I just returned from a totally relaxing 3 days at Darnells and can say that I am very happy that the Raines Family is once again in charge! They have upgraded the grounds along with the rooms and you will find the staff at the Resort are extremely friendly and accomodating as we had several conversations with them and even the Owners. The atmosphere is very inviting because the Resort sits below the main road but is most certainly within walking distance to town and all that it offers. Spader Bay IS the best location for you to absorb the sunshine till late in the evening and take full advantage of the tremendous views. The sandy beach is perfect for the kids and the Cabana offers many activities along with food and drink. The kids loved the smoothies and us the iced latte's. We found it was easy to watch the kids as they hopped from the Lake to the pool and the hot tub. Darnells is totally Family Friendly offering Basketball hoops, a tennis court, beach volleyball and a private golf putting green. They have moorage for your boat or jet ski too. Even though the rooms are older they were immaculate with ours featuring a kitchen fully equipped. I never go to Chelan to stay indoors but the new flat screen came in handy for the kids later in the evening and the beds were quite comfortable. Each day we were there the room was professionally cleaned and the bed sheets and towels replaced with fresh ones. If your looking to "get away" from the standard commercialized Lake Chelan experience then Darnells Lakefront Resort is the only place to stay and get away from the rainy weather. We are so happy with our experience that we booked a week in July!

We've stayed at Darnell's multiple times with our two kids. The place itself is definitely a bit on the "dumpy" side but the the rooms are clean and the grounds and the location are fantastic. We can kind of set the kids loose, while we sit and read a book and soak up some sun. The kids love the little cabana where they can buy "italian sodas" and hot dogs, play some ping pong and even sit down and watch a show if they're getting too burned out on the sun. The beach area is really nice and we usually bring a small raft that the kids can putter around in. They used to have a water trampoline which was a big draw but that's been gone for a couple years now.

We also like the location as its close enough to walk into town but not so close that you get any issues with crowds etc. I often walk to the Starbucks in the morning to get a bit of work done while my family sleeps in. As a family we walk in to eat dinner, play putt putt golf, go bowling etc. We also like the little kitchens in the unit so we can make a sandwich or heat up a pizza. And we usually pick one or two nights to cook on the built in barbecues in the yard.

Net, net, our kids absolutely love going to Darnells. We are building some great family memories there and will likely continue to do so. Is it too expensive for what you get? Absolutely. But so is every place in Chelan.

I just checked in and was pleasantly surprised based on the reviews I had read. I was invited to a large annual family reunion that takes place here. I would have normally stayed elsewhere (like campbell's) given reviews of this place. The rooms are spacious and we had two units. 211/217. Both were lake view. Great outdoor play areas for the kids. Kitchenette's and outdoor bbq's were nice as well. This should be though of as an awesome campsite with indoor rooms, showers, etc. wifi is free, plenty of room throughout.

showers were small as advertised, but as far as good family fun ala "the great outdoors" this place is perfect.

Here's what you get for $250/night - we stayed Labor Day Weekend 2010 and LEFT AFTER ONE NIGHT: a hotel that hasn't had an upgrade since 1950, a lumpy yet thin mattress that's so OLD it makes noise - not TV for the parents' room - ONLY IN THE LIVING ROOM SO IF YOU LIKE TO PUT YOUR KIDS DOWN AND THEN WATCH A LITTLE TUBE YOU'RE OUT OF LUCK! You WILL NOT sleep, pull-out couches that slope UP at your feet they're so OLD, my kids hated them - NO AMMENITIES God Forbid YOU WILL NOT FIND A HAIR DRYER ANYWHERE - they have FOUR for the WHOLE HOTEL! And they admit it! For 250/night please put a little hair conditioner in the rotten bathroom - NO TUB...a shower too small for adults - They LIED ABOUT A HEATED POOL - children in the hot tub because the "heated" pool was so cold...AWFUL. Toys from the 1970s - NOTHING FOR KIDS. DO NOT STAY HERE.