I told Adam on Saturday night, after the banquet...

"Adam, I'm not trying to be nice...there's absolutely nothing you all could've done to make the event better for us. Thank you!"

I did tell him that we'd have a thread like this to gather feedback...my perspective is surely different from others. Thanks for your feedback - this is EXACTLY what makes Fontana BETTER!!

 

I would say our cabin could have used some improvement, but looking at things I think they're arleady working their way around the facility and renovating.

Also, when I called to check that our cabin was near the ball field/ camp fire, they said "it's the closest one" without mentioning it was a cool 1/2 mile from it! Maybe a little mis-communication on both sides; I'll be more clear next year (and use a map!).

But overall things went smoothly and I think they accommodated us all VERY well.

 

lol, we were even throwing M80's in the fire too! It was right above the ball fields next to the putt-putt course.

_Matt

 

I had no real complaints. We had ants, but realistically, it's a single wide trailer in the woods in NC... there's gonna be ants. And our copious consumption of coke (and ONLY coke ) surely didn't give 'em anything to eat.

I really don't care about internetz or cell phones... though for safety's sake, and organizing, twisting someone's arm to build a damn cell tower would be nice.

 

 

I enjoyed my stay. Room could have been cleaner. At first glance it looked clean. Upon leaving my paranoia of leaving something behind had me lifting up the blankets to check around the bed to find empty Pringles cans and used tissues... Eww.

Actually after the bugs and multiple live and dead rat deal at Nantahala I could have slept in an ally and been content.

 

Although I didn't go this year....

1)Phones in every room/cabin. They cost $20 a piece, and laying lines in that kind of environment is not very difficult.

2)High Powered wifi throughout the entire premises.

3)Since I work in the restaurant industry, I must say, the food at Fontana isn't very good. The reason is, they DON'T DO LOCAL. I live in NY. If I wanted lasagna, I would eat it here. Don't serve something you...
a)Can't cook right
b)Don't have the right ingredients
c)Nobody wants.

This is Tennessee/NC. Have good BBQ. Have good ribs, steaks, burgers, some fish, whatever. Stop serving pretentious food that people don't really care for. Serve what you know, and know WELL. Sorry to be critical, but I can guarantee a HUGE increase in profits, as people won't go looking for food elsewhere if they get the basics right.

4)Maintain the cabins a bit better.

Thats it for me. Other things would just raise the price to a point where I'd rather not see it. Other than the above 4, I love the place...I like it regardless, but it could be better.

P.S.

5) If you REALLY want to go above and beyond....you do have a lot of car clubs stay at your hotel....have a 2 bay garage built, equipped with basic tools, a couple of jacks/jackstands and an air compressor, and let people use it (even for a fee).

 

They close the bar at 11? WTF??? I know we would have rocked that place until well into the wee hours Friday and Saturday night. It totally would have been worth it to the village to keep it open.

I also agree with the internet comments. How on earth is it THAT bad?!?!?! I would have sworn it worked better last year. They really do need need to work on that one; high-speed internet is almost universal these days.

Other than the above, I had a GREAT time and a WONDERFUL experience. These little two items are, in my mind, minuscule and overcome by the fact that they even put up with us. I was able to find the few items I left at home as well as some stuff "I never knew I needed" at the general store and I really enjoyed the meals I ate at the Bistro and Wildwood. The room was clean and the bed was comfortable. What else is there????

Fontana RULES!!!

 

I stayed at the lodge for the first time this year (usually I am in a cabin). I found the room to be nice and well appointed, sure there were a few bugs but we were out in the woods so I kinda expect it. The breakfast buffet was awesome, and the staff was very friendly and accommodating.

My only complaint was room 203 watching infomercials at high volume at 3:45 in the AM to drown out the snores of my roomie.

Our TV went out, which was awesome! I could've used the internet before midnight, when I could finally get a decent speed. We found that it was a one laptop at a time connection. Two laptops overwhelmed the system.

Also a speed shop with tires for the S2K would've been nice. With a touchless mounter and an experienced balancer. Oh and Sharks with lasers. Where were the sharks with lasers?

 

The staff was really nice and helpful- even when I requested to change rooms because of the spiders and ants. They even stored my fruit in the fridge for me (to avoid the ants from following me to my next room).

The banquet food was very much improved.

I may suggest the luggage rack have brakes on them so I do not have to chase my luggage down the hill again.

Overall: