Applegate River Lodge, Jacksonville

It was advertised as a B&B on their websites until a few days ago. They did NOT serve breakfast and our experience was so bad I emailed them suggesting they refund our money, considering the piss-poor service AND the false advertising. They immediately changed their websites and ignored me. Says a lot, eh? There are two positive reviews on this place. One is from someone who stayed there in September and was able to see all the rooms. If that's the case, they were the only guests. So, I guess if the owners were partied out that night, it would have been quiet. The other review was obviously written in the exact style of their own advertising. I will say that the food has USUALLY been quite good and the music on Wednesday nights is outstanding. However, if you're one that doesn't care for animals in a food service area, this place is not for you.

Looks can be deceiving when staying at this place. I was looking forward to a nice stay on the Applegate river near where my folks own property. Well, took forever for somebody to come to the check-in desk. I was about to leave because I didnt feel like looking around for the clerk (who I found out is the owner also). When I needed help at the check-in desk, people in the lobby who I thought were guests turn out to know the person who runs the desk. Seemed strange to me....turns out most of the people there somehow knew the owner very well, would just walk to the room in back of the desk. I find the owner and ask about any trails to hike around the river and the response is a foul word about the neighbors not letting him build a trail?? which I didnt understand and was a bit taken aback. I also find out that the clerk is the owner too. There was no soap or shampoo in the bathroom. No television, just a old boom box. Lighting is sparse and loft upstairs is too warm to sleep. I found a dirty pillow case just sitting by itself on a stool near the bed. I heard music blaring late at night and coming from below my room. Turns out the owner is having his own party with all the guests who I suppose are really friends and family. I get strange responses like, "this place is really a recording studio", "we just want to have fun", "don't you like to party?" Not when it disturbs my sleep past 1 am. I do not recommend this place for anyone and also suggest that the place be advertised as a so-called "recording studio" if thats the case and not a lodge.

I was hoping for a nice, relaxing quiet geteway by the Applegate River but turned into a fiasco. The lodge is overlooking a river and has some beautiful scenery but thats where the fun ends. There are no trails to walk near the river and just a few innertubes to float in but if you catch the river current, how are you going to get back. There are no trails, just lots of brush. No television, too hot to sleep in the loft where the big bed is located. Lighting is very dim and sparse and I couldnt find any complimentary soaps or shampoos (luckily I brought my own). Kids running amok at night jumping up and down on the floors and stairway. Pre-recorded music starts playing late at night as I am just going to sleep, goes on until 1 am or so. I investigate and find the music coming from room behind the check in desk.

If you are looking for a quiet geteway this is not the place. Where do I begin? When my wife and I first arrived we waiting at the desk for a good period of time. No bell but we knocked on the desk, said hellooo? Finally, someone shows up but can't find our reservation. We have to help the person look at the registry log and finally find just a phone number (no names) that was used for us. The room is somewhat charming with a view overlooking the river but queen bed is upstairs in a loft where its very warm in the summer. There is a twin bed downstairs where there is an air conditioner so its a little bit cooler down there. Lights are sparse and not very bright so I found it hard to read. No T.V. but it didnt matter to us because this was a getaway to a remote location. There is no soap or shampoo in the place so better bring your own. After 10 pm, I hear banging sounds to discover kids jumping up and down on the floor downstairs and running up and downstairs yelling. The noise goes away until about 11:30 pm when I hear rock music being played from somewhere down below our room. The music is coming from the area or room around the check in desk which is down below our room. The music went on past midnight and I decide to pack up and stay somewhere else. If you make any complaint they do not seem to really care and do not seem to want to rectify the situation.

My wife and I visited The Applegate Lodge in Sept. 2005. It was an anniversary trip and we lucked out got to stay in the honeymoon suite. Loved the ambience-It's so peaceful sitting out along the applegate river. Everything was so layed back- we couldn't help but relax and enjoy a truly beautiful lodge. "Pa", one of the owners, went out of his way to provide excellent hospitality. We were able to view all the different rooms at the lodge and we can't wait to try one of the many interesting choices available on our next trip. If you enjoy meeting genuine and honest folks. I think you will enjoy Applegate lodge. There's nothing phoney or artificial here- Just honest good natured people wanting to share a bit of their "paradise" with others. Jerry