We spent a weekend here and actually relaxed, which doesn't happen often. The staff were easygoing and welcoming. The daily breakfast baskets were a great start to the day, especially before heading out hiking (we went looking for river otters). Coming back, jumping into the hot tub by the fireplace felt like flipping the off switch on real life. Dinner Saturday night was excellent, and the wine pairing was clearly chosen with care, not just checked off a list. And the chocolate mousse with espresso salt? That's the kind of thing you remember long after checkout. read more

Awful experience. Do not stay in the luxury cabins. There aren't blinds or curtains on the windows. Any and everyone can see in your cabin especially at night. There is a clear view of the bed in the loft from the firepit. When I complained I was told that it was a "nature immersive experience" then I explained that it was a privacy and safety issue. They did not care then they accused my husband and I of getting mud and debris in the hot tub which was not a possibility. The management was rude and accusatory and did not try to make the situation better. DO NOT STAY HERE read more

Climate control in the room was horrible, first the sound was like an airplane engine. then it was a constant Hot-Cold-Hot-Cold. (80 outside). Trim around the door was non existent. the amount of light coming in around the entire door is unacceptable. Breakfast included for two, only one was in the basket left at the door. I had to go to desk to ask for my quiche and the handed a plastic pie shaped quiche that was microwaved. To top it off, a full service up scale restaurant and they can't even provide complimentary coffee or water in the lobby is ridiculous. I was told " you have coffee in your room". I guess they are correct in saying that Pod coffee is free that comes in a baggie. I truly feel staying at a Residence Inn or a Fairfield inn for much less is a better option. We will never stay here again read more

We had high hopes for this restaurant set into the forest claiming "farm to forest" cuisine. The building is beautiful-rustic and modern-perfectly charming. The problem is the food-perhaps our expectations were too high! We ordered the oyster appetizer (which was served with our main course) the skirt steak and the wild boar sausage and pierogi. The steak was served with a potato soup and lovely salad. These were the highlight of the evening. The oysters were bland and small. The skirt steak was chewy and unseasoned and the wild boar sausage looked like 5 pieces of hillshire farm sausage sliced and put on top of a couple of Mrs T's frozen pierogis with a little carmelized onions on top-no sauce, no salt, no flavor. Yo chef-you've got a beautiful spot-step up the food game and you'd really have something special here! read more

My wife and I stayed 3 nights over the July 4th weekend. Friday to Monday. We were nervous about traveling however felt comfortable with the lodge's changes and procedures put in place related to being mindful of social distancing. The website was very helpful as well as our check-in package that explained more considerations they had in place. We were in a luxury suite with a breakfast basket sent to our room each morning, and coffee, tea, and cookies provided in the room on arrival. We had a suite off the back of the lodge with a TV. Our second floor balcony was large and very private. The gas fireplace with a fireside jetted tub, a king bed, a small dining table with chairs, a spacious bathroom, a loveseat, and a mini-fridge made for a very comfortable extended weekend. We were able to spend our days exploring the forest, virtually disconnected from any cell service and internet until we arrived back to the lodge at the end of the day. Parking and the whole property felt very secured. We spent time playing billiards, saw people enjoying a camp fire, and had a few nice drinks on the back porch. The highlight of the trip for us was the private feeling of being the only people in the lodge and the excellent food. We called and placed orders for lunch and dinner with the bar. The food was so fresh and mostly locally sourced. They packaged meals up perfectly to have both on the property or to take on the go. The morning breakfast baskets were our favorite! I am so glad we booked the Gateway Lodge. We intend on coming back in the fall. read more

See all

I made reservations for 4 at the Gateway Inn September 2023. I was told ahead of time that this would be a three course meal, and that we have choice of three entrées and I had to preorder who would be having what entree. I also had to pre-pay the entire bill plus gratuity prior to us, arriving in order to hold the reservation. The waitstaff was very attentive. The tomato salad was very good but the entree was where the food became a problem. All of our vegetables were stone cold supposedly grilled but tasted charred. We were all given a butter soaked hallselback potato. 3 of us had ribeye steaks, I had the walleye plus the same potato's and veggie. I didn't like my fish and thought it tasted funny. I ate all on my plate but just1/8 of my fish. the maitre'd asked me if I was having problems with my fish and I told him yes that it tasted funny to me. I asked if I could have a small piece of lasagna in place of a fish. He went in and inquired to the chef and the chef said no that I would not be getting any lasagna just dessert and leave. This meal cost me $358. 00 and no alcohol was ordered Desert wise, blackberry ice cream, and an wedge of almond cake.. but almond cake was dry and the crust needed a steak knife to cut it. After we finish the desert and she brought us our check and then asked if we would like coffee! I have been to the Gateway Inn to eat dinner four times and this is the first time that I have been deeply disappointed. The food was nothing exceptional , nothing extraordinary about it. The plating, presentation, flavors do not warrant, almost $100 a person for dinner. They need to get a new chef who can understand that people may not like what you are making them pre-order and make allowances for those few servings that may occur over the evening. We were celebrating an anniversary and a birthday.. I will never go back there again. read more

