Gavin's Iris h Country Inn

We were probably the only non-Irish couple staying there, but we FELT Irish and definitely felt WELCOME. All the people visiting there interacted with each other - around the fire pit, the swimming pool, in the pub - and got to know each other as if we were all family. We had been here before, simply visiting the pub and walking around, and the impression was the same. The pub and grounds - open to the public it seems - are a family experience. Children are allowed, and dance with the adults to the always-talented bands/ vocalists playing and singing there. Yet couples can go to their own table and enjoy a private experience. Sometimes the musicians play outdoors as well. The food served in the dining room is very good, and well-portioned. A complaint is that the nightly rate includes the opportunity to engage in one of three local activities for free, and you have to pay this even if you do not intend to do these activities. On the other hand, these are really good activities, and if you do want to do them it's a good deal. It's also really neat to make friends at the Inn and then encounter them at these places. The list of daily activities given when a person checks in is sometimes unspecific ("to be announced"), and even the ones specifically mentioned may or may not happen. Giving this place the benefit of the doubt, I would venture that this is not usual, but happened because we were there during a time when there were not many people staying there. Still, if something is offered, it should take place. And specific things should be offered so people know whether or not to plan to be on grounds for it. We would have given this place a rating of four stars instead of five because of this, because if a visitor is looking for a resort-type experience that is not what they are going to get - but we gave it five because people who come here for the music or the FEEL of the place will find it everything they would wish it to be. Our impression is that activities are not what people mainly come here for. They come for the beautiful country surroundings, the relaxing, laid-back feel of the days here, and the opportunity to connect or re-connect with family and with strangers of the same ethnic background. This is not a high-class, fancy place but more of the feel of temporarily living in an actual community on a rural hillside in the Old Country. Our double bed was a size smaller than we were used to at home and was a bit creaky but comfortable. Certainly did not affect our enjoyment of our stay. The room was clean, spacious enough for our needs, had a porch looking into the central grassy area where everything goes on. ALL the buildings are built in somewhat of a circle, lending itself to a feeling of inclusion for everyone. And, unlike many hotels, where one or more sides of the building(s) are on or near a highway, the outside of the circle looks at grass and trees, at most including a small gravelly parking area or a quain

I've reached a point in my life where it's very, very rare for me to leave bad reviews. It's too easy for people to do so out of anger or spite and not real contents. I haven't stayed at the Resort; even though my business was doing an event there, and many of my vendors and attendees planned to go, nobody could afford the massive deposit and the high rates when compared to equally attractive local places with better reviews and friendlier management. My one vendor who scouted the location said it was about average pretty for the Catskills; however, after they refused to return his repeated phone calls to book, he felt unhappy. I attempted to hold an event here. I had full agreement. I knew we had to book the Inn full; I had multiple people attempt to book. None were able to do so. The Inn then canceled suddenly, saying it was going in a 'different direction'. We tried logic, we tried begging, and finally, we just asked for a simple introduction to the alternate site or sites of their choice. We were ignored. I get that they need to fill their Inn, but my staff became wary of booking their rooms after the vendors couldn't; the vendors had so much trouble that the booked very nice rooms at local resorts. I wouldn't work with Gavin's. I imagine they're great for their usual audience. But if you're not exactly who and what they know, and not their 'usual' crowd, our experience is that they will essentially quiet-quit on you until all of your people are frustrated and upset, then cancel you. Very bad experience. If you work with them, I hope you have a better experience. I can say I've worked with other venues locally, and had ten times as good an experience.