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Circle View Guest Ranch – reviews, photos

20055 East Highway 44, Scenic, SD 57780
Hotel amenities
Circle View Guest Ranch
4.5 of 5 stars 89 Reviews
17 January 2012 -
GMO F
28 October 2011 -
GoingSomewhereAgain

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89 reviews from our community

    Trip type
Traveller rating
    72
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Date Rating
Eden Prairie
1 review
“Great Property, Noisy Children”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 January 2012

I debated for quite a while on providing a review because of my mixed feelings. The owners and staff are very pleasant. They are kind, knowledgeable and they provided a comfortable environment for the few days that we stayed at the Circle View Ranch. The owners warned us ahead of time to bring food for lunches and supper which was a great tip! There are very few options nearby to eat and as a bonus, it saved us money. The breakfasts were out of this world. The food is of a high standard and was wonderfully prepared. The spread was more than I have ever seen at a B&B establishment and I was highly impressed. When we first approached the B&B I was immediately discouraged by the outward appearance but do not be fooled! The inside is welcoming, clean and nice. The B&B is atop a plateau which provides the most beautiful views of a river and valley. There is a balcony which is so relaxing to sit on and take in the landscapes.

The rooms were clean, nice and well equipped. It is very nice to have a private bathroom, even if you can hear everything going on in the bathroom above and next to you. The owner built the building specifically to use as a B&B. That said, I am a bit taken aback that he did not put more care into the structure itself. I would believe that insulation was used between rooms due to the plan for the structure but it did not seem that was the case. When in our room, we could hear everything in the rooms around us, even with doors closed. My husband is a very light sleeper so that posed as a problem at times. The décor was beautiful but there were details that were missed which had no bearing on our stay, just surprising. The floor mouldings don't always connect, etc. Perhaps if as much care was put into the craftsmanship as was put into the cosmetic décor, the place would be ideal.

Please be aware that there are two separate levels to the B&B. The top level is the main guest level and there is also a corridor of guest rooms downstairs. We were unfortunate enough to be placed downstairs near the family living area. It isn’t that I dislike children however I dislike unruly children who do not know how to behave. Due to all of the traveling and sightseeing, we were a bit worn. At one point, a nap was in order and the uncontrollable children made sure that if they were awake, we were all awake. The paper thin walls allowed me to hear it all, even if I did not want to hear it all and I predict the children will remain uncontrollable for some time as the parents seem to knuckle under to their kids’ every demand. Until the children are taught boundaries, I highly recommend an upstairs room where you may have a beter chance at finding peace and quiet. If you do not mind loud, noisy, tired kids, hungry, screaming, exhausted babis then any room should do. I have grown children and operated a daycare so I am familiar with kids being kids but no matter how much I like children, unruly children will never be my idea of a good time. I would think the owners would have an obligation to their patrons to offer a relaxing environment and disobedient kids are not it.

Overall, I would recommend this establishment to anybody, just know what you are entering into and ear plugs may be a logical idea. If possible, I would request a room away from the children but the B&B offers a beautiful backdrop to a vacation. The badlands are nearby. Wall is nearby and there is a gas station about ten minutes away if you forgot anything important. I would go back again just to partake in the amazing breakfast!

Room Tip: Main guest floor if your preference is quiet
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  • Stayed July 2011, travelled as a couple
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 2 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask GMO F about Circle View Guest Ranch
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Amy Kruse, Owner at Circle View Guest Ranch, responded to this review
22 January 2012
Thank you for taking the time to write your review for the Circle View Guest Ranch. We are pleased that your overall stay was favorable and that you enjoyed our stunning views, great breakfasts, and a warm ranch welcome!

We are so sorry to hear, however, that everything was not as pleasant as possible, and we sincerely apologize for your discomfort and interrupted relaxation. Our guests love that Circle View is a working cattle ranch and that we live on the property and are always available for their needs. We do have a young, active family with all that involves, but we have built a soundproof family wing, which almost always ensures that the guests have a relaxing, comfortable stay with us. Evidently the day to which you are referring (june 4), you must have returned to the ranch unknown to us or our staff and been in your room without us having any knowledge. Had we known you were in the house in the mid-day (which on most days the house is vacant) we certainly would have made sure the children were out of earshot for you to relax and rest for the afternoon, which is what all of our guests deserve. We must have failed to live up to our own standards when you were with us, and we again apologize and appreciate your candid remarks intended to help us improve Circle View for our future guests who desire the peace and endless vistas at our B&B.
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Canton, Michigan
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
11 helpful votes 11 helpful votes
“Hidden Gem of The Badlands”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 28 October 2011
1
person found this review helpful