This place has a great restaurant a great food! Staff is always top notch! Plates are a bit pricey, but not too terrible, especially when you're getting farm to table food. Also, it's a BEAUTIFUL place to walk around outside and enjoy the Forest! Highly recommend if you're in Cook Forest! read more

This was the perfect getaway! Yet we were in the cabin the whole time due to the snow it was stunning and just so relaxing! Can't wait to come back and explore some more read more

See all

This review is of the Gateway Cabins, which are managed by the Lodge. This is not a review of the Lodge. We stayed in Gateway Cabin #1 over the New Year's Day weekend 2020-21. We have stayed previously in the nearby Black Bear Cabins, also managed by the Lodge. The cabin is very basic and really needs some improvement. There is no wifi and no cell service in this area, so whenever you need something, you have to drive to the lodge. We had no hot water for over 24 hours. There is no outdoor illumination/flood lights on the fire pit area, so you need to bring lanterns or lighting to see after sundown. The appliances are beat up. The floors are very scratched. The fireplace tool set had only a shovel, not even a poker. We were able to adapt and do our thing, but even with basic one-ply expectations, we were disappointed about some of the fundamentals with Gateway Cabin #1. read more

Lodge was great!!! Great mix of classic feel with updated accommodations. Could not have had a better stay. Would highly recommend this place for any stay!!! read more

I truly don't understand the negative reviews on here for the Gateway Lodge. I was apprehensive to book our getaway for the forest feast dinner featuring Kate Romane and Black Radish Catering because of the reviews and I am so glad that we went, despite the negative Nancys on Yelp. This was one of the best weekends of my life. To start, we were greeted by the most hospitable concierge ladies. She took us around the grounds and explained everything from tea time to how to work the jacuzzi tub. She was very informative and spent a lot of time orienting us to the lodge. We had a welcome wine and hors d'oeuvres from Kate Romane. We met the chef and mingled with other guests. Loved it. From there we tried the five course pairing for an extremely reasonable price at $99 a couple. The mushroom crepe was amazing. Everyone mentioned how great it was. The charred romaine salad was also fantastic. I got the deer filet and my wife ordered the salmon. Both were cooked perfectly and full of flavor. The pecan pie was excellent. We woke up Saturday and went canoeing at the place right down the street. I highly recommend the 4 mile trek down the river followed by a hike on the Indian trail. The forest feast five course meal with Kate Romane was fabulous. It was served family style at a beautiful big table. The food plentiful and delicious. There was plenty of red and white wine to go around. I actually think they should have charged more for the dinner and provided less wine . We got more than our money's worth for that dinner. Overall, definitely would stay here again and I'm looking forward to trying the murder mystery weekend and next years forest feast. PS.. the owner Deb is great. The bartender is great. Robin, the waitress, is great. The elderflower cocktail is great. read more

See all

Traveled here for a friend's wedding. From the moment you enter, staff make you feel at home. On site dining and spa services available. Gorgeous woodwork throughout and spacious rooms! Disappointed I didn't get to see any of the local bears that are reported to roam in the evening. Perhaps on the next trip! read more

Gateway Lodge - Gorgeous woodwork abounds in this resort setting! - Hotels Near Me - Cooksburg, Pennsylvania

We love this place a lot, great service, friendly staff. Food is high above par, gourmet breakfast and dinner. They have rooms with balconies that don't have tv's or rooms with tv's that do not have balconies. We've stayed in both. The first time we had a TV room which kept us up late but we were entertained in our room. Now we have a balcony which only looks at some rocks so the view isn't great but I like not having the distraction of a TV. We were able to spend more time talking with each other as well as others and we played some games together too. They have a game room with a pool table and television for sharing. Hey also have plenty of board games and books to read. This place is a real escape from the stress of everyday work. We relax in front of the fireplace in the great room which has 3 large sofa couches and a great tea time at 4pm each day. There is also a fireplace in each room if you want to cozy up in front of that. Each room also has a two person jacuzzi shaped like a heart which we love to relax in after dinner. This place is only 2 hours outside of Pittsburgh so the short drive makes it worth the stay. Summer is a better time to go with the horseback riding and lake activities. Winter is a slow month and many places are not open but we still come up here then just to get away. Love it here!! Newly remodeled bar as well. read more

Gateway Lodge - Lobster chives and leek stuffed in this potato pastry - Hotels Near Me - Cooksburg, Pennsylvania

