Hiking

Reviews of Big South Fork Trail Lodge

2 out of 5
Big South Fork Trail Lodge
136 Bruce St, Stearns, KY

Reviews

6.6
Rating 10 - Excellent. 19 out of 84 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 24 out of 84 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 16 out of 84 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 13 out of 84 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 12 out of 84 reviews" "

7.0/10

Cleanliness

7.6/10

Staff & service

5.6/10

Amenities

6.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

6.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

4/10 Poor

Anthony

Travelled with family
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Reservations for two rooms had been make weeks in advance. We arrived at about 8:20 and the clerk was surprised. He said notice of our stay was sent only hours before. Still, nothing had been done to prepare our rooms. We were told that they would be ready in thirty minutes, but it took fifty of course. No problem with the stay once we got into our rooms.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Charles

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Property was clean and maintained.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023

6/10 Okay

JERUSHA ANNE

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities
The staff were all very friendly and helpful. I didn’t bring my cat as I felt that the fee of $100 was excessive for this property especially compared to 4-5 star properties who charge way less, and then I arrive and there are cats everywhere. If you are allergic don’t stay here. I love cats and enjoyed it, except for the male cat spray smell in our room. When I was signing in a cat jumped up on the counter beside me and as an owner of cats that told me there’s cat on everything there. Again, I love them and so it didn’t bother me but plenty of people wouldn’t be able to stay. I thought the property was cute but it appears people are living there with their children and there was a broken down vehicle parked at our building. Inside the room, I could tell someone had cared to decorate it nicely and it was mostly clean. However, there was hair on the bathtub and the bath mat in both our rooms was horrific with stains. Not one or two but the entire mat looked filthy. We had two towels and two wash rags in each room, no hand towels and upon arrival someone was sent to our room to “plug stuff in”. The ice machine is broken. The shower in one of our rooms didn’t work so they had to come over and use ours. Overall I was a little disappointed because I thought we were paying for the room that is featured in the advertised pictures but if you look closely that is a Deluxe room only and you won’t get the little kitchenette in the other rooms.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

2/10 Terrible

Jose A

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

6/10 Okay

David

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness
Very rustic. Looks like they are trying to improve the inside of the rooms. Had some issues with the shower and the towels were clean but stained.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

4/10 Poor

Garry

Business traveller, Travelled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Terrible leak in Shower. The knob on the shower facet would not stay on.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Clevey

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
Response from JN on Oct 8, 2023
Thank you for taking the time to review your hotel stay. We hope to see you again next time your in the area.

4/10 Poor

shelia

Travelled with family
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very unsafe.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
Response from JN on Oct 8, 2023
We appreciate your time to review your stay. We don't appreciate your comments about the safety of the hotel. You did a hit job on us based on an incident that happened on the public street, not associated with anyone staying at the hotel. We even were pleasantly chatting with you as you were smoking outside your room. If you had any concerns then it would have been more polite.

10/10 Excellent

Tammy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
We stayed one night. The room was clean and staff was friendly. There were some dogs barking off and on throughout the evening but I think it was from a near by house not from another room at the lodge. The barking stopped before we got to sleep and it was quiet the rest of the night. The beds were a little more firm than I like but were still fairly comfortable. The location was perfect for us as it was only 2 minutes from the activity we had planned the following morning. It was myself and my mother and we felt safe there. Overall, it was a nice place to stay and would consider it again if I ever revisit the area.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023
Response from JN on Oct 7, 2023
Thank you for taking time to review your stay. The staff here tries to excel to make your stay comfortable. We hope to see you again next time your passing thru

2/10 Terrible

Sara

I did not feel safe at this property. There was a couple yelling and fighting in the room next to me. I also could not get my laptop connect to the internet for homework. I felt so unsafe I didn't even stay the whole night. It looks like the meth capital of the country in this town.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023
Response from js on Sep 8, 2023
Thank you for submitting comments on your stay. I fully reject your comments on the room. The rooms on both sides of your room were empty and under renovation, so the chances of you hearing arguments “in the next room” is false as they were empty. We have security cameras on the property and upon review nothing was happening on the property as usual that night. We have fiber internet and cable tv on the property with 1 tb speed if you had issues with the internet you should have brought this to staff attention. We were aware you were able to connect with your phone and the issue was your laptop. We are here 24 hours a days to help with your concerns. As far as your meth comment, well there is no justification for that ignorant comment

