Enjoy the little things in life

I skimmed the reviews on this page and I have to wonder what is going on with people these days. I have been going to the Trapp since I was six years old (24 now). I learned to Swim, dive, hike and enjoy the little things in life. If all you can complain about is wallpaper and not having camps for your kids. Come on now, you are in Vermont. Take your kids to Ben and Jerry's and hike up to the cabin. The Trapp is such a gorgeous place with so many hidden treasures. I still try to visit twice a year since moving to maryland from Mass. I have to say it has lost some of its spark, however, the spark is what you make of it. The views, the hiking, the relaxation. This is what the hills of Vermont are about. I feel bad for the people who give these awful reviews. Truely the Trapp is a wonderful place that I will always recommend people visit. Take in the History, take in the views and relax. That is what a vacation is for right? The timeshares are gorgeous and spacious. This place has been a treasure in my life and I hope all the critics out there find whatever flawless hotel room they are looking for. Just remember flaws are full of character and history. Embrace this place!!!

Disappointing and overpriced

My grandmother had visited the Von Trapp Family Inn when I was a child and raved about it. For 10 years since I moved to the area I had wanted to visit. We stayed there over April, 2004 vacation. What a disappointment.

Our room was adequate but nothing fantastic. The sing-a-longs touted on the web and in their brochure, we were informed upon check in that they no longer exist.

We had hoped to have the children participate in some Kid's camp activities, but the 3 days we were there (during our school vacation week), the only real activity was a child's movie at 2 pm. The middle of the day and being inside when the sun is shining was not an option for us.

We made our reservation to include the 5 course dinners. The food was adequate. I've had just as good at the 99 or Applebees and clearly for a lot less money. The service was rushed the first night but after that we had great waiters and waitresses who treated our children very well. (The first evening the bad waiter brought them a coloring menu but no crayons).

Our last evening there the turndown service started knocking at the door at 9pm. Our children were already in bed and we were of course trying to be quiet so they could sleep.

The final blow came our last day there. As we were cleaning our room up to leave we lifted the bed skirts to find someone elses socks and chocolates from the hotel that were not ours (they had different wrapping). I suddenly felt that the place had never been cleaned.

Then my 7 year old daughter went out onto the deck area outside our room. 3 of the cleaning staff were there, two of which (a man and a woman) had their hands all over each other and were discussing their drinking escapades from the evening before. This did not stop until I appeared on the deck as well.

The view is beautiful, but you can get that anywhere in Stowe. This place is over-priced and not nearly as kid friendly as they claim to be. I've told everyone I know not to waste their money or their time.

Very disappointed

What a disappointment! From the dingy lobby to the peeling wallpaper, this was not what we expected. We were first given a room with a continuous hum the likes of a jet engine; when we complained we were told the room is above the kitchen and it was probably the kitchen fans. The replacement room was acceptable but not as nice. (No price adjustment was offered.) The lodge was overrun with kids (this is not the place to go for a romantic weekend - I awoke at 5:30 both mornings hearing a screaming child in the room below) and the noise in the bar (from the piano and other patrons) was so loud when we went down for dinner Saturday night that we asked to sit in the library (a request which was refused by the bar manager but then okayed by the restaurant manger, probably only because there was a wait for tables.) There is so much Trapp Family memorabilia that we felt we had been dropped into the Trapp Family Theme Park. We did have a good dinner in the dining room (although it took over two hours to be served a three-course meal). My friend liked the cross-country ski trails, and the view is, of course, unparalled. (The Trapps couldn't commercialize this, at least.) Bakery was so-so. Upon departure I got in the elevator with a bellhop pushing a rack full of luggage; the elevator got stuck, the bellhop pried the doors open and then jumped up and down until the elevator dropped the last 12 inches to the first floor. Yikes. What is the management of this resort doing with with money they must be raking in? We probably won't go back.

Nordic skiers paradise

I stayed at the Trapp Family Lodge early last January and was delighted to find that the lodge still had all of their holiday decorations on display. The lodge, my room and the scenery surrounding the resort truly made me feel like I was in the Alps. The cross country skiing trails were wonderful and invigorating. We ate lunch in the Austrian Tea Room and enjoyed an authentic Austrian Wurst platter with hot potato salad that was heavenly. At the end of a long day of exploring the various cross country ski trails, it was a pleasure to sip a glass of wine by the fire in the upstairs lounge while enjoying a relaxing conversation with my family. My stay went much too quickly but left me with memories that I will never forget.

Save your Money Stay in Smuggler's Notch/JeffersonVille

We stayed at the Lodge 10/3 checked out on 10/4. Total cost for the room was $425. What a total rape. For this money I expected 5 star accomdations and I got 1 star acomdations. I'll never go back. We stayed 5 nights in the Sterling Ridge Inn Cabins in JeffersonVille and they were Awesome, 5 star for a 3 star price, skip this wreck of a hotel. All the money is going into the family's wallets and NONE of it back into the property. Go for a day trip, but AVOID STAYING HERE. I have 5 children, and this is also NOT a family place, it's for peopel over 65 who have money to burn and have never stayed in a 5 star hotel.