The room was definitely expensive, but my fiance and I loved this trip. We spent a couple days snowed in here, enjoying the view of the snow-covered trees, the hot tub, and the quaint room. The lodge hosts complimentary breakfasts in the morning (definitely not the cheap continental breakfasts you get at regular hotels, everything is made to order!) and afternoon tea/wine time. You can also reserve tables for dinner there, but it is very expensive. If you come in the winter, definitely make sure your car is durable. The drive in the snow through the forest roads was pretty scary. There aren't many food options around outside of the lodge though, mostly bar food, but a couple we met at the lodge introduced us to Wayside Inn which you definitely should check out for dinner sometime if you're staying here! read more

Gateway Lodge - Balcony outside our room - Hotels Near Me - Cooksburg, Pennsylvania

See all

We were hungry for a good meal and the Gateway lodge delivered above our expectations. The salad was perfect with fresh greens, apples , red beets with a simple delicious dressing. My wife ordered the walleye and I ordered the chicken. They both were excellent and the presentation a piece of art. We have eaten many great meals and this meal would compare with the best. Great food, beautiful place with attentive staff! read more

BEWARE future guests-it's worth noting that both the cabins & the lodge back up to an incredibly loud & busy highway, where HEAVY traffic is flying by at all hours of the day & night. It provides anything but a peaceful, tranquil backdrop that Gateway Lodge is falsely advertising as a serene, magical getaway in the woods. While there's no denying the beauty of the forest, the constant traffic noise of semi trucks flying by unfortunately took away from our PA Wilds retreat. Had I known this before booking, we NEVER would've stayed here. When my family & I checked into our cabin on Thursday night, (6/29) the shower plumbing was completely compromised & had ZERO water pressure due to a broken faucet plunger, which should have been fixed before allowing new guests to check in. We were inconvenienced & couldn't take a shower all night, morning & a majority of the afternoon before maintenance came out to fix it. The maintenance man who came out was kind, courteous & professional, he did a thorough job trouble shooting, seeing which parts were in stock & ultimately installed parts, ALL of which took time & once again inconveniencing us. Not only did he replace the old parts with a new unit, he also needed to replace piping. This is an amateur move on managements behalf, especially when being charged $269/night & refusing compensation for our troubles. Also, upon arriving at the cabin our front door was stuck & scraped against the floor every single time the door opened & closed. You literally couldn't even open the front door fully which was incredibly bothersome to say the least. Not to go unnoticed was that one of the crank handles on one of the windows in the kitchen was broke & we couldn't even open it up. Other than the broken shower/plumbing, door & window crank, the cabin was at best average. I must admit the lodge was pretty! Lots of thought went into the rustic details & I can most definitely appreciate that. We had dinner at the lodge one evening & were blessed with the sweetest server! Unfortunately, the food was mediocre & overpriced. We were so excited to savor a taste of the wilds & were sadly disappointed by basic food & an incredibly DRY German apple cake which oddly enough didn't have any apples in it & tasted more like a Betty Crocker spice cake mix. So let's get to the towels....Upon our departure on Sunday, July 2nd I received an email later on stating that I was being charged a $50 housekeeping fee to "treat" & replace towels. Why? I was confused because upon arrival, we were greeted with a list of rigid rules to follow/demands to meet & the towels were on that list so I specifically made a point to go above & beyond to respect the rules & the towels! I do know of ONE towel that was slightly compromised due to wiping off a picnic table after it rained & getting that stain out shouldn't have been an issue. So I tried calling up the lodge multiple times throughout the following day (7/3) to inquire about the fee & the damaged towels. On my last & final call of the day, I left a voice message requesting someone call me back regarding the housekeeping charge. I received an email the following evening (7/4) with pictures of random stained towels & accusations of destroying towels. I did point out to management that perhaps the maintenance man used the towels while handling the dirty pipes/faucet plunger when he fixed our shower, but that fell on deaf ears. To be charged $53 for towels that we didn't destroy is absurd. Anyone that stays at Gateway knows that the towels provided are as inexpensive & economical as it gets & they are NOT worth the $53 to replace them. The towels were Dollar Tree quality at best. Upon 2 days of unanswered emails/calls I finally received a call today & spoke with THE most unpleasant female who was spewing anger & hate in which she blatantly hissed at me that "she didn't like what I had to say and my emails were not worthy of a response" & hung up the phone. Wow. Insanely unprofessional to say the least! To be met with that level of disrespect is inexcusable & unacceptable. Period. The owners of Gateway Lodge should be ashamed that management is treating guests in such a distasteful, disgusting, immature manner while also taking advantage of guests credit card information on file. Please LEARN from my mistakes. It is NOT what it looks like online. Don't do it!!!! read more

