Far View Lodge

There are a lot of mixed reviews on here. I stayed 2nights last week and hated to leave. Yes, this is a lodge in a park, not a 5 star hotel. The parking is right outside your door. When I opened the door to my room I saw newly laid laminate flooring, new windows with screens, a balcony with a small table and two chairs, an area with hangers, a dresser, a desk and chair. Exactly what I expected and needed. Sitting on the balcony to watch the sunrise or gaze at the night sky … priceless. Yes, the bathroom is small but it had all you needed … and the small shower stall was clean and recently updated. Yes, the position of the faucet in the sink outside the room is awkward … but these are such small things. Walls are thin, but it seems that most people turn in early and I heard no noise from other rooms after 9:30 pm. Stay with the right expectations and I am sure you will thoroughly enjoy your stay … did I mention how amazing the night sky is!!! C’mon …. Staying here is a treat!

Believe the negative reviews. Half the rooms at the Far View Lodge in Mesa Verde NP are shuttered and condemned. All the facilities run by Aramark, the private concessionaire are dirty, unkempt, and neglected. Maybe one third of the staff great and the other two thirds rude and disrespectful or totally disinterested in their jobs. We stayed 2 nights although we had originally planned on 3 nights. I went downstairs in the lodge main building on the 2nd day to use the microwave to reheat dinner leftovers for lunch. Dirty, unkempt “game room” with warning signs not to use doors due to construction. Filthy bathrooms in main building on lower level with overflowing trash cans. Chipped ceilings and wall paint in our room. Dirty floors. Not at all like the photos. Room 138. On the positive side our room had a great view and fairly new windows with screens in very good condition. We were able to unplug the ac unit from the wall (even when not turned on it made a buzzing noise). We opened the large sliding windows and it was lovely to have fresh air. Quiet location. Beautiful sunrise view. The room stayed reasonably cool throughout our time there in mid-July. However, the unpainted and recently repaired wood framing around the balcony door made it difficult to open and close. Very small shower and bathroom. Sink with a faucet that was not aligned properly and gushed water over the bowl on to the floor when turned on with any pressure. Two dinners and two breakfasts at the Far View Lodge and the Far View Terrace cafe. Food was acceptable but not great. Good lattes at the cafe, a short distance away from the lodge building. So sad to see corporate USA cost cutting at work in what was once probably a beautiful facility. Bring as much of your own food as you can or camp at the campground. However, having said all this, the location of Far View Lodge is stupendous. The campground is located closer to the park entrance and the lodge is 11 miles further into the park and conveniently located to the important sites, museum, and trails. Our room was the least expensive room we’ve ever experienced within a national park but you get what you pay for. We enjoyed seeing the wildlife (deer and birds) and several wild horses roaming near the lodge. One evening we drove to the campground for a performance by indigenous people from a Pueblo near Albuquerque so be sure to check out what is happening in the evenings at the campground amphitheater. The performance and setting was amazing. To recap, Far View Lodge is located in a great location. Convenient to visit the cliff dwellings, museum, trails, and the cafe for catching a tour. Just in bad condition and some staff members are fantastic and others (like the woman who checked us in), treat you rudely. 700 Year Tour was fantastic with a man from Texas as the guide. Highly recommend this tour. Sign up ahead of time. Well worth the price. Tour guide was great and so was the van driver. Can’t remember

Having stayed at several other National Park hotels, there are a few expectations: excellent location, adequate basic rooms within walking distance to a place to eat, pleasant and no tv. It’s not a resort but it’s definitely a place your family can get together. Yes there is internet and air conditioning. We had a great Kiva deluxe room. Pleasantly appointed with Navaho blankets, great beds, a large sink and counter, a desk, two chairs, large refrigerator, and an armoire to hang clothes, store luggage and coolers. There is a balcony with a small table and two chairs. Imagine my son’s surprise when he saw a herd of wild horses walk by and graze right by our rooms. At night you will see thousands of stars. The air conditioner is noisy but works. Bring a night light as the room is really dark once the lights are out. The rooms have been updated and for the space pretty well laid out. There is an alcove I wish they put in a long bench to hold luggage. The bathroom, while functional, is really tight. Overall we were happy with our two night stay and would recommend.