*fourth paragraph down is where the review objectively starts…read more
I've never left a review on Yelp in my many years of using it to find great restaurants, cafes, breweries, etc., but after staying at the Elkhorn Lodge I've made the decision to start, or, at the very least leave a review for this place, as it deserves it more so than anywhere else.
I've been on quite a long cycling journey across the United States, and most times opt to camp or couch surf with people but, from time to time, decide to stay in a motel/inn. The day I arrived in Angel Fire I had cycled up from Las Vegas, and it was a long, hard, though beautiful, day, and I was feeling rather ragged and uninterested in finding a spot to camp, so I thought to give this place a call. I talked to Nancy on the phone and she persuaded me to swing on by.
I got there a few minutes later, wandered in and poked my head around a bit thinking it was a comfortable, cozy looking place. She came out from the kitchen and I introduced myself as the guy she had talked to on the phone, though she suspected that immediately. I could pretty much tell right away she was a kind, warm-hearted, woman. We got to talking about my trip, which she was really impressed by, and the light of fascination and admiration shone in her eyes. We talked further about the lodge, which she's in the beginnings of making over, as she's had really terrible luck with finding competent people to run it for her while she attended to her other business (tours of the region on horseback), but, with an admirable astuteness, intelligence and wisdom realized that these people (one in particular) who had really damaged the business for her also did her a great favor in helping her to realize that if she was going to run a business, and she really loved that business, that she needs to be there for it, and so now she's working on improving things (although there seems to me very little that needs improving).
Eventually I made my way up to my room which I was surprised to see had a balcony on it that faced the ski slopes (now downhill mountain bike slopes). The room was clean and spacious, the bathroom stocked with far more than what I needed, and the mattress probably the most comfortable I've slept on perhaps ever. It felt a lot like a memory foam mattress. Just perfect.
Anyway, I ended up joining her for a snack later on in the dining area, which was where I was first nosing about when I arrived, and continued our conversation that ranged from my journey, to her journey with the lodge, to her horseback adventures business, to the beauty of New Mexico, people, life, etc., etc. There weren't too many people staying at the lodge while I was there, so at busier times I don't think she'd be able to give so much attention to individual guests (no one could), but just the fact that she was so curious and had the time and inclination to sit down with me is something I'll never forget.
It was truly a fantastic stay at the Elkhorn Lodge that was pushed way over the top having been able to connect so personally and deeply with the owner, Nancy. Oh, and the price is fantastic considering what you get, like A REAL BREAKFAST. None of the disgusting garbage every franchise/chain motel serves (bad waffles, sausage, biscuits, gravy, "eggs," cereal, etc.). Here there is a a kitchen where a proper breakfast is cooked and served--bacon, potatoes, eggs, toast, coffee, actual orange juice. I mentioned how comfortable my room and bed was already.
I don't know what else I can add to this review. It's absurdly long, but the place deserves a review this good. Few other places, in particular, motels, do.
