So everyone knows the caves at HHSP are gorgeous and the gorges/bridges/trails/overlooks are awesome. BUT, if you plan on making more than just a day-trip out of it, you should seriously think twice about staying at the state owned facilities. They are in serious disrepair and are in need of a major overhaul. HHSP administrators should revisit their business plan and provide a much needed update to the facilities. While the lodge itself was stunning in size, the inside was like stepping back in time 40-50 years (and not in a good way). The decor could have been overlooked however if 1/2 the lighbulbs weren't out and restaurant didn't seem so dingy.
Speaking of the restaurant, the service was atrocious. Both the server and cashier were sitting down watching tv in the dining room when we walked in; the cook pulled our "made-to-order" breakfast off the buffet line (she thought we didn't see her); and our table with a view was hampered by filthy windows that haven't seen soap or a squeegee in years. It probably comes as no surprise that for the full hour we sat in the 5,000 sq. ft dining room, NOBODY else walked in. Imagine that - only four people in a restaurant that serves an all-u-can eat buffet on Sunday mornings after church! Of course we should have known all this just by looking at the exterior of the 20,000+ square foot facility. The charming wood-shake roof is overgrown with moss and foliage, the patio and stairways to the pool have numerous broken and missing tiles and the pool was full of leaves/pine needles because the pool sweeper was broken.
Our $120 a night cabin was functional and cozy but somewhat outdated. The best features were a ventless-gas fireplace and a screened in porch with tables/chairs. Note to any heavy-set people renting cabin 5: the only thing holding up the bathroom floor next to the shower is the linoleum. You can literally feel the floor sink below your feet! (no doubt due to deferred maintenance - rotting subfloors) Parking was convenient and all appliances/utilities worked just fine. We weren't expecting the Taj-Mahal but after staying at General Butler State Resort Park in Carrollton, KY - we've been spoiled.
HHSP administrators need to take a lesson from the state parks of Kentucky and spend their money on updating/renovating facilities. Doing so will undoubtedly bring in more people and consequently, more revenue to keep the place looking good! Don't spend your money building a fancy registration office and convenience store...spend it on the people that matter - the consumers itching to spend their hard earned money on a decent vacation spot. Please consider using taxpayer money more efficiently or consider a joint-venture with a private operator to bring the lodge and cabins back to their former glory.
I look forward to hiking the trails at HHSP again and enjoying the wonders of Cedar Falls/Old Man's Cave but will probably stay at one of the privately owned facilities until HHSP administrators get their priorities in order!
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.