After taking some last minute advice from a TA member in the South Dakota Forum, we decided to spend a 2 nights/3 day stay in The Badlands (Sept. 3-5, 2011) at the Circle View Guest Ranch. The ranch is owned and operated by Phil and Amy Kruse, a lovely married couple with 3 small children, The location was perfect, sitting high atop a butte about a mile south off of Hwy 44, with the White River meadering along the southern boundary of the property, smack dab in the middle of The Badlands. Needless to say the views were breathtaking, from sunrise to sunset, and especially the night sky! The ranch house was warm and inviting, our bedroom was so cozy it felt just like home, and the hospitality of this young family was amazing! And the breakfasts, well they were absolutely delicious, from the farm fresh eggs collecte daily from the hen house to the whole wheat blueberry pancakes made from ranch grown wheat to the fresh fruit and yummy breakfast desserts. Quite honestly, it felt like we were visiting family. If we ever visit the Badlands again, you can be sure we will be staying at the Circle View Guest Ranch, most definitely a Hidden Gem of The Badlands. .

  • Stayed September 2011, travelled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask GoingSomewhereAgain about Circle View Guest Ranch
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Boston, Massachusetts
Top Contributor
51 reviews 51 reviews
Reviews in 23 cities Reviews in 23 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
“Something Good in the Badlands”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 October 2011
1
person found this review helpful

The CVGR is, like the badlands, in the middle of nowhere. It may be a little difficult to find and the drive up to this B&B can be a little testy, but it is worth it. The CVGR sits atop a hill and offers a picturesque view of the badlands and of a winding river. The Kruse family make a real effort to welcome and create a comfortable atmosphere. We enjoyed a bonfire with the other guests the night we were there. The room was fairly bare bones but the beds were comfortable. Breakfast was wonderful.

  • Stayed October 2011, travelled on business
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Bill C about Circle View Guest Ranch
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Monrovia, Indiana, United States
1 review
“1880's Cabin”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 October 2011

This is a wonderful place to stay if you are looking for a change of pace and scenery. Our family of four (2 adults early 30's and 2 children ages 3 1/2 and 7 yrs old) decided to "rough" it out for a change!!! At the end of a two week vacation traveling WY and SD...We stop at CV Guest Ranches 1880' Cabin. I had called months prior to staying getting all the info we needed to enjoy our stay ( a very welcoming phone call). We brought our own sheets, water, food, lights for the evening and most of all an open mind because you never know what to expect when enjoying the outdoors. We really didn't go up to the B&B much because we where having to much fun playing in the creek every day, chasing the grasshoppers with the kids, finding interesting rocks, riding horses with the owners relatives, enjoying evening storms, and sitting by the campfire after the kids crashed for the night. Of course this was a crazy season for grasshoppers and spiders and they would join us in the cabin at night.....So what!!! That's outdoors for ya and we dealt with it just like you would sleeping under the stars in sleeping bags. Our kids enjoyed hand pumping our water for baths and using the out house late at night...who would of thought LOL. I really can't find any one thing to complain about and would go back in a heart beat!!!! Thanks guys for the great hospitality we seemed like part of the family!!

Room Tip: 1880" cabin for an open mind
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  • Stayed August 2011, travelled with family
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Amanda L about Circle View Guest Ranch
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Amy Kruse, Owner at Circle View Guest Ranch, responded to this review
22 January 2012
So, so glad your family enjoyed our 1880 homestead cabin! We do hope that you'll all be able to come back another time.

Thank you for taking the time to inform others about your experience with us, we appreciate it!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Bethesda, MD
Senior Contributor
32 reviews 32 reviews
Reviews in 17 cities Reviews in 17 cities
17 helpful votes 17 helpful votes
“Great place to stay in Badlands”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 3 October 2011

We stayed at Circle View two nights on a recent trip to the Badlands. The ranch is on the top of a plateau with terrific views of "badlands" scenery in every direction. Our room faced South overlooking the river and distant mountains. The room and bathroom were very clean and the room was quite well appointed. The common area was comfortable with a kitchen for preparing meals. We cooked dinner both nights (the ranch is pretty remote and you could go into the National Park for dinner (about 6 or 7 miles away) but we enjoyed cooking and relaxing with a glass of wine. If you take the self-cooking approach, buy food in Wall or Rapid City because there is nothing near the ranch. The breakfasts were filling - muffins or scones, eggs, breakfast meats, oatmeal, cinnamon buns. The hosts - Amy and Phil were very friendly and their three kids, 3, 2 and 1 were a delight. The chickens, dogs and burros, were fun to see and feed (burros and chickens). We would definitely stay here again if we return to the Badlands (which are amazing).

  • Stayed September 2011, travelled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask GTfromDC about Circle View Guest Ranch
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

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