July Visit

My husband and I stayed there in a $250 room with A/C. We found the room clean and being right under the Austrian bell, we had a great view. The grounds, especially the cemetary, were in excellent condition, the breakfast was excellent and the afternoon tea with cookies, etc. was very good. We have no complaints except for the bakery. It looked disheveled and rather dirty and they definitely need to expand on it and bring it up-to-date. We have stayed there before and we would stay again.

Must have A/C at Trapp in the Summer

We visited the Trapp Family Lodge in August 2003 and stayed in one of their 2 bedroom timeshare units without air conditioning. I would never do that again! I thought I was getting what some reviews called a "luxury" accomodation, but it was a "budget" quality. The unit was damp from humidity-the carpet was damp, the sheets were damp, the furniture was sticky, and the unit is not cleaned properly! The bedspreads and furniture are old, the wallpaper is peeling, the kitchenette and entire unit is dated! The funny part is that the resort is trying to sell timeshares - if that is how they maintain their units, I'm not sure how they could sell a single one! It is in serious need of updating! In addition, we had friends join us for part of our vacation who stayed in the main lodge. They got stuck in a room without a/c and had to leave early b/c when they opened the windows for air, huge black flies came in. Other than the accomodations, the resort was a nice change from the hustle and bustle of every day life. Stowe is a great place, but I would not return to Trapp unless they put significant money into updating the accomodations.

Beautiful

We stayed at this beautiful hotel at the beginning of August 2003.

Surrounded by superb scenery the setting is idyllic. The balconies of this Austrian styled lodge were covered in flowers and the Trapp burial site a delight to the eye.In the hotel there were rooms where you could just sit down and play a board game or try to complete a puzzle. Simple pleasures, but even our young children enjoyed it.The only meal we had at the hotel,although pricey was breakfast,and it was very nice. Also, the hotel staff were very helpful.All around the hotel are photos of the Trapp family and the various stages of the hotel construction. All in all staying there was a great experience

A run down overpriced hotel

The Trapp Family Lodge was a disappointment at many levels. I had visited the hotel as a child in the fall and remember the views as being spectacular. The view is now the resorts only saving grace. We arrived at the hotel and was shown to our $375 a night room which we discovered had no air conditioner. Later we were moved to a guest house which also have no air conditioners (or dehumidifiers) but more windows to open. The whole resort is in desparate need of a makeover. The wallpaper is peeling off the walls, the bathrooms are dingy. The furniture is sleek with moisture. Everything needs a coat of paint. Even the bakery on site was a joke. The bread I bought was probably baked 6 months ago and was still frozen when they handed it to me. The pool that the kids can use is not as nice as the ones in my friends back yards. You pay 40/day for the kids 4 hour camp for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a walk around the grounds. Don't waste your money. Go to the Smuggler's notch resort or the Top notch. If you must drive by the Trapp place and check out the view

Worth climbing this mountain!

The Trapp Family Lodge refers to itself as offering a little bit of Austria with a lot of Vermont. It's run by the family that inspired "The Sound of Music." The inn weaves this heritage in without going over the top. It's a high-quality place--and pricey as a result. It's a bit of a splurge with kids. We enjoyed our stay, finding it to be "country" elegant and professionally-run. The mountain views are gorgeous. Our "premier" room was spacious and comfortable with a lovely patio overlooking an apple orchard. The Main Lodge was quiet, perhaps a bit staid if you have young ones in tow. Again, we were there in April--proably a quiet time. The inn has miles of hiking trails among its many outdoor offerings.There is swimming and a kid's program that included crafts and kite-flying at $15 per kite--somewhat limited during our late-April stay. The kids program offerings through the warmer weather and fall are probably many more. Our kids enjoyed the indoor pool in the fitness center; there's an outdoor pool overlooking the mountains and valley for warmer weather. The lodge offers guest houses, too--perhaps a better plan for families with wee ones. The Main Dining Room offers first-rate cuisine, an excellent wine list, and wait staff that is friendly and professional. The children's menu is a tad pricey--for example, $12 for spaghetti and a fruit cup, but the wait staff were very good with our toddler. My only dining room real complaint was about the behavior of a 20-something guest with a tour bus group. She picked at her food and loudly complained about the tasty-looking spinach and other food she was served; perhaps a fast-food stop was in order for her. My 11-year old was amused and appalled!The Trapp Family Lodge is a unique, lovely place that does indeed live up to its promise of offering tasteful European ambience and the best of Vermont hospitality. Its surroundings are unique and its setting is beautiful. It's a lovely alternative to the more bustling central Stoweautiful place to enjoy the great outdoors. If you're a "Sound of Music" fan it will be an even more special destination.