daydreamer you are not going to downtown Chicago. You are in the wilderness. Far View Lodge sits in a near desert. Nothing else is around it excellent for a couple of tourists shops. Rodents, snakes, and all matter of critters are part of the nature surroundings and sometimes they get inside the buildings. It is not a big deal. You will go nuts when a snake slides across the front sidewalk. Far Side is an excellent facility with a first rate restaurant. If you are spending more than one day in the park, Far Side is critical. The drive in from Cortes is long and torturous and time consuming. Ask for rooms that don't face the parking lot.
Sep 19th, 2007, 01:41 AM
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Fmpden...
I have no problem w/reptiles nor mice
most esp. if they only make a rare appearance indoors. Have encountered
both in other places...and definitely mice in several park lodges.
However, the reviews I came across on Tripadvisor were for FAR more than the occasional mouse. Read below for more, and why my initial concern.
Was going to link but not sure it works properly so will just throw in here.
But I agree. The place is just too convenient...and so we will definitely do a 1-nighter there. Most don't mention this level of problems...
so will hope for the best.
Posting on Tripadvisor:
Traveler rating: 1 star
Mesa Verde National Park: Far View Lodge: "Full of Rodent Feces, did not comp, did not apologize"
4CornersLuvnIt, Flagstaff, AZ Jul 30, 2007
As a former interpretive employee at the National Park that Far View Lodge (operated by Aramark )serves , I booked a room to attend the Park's Centennial Alumni Celebration. After a full day of tours and talks I returned to Lodge to find the bed completely full of rodent feces. If you know rodents you know that exposure to Hanta Virus is primarily from their feces (black droppings). The staff was "too busy" to change the sheets, I walked over in the rain to pick up "clean" sheets, changed my own bed and finished out the night. Day light the next day revealed that the entire room was infested with droppings, baseboards, bathroom, rugs, furniture, window sills. When I checked out - as fast as humanly possible - the staff, singularly poorly trained, informed me that they not only couldn't comp the room, standard in the industry, but delivered the information in a manner which implied I was somehow at fault. Dingy, run down and poorly managed with poorly trained staff, have a drink in the bar but stay in one the small towns at the base of Mesa Verde.
I have no problem w/reptiles nor mice
most esp. if they only make a rare appearance indoors. Have encountered
both in other places...and definitely mice in several park lodges.
However, the reviews I came across on Tripadvisor were for FAR more than the occasional mouse. Read below for more, and why my initial concern.
Was going to link but not sure it works properly so will just throw in here.
But I agree. The place is just too convenient...and so we will definitely do a 1-nighter there. Most don't mention this level of problems...
so will hope for the best.
Posting on Tripadvisor:
Traveler rating: 1 star
Mesa Verde National Park: Far View Lodge: "Full of Rodent Feces, did not comp, did not apologize"
4CornersLuvnIt, Flagstaff, AZ Jul 30, 2007
As a former interpretive employee at the National Park that Far View Lodge (operated by Aramark )serves , I booked a room to attend the Park's Centennial Alumni Celebration. After a full day of tours and talks I returned to Lodge to find the bed completely full of rodent feces. If you know rodents you know that exposure to Hanta Virus is primarily from their feces (black droppings). The staff was "too busy" to change the sheets, I walked over in the rain to pick up "clean" sheets, changed my own bed and finished out the night. Day light the next day revealed that the entire room was infested with droppings, baseboards, bathroom, rugs, furniture, window sills. When I checked out - as fast as humanly possible - the staff, singularly poorly trained, informed me that they not only couldn't comp the room, standard in the industry, but delivered the information in a manner which implied I was somehow at fault. Dingy, run down and poorly managed with poorly trained staff, have a drink in the bar but stay in one the small towns at the base of Mesa Verde.
Sep 19th, 2007, 01:55 AM
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And one of several that mentioned mice
in the dining room, too:
Traveler rating: 2 stars
Mesa Verde National Park: Far View Lodge: "Won't stay again"
Jmraggs, Palm Beach, Florida Jun 6, 2006
We had a new Kiva King room which was just re-decorated, but with one problem we didn't know about until after checking in late at night. The toilet didn't flush!!! We had a hard time getting someone to come to the room and repair it. All we received was lip service that someone would be there and no one ever showed up. Reported the problem the next day at 8am and by noon no one had been there yet. We had to walk down to the end main building every time we wanted to use the toilet. Finally at 2pm someone showed up with a snake and he found globs of was down the drain (from the wax ring that was obviously installed incorrectly or dropped down the drain). After placing the toilet back in place, he broke the toilet and they had no spares! Had to argue with the manager because I refused to pay for the room after that mess with the toilet overflowing and not working for such a long time.
