We had the privilege of staying at the ranch for almost a week in January of 2012, and right from the start I would say we are anxious to go back again.
My purpose there was to lose a few pounds, and the Ranch provided the activities to achieve that. I participated in as many of the exercise classes that I could, which included pilates, yoga, bootcamp, and aquafit , to name a few. All were staffed by enthusiastic and highly trained professionals who made the classes fun to participate in.
My husband and I also participated in several of their daily hikes. The hiking guide, Karen, took pains to take us on a different hike each day to give us a fresh view of the beautiful countryside around the ranch. A nice touch was bringing along her dog, Yogi, as an extra security measure in case we should encounter wildlife.
The first meal we had there was a total surprise. Since I was on the weight-loss plan, I was amazed at how generous the helpings were. I was equally surprised at how delicious and flavorful the food was. Not what I was expecting from the “diet plan”. I was also delighted to be able to get a copy of the ranch’s recipes for the dishes I really liked. They were more than willing to provide this information.
Over the course of the week, we ate breakfast and lunch in the Trails End dining room, with dinner in the 1871 Agnus McVee dining room. As the week wore on, it became a real curiosity of mine to see if they would be able to maintain that level of deliciousness that kept arriving at our tables. Even my husband, who was not on the diet plan, commented on how good the food was. They didn’t let us down!
As far as the service was concerned, I give the Ranch five stars. Since we knew we would be seeing a lot of the staff on a regular basis, we made it our business to get the staff’s names, give them ours, and get to know them. It became clear very early on that: the staff enjoyed working there, and also, that they were committed to making sure we had a great time. We also had the pleasure of meeting with the owner, Pat Corbett, and one of the managers, Len Doucette. Both of them came across as very down-to-earth and pleasant. In talking to their staff about them, it also became clear what a high level of respect and admiration the staff has for these two. If you’re a student of human nature, you know that if you like the people you are working for, you are going to give them 100%, the staff truly did!!
I would best describe the look of the ranch as rustic, and for us the ranch had a warm, “homey” feel, with old vintage machinery scattered around the property surroundings.
If you’re the caviar and champagne type, this is not the place for you. Go to a 5 star hotel in a big city. But if you want warm, personalized service in a rural setting where the staff really know how to make you feel welcome, this place will bring you back for more.
- The Hills Health Hotel
- The Hills Health Resort