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very quiet and pet friendly important.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Response from js on Sep 8, 2023
Thank you for taking the time to review us. We hope to see you again soon Thank you the Staff

8/10 Good

Linda

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Response from js on Sep 8, 2023
Thank you for taking the time to review our hotel. We hope to see you again soon Thank you the staff

10/10 Excellent

Sara

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was nice and had a nice home like feel, the beds were super comfortable and the room was very clea. Staff was friendly and very helpful. Pool was the perfect place to relax and escape the heat of the day. As a solo traveler this one one of the only hotels I will stay at alone. I feel very safe there. It was very quiet, and conveniently located near local attractions, hiking and plenty of options to choose from for dinner. 10/10 would recommend staying here.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Response from js on Aug 9, 2023
Thank you for taking time to review your stay. We always try our best for our guests. We hope to see you next time your passing thru the area.

4/10 Poor

Cheri

Travelled with family and small children
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Pulled the sheets off the bed to find spiders crawling. Smelled like a smokers house. Didnt give enough towels or pool towels. Ran out of toilet paper. No ice. We had nowhere else to stay so we went and bought air freshner and bug killer..
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023
Response from js on Aug 9, 2023
Thank you for taking the time to send us comments. Rather than being a keyboard complainer, it would have been best to allow us to satisfy your requests on the spot. We are a 24 hour motel. The motel has over 250 towels for the rooms and the pool. We do spray for all creepy crawlies on a regular schedule as we are loacted in the middle of the Daniel Boone National Forrest that is host to Bears, Moose, Fox, and the usual insects, Each room is afforded 2 rolls of toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner, and soap, along with coffee and a coffee pot upon check in and always happy to replenish.

2/10 Terrible

Tim

Travelled with family, Travelled with family and small children, Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Starts with waiting a half an hour for someone to show up and unlock the office to check in. The office smelled of cat urin and visible cat poop on the floors. The room was no better. Smelled of wet dog. The air conditioner was covered in mold and mildew not to mention the cover was damaged. There were no towles or wash clothes. We did not stay here and management refuses to refund our money.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023
Response from JS on Jul 23, 2023
Thank you for taking time to send your comments. We area small family run motel, at times the staff maybe out readying the rooms for our guests or attending to their needs. We have posted the number on the door along with a doorbell in the event we are not in te office. Not sure if you actually looked at the room because we always walk the guest into the room to be sure everything is up to his/her standards. I know for a fact we did not send you into a room as you are exagerating here. If your upset your life or about your refund you were directed to contact Expedia and we would refund you, if appropriate. Unable to explain the proceedure because of your smug attitude you left and never contacted Expedia, but you were able to leave a review that suits your mentality. We hope in the future we can earn a better experience for you.

2/10 Terrible

Dwight

Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
Response from js on Aug 9, 2023
Well, without constructive comments, the hotel staff will not be able to improve on issues you may have had, otherwise this just seems like a hijack of a legitimate process to improve. We take these reviews seriously and discuss the good and bad with staff.

2/10 Terrible

Kevin

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Nothing
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023
Response from Eric on Jun 19, 2023
The guest is a no show.

8/10 Good

Jeremy

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023
Response from js on Jun 25, 2023
Thank you for taking the time to review us. We hope your enjoyed your stay and look forward to seeing you next time your are in the area.

6/10 Okay

Jim

Travelled with family, Travelled with pets, Travelled with partner
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Pictures are misleading
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
Response from JS on Jun 25, 2023
Thank you for taking time to comment. I honestly took those pictures at the property. I am not sure if your saying my picture talent isnt that good, or you reserved a different room than pictured. Each room has it distinct features. All rooms have new floors, Linens and flat screen TV.

6/10 Okay

William

Travelled with family, Travelled with pets
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
I did not like the cigarette burns, nor stains on the bed sheets. Two wall outlets didn’t work properly. Room was clean though and very quiet.
Stayed 1 night in May 2023
Response from js on Jun 29, 2023
Thank you for taking time to comment on your stay. We do apologize for the not up to standard linens. We have staff here 24 hours a day for your needs or requests. We hope we have the opportunity to WOW you in the future. We are glad you liked the clean rooms and peaceful surroundings

4/10 Poor

Mark

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The room reeked of cigarettes. It was so bad we left and went elsewhere despite no refund policy
Stayed 1 night in May 2023
Response from JS on Jun 25, 2023
Thank you for making us aware of the issue you had. We would have appreciated it if you told us when we walked you to the room to verify everything was in working order. rather than an hour later. We would have been happy to accomidate you in a different room. We are a total smoke free motel. We also use Room purification machines in all our rooms.