On top of that, there Metate dining room had mice running around the floor while dining. I am sure the health department would like that one with the critters running around the tables and dishes at night. We never ate there again. We complained to the manager and he joked saying that "This is the wilderness you know". Several people at different tables also saw the mice and complained.
in the dining room, too:
Traveler rating: 2 stars
Mesa Verde National Park: Far View Lodge: "Won't stay again"
Jmraggs, Palm Beach, Florida Jun 6, 2006
We had a new Kiva King room which was just re-decorated, but with one problem we didn't know about until after checking in late at night. The toilet didn't flush!!! We had a hard time getting someone to come to the room and repair it. All we received was lip service that someone would be there and no one ever showed up. Reported the problem the next day at 8am and by noon no one had been there yet. We had to walk down to the end main building every time we wanted to use the toilet. Finally at 2pm someone showed up with a snake and he found globs of was down the drain (from the wax ring that was obviously installed incorrectly or dropped down the drain). After placing the toilet back in place, he broke the toilet and they had no spares! Had to argue with the manager because I refused to pay for the room after that mess with the toilet overflowing and not working for such a long time.
On top of that, there Metate dining room had mice running around the floor while dining. I am sure the health department would like that one with the critters running around the tables and dishes at night. We never ate there again. We complained to the manager and he joked saying that "This is the wilderness you know". Several people at different tables also saw the mice and complained.
Sep 19th, 2007, 04:55 AM
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Stayed there last year. It is not that bad! Our room had a lovely view and was clean. You won't find luxury out there. I almost was scared off by bad reviews, but I am SO glad we stayed there. it is along drive in. the food was very good. don't be put off by a few people reporting problems. Nothings is perfect.
Sep 19th, 2007, 05:30 AM
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Daydreamer, we've stayed at the Far View three times (three different years) and never seen a rodent or any droppings (wasn't really inspecting the corners of the closets for them, but didn't see anything obvious). These rooms are your typical basic park lodgings, nothing fancy but you are paying for location, location, location.
I think these rodent reports are anomalies and not the norm ... but if you're really worried about it stay in Cortez (Holiday Inn Express is our favorite place there) but then it's about an hour drive to Mesa Verde if I remember correctly.
Bill
I think these rodent reports are anomalies and not the norm ... but if you're really worried about it stay in Cortez (Holiday Inn Express is our favorite place there) but then it's about an hour drive to Mesa Verde if I remember correctly.
Bill
Sep 19th, 2007, 05:56 AM
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It is about a 10 minute drive from Cortez to the ENTRANCE of Mesa Verde. The drive to visitor center is another 30 - 40 minutes. It is curvy, but the views [for the passenger] are spectacular. There are many places to stay and eat in Cortez. If you are only doing one day at Mesa Verde, you will not save any drives in or out and can simply stay elsewhere if want to not stay at Far View.
The staff at the Far View tends to be young [20 somethings] that work summers in one locale and then head to work winters in another. A lot of them are college students.
One thing I might be concerned with is that the college students are gone, and that they are winding down operations and getting ready to close soon. I think the chance that they will be short handed is a real possibility.
We have a friend that worked at Metate Dining Room at Far View last summer. He said that it is best to be there as soon as it opens for dinner to avoid crowds. [5:30 I think]. He said that often bus loads come in and then it is bad. I have heard that food is very good, but service is hit or miss. He would have been a good waiter to have, but alas he is working in Durango now.
If you are terribly concerned, stay in Cortez. Along with Holiday Inn Express, there is a nice Comfort Inn and Best Western and good places to eat breakfast and dinner.
As far as tours -- I have given you my 2 cents worth on our favorites and we are at MV frequently. I will be going next week, taking a friend from NY whose has never been to SW. I can't wait to show her MV - she will be wowed.
Debi
The staff at the Far View tends to be young [20 somethings] that work summers in one locale and then head to work winters in another. A lot of them are college students.
One thing I might be concerned with is that the college students are gone, and that they are winding down operations and getting ready to close soon. I think the chance that they will be short handed is a real possibility.
We have a friend that worked at Metate Dining Room at Far View last summer. He said that it is best to be there as soon as it opens for dinner to avoid crowds. [5:30 I think]. He said that often bus loads come in and then it is bad. I have heard that food is very good, but service is hit or miss. He would have been a good waiter to have, but alas he is working in Durango now.
If you are terribly concerned, stay in Cortez. Along with Holiday Inn Express, there is a nice Comfort Inn and Best Western and good places to eat breakfast and dinner.
As far as tours -- I have given you my 2 cents worth on our favorites and we are at MV frequently. I will be going next week, taking a friend from NY whose has never been to SW. I can't wait to show her MV - she will be wowed.
Debi
Sep 19th, 2007, 06:03 AM
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Can't comment on the lodging, but if you are afraid of it, don't book it!
