I ordered a groupon for a two night, three day stay at Layla's Lodge. The photos of the groupon were unbelievable. So beautiful and looked like just our style. I checked the website and saw none of the same photos, instead old grandma looking spaces with dark cold guest rooms. I called before purchasing the groupon and asked why there was such a big difference. The owner said to me that he was afraid to go public with all of the renovated photos because he was unsure he wouldn't be ready for the crazy amount of business it would bring him. (I have NO clue why I believed him at this point) I explained that my husband and I were very picky about where we stayed, we would be driving a long way to come and that the reason we liked what we saw so much is because everything looked clean, fresh and bright! I then asked him how much of the facility had been renovated because I needed to be 100% sure I was coming to the same place I saw on groupon. He said to me "oh everything is basically done. About 97.5% of the lodge is renovated. Sure you might find some wallpaper hanging from the hallway, but this place is just amazing. The ONLY rooms not finished yet are the bunk bed rooms and I'm sure you and your husband aren't wanting to stay there, right?" Oh the owner was a charmer. He knew exactly what to say. He told us that Gordon Ramsey himself came and kicked his butt into gear and turned this lodge into an amazing place. So we ordered the King Suite and drove the 3 hours to the lodge. And here's where it gets disturbing:

We walk in and see none of what we saw on groupon. Wallpaper everywhere, it smelled so weird even my dog was trying to run back to the car. We weren't sure where reception was until we heard two guys calling out from this messy hole in the wall. The owner that I had talked to was there, standing barefoot in a tshirt to greet us. He showed us to our room and then left. I was in awe over what we found. Stains all over the carpet, furniture broken, missing blinds, and zero hint of renovation. The walls were so thin we could hear them down the hall. We were the only people there, too if that tells you anything. I immediately wanted to cry because this was supposed to be our anniversary getaway and we had been seriously lied to.

We packed everything up and asked where we could get our money back. The owner looked so shocked (I have no clue why, he obviously knew we would find out he lied) and told us we would have to contact groupon. So we left and drove the 3 hours to go home. A 6 hour trip for nothing. LUCKILY we got a full refund for the trip.

All the reviews I read were good and I have no clue why so I wanted to make a review myself. If you have the chance to visit Dover, Vermont, do NOT stay at this lodge. The owner is such a liar I can't understand how he lives with himself. I'm also VERY confused about why Gordon Ramsey would put his name on this place because frankly that is a huge embarrassment to him. Will never have anything good to say about Layla's Lodge and I hope everyone takes my advice to stay far far away.

All of the rooms look nice but make a point of getting one of the recently renovated ones if possible - very charming and great design. The fall drive up along the Mohawk Trail was fantastic. Staff was super-accommodating; we were there with our 3-month old son and they even secured a little private room for us for dinner so we wouldn't worry about disturbing the other diners. We were skeptical about eating there, but the food was outstanding. Go nowhere else for dinner! Beautiful grounds, nice little river behind the house. Really can't say enough - definitely heading back.