Very Disappointing for the amount of money they charge. We specifically chose the room that we did based on the jacuzzi tub and fireplace. The first night the fireplace did not work at all and the jacuzzi tub jets were all moldy. I spoke to the manager the following morning who advised "the products that people use leave a film in the tub"- so you don't clean the tubs in other words. They sent someone to clean the tub and yes she cleaned the actual tub, but the jets were untouched and moldy still. The manager advised that they would fix the fireplace also, and it was out due to storms. It was not storming when we arrived, and if that is an amenity that you are offering, you don't feel the need to check it prior to guests arriving? The fireplace worked for a few hours after they "fixed" it, and then stopped working yet again. Breakfast was also cold each morning and the door was opened as soon as they knocked delivering it. Not up to par for the amount of money that they charge. read more

Gateway Lodge - Moldy jets in the jacuzzi - Hotels Near Me - Cooksburg, Pennsylvania

My husband and I came here for our anniversary. It seemed to be a really nice place, a little fancier and more expensive that what we normally do, and it was only 2 hours from Pittsburgh. Overall, it did not live up to our expectations, and I would not want to return and would not recommend it to others. We were in one of the suites with fireplace and jacuzzi tub. Those were both really nice, and the bed was pretty comfortable. The room was fairly spacious, though I don't know if I'd call it a "suite" myself. It came with a sizable mini-fridge, and our room had a TV (though we requested a balcony instead). The front desk staff was very kind. However, the rest of our experience made me really disappointed we spent so much on the room because it just didn't live up to the cost or "luxury suite" expectations based on how they describe the place online. When we arrived, our third-floor room was pretty warm and very stuffy. We looked at the fancy mini-split AC unit, but realized it was only set to heat (despite the fact that it's been over 70 degrees consistently in PA for weeks), and the remote was zip-tied shut to prevent you from switching the mode on the unit to AC. I called the front desk because the website stated they switch over all their units to AC mid-May, and it was May 17 (to me, May 15 is mid-May, but I digress), and I was told that we should just open some windows because they haven't switched their units over. Our windows were both broken. The front desk staff came up to our room to explain that they couldn't do anything about it because they hadn't "switched the whole hotel over to AC yet." If you know anything about these units, and we did because my husband has worked in HVAC and facilities management for years, there is a little button on the remote that switches it over from heat to cool. It's not a process you have to do for the whole hotel; it's just a button. I explained this to him, saying that I felt frustrated they were unwilling to adjust their policy for us since it was in fact just policy preventing us from being comfortable in the room we just spent $520 on, but he would not budge on it. (He did not have permission to, and it was not his fault -- it was management and the maintenance guy that are responsible.) This was extremely frustrating, and the policy to not allow AC usage until an arbitrary time of year regardless of actual temperature outside is truly crazy. If I wanted to be in a hot cabin, I would have booked a hot cabin. I booked a "luxury suite," and sweating all weekend is not luxury to me. In addition to this weird policy, there were others I found strange, including the clause in their fine print saying that they have the right to charge you cleaning costs or replacement costs for towels and linens that you "ruin" with your makeup or body oils. So ladies, be careful washing your face and sleeping here because any foundation or mascara could land you with charges for replacing their linens. During our breakfast, we were told that someone from the spa was looking for us about our spa appointment. We had not booked a spa appt, so I assumed they either had the wrong room or that they were looking to add something on to our package for free to make up for the AC debacle that they failed to resolve satisfactorily and/or because I mentioned it was our anniversary. When we went to the front desk to inquire, it was actually that they had one open appointment and were trying to sell it to whoever hadn't yet booked one. This is a crappy business practice to hard-sell expensive spa services when your guests are trying to enjoy breakfast. Other little stuff that aren't a big deal on their own but add up to a place that does not feel at all luxurious: terrible water pressure (I have somewhat thick hair and couldn't actually wash my hair in the shower at all because of how little pressure there was), no coffee makers or microwaves are available anywhere in the building, no one told us about the check-out process or hotel services like their afternoon coffee (which we just stumbled upon) and there are no papers in the room detailing it either, several things didn't work (exhaust fan, windows, fireplace doors), pillows were super flat and uncomfortable, walls were very thin so it was pretty loud, no one invited us to enjoy the grounds or common areas, and the breakfast was pre-prepared (despite them only needing to serve 3 rooms at a time since they schedule your breakfast at check-in) and less tasty than the random grills we stopped at for meals during our stay. We have stayed in a few B&B's, and I'm beginning to feel like we were just spoiled by them, but they were way better, way more comfortable, with way tastier food for significantly less money. If you're in the market for a B&B stay in the woods, drive a little further north and go to Frosty Hollow. Much better hosting, and you'll leave a lot happier. This place just isn't worth the money. read more

A true treasure tucked into west central Pennsylvania. My husband and I attended their New Years Eve weekend which was delightful. Ambiance was charming, service was excellent, and food was delicious. They do need king size beds and better mattresses, but this would be a wonderful place to have a family weekend get-away. read more

