There are few places you can stay that are well maintained, comfortable and have resisted being another run of the mill hotel. This lodge is wonderful, it's so pristine and secluded, but in fact just 90 min (or so) from DC. Sure the food isn't the high point of staying here, the views and fresh air are. The rooms look like they were recently redone, and they were clean, nice wood-timber furniture.
Staying so late in the season also was great as there were no crowds, little traffic on Skyline Drive and it was very nice to take day trips
to nearby scenic points. This is a great place and is very reminiscent
of the Asilomar Convention center in California (also a great place to visit).

We did a one night trip to Big Meadows. We originally made reservations for Thursday, Oct 25, but that's when all the rains came. So we called to change to Sunday, Oct 28. No problems with the change. They said we will still have a standard room, but we would be changed from the original room they would have given us. First off, 2 pm on a Sunday, we had a wait just to get on the drive. We didn't expect this on a Sunday. Friday night, perhaps we would expect it. Anyway, we got to Big Meadows at 4 pm and checked in just fine. Staff at the lobby desk are nice and try to be accomodating. So we were to stay in the Blackrock cottage. The room is about 12x12 with a bathroom. There is no tv and no phone. We had our cellphone which picked up service in the main building looking out the windows. Our room was cool, but we turned on the heat and it warmed up to a nice temperature. The shower wasn't much more than a mist. Water pressure isn't strong. They do give you coffee, both regular and decaf in your room. We ate at the lodge and remember the great meals we had here before. Food was only average. One thing I remember from years past was Virginia ham and a cooked apple dish. The food is more like cafeteria food. You don't have any apple dishes on the dinner menu. Our waiter was ok, but we were given the wrong check--a more expensive meal than we ordered. He brought us back the right one. You pay at the door near the lobby desk. We didn't know this until we asked. Later that night we went down to the tap room and ordered 3 drinks. Once again, they gave us the wrong bill, which was about $15 more than our bill and we didn't order food. We are beginning at this point to wonder why they keep giving us bills that are not ours and are more expensive. Ok. Now we go to bed. Fine. At 2:20 am someone came back from the tap room. They slammed their door shut. At this point the people on the other side of us wake up (like us) and they can't get back to sleep. Well, walls are NOT thick. We couldn't hear what they said, but we knew they kept talking until 3 am. We checked out without a problem. However, my husband saw a carafe of coffee in the lobby and decided to fill his cup. It had no signs near it, so he just said to the guy, I guess this is free. The guy turns a sign around and it says coffee $2. Rather expensive for the amount you get. So while the buildings at Big Meadows are the same, things have changed.

My husband & I recently stayed one night at Big Meadows. We stayed in room 109 which was a 2nd floor room with a good view. The room was very nice and was well beyond my expectations. It looked newly remodeled and the beds were comfortable. It had all the amenities of a normal hotel room except it did not have internet . I have no complaints about the room, or anything for that matter.

We ate a wonderful dinner at the lodge, very, very delicious and filling.

Everyone was nice and the atmosphere was very relaxing. I'm sure we'll be back!

My husband and 20-month old daughter met my father and his girlfriend at Big Meadows Lodge for a three-day weekend. We had reserved a main lodge cabin room and were quoted $131 a night back in March when we booked the rooms. We were quite surprised when we were told that the rates are "subject to change" and that the new rate was $167. After complaining, the manager took some of the difference from our bill, but beware that the rates are subject to change- dramatically. The room had two queen sized beds that were very comfortable. The furniture was very new and in good shape. The heaters in the rooms were very noisy but provided warm air. As other reviewers have said, the bathrooms do not have fans, so they get steamy and our bathroom window didn't open. We were happy with the coffee in the rooms and with the fact that the "view room" we had did provide a great view of sunset over the mountains. The leather chair is comfortable. The lodge food is so-so at best for the price- most dinner entrees are about $22, but please order the fried chicken entree for $11. It was the best fried chicken we've ever had, and we're not even fried chicken people. It's much better than the lasagna which is twice the price... and the chicken comes with more food (mashed potatoes, veggies, etc.). The service is on the slow side, but you probably are coming here for the beauty of the park and the beautiful old lodge. With these things in mind, you really won't be disappointed in your trip... and it is nice to stay in the park, even if it is pricey. The air and views are fantastic.