6/10 Okay

Allen

Travelled with partner
It was ok for a 1980's hotel.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
Response from JS on Jun 25, 2023
Thank you for taking the time to review the property. All of our rooms have new linens, upgraded pillows and new wood floors. We also have updated flat screen tvs with remotes which were purchased in 2023. We are no longer an 80's motel which would be rather cool idea

6/10 Okay

Danny

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Very friendly staff and clean room. Blinds had a hole so people could see in the room and we were near the office more people about. A ratty looking riding mower sitting outside our room did not look appealing.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
Response from js on Jun 29, 2023
Thank you for taking the time to comment on your stay. We hare happy you liked the staff and clean rooms.Sorry for the lawn mower near your room as it was mowing day, we will try to be aware of its location.Hope we see you again next time your passing thru

8/10 Good

Mark

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2023

2/10 Terrible

Kimberley

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We did not stay at this property. The owner showed us 4 rooms and they all smelled strongly of cigarette smoke. The lobby was filthy and smelled like cat urine. The exterior of the main building had broken furniture laying around. Garbage and leaves covered the entry way. The owner or he guy that took our credit card could not even run a credit card, he ran through Uncle Buck's Liquor store. I'm not sure if that is even legal. I want to know how Expedia could even offer a property like this. WE will be askingfor our money back.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

2/10 Terrible

Crystal

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
dirty towels, black mold on the sink , carpets nasty, woke us up at 8 in the morning after 4 hours of sleep to work on tvs that did not work the first day we were there, the maintenance guy was really nice but worked directly above our room until 1 am hammering and beating.mold on the fridge, no hot water in the shower.this was our very first vacation together and we were to tired to do anything due to lack of sleep. people live in these rooms the town told us a lot of drug addicts live here and its not safe.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

6/10 Okay

Diana

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Not so great fork
We tried to go in the office when we arrived. The door was locked and the guy running it finally appeared carrying a crowbar and some sheets with him. There was no computer system in the office. He had to call someone else to see if we had a reservation. The back of the office, in another room, had trash bags all piled up in the middle of the floor. It just looked really messy and dirty. Our room had some drilled holes in the wall where it appeared there was something missing from the wall. The base of a smoke detector was there, but not the actual smoke detector. There was a dead spider that had been killed and put in the trash can in the bathroom. The picture in the bathroom had broken glass on the bottom corner. The beds were old and needing to be replaced. One mattress was really stiff and the other was really too soft. The floors were ice cold and really needed swept and mopped better. The shower head was really chingy. The hot water took forever to get somewhat hot. I would not recommend staying here.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2023

6/10 Okay

Natasha

Travelled with family, Business traveller, Travelled with pets
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
I understand the owners are new and had a bad experience with contractors. Walls are very thin. My son was hearing things from next room he shouldn't have had to hear. No coffee pot upon arrival. One was brought, but didn't work. Very dusty in room with decorations falling off the wall. Bathroom door would not close. No hot water for showering. .

10/10 Excellent

Sharon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service

4/10 Poor

Marjorie

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The worst.
We booked a nonsmoking, but someone had been smoking in the room. And the bathroom sink the stopper was missing and cigarette butt drop down it. The two mirrors in the room was filthy. I wouldn’t stay again or recommend it to anyone.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2022

8/10 Good

Robert

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Reasonable price
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2022