I have stayed at the Gateway Lodge several times during different seasons, including the lodge itself and the cabins. I LOVE the Gateway Lodge. It is absolutely cozy and comfortable with kind staff and a great restaurant. Personally, I find the cabins to be the best option because of the privacy and the option to make a campfire. The food is excellent - breakfasts are provided with a couple of options for meals. Dinner options have been consistently delicious and often feature locally sourced food. Staff at the Gateway Lodge have always been friendly and helpful. I am not sure why some of the negative reviews had appeared. Some seem uninformed - for example, criticizing the "lack of options" on a menu for an event that advertised its fixed menu of local foods is not a valid criticism. I have not yet taken advantage of the spa. I highly recommend the Gateway Lodge to anyone looking for a romantic getaway or a fun family outing (in that second case, get a cabin). Clear Creek and Cook Forest State Parks provide excellent outdoor activity opportunities. read more

Wow, I can't say enough nice things about the Gateway Lodge. My now husband and I got married here over the weekend. We took a tour back in January and fell in love with this place. It sits back off the main road and is absolutely beautiful. It's surrounded by the forest and had many trails off the premises to hike along. Due to our ceremony taking place there, we had the "Elopement Package". This included two nights in a suite with breakfast each morning and dinner each night in their restaurant along with some other perks here and there (massages too). The inside is beautiful. It smells like lavender and pine and has such a rustic look to it. The lodge includes a spa, billiards room, grand room, patio, and it's own restaurant. Their restaurant is absolutely beautiful. Outside guests are welcome but you have to make a reservation regardless of being an outside or lodge guest. They have a huge wine menu! Most of the wines come from wineries local to Cook Forest which is nice. A bit pricey but worth it. We got wine flights, it was a fun way to taste some of the wine selection. They have limited menu due to one chef but good choices. We tried everything! Salmon tacos, guacamole deviled eggs, elk sliders, hunters chicken and smoked salmon... Just to name a few. Not disappointed at all with our selections. However, the broccoli was overcooked on the second night.. but we can look past that (also had Guinness Brownies with Coffee Ice Cream the first night for dessert... Mmmm). As far as the staff goes, they were all wonderful! From the restaurant staff to masseuses and the front desk; we felt very welcomed and well taken care of. Sadie worked with us the last few minutes for all of the details for the ceremony and Jodie took care of us the day of. What nice people to work with! Our ceremony went beautifully. Ernest met us at check in to answer any questions we may have, it was wonderful. I would highly recommend this place to anyone! read more

See all

Despite booking in advance and looking at the limited pictures on the website the cabin was not what we had thought it should have been. Instead of one of the more comfortable living areas as my wife was told, we had a bench with thick cushions for a couch/loveseat to sit on. The wood provided for the fireplace was so green it was extremely difficult to have a fire. I'm 60 and currently have two fireplaces for a heat source, I know green wood when I see it. Overall the cabin was nice and the staff was helpful so that's why I gave a 3 star rating. read more

Love this place! Gem in the woods, amazing food! Have never used spa facilities but would like to go back and use! read more

Classic rustic lodge in the heart of Cook's Forest in Northwest Central Pennsylvania. Fine food in the in-house restaurant, featuring a 2010 Wine Spectator Award-Winning wine list. The "great room" features leathers sofas, and a stone fireplace with a crackling fire. Great place to unwind and relax. In-house spa offers massage and other treatments. Innkeeper Deb and her staff are friendly and accommodating. Wi-fi in the common areas but not in the rooms. Rustic cabins also available on the grounds. Recommend it highly. read more

Gateway Lodge - Gateway Lodge Country Inn Resort & Spa, Box 125, Route 36, Cooksburg, PA 16217 814-744-8017 info@gatewaylodge.com - Hotels Near Me - Cooksburg, Pennsylvania

This place is a wonderful getaway!! The lodge is beautiful. The spa is amazing. It is an aveda spa. They only do massage but it's worth it! The front desk is super helpful and nice. The restaurant is cozy and the food is delicious. All in all I wish I could give more stars!!! read more

My husband and I just returned from a honeymoon weekend and despite some of the other reviews, we were thoroughly impressed. The staff was amazing! Very helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly. We want to personally thank Jacki (Front Desk), Dustin and Cheyanne (Waitstaff). They really went above and beyond. Our room was exactly what we expected; cozy, rustic, and romantic. The rest of the lodge was very well maintained and had a very homey feel. The restaurant was wonderful. I was surprised at first that we had to "sign up" for our breakfast seating time a day in advance, but appreciated that there was never a wait and it never felt over crowded. The food was delicious! We tried a little of everything throughout the weekend and never had a bad meal! The gingerbread waffle was especially good for breakfast, and the steak cooked perfectly. We had a couples massage in the spa. The therapist were amazing! We are already looking forward to our next visit! read more

