Would NEVER Go Back

We checked in on July 28, 2003 and checked out by noon on July 29, 2003 . . . and we suppose to stay three nights! I expected the hotel to be old but not run down!! The bowling area had bowling balls that looked like they had been thrown against concrete walls, they were so chipped and damaged. The arcade games had an inch of dust on them! The pools were old and decaying. The water wasn't even clear.

The rooms weren't as clean as we would have hoped! The roll away bed my son had to sleep on was dirtly and in terrible shape and the bathroom shower was very moldy!!

I expected a fun, family atmosphere but instead it was quiet...odd.

There weren't many families there. Everyone is catching on that this place needs work!

Would never embarrass myself my recommending this hotel to anyone!

Let down

Our trip to French Lick was pretty much a let down. From the minute it came into site I knew it was no longer the hotel people had talked about years ago. The only part of the hotel that even looks like it is cleaned is the lobby and spa, everything else is pretty much gross. In fact, when we walked into our room a huge sticky peice of candy was stuck on one of the bedspreads. When the hotel staff never showed up to resolve the situation we just yanked the blanket off all together. When I opened the closet to search for a new blanket I did find an old sock!

The furniture was of no better quality than that of any other hotel so I wasn't impressed by that as another person was. They certainly weren't antiques. The pool was rundown and old as well. Wasn't impressed by the hot tub and everything else was kinda pricey (tennis, etc). It definitly sort of depressing to see what had to be and extremely impressive hotel in it's day in shambles. Everything needs a little help.

The good points were the price. Didn't feel so bad since I didn't pay a whole lot. The spa was nice. I enjoyed all the services I got EXCEPT for the Aromatherapy Bath...as one other reviewer stated, it's not so nice bathing in smelly sulpher water separated from other naked bathers by only a small double swing door. Plus the tub was really dirty too.

And the food was good. We had a package that included spa activities and dinner every night and bfast every morning. I was pleasently surprised. For once the staff was helpful and nice and they had plenty of choices on the buffet. And the best of all would be the porch, although it's crowded and people are like vultures with the rockers.

Maybe bring a lawn chair!!!

Hugely Disappointed

Checked in at 5:00 on July 2nd - Checked out at 6:00 on July 2nd. That should say it all, but I will elaborate. I stayed at this resort 20 years ago for a conference and thought it was great. I don't know what happened (evidently no housekeeping since that time), but this place was a dump! The whole hotel is in a shambles. The rooms are in desperate need of remodeling. The bathrooms are 1950's and rusty and tacky. The room needed cleaned. The furniture was battered. There was no way we were staying the night there for fear of what may have crawled out when the lights went out. We marched down to the desk and asked for a full refund on the two adjoining rooms we had paid for. Needless to say, we waited in line behind several other visitors with similar complaints. Their one redeeming quality - we were given a complete refund. We drove a few blocks away and had a wonderful dinner at The Beechwood Inn (Bed & Breakfast). The folks at the French Lick Springs could take a few lessons from these innkeepers!

Needs Improvement

I have visited French Lick many times and my wife and I have always championed its' restoration and raved to all who would listen about the experience their inspired and helpful staff had provided for us. The last couple of years however, have been disappointing. My wife and I just visited again over the fourth of July weekend, and I made up my mind that it would be my last visit. A few of the reception staff were not as friendly as before. I met with unexpected expenses that I had never before incurred. The shower was slow at best. The service at Jack's was terrible, and the food over all was not as good as before. We had good experiences at the Spa, and Ranch!Sadly, and ex-patron

I wouldn't go back

We went for a girls' getaway weekend and except for a very good murder mystery show, had a very bad time. It definitely needs some refurbishing, although the rooms were clean and comfortable. The restaurants in the hotel were only so-so, and the town is so run down its a shame. The spa is over-rated. I'm sure in its heyday it was fabulous, but the "healing" spring water at the spa smelled awful - sulphury. Even the scented stuff they put in your water couldn't cover it up. They put you in a bathtub in a tiny closet size area, with only small swinging doors separating you from other people. I was very uncomfortable doing that and actually paid money for it (never again).

To top it off, when the 4 of us checked out, we were all charged different rates for the same 3 nights. We couldn't get through to the desk that there was something wrong with that so we later wrote emails to the manager - they did credit our accounts.

All in all, a bad experience.

Great Place

Just spent the weekend at the French lick Resort, have to say it was really nice, a lot of history in the buildings and grounds. If you want it its there. Staff was great- check out the package deals

Great Place For Kids and Family

My family and another family started making a annual ski trip to French Lick three years ago. Now in our third year, our group has grown to 47 people and we love it, looking foward to next year and I expect several more families to join. We probably look forward to this vacation more than our Florida vacation. ps: The HOT TUB in wonderful

Wonderful historic elegance

The elegance of this huge Grand Hotel with its extensive amenities (bowling lanes, domed pool, etc) is today available at Holiday Inn standards and prices through a judicious application of historical preservation and astute management. The free-spending American elite that once supported this opulent property no longer supports a staff ever at your elbow to cater to your every whim but the sparse staff required by economic necessity is nevertheless friendly and nicely responsive to your present-day requests. You'll probably carry your own bags to your room but that room still has the high celilings and elegant furniture once enjoyed by the fashionable and moneyed clientele of a bygone era. We unrolled the silverware from our (cloth) napkins at the hotel dining room, but the seasoning of our reasonably-priced chicken breasts was simply superb and the waiter was unusually accommodating. If you appreciate historic elegance and plan to overnight in southern Indiana without spending a fortune, this is unquestionably the place to choose.

Original class

My mom,age 78, and I stayed for an overnight get a way over my fall break. The Hotel is an event in itself. It was pleasently kept up and the original aura was present. I felt as if I had stepped back in time to the turn of the century. I was amazed by the architecture. The food was good. The service was good. The grounds were pretty. Our favorite spot was the front porch!!

Dissappointing

Went to French Lick Resort expecting a first class resort. It was not a very clean place, quite rundown. The staff as friendly enough, but should have been embarassed about the condition of the place. A shame because they were booked, not hurting for business, but do not try to keep up the historic hotel. Just making a quick buck.. My guess is that it is foreign owned, I mean by a foreigner, not an American. No pride of ownership. Dust is visible everywhere. It has sooo much potential. Nevertheless it is not hurting for business, probably because it is the only hotel for miles. Wouldn't go back unless I know that they've taken the time and money to keep the place up.