We were staying in Pagosa Spgs, so it was a long day trip for us for Mesa Verde, but we easily did that, went to 4-corners, Shiprock Peak, NM, dinner in Farmington, NM & back to Pagosa just as the sun was going down.
As for tours, we saw the Spruce Tree House from the porch of the Museum. We got to Cliff Palace at noon, had a picnic lunch in a nice shaded area, which was a relief from the sun. Our tour of CP was great, our guide was very informative & funny, he didn't try to rush us through it. Bought tickets at the visitor center upon arrival. I had seen pictures of these types of "homes", yet I was still amazed. Even though the weather was hot & sunny, by the end of the tour a storm had come up and we got wet. My whole life I've had a fear of climbing ladders and at the end, the only way out is to climb 3 ladders built up the side of the rock cliff, but I didn't have time to think about my "ladderphobia", the rain & lightening was getting so bad. I held my breath & climbed with no time to think about it or look down. DH went first & got a picture of me coming up the last ladder, I actually had a smile on my face! We had to park quite aways from the entrance, but it ended up being fairly close to the exit, about a 1/8 mile run. Just as we got to the van, it started hailing, pea size & bigger. Luckily, we put towels over the seats when we travel & they sure came in handy, as we were drenched. As we left, we saw areas that had so much hail along the road, it looked like snow, but then 5 miles down the road, the sun was shining again.
While you are visiting the area, be sure to go to 4-Corners, not much there, but you can say "been there, done that". Also, it's a drive, but if you want something really cool, go to Durango, CO and take the Durango/Silverton steam train ride -- wonderful! Also, this whole area is great for hot air balloons -- probably one of the most fantastic things I've ever done!! Way cool. 8-)
We were staying in Pagosa Spgs, so it was a long day trip for us for Mesa Verde, but we easily did that, went to 4-corners, Shiprock Peak, NM, dinner in Farmington, NM & back to Pagosa just as the sun was going down.
As for tours, we saw the Spruce Tree House from the porch of the Museum. We got to Cliff Palace at noon, had a picnic lunch in a nice shaded area, which was a relief from the sun. Our tour of CP was great, our guide was very informative & funny, he didn't try to rush us through it. Bought tickets at the visitor center upon arrival. I had seen pictures of these types of "homes", yet I was still amazed. Even though the weather was hot & sunny, by the end of the tour a storm had come up and we got wet. My whole life I've had a fear of climbing ladders and at the end, the only way out is to climb 3 ladders built up the side of the rock cliff, but I didn't have time to think about my "ladderphobia", the rain & lightening was getting so bad. I held my breath & climbed with no time to think about it or look down. DH went first & got a picture of me coming up the last ladder, I actually had a smile on my face!
We had to park quite aways from the entrance, but it ended up being fairly close to the exit, about a 1/8 mile run. Just as we got to the van, it started hailing, pea size & bigger. Luckily, we put towels over the seats when we travel & they sure came in handy, as we were drenched. As we left, we saw areas that had so much hail along the road, it looked like snow, but then 5 miles down the road, the sun was shining again.While you are visiting the area, be sure to go to 4-Corners, not much there, but you can say "been there, done that". Also, it's a drive, but if you want something really cool, go to Durango, CO and take the Durango/Silverton steam train ride -- wonderful! Also, this whole area is great for hot air balloons -- probably one of the most fantastic things I've ever done!! Way cool. 8-)
Sep 21st, 2007, 04:49 PM
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Hi there Daydreamer! Are you still looking for help?
In September '05, we (4 of us) stayed in 2 of the Kiva rooms, upper floor. They had been recently renovated with lovely rustic-style furniture, a big comfy king bed, even bathrobes! The views at sunset and sunrise were stunning! I'd stay there again without hesitation!
We also ate dinner and breakfast in the Metate Room. It was quite delicious. At sunset, try for a window seat.
Absolutely NO rodents seen at all.
Happy travels!
In September '05, we (4 of us) stayed in 2 of the Kiva rooms, upper floor. They had been recently renovated with lovely rustic-style furniture, a big comfy king bed, even bathrobes! The views at sunset and sunrise were stunning! I'd stay there again without hesitation!
We also ate dinner and breakfast in the Metate Room. It was quite delicious. At sunset, try for a window seat.
Absolutely NO rodents seen at all.
Happy travels!
Sep 22nd, 2007, 09:38 PM
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Kopp...
thanks so much! Caught this earlier, and didn't manage to reply. Appreciate the positive feedback and I did end up booking a Kiva room, and requested upstairs. Appreciate
your sharing your experience there.
Hope we can eat in the dining room too.
thanks so much! Caught this earlier, and didn't manage to reply. Appreciate the positive feedback and I did end up booking a Kiva room, and requested upstairs. Appreciate
your sharing your experience there.
Hope we can eat in the dining room too.