Lovely lodge. Staff was all very friendly and helpful. Loved the balcony. Also enjoyed how quiet it was, very peaceful! Quite pricey though. read more

I stayed here for a wedding weekend and while the company was excellent, the service of the lodge and what they did for us was less than awesome. The entire lodge was booked with wedding guests. We all had to sign something that says they will fine us $100.00 if they catch us with our own alcohol. Fine they want us to buy from their bar, and then they close the bar at 9 p.m. on a Friday night?! What did they expect people to do but go running to the liquor store!. They were all pissy because the bride and groom wanted to hold their rehearsal dinner there as well, the Gateway would not set up a cash bar. They said it HAD to be an open bar (for $32 per person!), so they held their rehearsal dinner elsewhere. Everyone went to the rehearsal dinner. The whole hotel went to that rehearsal dinner so the Gateway had no one to serve for dinner. What do you expect when you don't work with people. That evening, we were warned (after the bar had closed for the evening (I had ordered a drink at the bar before they closed for the record), that everyone with a red solo cup would be fined the $100.00. The lawyer in me was outraged. You can't do that. Not everyone with a red solo cup had alcohol. So they threatened that if they found in in our rooms they would fine us. The Groom's father (whose other son also happens to be an attorney), asked if they were threatening to go through our personal belongings. I believe the answer to that was "we have done it before". Well, he let them know that there were attorneys present and that they didn't have the right. They backed off a little at that point and called the bartender back. That kind of fight shouldn't happen. You have a lodge booked FULL of people who are there to party. It's a wedding! We all know each other! Why would you close the bar at 9 p.m.?! That doesn't make any business sense. The next day I had to actually ask to have my room cleaned. When we got back from the wedding around 5 p.m., it still hadn't been cleaned. In my opinion that is pretty unacceptable. While I adhere to the towels on the floor should be washed, towels hung up I will use again, I did need new towels as we had been there for a few days. The only other complaint that I have is that there was supposed to be WIFI in the great room and it went out on day 2. Despite my requests it was never fixed. After all that, when I checked out I found out that while I had been stressing over leaving the waitresses a tip at breakfast every morning (even going out of my way to chase one down when I had forgotten the first day,) because our breakfasts were included in our stay thank you to the Bride and Groom, there was a charge for Breakfast Gratuities. While I still would have left the waitress a tip, it would have been nice for anyone to let us know that gratuity charges would be tacked on to the end regardless. All in all, the Gateway is BEAUTIFUL, but is poorly managed. read more

Overall it's a pleasant place to stay with the rustic lodge feel. The luxury suites are nice, the scenery is unbeatable and the food was terrific. I'd say I was disappointed in the housekeeping - they made the bed but didn't leave new towels or remove our empty, dirty wine glasses from the night before. We did come for the spa and the relaxation but a couple updated books, board games in the great room would have been nice or organized activities for the guests. We went in the winter and all local shops and activities are closed for the season. Though the food was fantastic, it was a bit overpriced with limited choices. I'd definitely recommend it, though, if you're looking for relaxation and quiet. read more

We have been to Gateway Lodge twice. We stayed once in a jacuzzi suite in the lodge, and most recently in a new Luxury Cabin for our honeymoon! We've loved every minute here, from the fantastic meals, the amazing spa, and cozy atmosphere. The staff are super friendly, and they throw an awesome party (we were here for their NYE bash). We hope to come here as often as we can, and hate to leave! read more

We stayed here for 3 nights on a mini-honeymoon and had a great time. Our suite was spacious and comfortable, and it was lovely to relax in the whirlpool tub. The waitstaff and hotel staff also all did a great job. The lodge has numerous public areas with comfy lounging furniture, a pool table, and afternoon tea. Also, we had an excellent dinner with some delicious wines one night. So why 4 and not 5 stars? 1) The included gratuity. Breakfast is included with your stay here, but there is a $10/day fee that is listed as a gratuity for housekeeping and waitstaff. That's less money than I want to tip for the quality of service I receive, so I end up double tipping (because I also feel weird leaving a tiny tip to make up the difference, because I don't want the waiter to think I would only tip them $2). If it was $15 a day, I wouldn't have felt the need to tip extra, and if there was no fee, there would have been no ambiguity. $10 is a precisely incorrect figure. 2) The alcohol policy. The lodge was reasonable with us and allowed us to drink our own alcohol in our room when we asked about it. But they basically made an exception for us because we just got married and didn't have a large group with us: I would be so angry if I came here with my friends or my big Italian family, and we couldn't have beers on our balcony! read more

