Not a resort--a decent retreat campground
My family was actually gifted a week vacation at this "resort" by wealthy family members who have an RCI/Timeshare Membership. They offered to let us choose a "resort" close to our home in NOVA/DC, so that we could take the kids there for a week. We found Shenandoah Crossing (SC), and selected it, based on its proximity to DC, and kid-friendly marketing. We discovered promptly that SC is NOT a resort. It is more like a campgroup/retreat center with some limited hotel amenities. The surrounding countryside is beautiful--and this is the highlight of SC.
Although my relative's RCI package usually gets them into high-falutin' five star resorts, we were only given a little two-bedroom log cabin with very few amenities. We later found that some cabins/chalets had nicer features, such as jacuzzis and fireplaces, but ours did not. It consisted of two small bedrooms, 1 bath, and a LD/DR/Kitchen combo room with a pullout bed. It had a slightly musty smell, but it was clean. We had nice, fresh linens, and soap & shampoo. The kitchen was stocked with dishes, although the turntable on the microwave was broken. Also our deadbolt on the front door didn't latch. The charcoal grill (bring your own charcoal) was fairly dirty--we didn't use it.
Perhaps the biggest complaint with the accomodations is that the clientele there is NOT high class. Our neighboring cabins did NOT adhere to the "quiet hours" between 10 PM and breakfast time. We were awakened at midnight to the sound of cars revving engines, and people "whooping it up" right outside our cabin.
There is only 1 restaraunt on sight, and we knew instantly that we wouldn't be eating any meals there. The food looked unappealing and overpriced.
The swimming pools were not useful to us, because the outdoor pools (Olympic style and baby pool) were FREEZING during June. Too cold for our kids. The indoor pool is small and was CROWDED! It also had no shallow end for our children. But the water temp was warm.
Lake Izac is beautiful, and I was excited to go paddle boating or something. But there was no type of boat rental! I was so disappointed!
We went on a trail ride, which was exactly what you would expect--and it was enjoyable. Unfortunatley, they stayed strictly in the woods, or took us under high-tension wires several times (very scenic!) I wish they'd taken us along some scenic vistas or something. They also have a few other animals in the barn, such as goats and ducks and a peacock. And the people at the Equestrian Center were nice. Call for the current schedule.
In fact, most of the staff we encountered were wonderful--very nice. It was simply the amenities themselves that were not resort-like. Do beware, they try hard to make you sign up for a high-pressure morning of sales pitches to buy into Blue-Green when you first arrive. They offer you $100 in bank money if you'll go through that nightmare.
Gordonsville, itself is a cute, tiny little town nearby, and it's about 20 minutes away--so be prepared to DRIVE if you want to get out and get food, etc. It is a small town with very few restaraunts or shops: basically Tastee Freeze and Food Lion. If you're prepared to go out to Charlottesville (40-50 mins away) SC is a nice homebase. But there are many other places to stay in the area, besides SC. The bottom line: we got a free vacation there, so I can't complain! But if we'd paid the "going rate," expecting to arrive at a resort, I would have been MIFFED!
P.S. Do NOT use the directions given via their website (using the Mapquest-style trip planner.) They are WRONG! Instead, follow those directions into Gordonsville, and then call SC for detailed directions on how to proceed from there. Otherwise, you'll end up very lost in a place with little or no cell phone coverage.