Stayed for five days - could have stayed longer!
By A Yahoo! Contributor, 08/11/09
Spent five days at Harmel's for a mini-family reunion. Everyone had an incredibly fun time - horseback riding, rafting, fishing, hiking, and relaxing with a good book! Our two pre-teen daughters were introduced to fishing by their grandpa, and loved it! The well-stocked river meant that they couldn't miss - and they didn't. My brother caught the largest trout I've ever seen - just 50 yards from his cabin door.
Our two-bedroom cabin (slept 4) was clean, spacious, and comfortable, with a porch that faced the river. We had a refrigerator and a tv for dvd/vhs use only. There is a functioning big screen tv in the main lodge room if one can't do without. The lodge also has a pool table.
Overall, the food was very good. Even my very picky nine-year old found things she like at every meal. My favorite meal was the steak and crab cookout - fantastic!!! The view from the dining room and dining patio was beautiful. Harmel's keeps bird feeders just outside the dining room windows - one morning I must have counting 15-20 hummingbirds fluttering about!
The service throughout the resort was five-star. Every member of the staff was friendly and courteous, always asking if our needs were met, and working hard to fulfill requests. One staff member even volunteered to take an hour's worth of family portraits for us, at various locations around the ranch!
In addition to basic tourist gifts (t-shirts, coffee mugs), the gift shop offers fishing equipment as well as snack foods and an ice cream freezer.
Both Gunnison and Crested Butte are just a 30-40 minute drive away, so activities away from the ranch can be a part of your experience if desired.
A stay at Harmel's is a great family vacation I'd recommend to anyone looking to experience the outdoors!