Took advantage of a Living Social deal - $299 for a weekend in a deluxe suite with jacuzzi tub & gas fireplace in room, plus a nice bottle of local wine. Had we been able to go midweek, would have been $199. reservation went smoothly & had no problems with the coupon/deal. The room was gorgeous, not to mention clean. The wine was a semi-sweet blend from a local winery (unfortunately we did not have time to check out that particular winery, but I liked the wine enough that I will seek it out: Red bandana Rebel Red.) The fireplace really is mostly for show - didn't throw off much heat. Of course, the weekend we went it was about 5 degrees, so... There's a stunning Great Room with an enormous wood burning fireplace, and several cozy seating areas around it. They have complimentary coffee & pastry there each morning, coffee/soda with fresh fruit afternoons and wine & cheese in the evenings - nice touch. There's a nice billiards room as well, but the fireplace there doesn't currently work (I'm big on fire - can you tell?!) "Spa" only offers massages - add some fancy facials and mani/pedis please. Bar was closed for renovations (BOOOO!!!!!) but the staff were very accomodating - anywhere you were at the lodge, they would ask if you wanted them to bring you something from the bar (YAAAAAYYYY!!!) Worked out fine for us. Had dinner Friday evening & all food was of good quality. Probably one of the only fine dining options in that area (from what I could determine when researching.) But I wasn't blown away - nothing really unique. My 1 minor complaint is that everything seemed over-seasoned by a specific seasoning that I couldn't put my finger on - sage? A spice I don't use often, that's for sure. Overpowered the scallop appie; I also noticed it was on the potatoes @ breakfast. Breakfasts were good but not much to choose from - 5 or 6 dishes. Service was fabulous both evening & mornings. Since we went "off season" most things in the area are closed (shops, farms, etc.) We did hit an antique shop, a souvenier joint, a bar/restaurant, Deer Creek Winery. Went for a walk in the woods near the lodge; could have gone skiing or snowshoeing in Cook Forest but had to leave early Sunday morning so we simply ran out of time. I would go back, but I would not pay full price (which is around $200-250/night.) Also, I would go in early Fall to be able to enjoy what the surrounding area has to offer. read more

We stayed at the lodge, very nice. Food and service also fantastic. Would honeymoon here again.

I fell in love with this place, but honestly don't think love is a strong enough word! I scheduled a massage before I checked in, which was an hour of perfection, my back that had been issues for months felt a thousands times better. After, I checked into suite 302, and it was just as beautiful as advertised! We explored the multiple gift shops along 36, which there is a lot, and also there is a canoe/kayak rental like a half mile down the road! This place is literally the perfect place to get off the grid and relax. For those that need cell service or wifi, this place has both (Verizon customer). Now for dinner, I had read reviews and they all had one common denominator.. the food being amazing. The menu is small BUT you will not be disappointed with anything you order. Amazing is not a good enough word to describe this food. On a scale of 1-10, I'd give it an 11! I topped my meal off with a smores martini, which was terrific, even had a toasted marshmallow it in, so yummy! Breakfast in the morning was just as delicious as dinner! I did choose a suite with a tv in it, rather than a balcony, which I did not regret because there is a large balcony off the lobby with seating and swings to enjoy. The jacuzzi tub was definitely a bonus, and I totally recommend taking advantage of! Perfect mini getaway to relieve all the stress, and escape the day to day! I'm checking out tomorrow morning and I am definitely returning soon!! read more

My husband and I love The Gateway Lodge! It is so beautiful and peaceful there! It's a place to just BE! It's such a wonderful escape from everything. After leaving we just dream of the day we can come back! We have shared and will continue to share our wonderful experience. Also the staff and customer service is exceptional!!!! Sincerely Angela and Frank McAleavey read more

This was my first official visit to the Gateway Lodge as a guest. I booked a suite for two days with a couples massage package added. Throughout the the booking process the staff was extra attentive in getting the room I wanted booked...however the Gateway staff was very knowledgeable about every aspect of my expected stay and did an excellent job in updating the payment and itemizing my bill. Prior to our arrival...there was some arrival of snow and I was worried that we would not make the cut off check in so I phoned the Gateway to alert them to my dilemma, my call was sent to their voicemail and within 5 min the Gateway phoned me back to reassure my reservations were okay no matter the time and if it was after 11pm they would just leave me the key for my room. Driving up into the lodge was beautiful with new fallen snow...as we entered there is definitely a lodge feel throughout the lodge and we were warmly greeted and check in took a few minutes with an offer from the staff to give us a personal tour of the lodge. The common area great room is absolutely beautiful and the themed decorations of the lodge feel were impeccable. We felt welcomed and at home...the in house spa is fantastic and the staff took their time in getting to know my individual needs to get the most of my massage. The dining room is especially cozy and the meal we had was amazing and not to mention the attentive and knowledgeable staff..especially Robin who was our server and was an amazing host as well. The bar is very classy and cozy and we met old friends there and all had drinks together and we couldn't have asked for a better bartender than Katie. Our visit was quiet and relaxing throughout our stay and we met some wonderful people during our stay. Our room was wonderfully decorated with a heart shaped spa tub, fireplace, huge bathroom and detached private balcony..not to mention how comfortable the bed was and we melted into sleep. We are already discussing a return visit soon and planning to send mom on the mothers day weekend special. The lodge may seem a bit pricey but well worth every penny...lets just say you get what you pay for and the Gateway far exceeded all of my preconceived expectations of what my visit was going to be like. Highly recommended to everyone. read more

Love this place. We make it a couple of times a year.