4/10 Poor

Sarah

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2022

6/10 Okay

Barbara

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

John

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2022

2/10 Terrible

marc, surprise

Business traveller, Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We booked this location as it was the only option in the town, drove 12 hrs and found a run down hotel with what appears to be people living there, room was dirty had 2 pillows on only 1 of the beds sheets were yellow stained smelled like pee, dirt on floor what appears to be dead roaches we checked out and were told we needed to contact expedia for refund we did they sent email indicating the owners refused refund, they recalled hotel and were told that I ok'd them keeping 1 day for refund (never had that conversation) STAY AWAY this PLACE IS DIRT HOLE, and Shady operator unless you like PEE smell , bugs and questionable residence I also filed complaint with My CC company to get them to reverse the charge (they needed to call the manager to process CC so also think that is violating PCI compliance for CC processing practices STAY AWAY and Dont Trust EXPEDIA TO HELP you Very Disappointed in them as well
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022
Response from Eric on Oct 10, 2022
In response to your review, I am not sure what you are reviewing but it does not describe this hotel. We just completed a total renovation of the rooms. We are not aware of any refund requested. If you are interested in a refund we do not have a problem with the stated refund procedures. I think your angry at Expedia not the hotel itself please contact us to refund the charges and we can work with Expedia. I also don't think your commentary on others guests at the hotel is polite or accurate. This hotel greets all customers with dignity and respect. If you look down on other people that maybe different than yourself then I feel you need to look into your own predjuces.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Like staying at grandmas
This is at least our 3rd time staying here over the past 5 years or so. There aren’t many choices in this area. They do have a new owner who is renovating the rooms, new flooring in ours. As is everywhere since Covid, they do have staff shortages. The beds were comfy but everything in the room is older, well worn, “serviceable” but not aesthetically pleasing. This is a small mom/pop style hotel, not a chain hotel. They allow pets. The tv is a flat screen and worked well. Kuerig machine, microwave, and minifridge was in room. It is conveniently located for where our family live in the area.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022
Response from Taliah on Aug 30, 2022
Thank you for taking time to review us. We hope to see you soon.

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
We had such a great time! The service and staff are friendly and helpful! This facility is also close to all the outdoor adventures and trails at Big South Fork!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022
Response from Taliah on Aug 30, 2022
Thank you for taking time to review us. We hope you return soon.

8/10 Good

Deborah

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022
Response from Taliah on Aug 30, 2022
Thank you for your stay and time filling out the survey. We hope we see you again soon.

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness
Rustic no frills stay
This is a no frills place to stay which is what we were looking for however it wasn't very clean including the bedding, area around beds, and floor. Be sure to get all you need when they first ask you because it was difficult to reach or find someone after check in and find a need. Friendly people though
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2022

8/10 Good

CLEVA

Travelled with group
Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The property is older but the owners were wert nice and accomadimg. They are making upgrades. The room and bathroom was clean .
Stayed 1 night in May 2022

8/10 Good

ED

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Older and dated but clean, warm, hot shower, good tv, etc. We stay every year on our hunting trip. Very friendly folks
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2021

6/10 Okay

darlene

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2021

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location but sort of worn and tired faculties. Staff service - none.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2021

2/10 Terrible

Melissa

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stay away
We booked online, but once we checked out our room we asked and received a refund. It is a very rundown establishment and the room smelled heavily of smoke, even though all the rooms are smoke-free. The room had stains on the carpet and furniture. The employee was very nice and worked with us, but we just could not stay here and be comfortable.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2021

6/10 Okay

Helene

Travelled with family
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2020
Response from Eric van on Feb 8, 2021
Thank you for taking the time to review us. Hope we will see you again in the future.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2021
Response from Eric van on Feb 8, 2021
I appreciate the time you took to review the property. I hope next time you are in the area you stay with us.

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Travelled with family and small children
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Both beds in our room was covered in dog hair. There was also a large, loud dog kept inside that barked everytime we made any type of noise. Someone got robbed the same night we were there. Would not recommend, stay in your car before you stay at this place
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2021
Response from Eric van on Feb 8, 2021
In response to your I will set the facts of the events correctly Upon your arrival you exited your car the dog was barking the int back yard area as we are a dog friendly property, this scared your child and started to cry, you then told the front desk you had a family emergency and would not be checking in. You never went into the room or checked in so you would not know anything about the room. The past 3 years property has never had a robbery in the room or outside on the property. In summary you arrived angry and stressed with family issues and decided to write a bad review on a very nice property. I will not let that go unanswered.

6/10 Okay

Linda T

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Clean place
The room was very clean. Office was always locked. They gave us a number to call if you need anything. We needed towels and called. They brought towels to our room immediately. They keep a dog there that barks a lot during the day, but the dog was quiet at night. It’s a convenient place to stay if you’re riding the Big South Fork Scenic Railway.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2020

8/10 Good

Jason

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2020

8/10 Good

Robert

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The staff was very helpful, the room was clean, and there pool was very nice...had some issues with connecting to wifi, but I think that was my limited tech capabilities
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2020