Used to love it! We love to dine and try new places and revisit lovely dining experiences. We had Been visiting this place since 2002. I'm not an individual to have ever left a negative public review, but due to the lack of tact in handing a bad experience with a reservation, I say don't waste your money...This year Our friends (table of 4) made reservations, paid ahead due to their policy, and arrived early. There were plenty of servers and time wasn't an issue for us. We weee ready to relax. They weren't ready for us, the table wasn't made and the food was cold and the whole evening was a shock and clearly disappointing compared to the previous lovely dinners we had in previous years. I was embarrassed for taking our friends there. We sent an email and communicated the issues that evening and next day in hopes to make it right or leave considerate words as an opportunity for improvement! Ha! Clearly, the office manager responded without fully reading the email and thought we were a party that needed a table for 11; never looking at our reservation that I'd attached to the email. I will gladly pay for a lovely meal and experience elsewhere. If I didn't have to add the star above for this to post, I would remove it or request a negative number ...less than par read more

3.5 stars. So many things were good about our visit, but so many things were frustrating and easily fixable, but not fixed. The cabin and staff were fantastic and my complaints are 100% management/admin related. Knowing what I know now, we probably would have chosen somewhere else to spend our anniversary week. The dining recommendations were great, which is a good thing because my first gripe is about the the restaurant hours and proper communication of them. A nice restaurant onsite was a huge reason I picked this location. My husband and I arrived hungry and looking forward to dinner on a Sunday. The website said "the restaurant is open to the public...." and there was another note about breakfast being available every day but not for the public. After arriving over 6 hours after we'd last eaten and being told that the restaurant was not open, it took over an hour to check in. The website also includes a note about the restaurant being closed for 3 days of the week. Well, I am not reading a legal document, I'm just trying to plan a vacation. The physical sign for Gateway Lodge says "dinner served nightly". So some consistency on this when in an area with limited dining options would be appreciated. Next is the lack of empowerment by the staff to resolve minor things. The number of minor things that had to be verified with the owner was astounding and is the reason checking in took over an hour. The cabins do not have phones, cell coverage, or wifi and do not have turndown service, so the only way to communicate with the front desk is by walking for 10 minutes up a steep hill. For example, there was a code locking our AC thermostat. We were cold and were unable to turn it down. There were instructions for the heat which we followed, but the gas fireplace was not connected. So, we ended up turning the AC off and turning the oven on to heat up the cabin. When I finally remembered to ask about this near the end of our 5-day stay, a gentleman at the front desk (who I later found out was the owner's husband) totally did not take my request for the AC code seriously and said we could adjust the temperature. I pressed and rudely interrupted him talking to another guest after he blew this off to ensure that someone was going to come down to our cabin. He came several hours later and then would not give me the code until I pressed for it. Then, we discovered that the jacuzzi tub controls were locked and the water was at a very low temperature. Was I interested in walking up 10 min to attempt to address this? Nope. Finally, there was some confusion over a discount because one of the luxury features advertised on their websites needed to be repaired. After checking with the owner, we were offered $25 off. I said "10%?" and the owner's husband said that they would update us on this during our 5-day stay. We asked about it at least twice. Then, when it was time to check out, there was only one $25 discount on the bill and the owner refused to come out and speak with us because she was planning a wedding. We were told 3x to email her and that she was too busy to talk with us in person. So, we sat down to email her from reception and about 10 minutes later, she came out to talk with us about it. Apparently it's only worth $5/day. If money is that tight, it's too bad that the restaurant was closed because we would have eaten there every night during our stay. The owner's husband could have clarified this when I said "10%". Having said all of this, the spa was fantastic, the lodge and cabin itself were very nice, and the staff were very kind and did what they could to make our stay pleasant. The luxury cabin was well furnished with modern appliances and definitely worth the price if it were not for these other problems. However, for them to charge what they want to charge and attract working professionals from DC and Pittsburgh to pay it, some components of the total experience need to be addressed. These things were frustrating enough that they negatively impacted our weeklong celebration and memories of our anniversary. read more

Lovely inn with a very good restaurant in the Cook Forest. It's the perfect balance of rustic and comfortable. But be sure to ask for a room far from the kitchen, which is noisy at night after dinner service ends and cleanup happens apparently. read more